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Tour de Tapas

4.3 (92 reviews)
Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Tour de Tapas Photos

TOUR DE TAPAS ATMOSPHERE

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Romantic

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Recommended Reviews - Tour de Tapas

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Bruschetta
Mazy B.

Finally stopped in & was not disappointed!! Very cute shop, very nice staff, and very good bites. First off the beer & wine list was excellent & imported from all around including Ireland, Germany, Spain, etc. The menu & options for food is small & limited, but that's how you know it's quality focused. Definitely stop in!!

Ribeye special
Elizabeth V.

Tour de Tapas located in La Mesa. Parking can be challenging as there is only street parking. They offer indoor and outdoor seating and appear to be pet friendly (outdoor seating only). Ambiance was nice. Customer service from a particular employee (Steve we later found out) was UNPROFESSIONAL and RUDE! It was our first time coming to Tour de Tapas. As we were walking in, I made eye contact with Steve a couple times and not once did he speak. I saw no sign stating "Please wait to be seated". As I walk up to the counter where Steve stood, I said hello and informed him this was our first time dining and asked do wait to be seated or so we seat ourselves? With a rude tone he replies "NO" and chuckled to himself. Then came from behind the counter to show us two dining tables to choose from. We were a party of 3 and all of us felt his rude and cocky attitude. My son wanted to leave and just go to another restaurant but, I informed him I refused for that person to ruin our dining experience! Thank goodness out waiter Benjamin saved the rest of the evening! Ben was absolutely AMAZING! Ben was professional, polite, informative of the dishes, and had amazing table service throughout the entire dining experience! We ordered: Bread service/Baguette - bread was perfectly toasted Calamari Fritti - perfect crispiness and lightly coated Pulpo con Chistorra - Tender octopus and flavorful sausage Spanish Paella - Delish Costillas de Cordero - Tender and cooked to perfection Ribeye steak special - Tender and cooked to perfection Typically, when the food is good as a Yelp Elite, I promote for all to give the venue a try! But I do not promote rude customer service! Usually when there is no signage for seating at the front of the house of a restaurant and you make eye contact with staff, they will address the customer and let them know "I will be with you in a moment". Sadly, this is not a practice at Tour de Tapas.

Four cheese pasta
Bernadette S.

Instagram brought us to Tour De Tapas. Never really been in La Mesa area and the little area that this restaurant in is so cute. We were a group of 7 on a Tuesday night. The place was empty, which was perfect for us since we are a loud bunch. The menu had a range of everything and so, we sampled quite a few dishes. Ordered the following Bruschetta x2 Calamari x2 Mussels x2 Paella x2 Grilled octopus x2 Ribeye (comes with truffle fries) Rockfish Patatas bravas x2 Four cheese pasta Bread board Wow. Everything was delicious. I think the winner was the mussels in creme sauce. Something about the sauce made it so savory, we were dipping everything in it! The portion was the right amount for our group. We probably would have been good with one paella as this was the only thing left over, and a small portion of the pasta. The service was great. Its a cute spot, definitely make a reservation if you have a big group. Marcos was great! There is free parking on the street. Definitely would come back here just for the mussels!

Patatas bravas
Jennifer C.

So happy to have this option in La Mesa. Overall we enjoyed our time and the food but there is some room for improvement. We came on a Tues with a group of 4 at 6:30 and didn't have a wait. The menu has a variety of smaller plates that are Italian and Spanish inspired. We tried the fraise salade, patatas bravas, calamari fritti, pulpo con chistorra, penne Alla arrabiatta, pesce Alla livornese and the mousse au chocolat. Also ordered a bottle of rioja wine to split and the price was VERY reasonable! So appreciated nowadays. Hits: - fraise salade (light and refreshing with a nice savoriness from the serrano) - calamari fritti (perfect breading and good crunch) - pesce Alla livornese (never had rockfish and we enjoyed the firmer texture that held up well to the delicious sauce. No flavors were overdone and their were in good balance) Misses: - patatas bravas (potatoes were not crispy at all and the sauce flavor too mild) - mousse au chocolat (mousse was not set AT ALL. Was a soupy pudding that literally ran off the spoon)

Wait
Ben R.

Finally a good Tapas place in my neighborhood. I love good Tapas and of course we had to try this new spot, and we will certainly be back. They had a good overall menu, and were friendly with out 5 year old. We tried many of the menu items and they were all delicious. Prices are reasonable and the wait staff was excellent. Looking forward to the next time.

Suite front
Emmett T.

Tour de Tapas is a creation from the owners of City Tacos who took over this space in downtown La Mesa Village. It's a quaint suite with some countertop seating out front, but everyone was inside during this cooler weather. I sat at a two-top table across from the bar which had about eight spots. On the marquee sign, it stated "Euro Small Plates & Sips" which was a succinct description of what was being served at this new eatery. A two-page food menu listed cold plates, hot plates, and soups on one side. The flip side showed pasta & rice, entrees, and desserts. The best thing I noticed was that except for two items (filet mignon, paella), everything was priced at $20 or less. It reflected the smaller portion sizes that is the heart of tapas. If I was hungrier, then three items would have been feasible. I settled for one hot plate and one entree in the Pulpo con Chistorra and the Costillas de Cordero. The first was described as sauteed Spanish octopus & chistorra sausage in a delicate wine sauce with sundried tomato, green onions, and fresh herbs. I have seen places serve octopus with chorizo, however chistorra was a faster cured version of Spanish pork sausage. I found that the sausage flavor was potent and overshadowed the octopus that was served as several chopped pieces. The entree was two panko crusted grilled rack of lamb lollipops over a rich rosemary demi glace & buttered potato. I loved how a couple of sizeable chunks of potato served as the base to hold the lamb above the savory sauce. For the price point, the lollipops were perfect as I would have ordered another round if my stomach had more room. Some of the staff was in training as they were learning the ins and outs of the handheld ordering units. All were very welcoming and polite during my dinner at Tour de Tapas.

lamb in a rosemary sauce to die for
Leslie C.

OMG!!!!! La Mesa finally has an absolutely perfect restaurant. First the ambiance is just lovely. The tables are nicely spaced apart. The music is beautiful and not too loud. The lighting is dim but not so dim that you can't read the menu. The service is top notch. The owner greeted us and made us feel welcome and special. the waiter was attentive and helpful but never intrusive. I had to make a substitution and he took care of it without blinking. Of course the best part of this place is the amazingly delicious food! We ordered the bruschetta, french onion soup, rockfish and lamb chops with green beans instead of potatoes. The soup and bruschetta were the best I've had anywhere in San Diego. The lamb was absolutely divine and juicy and was accompanied by an amazing rosemary sauce that I simply could not get enough of. They bake their bread in house. The owner was kind enough to give us some which i used to dunk in both the soup and the lamb sauce. I never eat bread but I had to make an exception because it was so delicious. And get this....prices are very reasonable!! I do wish they had a couple of additional salad options like a simple mixed green salad or a salad lyonnaise but not a big deal as I found plenty of food to enjoy!!! I'll definitely be back- maybe every week. Yes it really is that good!

crema catalana
Lam B.

Lots of potential and great ambiance but the seasoning needs work. We came at opening and were seated immediately. The servers were very friendly but we weren't checked on frequently. There was an affordable wine and beer menu along with the chef's ribeye special during our dinner. My sangria and bruschetta came out almost immediately while the entrees took some time. However, our dessert took noticeably longer to come out so we sat there for an extra 20 minutes. *Sangria: massive glass topped with some citrus. Refreshing. *Bruschetta di Pomodoro: the bread and olive oil were the best parts. Unfortunately the Roma tomatoes were bland despite the generous inclusion of garlic. This could have benefitted from a sprinkle of salt, sugar or balsamic glaze. The bread was toasted perfectly and offered a stellar crunch. *Moules a la Creme Et Au Vin Blanc: mussels were properly cleaned and they swam in a rich white wine sauce. The seafood was naturally sweet and it paired well with the creaminess and onions. The herbs weren't too prominent so this tasted a bit heavier but I enjoyed savoriness. *Ribeye Special: 12 oz ribeye covered in a red wine demi glaze and truffle fries for $32. Reasonably price given the portion size although the ribeye was on the thinner side. 1/3 of the steak was closer to medium than medium rare but it was cooked well overall given the thickness. The steak however lacked a good sear and seasoned crust. The red wine demi glaze was underwhelming in flavor. The consistency was velvety but it lacked beefiness, aromatics and spices. The fries were cooked perfectly. Not oily in the slightest, crispy with a fluffy interior. I wished the truffle oil was applied more heavily though. *Crema Catalana: executed poorly. The sugar top was so smokey and burnt that we couldn't taste the custard at all. There was a mention of lemon zest but the smoke penetrated all the way through. Overall, I liked the feel of Tour de Tapas and I found the portions to be reasonable despite them being tapas. The servers were great although the process was on the slower side. I hope to see some improvements on food preparation and execution so for now it is at 3 stars.

01Apr2025. date # 1111 Our new friends Ben, Marco & Randy @Tour de Tapas
J W.

01Apr2025 Once upon a chill evening in SoCal .. Oh my, a new tapas restaurant with European small plates and fine bottles of Spanish wine. We started with oyster mushrooms & chorizo.. yum Calimari stuffed with octopus, rice and sun dried tomato in a white wine herb sauce.. Umh Still looking for adventure, we tried the French onion and also the herb cream soups.. yay At last it was time for port and cream Catalan and chocolate mousse.... I'll try to recover... Please.. the service was most excellent. The atmosphere and ambiance was fresh, creative and punctuated with most pleasant surroundings . Most reasonable and affordable.. Hope you enjoy as much as we did..

Chapo and I sippin on Sangria at the farmers market
Dominika P.

5 stars I had a great experience at Tour de Tapas! My server, Randy, provided excellent and friendly service from start to finish. I ordered the bruschetta--one of the best I've ever had--and took the French onion soup to go. The prices are very reasonable, and the overall atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. I especially enjoyed sitting on the patio with my dog, sipping sangria and people-watching. I'll definitely be back!

Beef bourguignon, and yes I a bite before I snapped the photo.

Just back from dinner at Tour de Tapas and I totally wish I had come here sooner. This is a great addition to the neighborhood. Ambiance was cute and quaint. Service was great, welcoming and attentive. The restaurant was almost full (which was very nice to see) and our food still came out hot and at a nice pace. We ordered the pulpo, salad, patatas bravas and the two specials which were beef bourguignon and a sort of crostini. I forget the name of the crostini but it had a cheese, pesto, tomatoes and prosciutto and it was quite good. All our dishes were flavorful and I thought the portions and price were reasonable. The beef bourguignon was actually one of the better ones I've had in SD. The paella was a big portion and it was loaded with seafood. Overall a very nice experience and we look forward to going back.

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5 months ago

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2 months ago

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4 months ago

I've been here a few times and really enjoy it. The service and food are always very great.

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

Amazing tapas, cute ambiance, and great service. Competitive pricee...would definitely come back

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6 months ago

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Beautiful and intimate setting. The food and wine were delicious and the service is exceptional! We will be back for sure!

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Ask the Community - Tour de Tapas

Does this place have Happy Hour?

Yes, 4:00 to 5:00 and 8:30 to 10:00 Sun, Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9:00 to 10:00 Fri and Sat.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Went here for the first time with my date this past weekend 4/25. We had a reservation but chose to…read moresit at the bar since there were two great seats available. The night started off really well. The gentleman at the front greeted us, and we instantly connected since we're both from Guadalajara. It felt like the experience was going in a great direction. At the bar, things changed. The bartender was friendly toward me but not toward my Middle Eastern date, which made things uncomfortable. When taking our order, he stayed in the middle of the bar while opening a wine bottle instead of coming over, so we could hear him. When my date asked him to come closer, he seemed visibly annoyed. The food, though, was amazing--delicious and great quality. We'll give it another try, but next time we won't sit at the bar.

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Best Sangria and beef empanadas. We had great service and…read moregreat food! Decor and ambiance was fantastic and set the tone. Can't wait to go back. Our new favorite restaurant.

Sevilla Valentine's Day Edition:…read more Pardon the delay, amigos! It's been a lengthy week! But I digress! You're here for the deets! Like every boyfriend who wants to show his adoration for his gorgeous girlfriend, I planned this event a few weeks ago. Commitment & dedication are key. Flamenco Show, 3 course dinner for two, AND dancing after?! Yeah, your amigo has it covered! This package is available on their website, and not only on Valentine's. But this day does make it more romantic! A minor 5-10 minute wait as we stepped out of our Uber to the front entrance of the club adjacent to the restaurant. Our lovely hostess greeted us & escorted us downstairs to pick our table. There were no specific table reservations, but all seats are good, as it's a small venue. The Love Gods smiled upon us and granted a table close to the front with an awesome view of the stage. Perfect table for the perfect date! Starters set the tone. What's this? A Welcome Charcuterie Platter?! It appears out of nowhere as our server takes our drink orders. The service here is impeccable! Impressive spread of cheesy, meaty goodness! The Shaved Jamón Serrano Ensalada Sevillana has a wonderfully zesty citrus vinaigrette that makes you clack your castanets! Ole!! Cocktails for the cute couple! A Oaxacan Flower for my Monterrey Mami! My gal loves her some mezcal! I opted for El Matador Margarita, because I know what I want...tequila! Plus the cucumber counts as healthy! I will die on this hill! The Main Course is the star of the show. And in full diva fashion, the Lobster Paella Valenciana stole the spotlight! A masterfully, monstrous mix of meat & seafood, all on top of some bomb-a** Saffron Bomba Rice! There's even a lobster tail in case you're still hungry! Queue the Flamenco show. The two dancers were elegant, the music was powerful, the singer sublime! Enjoy your dinner to a phenomenal 2 part show put on by very talented artists! We got to meet them after the show, as they personally thanked practically every guest! Elegant as their artform! Lest we forget the dessert! The Flourless Chocolate Cake was just the right amount of sweetness to cap off the dinner & show, as we shared our own sweet nothings. Love & Chocolate, a perfect combo, just like my beloved beauty & her humble narrator. As the performers were packing up & saying their final goodbyes, the staff was clearing the space for the last part of our adventure...dancing! A brief 15ish minute wait back outside & back inside we went! Got a great spot up front by the stage, but be aware the only sitting will be done by the VIP section. I believe it's bottle service only, but you can ask. We didn't, as we did not intend to sit at all! We boogied down, baby! The DJ did a great job keeping the vibe alive. Perfect ending to a perfect night. *Caveat - The dinner menu has other options & several a la carte items, if you so choose. Check their website for specific package info. You cannot go wrong. TL:DR - Never give up on love!

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Tour de Tapas - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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