Best Spanish Restaurants in Los Angeles
10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Somni
LA's most expensive restaurant with 3 Michelin stars and theatrical presentation
Essential Picks
#1
Somni
9.4
This 3-Michelin-starred theatrical dining experience offers a 20-course Spanish tasting menu in an intimate converted bungalow. Chef Aitor Zabala's avant-garde approach to Catalan cuisine creates a dreamlike culinary journey with meticulously crafted small plates featuring textures, temperatures, and whimsical presentations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shiso Tartare Tempura, Mussel Escabeche, Gazpacho Course
What Makes it Special: LA's most expensive restaurant with 3 Michelin stars and theatrical presentation
Notable Picks
#2
Dos Besos
8.3
This intimate paella specialist delivers Valencia's coastal flavors through expertly crafted seafood-studded rice with perfect socarrat crust, served in a charming brick building with patterned tile floors. Chef Alejandro Llobet's authentic Spanish tapas and 30-minute paellas have made this the premier Spanish destination in Old Pasadena since opening in 2022.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paella del Mar, Pulpo a la Gallega, 5J Jamón Ibérico de Bellota
What Makes it Special: Only restaurant in Pasadena with the confidence to call itself a paella specialist
8.3
A neighborhood Argentinian-Italian-Spanish market/counter serving standout steak sandwiches, housemade empanadas, and weekly Spanish specials. Locals praise the vibrant deli counter and wine selection, ideal for casual meals and sampling global flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Empanadas, Short Rib Manicotti, Tortilla de Papas
What Makes it Special: Deli-market format offering authentic Spanish and Argentinian specialties.
8.3
Family-owned Spanish restaurant group bringing Barcelona's culinary traditions to Long Beach's waterfront at 2nd & PCH. Chef Oscar Cabezas leads a kitchen rooted in the Padrosa family's pintxos expertise, delivering authentic tapas and saffron-rich paellas in a Mediterranean-meets-coastal California setting with marina views and a lively atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Paella, Gambas al Ajillo, Pulpo Telefèric
What Makes it Special: Authentic Barcelona experience with Spanish-speaking staff and Michelin-starred Trenchs Studio design
#5
Vaca DTLA
8.3
Vaca DTLA brings Top Chef alum Amar Santana’s Costa Mesa Spanish steakhouse downtown, tucked beneath the Beaudry tower by FIGat7th. The menu focuses on shareable tapas, paellas, and serious steaks backed by a deep Spanish-leaning wine list. It reads as a polished but lively room suited to nights out more than quick bites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paella valenciana, Wine-braised oxtail, Deconstructed pan con tomate
What Makes it Special: DTLA outpost of Amar Santana’s Spanish steakhouse, centered on paella, tapas, and wood-fired steaks.
#6
Xuntos
8.2
Chef Sandra Cordero's tapas bar specializes in hard-to-find Galician specialties like percebes and huge empanadas, alongside traditional pintxos from Spain's northern regions. The two-story space with dual mezzanines creates an unrefined Barcelona-style atmosphere perfect for sharing small plates and natural Spanish wines.
Must-Try Dishes:
Galician Empanadas, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, Percebes (Gooseneck Barnacles)
What Makes it Special: Only place in LA serving authentic Galician specialties and percebes
#7
Yahir
8.1
A Mar Vista tapas bar where chef Matteen Khalifian layers Spanish small-plates with subtle South American and Persian accents, creating a menu that feels both familiar and personal. The room leans moody and social with a strong cocktail program and regular live jazz, making it a neighborhood night-out anchor. Best for sharing a spread at the bar or settling in for a late dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gambas al Ajillo, Croquetas, Seasonal Paella
What Makes it Special: Spanish-style tapas filtered through the chef’s Iranian-Latin heritage.
Worthy Picks
#8
San Laurel
7.9
José Andrés' 10th-floor perch at the Conrad Los Angeles marries Spanish technique with California produce, with views of Walt Disney Concert Hall setting the scene. The beefsteak tomato tartare—actually tomatoes in a disc topped with gelatinous tomato-water 'yolk'—typifies the kitchen's clever approach. Some reviewers note hotel-restaurant polish occasionally overshadows personality; pre-theater convenience and the terrace view remain the primary draws.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beefsteak Tomato Tartare, Rack of Lamb, Blackhawk Farms Wagyu Flat Iron
What Makes it Special: José Andrés' LA flagship with Spanish technique and Music Center views
#9
Estrella
7.8
Located on the Sunset Strip, Estrella serves Spanish tapas in an expansive outdoor terrace with colorful glass pendants and twinkling lights. The restaurant captures the bohemian spirit of Laurel Canyon with a tapas-driven menu featuring traditional Spanish small plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Arroz Negro, Chicken Croquettes, Meat Plate with Tomato Bread
What Makes it Special: Sunset Strip location with expansive outdoor terrace
#10
Navarre
7.6
Navarre is a Spanish-style tapas and bocadillo bar inside LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal, serving Manchego-heavy sandwiches, small plates, and wines to travelers on the go. Expect well-built bocadillos, Mediterranean-leaning salads, and beer or wine in a bright, modern concourse setting that’s a clear cut above typical airport fare.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pollo Bocadillo, Smoked Jamon Bocadillo, Ensalada Fabada
What Makes it Special: Spanish-inspired bocadillos and tapas in a polished, traveler-friendly LAX setting.