The Plateau’s Bar Vivar seamlessly melds the rich flavors of Spanish cuisine and an atmosphere reminiscent of intimate Spanish taverns with the warmth of a local haunt. Helmed by Georges Greiche and Patrick Oakes, both Joe Beef veterans, this charming spot offers a mix of a genuine taste of Spain with Montreal touches. Georges, a Montreal native with a passion for storytelling through food, and Patrick, a sommelier with a flair for hospitality, have created a space where the menu will showcase high-quality attention to dishes alongside carefully selected wines, sherries, and vermouths—and it’s quickly become a home away from home for many.

The addition of Boqueria to the Old-Port’s food scene filled a long-standing Spain-shaped gap in the neighborhood’s cuisine. Opened in 2024 by the team behind La Catrina, the restaurant borrows its name from Barcelona’s oldest market and channels that sense of abundance into a 40-seat dining room and a sprawling 60-seat terrace. The space is airy and Mediterranean, with whitewashed brick, straw-accented lights, and geometric terracotta tiles. It’s built for conviviality—conversations, shared plates, and a relaxed pace.

Ibéricos started as a Plateau deli selling jamón and Spanish wines, but it didn’t take long for it to evolve into something more ambitious—a full-on taverna channeling the spirit of Barcelona. Chef Haissam Souki Tamayo, who once cooked at El Bulli, blends classic Catalan tapas with local ingredients and Spanish imports: silky croquetas, octopus a la gallega, housemade sangria, and, of course, plenty of pata negra. The 100-seat room is dressed like a tavern should be—stone walls, high tables, soft lighting—and fills out on weekends for a brunch menu that leans Iberian. Wines are curated by co-owner Adriana Laporta, with a strong cava game and cocktails to match. You don’t need to squint to feel like you’re in Spain here—the atmosphere does the work for you.

Bo’Dégât is a celebration of Barcelona’s tapas culture. Opened in 2019 by Carme Márquez, a Barcelona-born chef trained with luminaries like Carles Abellán and Nandu Jubany, the restaurant marries culinary technique and upbeat, convivial vibes with the menu sketched out on a chalkboard wall. It highlights classics such as pan con tomate, jamón ibérico, gildas, and ajo blanco, alongside daily specials that bring Carme’s inspirations to the table.

A carefully curated wine list, including natural and traditional selections, complements the food, and the intimate 12-seat summer terrasse adds a seasonal charm.

Tapeo in Villeray has mastered the art of tapas with an authenticity that transports you straight to Spain. Founded by friends Sébastien Muniz and Victor Afonso, Tapeo is known for its unfussy yet refined approach to Spanish small plates, with a menu that ranges from classic patatas bravas and smoky chorizo to inventive plates like swordfish ceviche with olive chutney. Since 2004, chef Marie-Fleur St-Pierre has brought her creative edge to the kitchen, updating the menu with daily and monthly specials that keep regulars coming back for something new.

In a space designed by Surface 3, Tapeo’s interior exudes a warm, modern elegance with exposed brick, moody lighting, and a bustling open kitchen. The wine list leans heavily on Spanish bottles, thoughtfully curated to complement the diverse flavours of each dish. Service is attentive and well-paced, making it easy to settle in for a slow, multi-course experience.

Tucked away in Villeray, the Spanish bistro Mesón is the brainchild of the folks behind Tapeo. The space itself feels like a Spanish social club—warm, a little worn-in, with just the right amount of elegance. The team at Mesón has nailed the balance between cosy and cool. Come for the food, stay for the company, and leave with plans to come back.

Come for dinner, and you’re in for a ride. The menu isn’t trying to reinvent anything—it’s pure, unfiltered Spanish comfort food. Dishes like patatas bravas with that perfect golden crisp, or pan con tomate that’s equal parts simple and sublime. Then there’s the heavy hitters: rich chorizo and blood sausage cassoulet, arroces… and for brunch? You’re looking at crepes with Manchego and blueberries, pan-fried patatas bravas topped with eggs, and the kind of churros with chocolate sauce.

With its soaring ceilings, marble counters, and dramatic bar, Iberica captures the spirit of Iberian dining while keeping a contemporary edge. The menu highlights the depth of Spanish cuisine—fresh seafood like oysters and octopus, classic paellas, and Iberian ham sliced to order—alongside dry-aged meats. Drinks follow suit, with cava, vermouth, and Spanish-style gin-and-tonics anchoring the list. Good for a business lunch, festive dinner, or late-night gathering, Ibérica offers a polished setting for experiencing a bit of Spain in the city.

Tucked between Petite-Patrie and Little Italy, Buvette Pompette doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it just rolls with the Iberian way of doing things. That means affordable wine, small plates meant for sharing, and a room full of regulars who didn’t plan on staying late but did anyway. Opened in late 2022 by a nine-person crew led by Federico Rivas (Bar Chez Baptiste) and importer David Ward, the idea was simple: recreate the feel of a true Spanish neighbourhood counter. Mission accomplished.

The menu stays casual—chorizo braised in cider, fried calamari, patatas bravas, charcuterie and cheese boards—all priced between $5 and $12. Food runs until close, and you’re greeted with a free bowl of olives the moment your glass hits the table. Weekly wine arrivals keep things fresh, cocktails are easygoing, and there’s zero pretense about any of it. No reservations, no pressure. Just a solid spot to get a little pompette.

Pintxo Tapas Bar is an outpost of the Basque region located inside Le Central in Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles, brings Spain’s pintxos culture to the city with a mercada atmosphere. While inspired by pintxos—small, elaborate dishes traditionally served on a toothpick used to track consumption—the plates here are served without sticks, and the bill is standard rather than tallied. The menu also features larger shareable dishes like grilled octopus, lamb chops, and classic tapas.

L’Española is a gateway to Spanish culture and cuisine through its mix of products that span food, drink, and lifestyle. The shop evokes the charm of traditional Spanish markets, with shelves stocked with authentic Spanish imports: jamón serrano, Iberico, and acorn-fed hams (staff can answer all your ham questions), chorizo, paella kits—complete with gas grills and pans big enough for balcony cooking—olives, cheeses, olive oils, jams, and pottery. They also carry maté, with leaves, gourds, and silver straws for caffeine lovers, plus two walls of summer-invoking espadrilles. Spanish- and South American–language books round out the offerings.

Then there's the hot food counter with ready-to-eat and made-to-order dishes. Daily offerings include freshly made paellas, empanadas, croquettes, and a variety of tapas, all crafted with authentic ingredients.

The dining experience at Restaurant Les Pyrénées is inspired by the culinary traditions of Catalonia and the Basque Country—we say 'inspired' because the menu showcases a blend of French and Spanish flavors, featuring dishes such as paella, cassoulet, and slow-braised lamb. Emphasizing fresh, market-driven ingredients, the restaurant crafts colorful and authentic plates that reflect the rich gastronomic heritage of the Pyrenees region.

Montreal Paella delivers on a bold promise: some of the best paella in town. Chef Mariano Fernández—born in Barcelona, raised in Valencia—brings decades of experience and an abiding love for rice culture to every pan that leaves his kitchen. Opened in 2019 with his partner Tamera Manzur, each paella at this place is cooked in a house-made broth, and the rice is imported directly from Valencia to capture the soul of Spain’s most iconic dish.

Favourites include the traditional Paella Valenciana with rabbit, chicken, and beans, or the seafood-forward Paella de Mariscos with shrimp, mussels, and calamari.

Beyond paella, the menu offers tapas inspired by regions across Spain, a thoughtful drink list of sangria, wine, and cocktails, and a cozy dining room filled with nods to Fernández’s journey.

Casa Galicia is a time-honoured Spanish restaurant in Montreal’s Latin Quarter that invites diners to sink into the rhythms of Galicia and beyond. Founded in 1977 by Laurentino and Maria Oliveira, and still family-run today, the restaurant is known for its traditional Galician cuisine—seafood, paellas, grilled meats, zarzuela—and its deep wine offerings from Spain’s most celebrated wine regions.

On weekends, the room pulses with the sound of flamenco music and dancing, framed by decor that brings you closer to Spain: rustic and inviting, with touches that feel like you’ve stepped into a Spanish coastal villa. Add to that a standout sangria, friendly service, and a menu built for sharing, and Casa Galicia manages to be both atmospheric and generous, making it a go-to for lovers of classic Spanish fare.

Boca Iberica on Rachel Street specializes in Portuguese and northern Spanish flavours. The focus here is on tapas which feature maritime staples like octopus, squid, and cod, along with vegetarian options such as eggplant with honey and tempura beans.

The décor blends modern and classic elements, with white tablecloths and well-spaced tables creating a calm atmosphere. Boca Iberica also offers a mezzanine for private groups and a bar area for casual dining. The ambiance is inviting, with soft background music allowing for easy conversation.

Highlight dishes include stuffed squid with chorizo and sautéed pork with clams, and suckling pig. The wine list features affordable Portuguese and northern Spanish selections.

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue’s Ole Tapas offers a thoughtful take on Spanish cuisine, focusing on classic tapas like patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, and croquetas de bacalao. The menu is shaped by Executive Chef Nikolaos Giannakopoulos, whose background in Mediterranean cooking emphasizes a blend of tradition and seasonal ingredients. The dishes are straightforward yet satisfying, complemented by drinks like sangria and cava.

The space includes a terrace by the canal, ideal for summer evenings, and an intimate interior accompanied by Spanish music. While some may find certain menu items uneven in value, the overall experience appeals to those seeking unfussy, well-prepared food in a relaxed setting.