From bar snacks to tapas and mezze platters, small plates are seriously popular right now – and for good reason. This 'pick and choose' style of eating is the perfect way to try new foods, experience a range of flavors, and share in the joy of a tasty meal with family and friends. Click or scroll through our gallery to discover America's best places to dine on small plates, state-by-state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Billed as a ‘casual haven for grown-ups’, Taste serves wine flights, craft beers, and cocktails alongside an ever-changing menu of delicious tapas – which you can enjoy while listening to live music. Opened in 2017 by married couple Clint and Ginger Hahn (the head chef), Taste is renowned for its cozy ambiance, excellent service, and inventive menu. Popular dishes include Spanish meatballs with Manchego cheese and burrata, shrimp and fried green tomatoes, and a decadent dessert platter.
Crush Bistro receives rave reviews for its standout selection of small plates. Perfect for enjoying with a glass or two from the extensive wine list, menu highlights include fried burrata with sundried tomato pesto, prosciutto wrapped dates, and deviled eggs. The bistro runs regular wine tasting nights, and has a popular ‘take and bake’ selection of pre-prepared foods you can cook at home. There’s even a bottle shop next door where you can pick up your favorite wine.
Customers say the charcuterie board at Quench Taps and Tapas is worth the visit alone, but they also love the excellent, made-from-scratch small plates menu. Run by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Angie Cline, the restaurant prides itself on its organic ingredients, local wines and beers, and craft cocktails. Customer favorites include blackened shrimp with mango sauce, flat iron steak skewers, and baked caprese dip with warm bread.
The 120 Tapas Bar serves a tapas and paella dinner menu on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and a sharing plates brunch on Sundays. Impressed locals love the authentic Spanish flavors on offer at this newly opened restaurant, and praise the fun atmosphere and attentive service. The menu is vast, but you can expect classic Spanish tapas such as fried calamari, ham croquettes, and meatballs.
Beautiful restaurant and wine bar AOC specializes in Californian-French small plates, created by James Beard Award–winning chefs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. There's a wine-matching chef’s choice menu available, plus an array of delicious small plates and larger dishes to share, all of which are made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Diners say the place is perfect for a special occasion, and rave about dishes like the lobster gnocchi, the spiced fish tagine, and the summer fruit, speck, dandelion, and crushed hazelnut salad.
Housed in a former mortuary, Linger is a lively restaurant and rooftop bar serving a menu of global small plates. Diners love the inventive menu – especially the steamed bao buns filled with BBQ duck, miso pickled cucumber, and scallions. Other favorite dishes include hot honey sweet potato fries, salmon tostadas, and a falafel plate complete with hummus, whipped feta, Israeli salad, and grilled pita bread. The Frozen Corpse Reviver, with gin, vermouth, ginger liquor, and lemon, is just one of the killer cocktails on the drinks menu.
Çka Ka Qellu serves a menu of traditional Albanian and Kosovan small plates in its rustic-style restaurant, which regularly wins rave reviews from diners. Popular dishes include mantia (veal-stuffed dumplings), tava kosi (lamb and rice baked with yogurt and eggs), and traditional Albanian grilled meatballs with onions, crushed red peppers, and herbs. There are also two sister locations in New York City.
This intimate Wilmington bistro has an outstanding French-inspired menu with dishes made for sharing. As well as artisan cheese and charcuterie boards, it offers small plate dishes like seared scallops with strawberry aguachile and whipped buttermilk, spice-crusted lamb ribs, zucchini fritters with grilled halloumi, and warm rosemary focaccia. It’s owned and operated by James Beard Award–nominated chef Bryan Sikora, and customers adore its comfortable atmosphere and creative menu.
Touted as an ‘experience’ and ‘more than a restaurant’, Café Tu Tu Tango features live entertainment and resident artists alongside its menu of tapas-style small plates. Customers love the lively atmosphere, eclectic surroundings, and perfectly executed dishes. Menu favorites include sesame steak skewers, avocado hummus, grilled fish tacos, and crispy Brussels sprouts with soy-chili honey. If you’re struggling to choose what to eat, go for the set tasting menu of signature dishes – it's perfect for groups of six or more.
Casi Cielo serves a menu of dishes inspired by Oaxaca, Mexico, using locally grown ingredients. It also has the largest collection of mezcal in Atlanta, and the spirit features heavily in its excellent cocktail list. Customers love the variety of sharing dishes on offer, as well as the delicious flavor combinations and the chic surroundings. Menu highlights include plantain croquettes with Manchego cheese, tuna tarte with mango, portobello mushroom tacos, and charcoal-grilled red snapper. The guacamole is also something special.
Opulent speakeasy-style bar Blind Ox gets rave reviews for its stunning menu of tapas dishes and artisan cocktails. Customers say the glamorous joint is perfect for a date or a fun night out with friends, and the service is friendly and attentive. Dishes include Spanish octopus with cilantro, lime, and wasabi, Scotch quail's egg with beef chorizo, and duck prosciutto with truffle oil.
The cozy Basque Market is tucked down a side street, but has fast become one of the most popular places in Boise thanks to its authentic menu of Spanish tapas and incredible paella, which is cooked outside on the patio every day. The pintxos are the perfect small bites to enjoy with a drink, while other must-try dishes include Basque meatballs (beef meatballs in a rich, zesty pepper and tomato sauce), perfectly crispy calamari, and spicy citrus olives.
Customers say every dish they order at Café Ba-Ba-Reeba is excellent – plus, they love the lively atmosphere, friendly service, and reasonable prices. Favorite tapas-style dishes include bacon-wrapped dates, beef skewers, Spanish omelets, deviled eggs, and ham croquettes. Billed as Chicago’s original tapas bar, it opened in 1985, and has an impressive drinks menu of Spanish wines, sangria, craft cocktails, and local beers.
Restaurant and wine bar Tinker Street has a regularly changing, seasonal menu of both small and larger plates. Customers can't get enough of the joint's cozy ambiance, great service, and delicious food, which is perfect for sharing with a date or group of friends. The whipped ricotta with garlic, honey, lavender, berries, pistachios, and rosemary comes highly recommended. Other menu highlights include Korean fried mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes and burrata with roasted walnuts, and saffron risotto with spiced chicken.
Martini bar The Stuffed Olive receives great reviews for its excellent selection of cocktails, delicious small plates, and lively atmosphere. People often come here to grab a drink and a snack at the bar – or to share a few plates with friends and make a real night of it. Top dishes include Nashville hot chicken sliders, Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze and bacon, zucchini fritters, risotto croquettes, and spinach and artichoke dip with garlic bread.
It may be a chain, but the Kansas outpost of North Italia receives rave reviews for its menu of classic Italian dishes and its excellent service. As well as pizzas, pasta, and entrées, the menu includes a great selection of small plates perfect for sharing. Popular choices include crispy eggplant Parmesan, white truffle garlic bread, meatballs, wild shrimp scampi, and prosciutto bruschetta.
Regular customers call Mojito Tapas Restaurant a neighborhood gem, with a great atmosphere and outstanding tapas dishes that are always cooked to perfection. Diners rate the Rioja short ribs, the tenderloin skewers, the stuffed dates, the sizzling garlic shrimp, the guacamole with plantain chips, and the chicken empanadas. There are also locations in Middletown, St Matthews, and Highlands.
Latin-style tapas joint Bésame combines fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico with Latin and Caribbean flavors, resulting in an eclectic menu that's won rave reviews from diners – and there’s a fabulous cocktail menu too. Popular dishes include Peruvian ceviche, crawfish queso, chicken empanadas, crispy cauliflower, and paella.
Not only do customers love the relaxed atmosphere and friendly service at Central Provisions, but they also say that its small plates are beautifully presented and executed to perfection. The eclectic menu includes dishes such as chilled green crab curry, fried cauliflower with feta, mint, and apple, Spanish chopped salad, and halibut with spinach oyster butter. There’s also a great menu of craft beers and cocktails to enjoy with your meal.
The cozy and intimate 1157 Bar and Kitchen receives rave reviews for its great food and chilled, fun atmosphere. Customers say the bar makes for a great night out – and they enjoy its menu of small plates so much that they return again and again. Highlights include honey-roasted beets with whipped goats' cheese and fig jam, curried Brussels sprouts, white bean hummus, and Korean fried chicken wings.
This intimate restaurant serves Italian small plates, lovingly prepared by James Beard Award–winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. There's a great antipasti selection, and tempting menu items include celery Caesar, chicken liver mousse, meatballs, and roasted swordfish – plus, there are plenty of pizza and pasta dishes to choose from too. It’s hard to get a table, but customers say it’s well worth booking ahead. There’s also a sprawling patio area if you can’t get a seat inside.
Set up by a group of friends who loved their holiday to Seville so much that they decided to bring a taste of Spain back to Detroit, La Feria gets rave reviews for its reasonably priced, delicious tapas and fun atmosphere. After tucking into some classic hot and cold tapas dishes and an excellent wine list, head next door to the joint's sister wine bar, Cata Vino, to continue the fun.
Bar Brava has a rotating ‘pop-up’ food menu, teaming up with a variety of different chefs to create a small list of dishes to share with friends (or enjoy with a glass of the bar's natural wine). Most recently, the intimate neighbourhood joint worked with another Minneapolis favorite, Khue’s Kitchen, to create a modern Vietnamese menu. Highlights included cream cheese wontons, chili crunch wings, roast pork bao, and a bok choi and broccoli stir fry.
Located in the historic, pretty town of Livingston, The Briar Patch is a vintage-style cocktail bar modeled on the glamour of the Prohibition era – and customers can’t get enough of its great drinks, delicious tapas-style dishes, and friendly atmosphere (plus, there’s also regular live music). Menu standouts include smoked brisket tacos, pimento cheese and salmon dip, a cheese and charcuterie board, and seared tuna tacos. It’s a popular place, so make sure you book.
A cool spot with local artwork on the walls and a lovely patio for sunny days, Springfield wine bar Cellar + Plate specializes in tapas and hand-selected boutique wines; in fact, every dish on the menu can be paired with a suggested wine to help give diners the best taste sensation. Favorite menu choices include pesto peach flatbread, spicy Brussels sprouts with garlic, basil, red pepper, and Dijon aioli, and Cellar Sliders: seasoned beef, caramelized onions, bacon fig jam, and Boursin cheese on a brioche bun.
Chic cocktail bar Plonk serves an extensive list of cocktails, wines, and beers (with some great alcohol-free versions to choose from too). Aside from the delicious drinks, customers also love its range of entrées and small plates, which are perfect for sharing. Highlights include garlic shrimp, panzanella salad, chicken katsu skewers with koji honey, and buffalo cauliflower with blue cheese aioli. The bar also has a great rooftop patio and a private cellar for events, and there’s a second location in Bozeman.
Diners say that the intimate V. Mertz is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion thanks to its precise attention to detail and excellent food – especially the small plates. Housed in a century-old building in Omaha's historic Old Market Passageway, the location is as pretty as the menu is impressive. Dishes include an artisan cheese plate, foie gras torchon with charred mango and honeycomb, seared lion’s mane mushroom with roasted tomato and basil oil, and summer truffle risotto.
When chef John Simmons opened Firefly Kitchen and Bar in 2003, it was one of very few tapas restaurants in Sin City. With the aim of becoming the go-to place for people to unwind after work with a drink and a bite, its popularity grew and grew, and the restaurant still receives rave reviews today. Not far from The Strip, diners say it’s a must-visit, with exceptional food and a friendly atmosphere. Popular dishes include chorizo skewers, and ham and cheese croquettes. There are two locations in Las Vegas now – the flagship on Flamingo, and the newer Southwest restaurant.
James Beard Award–nominated Moxy is a modern American tapas restaurant with a seasonally changing menu and excellent reviews. Diners love the creative, fresh, and flavorful dishes and craft cocktails, and say the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Dishes include marinated beets with watermelon, feta, and cucumber, crispy pork belly on white pepper parsnip purée, and baked haddock with squash butter and sautéed Swiss chard.
With first-rate service and a lively atmosphere, modern Spanish restaurant Mompou gets great reviews for its extensive menu of tapas dishes, which you can enjoy while watching one of its live flamenco shows. Top picks include homemade tuna meatballs in a ginger teriyaki sauce, baby lamb chops in a Canary Islands sauce, and sweet roasted peppers filled with goats' cheese and walnuts.
La Boca regularly features on ‘best of’ restaurant lists, and has remained consistently popular since it was opened by James Beard Award–nominated chef James Campbell Caruso in 2006. Diners rate the great service, fantastic food, and lively, European wine bar–style atmosphere. The New York Times says its menu, which changes seasonally to make the most of local ingredients, is filled with ‘modern reinventions of classic Spanish cuisine’, so expect plenty of creative twists on old favorites.
Hip Korean joint C as in Charlie is owned by three lifelong friends – and if you want a great night out with some amazing food and a super-fun atmosphere, it's the place to go. Diners love the creative, tapas-style Korean dishes, and say the service is wonderful (the staff like to make sure everyone is having a good time). The restaurant only seats 40, so be sure to book in advance. Dishes include popcorn chicken with a sweet gochujang glaze, edamame hummus, mushroom bibimbap, and shrimp toast rolls.
Family-run tapas joint Cúrate won the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality – and diners love the creative and flavorful food as well as the attentive service. The menu changes seasonally, but you can expect to find dishes such as creamy mushroom fritters, seared scallops with charred leeks, house-made blood sausage with goats' cheese, and lamb skewers marinated in Moorish spices. Housed in a renovated 1920s bus depot, the restaurant has an open kitchen, plus a separate wine bar and bakery.
Diners rate the atmosphere and service at Blackbird Woodfire, and love its menu of tapas dishes, woodfired pizzas, and salads – all of which are perfect for sharing with a big group of friends. Its small plates selection is simple and effective, with dishes such as house-made hummus, Mediterranean meatballs, marinated olives, and melted provolone with pepper, oregano, and freshly made bread. Customers also rave about the ‘create your own’ pizza option.
Since opening in March 2021, Bendi Wok n' Bar has received rave reviews for its Asian cuisine, with a menu featuring small plates, pad Thai, curries, and stir fries. Highlights include Korean ribs with gochujang barbecue sauce, pork and vegetable egg rolls with a sweet chili sauce dip, shrimp tempura, and an Asian salad with a tangy lime vinaigrette. Diners also rate the chilled-out atmosphere, R&B music, and inviting decor.
At Bar Cicchetti the menu is made for sharing, with a selection of small and large plates that are flavorful and well-presented. Favorite dishes include crispy cauliflower with fried green onions, garlic aioli, and peppadew hot sauce, lamb meatballs with spiced yogurt and jalapeño mint chimichurri, seared tuna carpaccio with pistachio salt, and crab lasagna. There’s also a creative cocktail menu – and customers say the desserts are definitely worth saving room for.
South American tapas joint Le Chon in downtown Portland gets rave reviews for both its service and its food, with many diners describing the meals they've eaten there as the best they’ve ever had. It's located on the city's scenic waterfront, with a lovely patio area – a the decor is stunning on the inside too, with several large aquariums adding to the ambience. Standout dishes include foraged mushrooms with Parmesan toasted brioche, Peruvian fried chicken bites, brisket empanadas, and beef short ribs.
Chic-yet-rustic Spanish tapas restaurant Amada has been wowing customers with its delicious offerings since it opened in 2005. Consistently voted a Philadelphia must-visit, diners rate the fun ambience and excellent service, as well as the range of Andalusian-style tapas dishes. Menu highlights include crab-stuffed peppers, lamb meatballs, ham croquettes, garlic shrimp, and calamari. As well as a spacious dining and bar area, there’s a chef’s table overlooking the open-plan kitchen.
Aguardente brings together food and wine from the three owners’ home countries – Portugal, Guatemala, and the Azores – with stunning results. Diners say the ambience is beautiful, the food amazing, and the service impeccable. There’s a wide menu, and dishes include codfish fritters with creamy cilantro dip, traditional Portuguese sausages, pork chorizo tacos, a selection of tinned fish served with bread, and grilled garlic and herb lamb chops.
Award-winning modern Mediterranean restaurant Gervais & Vine wins rave reviews for the variety of dishes on offer, as well as its decent selection of wines (more than 40 are available by the glass) and cozy atmosphere. A popular spot for nearly 20 years, the restaurant also has a beautiful patio area and lively bar. Popular dishes include baked brie, spicy shrimp with tomatoes and bacon, seared scallops, and Spanish meatballs with romesco and mozzarella.
Hip brewery Fernson is renowned for its great beers, but customers say it also has the perfect selection of small plates to share with friends. There’s a cool taproom and bar area, plus a patio, and fans say it’s a must-visit when in Sioux Falls. Crusted in potato flakes and served with garlic Parmesan sauce, the Wisconsin cheese curds go down a treat with customers, and the spinach artichoke dip, pimento-stuffed pretzels, and nacho waffle fries are also firm favorites.
Popular (and family-friendly) modern Italian restaurant Chrysalis only opened recently, but it’s already made a big impression with its great food and welcoming ambience. Diners say a visit here never disappoints, and recommend sharing a few of the small plates alongside one of the pasta dishes, or with some flatbreads for mopping up the tasty sauces. Not sure what to order? The scampi bruschetta, homemade pork, beef, and veal meatballs, burrata with crispy prosciutto, and watermelon panzanella are all fail-safe options – and there's even a build-your-own antipasti menu that allows you to choose bite-size portions of your favorite meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
The perfect place for a date or night out with friends, cozy Dallas restaurant Rye serves a menu of American small plates and cocktails. It gets fantastic reviews from customers; some even go as far as saying that the restaurant has served up the best meal they've ever had. Popular dishes include burnt orange and bourbon braised pork lollipops, octopus and monkfish coconut curry, citrus-brined duck, and Icelandic hot dogs, made with delicious wagyu beef. Want to go all-out? Try the chef’s menu, complete with exquisite wine pairings (choose from seven, nine, or 11 courses).
Eva is named after its chef’s great-grandmother, who loved cooking with fresh ingredients and sharing meals with her friends and family – a vibe that this brilliant restaurant aims to emulate. The menu includes sautéed Brussels sprouts with toasted hazelnuts, charred beets with whipped goats' cheese, and fried chicken with miso, lime, and peanuts. This really is premium tapas dining, and customers praise the cocktails and wine list as well as the flavorful food.
Charming Eastern Mediterranean–style mezze restaurant Honey Road is loved for its fresh and flavorful food and relaxed atmosphere – and customers say every dish they try here is spot-on. As well as the main restaurant, there’s a patio and bar area where you can enjoy a few drinks and snacks with friends. Menu highlights include shish kebabs with cucumber and mint labneh, seared halloumi with pomegranate hot honey, crusted trout filled with red pepper tomato relish, and lamb koftas with tahini hummus, golden raisins, and local cherry tomatoes.
Modern Mediterranean restaurant Pinky’s only opened last year, but it’s already regarded as the place to go in Richmond for a seriously good meal. Diners love the large, airy restaurant, the relaxed atmosphere, and the tapas-inspired menu. Dishes include seared yellowfin tuna with crispy serrano ham, crab and sherry risotto, summer burrata with grilled peach, balsamic, and toasted almonds, and Pinky’s classic meatballs – beef, pork, and lamb served in San Marzano tomato sauce with shaved garlic.
Cute neighborhood Champagne bar The Coupe & Flute serves a small plates menu alongside its extensive list of Champagnes, wines, and cocktails – and diners love its luxe, bistro-style decor, friendly atmosphere, and delicious dishes. Highlights include deviled tea eggs, crab dip and crackers, kimchi arancini stuffed with mozzarella, and lemongrass steak nachos. Those who've eaten here also say the desserts are not to be missed (especially the coconut lime panna cotta).
Not only is a long list of drinks available at Sip wine and whiskey bar, but it also serves a delicious small plates menu. Customers love the bar's chic and sleek interiors, buzzy atmosphere, and tasty selection of bite-sized dishes. Highlights include maple and bourbon glazed wings, shrimp tacos with pineapple salsa, seared scallops in mornay sauce, and spinach and artichoke dip.
Casual tapas joint La Merenda serves an interesting menu of small plates from around the world, as well as an international wine list. Diners love the restaurant's unique concept and sprawling patio area, and say that the customer service here is second to none. The menu spans dishes from countries including Italy, Mexico, Indonesia, and Japan, as well as some local favorites. The pork and shrimp tostadas, butter chicken, garlic prawns, and house-made gnocchi with squash and zucchini are all impossible to resist.
Customers say dining at Bin 22 is a unique experience, complete with plenty of fabulous food. This cozy wine and tapas bar can be found at the back of a bottle shop and – despite being small – its menu is vast, with a wide selection of cheese and charcuterie, plus a long list of small plates to share with friends. Tantalizing dishes include beef chorizo sliders, octopus with lemon basil, chicken pintxos, ceviche, and ricotta burrata toast with honey and rosemary.