Barra Oliba

Barra Oliba is one of my favorite, if not favorite restaurants in Little Italy. I have been here many times now with my husband. It is consistently wonderful every time we go. They are always adding new menu items which is also why we go back a lot in order to try them. An absolute must try dish is the Spanish Tortilla, you will not be disappointed. I also love the croquettes, asparagus, prawns, and pork.

What a wonderful experience! From the moment we walked in, we were captivated by the restaurant’s beautiful and stylish design — elegant yet cozy, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that immediately made us feel comfortable. The food was absolutely amazing — every dish was prepared with care, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients and the creativity of the chef. Each bite was a delight! The space itself is stunning: modern, thoughtfully designed, and perfectly balanced between comfort and sophistication. The lighting, music, and décor all contribute to a relaxed yet refined ambiance — ideal for both a casual dinner or a special occasion. Overall, this restaurant is a gem. Excellent food, gorgeous setting, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay all night. Highly recommended!

Wonderful meal at Barra. We stuck with small plates for our first visit. To begin we started with the croquettes which are a do not miss! Crunchy on the outside and creamy deliciousness on the inside. Then we moved onto the sourdough with the sardines which were so delicious and fresh. The sourdough gave the best crunch. We also shared the asparagus and the tortilla de papatas which was delicious and perfectly seasoned. The service was very good and the atmosphere gave you the feeling that you could sit and relax for a long while over wine and small plates and all would be good. I loved this place and highly recommend that you visit.

This place isn’t just picture-perfect, they take their food seriously, right up to Michelin-star standards. From the menu design and dish presentation, to the service, ingredient freshness, and perfect balance of every bite, everything is phenomenal. The dry-aged sashimi is a must, the prawn is unforgettable, and you absolutely can’t skip the wagyu cheek creamy rice. I’ll definitely be back, though I have a feeling it’ll be hard to get a table soon if they keep up this level of excellence.

I discovered Barra Oliba on Instagram and decided to check out their happy hour — it did not disappoint! From the happy hour menu we tried the croquetas of the day (honestly some of the best I’ve ever had), soft sourdough bread with olive oil (the olive oil was incredible), and the NY hamburger toast. Off the regular menu, we ordered the plato de jamón ibérico and variedades de quesos españoles — both excellent and a great complement to the happy hour bites. For drinks, we enjoyed a bottle of Capdevilla I Pujol Cava to start and ended with the Dominio de Pingus PSI — both perfectly paired with the food. The atmosphere was welcoming, and our server Madeleine was attentive, courteous, and kind, making the whole experience even better. I highly recommend Barra Oliba for both their happy hour and their regular menu — everything was absolutely delicious!

Amazing Spanish restaurant...perfectly seasoned food that let the quality ingredients shine. Our server Juan provided great recommendations for wine/food and the best level of service on the patio, made us feel like we were in Europe. Our faves were the boquerones, jamon ibericon (best I've had) and grass fed steak tartare. Will definitely be back as we want to try more of the menu and the tables around us were ordering amazing looking dishes.

I recently came back from Barcelona and was craving authentic Spanish food. My boyfriend and I moved from NYC earlier this year, and haven’t come across many Spanish restaurants here in San Diego. We walked by the restaurant a few months ago and it looked like a beautiful ambiance. We decided to eat at the restaurant tonight, and absolutely loved the food, service, and experience. I highly recommend for anyone wanting Spanish food here in SD!

Barra Oliba is hands down my favorite restaurant in San Diego. After touring Spain last October, I fell in love with traditional Spanish cuisine… the tapas, the wine, and the bold yet simple flavors. This place brought all those memories right back. The food is incredibly authentic and creative, especially their in-house dry-aged tuna and yellowtail are absolutely next level. You won’t find flavors like that anywhere else. Every dish is made with passion, and it shows. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff truly makes you feel at home. It’s a hidden gem in Little Italy and a must visit for anyone who appreciates Spanish food or just wants a dining experience that leaves a mark.

Food is amazing!!! This is one of the best restaurants here in Little Italy. The ambiance when you walk in, is nice and secluded with a nice warm inviting atmosphere. I had the pleasure for Madeline to be are server!! Definitely will be a returning costumer!

Barra Oliba ---"Olive Stick" in Basque--is a cozy little venue on Kettner Boulevard, in the Little Italy section of San Diego. Kettner Boulevard is blessedly quieter than nearby India Street, so it might be a touch easier to snag a coveted parking space. The wine list is quite comprehensive. In particular, there is a large selection of Spanish wines available, which, of course, would be expected in a Tapas-style restaurant. The restaurant is just now celebrating its one year anniversary. I originally visited the restaurant when it first opened--I think I heard about it on Yelp--and I just visited a second time on a recent Friday evening. One side of the small dining room is lined in red upholstered banquettes. There is a bar opposite, where some people choose to dine. Ernesto and Eduardo are gracious and welcoming hosts.

I first went here in January when they had only been open for a few months. It was amazing. Me and my friend sat at the bar. Our server Matt took great care of us. We had some of the best pork chop in San Diego. The tapas were delicious but it can get expensive since tapas are meant to be small portions. Next time I went was in May for my birthday and I was sadly disappointed. The pork chop didn't taste as good as it used to and they got rid of some of the menu items. I really wanted to try the Wagyu beef cheek but they got rid of it. I got to sample the other dishes since my friends ordered them and it wasn't something rave worthy. The restaurant is small and has an intimate setting perfect for dates. Dim lighting. The bar was nice if you want to socialize. Parking is horrible. As it's only street parking in little Italy. Would I go back? Probably not since they cut their menu even more now that they've been open for a little over a year. Maybe if I'm in the area and just wanted tapas and wine.

From the perfectly curated playlist to the wine list, this place is a hit. You can taste the quality in every bite. I can't recommend this place enough! It feels like a taste of Europe dropped into San Diego. We went opening weekend and they were running like a well oiled machine. Everyone was so pleasant, the staff was so knowledgeable and they all had such great recommendations! The Pan Tumaca is so rich with flavor, I could eat it every single day, with or without the ibérico! I haven't had many items on their menu but I'm excited to try more.

The sea bass was fantastic. The presentation of the dishes were creative and all were quite good. The ambiance of the restaurant is very coozy and comforting. And the service was attentive and good.

Barra Oliba is such a hidden gem in San Diego! The moment you walk in, you can feel that this isn't your typical restaurant -- it's a true experience. The ambiance is intimate and inviting, with a layout that makes every table feel private and special. The food was phenomenal. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor -- clearly made with care and creativity. The staff were warm and attentive, making the whole evening feel effortless and elevated. Our server knew the whole menu and gave us some great recommendations.

Spain has arrived in Little Italy. :) What a cool vibe addition to Little Italy. I think the best word to describe Barra is serious. They are serious about the ingredients and preparation. This was the perfect place for my anniversary weekend. Shout out to Matt our guide this evening who took such great care. The food! Wow! This is upscale tapas and the flavors were unexpected. Example, we had the black rice q dry aged seared stripped sea bass. The rice is black using squid ink and then seasoned in a way that by itself is a flavor bomb. The sea bass was crispy skinned but still delicate. They have a delish anchovies toast that has such great flavor. Matt will help not only w the food but there is a ton of great wine.

Lovely new space, Madeleine & Eduardo took amazing care of us at the bar. Absolute phenomenal vibes and the food is exquisite. Muy rico todo!

Extremely expensive if you are going for drinks and tapas, but still the best service, quality of food, and atmosphere for this type of experience. Very nice decor. For drinks, food, and dessert, count at least $100 per person at this place. For example, our bill included a $5 charge for 3 small pieces of bread; they'll charge you for every taste and it adds up quickly as their tapas are very small (but good). Do not go here very hungry. It is a great (but very expensive) experience I definitely recommend.

Our server was fantastic! We sat at the bar, and received friendly service & lots of info on each offering. Our female bartender was very knowledgeable about the wine and offered samplings. We enjoyed the artichoke, Boguerones, and Spanish cheese selection w/quince. The bar was very beautiful & we felt lucky to find this place ! Good Spanish tapas can be difficult to find & the selection here went beyond the typical papas bravas & Iberico ham. Can't wait to return!

An absolute standout, unforgettable dining experience. San Diego has had its share of Spanish tapas places that just don't quite get it right, until now. Barra Oliba opened just 5 weeks ago, but they've already nailed the ambiance, food and service. We grabbed a seat at the bar- which is honestly the best place to be, largely in part to the awesome bartender, Matt. Everyone seemed to know his name. No surprise given his friendly personality and overall good vibes! They have a great wine list of Spanish wines and even carry Estrella on tap. I didn't see it on the menu, but also saw some folks drinking a sangria! The food is incredible and reminds me of tapeando in Madrid. We started with the aceitunas, cheese board and jamón ibérico. The jamón was melt in your mouth and we could've honestly done this round three times over with just how good it was!! We then moved on to patatas bravas, croquetas and tortilla española. All were an elevated take on the classics that maintained the goodness of the originals while adding such a delicious, complex layer of flavor! We were so full that we couldn't go for dessert but we're definitely eye-ing that homemade basque cheesecake next. This place is next level. Food quality, so good. Service, outstanding. And vibes, absolutely immaculate. Such a perfect date night spot and lovely intimate, yet lively atmosphere! We can't wait to come back.

Wow! I have eaten at a few Spanish restaurants here in San Diego and this place is my favorite by far. The price was reasonable and food quality was impressive. Our server Madeleine was awesome and took great care of us. Overall experience exceeded my expectations. We will definitely be back soon.

Barra Oliba is hands down my favorite restaurant in San Diego. After touring Spain last October, I fell in love with traditional Spanish cuisine... the tapas, the wine, and the bold yet simple flavors. This place brought all those memories right back. The food is incredibly authentic and creative, especially their in-house dry-aged tuna and yellowtail are absolutely next level. You won't find flavors like that anywhere else. Every dish is made with passion, and it shows. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff truly makes you feel at home. It's a hidden gem in Little Italy and a must visit for anyone who appreciates Spanish food or just wants a dining experience that leaves a mark.

A new Spanish tapas restaurant has debuted at the Instrata Apartments in Little Italy. The suite used to house a local chain taqueria that has now been transformed into an elegant bar and dining area by the new owners (same as Crudo Cevicheria). There were also outside tables on a parklet that doubled the seating capacity of Barra Oliba. The current operating hours are from 4 to 10 pm on Wednesday through Sunday. Lunch may be added in the future on weekends. I sat at a two-top table across from the bar that was half filled during my visit. The two-sided menu featured offerings that were seed-oil free as a nod to those who were extra health conscious. Tiny bites and small dishes were listed on one side. Raw bar items, starters, and main dishes were shown on the other side. Prices ranged between $9 and $30. I chose two small dishes and a starter for my meal. The first item was the Croquetas de Chorizo which came as a trio of deep fried breaded balls with a filling of cheese, potato, and Spanish pork sausage. The croquettes were fried extra crispy which made the exterior harder to bite into. The other small bite I ordered was the Tortilla de Patatas con Aioli Casero (Spanish Style Potato Omelette with House Made Aioli and Chistorra). I asked for Jamón Ibérico to be added which incurred a $15 surcharge for the premium Spanish ham. This was the last plate to come from the kitchen. The ham added more saltiness to the omelette that was almost like a large potato flan. My starter was the Pulpo a Feira which was Gallegan Style Octopus with Steamed Potatoes, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Aioli, and Pimento de la Vera. There were only two small tentacle pieces in the mixture which was dominated by the potatoes. A larger serving of octopus was needed for the $20 cost. Most of the tapas was pricier to reflect the upscale and healthier approach of the kitchen. The service from the waitress was efficient as she was familiar with the menu enough to be able to address my questions.

The food was tasty! The ambience was cozy and romantic! Definitely will be visiting the restaurant again!

The service was ok, they were inattentive except for when they repeatedly asked us for the paella dish back. The portions were small even for tapas ($25 for 4 small slivers of jamon). The food was underwhelming, the rice in the paella was undercooked, the chorizo croquettes had very little chorizo. The ambiance was cozy, best for parties of 2-6.

Outstanding little Spanish tapas bistro in Little Italy. Walking in feels like being transported straight to the Basque Country -- simple, authentic, and full of soul. The classics like pan con tomate with jamón ibérico are spot on, and more creative dishes like dry-aged hamachi show real skill and confidence in the kitchen. The wine list is fantastic -- truly curated, full of real Spanish natural wines, not the flashy, overhyped "hipster" bottles you see all over North Park. A refreshing and genuine gem for anyone who loves true Spanish cuisine and wine culture.

A friend and I did girls night here and we had the best time! The food and service was amazing and I'll be recommending it to my friends. The paella was to die for! Regina our server was the best.

I heard this was a cute, newer spot, so we had to try it! The lighting is romantic, and the tables feel intimate, as it is a smaller restaurant inside. They do offer outdooor seating. The server was attentive and gave great recommendations. Their wine selection is also impressive. The food was fantastic. We love Spanish tapas, so we had an idea of what to try. The garlic shrimp was flavorful. We also tried the pulpo, which was delicious. The Jamòn Iberìco was slightly unexpected. Traditionally, this type of ham is aged and has a waxy, yet buttery texture. The Jamòn iberíco we got appeared more like prosciutto. It was still yummy, but not sure how authentic that was. The dry aged blue fin tuna was my favorite tapa for sure. It was delightfully zesty, surprisingly full of flavor with the right balance of umami. The patatas bravas were also a favorite of mine, mostly because I enjoy potatoes. It was seasoned to perfection and had the perfect seared crust and soft inside. Overall, this place was awesome and we can't wait to go back again!

A super cute Spanish Tapas restaurant near Little Italy. Our server, Juan was very friendly and knowledgeable about all the wonderful Iberian meat they serve. The tapas were all very delicious and our main dishes (Iberian pork chops with Romesco sauce and creamy rice with wagu tongue and cheeks) were absolutely beautiful, fresh and oh yes, delicious. And don't forget the extensive Spanish wine offered here. We had a lovely time and recommend Barra Oliba very highly. Salud!

Ambiance is great. Small place with dim lighting. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Nice extensive wine list and wines by the glass as well. The menu for food is extensive for tapas place. All dishes are meant to be shared and everything we ordered was delicious. My favorite was the dry aged blue fin tuna tartare. Service was excellent. We were seated and our waitress introduced herself right away and checked on us frequently.

This small but charming spot truly brings a taste of Spain to Little Italy! We stopped in for a glass of wine and a couple of small plates before heading to our dinner reservation, and it was the perfect way to start the night. We were able to grab two seats at the bar right away, and our bartender/server, Mathew, was wonderful! As red wine lovers who know nothing about Spanish reds, we appreciated his guidance--he helped us find wines we'd enjoy and even let us sample a couple before deciding on our glasses. For food, we tried the croquetas de chorizo and the garlic shrimp, both of which were delicious and left us eager to come back and explore more of the menu. Highly recommend for a quick stop or a full meal--can't wait to return!

Wow this place is fantastic. I lived in Madrid for half a year and this place brought me back to Spain! The food is incredible, ambience is excellent, service amazing, off the chart vibes. Loved our lunch and looking forward to coming back. Madeline was fantastic, loved having her as the waitress! My fav were the oysters, potatoes, and prawns

Lovely little spot for tapas. We tried a little bit of everything, but I only got photos of four plates. This is what we ordered, I would recommend all but the last one, I wrote in the English names for the dishes for simplicity: - Grass fed beef tartare (amazing, so flavorful and fresh) - Octopus with steamed potatoes (I love octopus, this was made to perfection) - Garlic oil shrimp (order this, if you don't know where to start then start here. It is so good.) - Spanish style potato omelette (this was very rich, it went well with the other dishes we ordered) - Dry aged kanpachi crudo (my favorite dish of the night) - Black rice with seared dry aged kanpachi (this dish was not good...it was very pretty, but the kanpachi was overcooked and not seared. It was dry and also very boney. The baby squid was good and the rice was okay, but overall the dish didn't come together well) The space is quite small and intimate. It makes for a great date spot, the lighting is low and the ambience feels very romantic. Overall, I'd come back and recommend this spot. Just don't order the black rice with kanpachi.

The food is incredible. Each thing we got was impressive and I wanted to try everything! It's small and the hostess was also our server but they do very well with it. We went a Sunday so it wasn't busy but would recommend getting reservations.

Absolutely loved this place! We started the evening with a cold cañita. The food was delicious, the service was top and the ambiance made the whole experience even better. My favorite dishes were the tortilla de patatas and the gambas al ajillo.

The food is good but the sizes were just not acceptable. We asked for a wine & beer and the beer was in a very tiny glass. When I mean tiny... it was child size. Three plates the size of a cappuccino plate. I understand importing is expensive buuuuut this was just not even small bites, it was just one bite. The place is beautiful and it's photo worthy... unfortunately, that's about it. I'm still in shock.

Service was extremely slow. Took 30 min to order a wine. Food was very mediocre & bland. Potatoes served cold. Wines by glass extremely overpriced. Only good part of night was their Sea Bass over black rice. Ambiance missing as walls were very plain and lackluster. So many other great spots in SD. Not coming back.

Very cozy elegant spanish restaurant The tapas are delicious Every plate we ordered was very tasty I recommend the tuna tartar Pulpo and the olive oil icecream Definitely coming back

I highly recommend Barra Oliba! We came to celebrate my husband's birthday and loved everything from the food to the atmosphere. The tapas were fantastic! Especially the pan tumaca with jamón ibérico, gambas al ajillo, and tortilla de patatas. The owner stopped by our table and was incredibly helpful, suggesting a fantastic bottle of wine and some kid friendly options for our little ones. We sat outside, but the interior is so stylish and well designed I had to take a peek, it truly feels like you've been transported to a chic spot in Spain. The playful artwork and cozy candlelit tables add just the right touch of charm. We almost skipped dessert, but I'm so glad we didn't because the Basque style cheesecake was absolutely out of this world.

Second time visiting this place and I'm just impressed. The food is amazing, everything we tried was delicious. A personal favorite was the Tuna tartare, Chorizo croquetes and the cheese assortment. Even their cheesecake was superb. Their wine selection is pretty good too. I'm definitely coming back.

Everything was excellent and high quality from the various tapas to the wine to the service. So glad to see this in little Italy. Very romantic date night spot too. A little overpriced for the small portion sizes

This place what such a pleasant experience. Service, ambiance and food. I would 10/10 recommend this place if you are looking for a nice date spot, this is your best option! Pro tip: get the beef tartar

Came here for the first time. We really enjoyed this place. Great appetizers. Small, but delicious. Our favorites were the tuna tartar and the chorizo croquettes. The anchovy toast was really tasty as well. Highly recommend.

Matt took great care of us at the bar, celebrating two of my friends' birthdays. He was very attentive, had lots of helpful suggestions, did not rush us, and gave us a free dessert for their birthday. Quaint, quiet, well decorated, well staffed and good food/wine restaurant.

Excellent meal for birthday dinner! Ordered pan tumaca, patatas bravas, croquetas, beef tartar, a plate of jamon iberico, and the asparagus. We LOVED the croquetas and the patatas bravas. Beautiful classic Spanish dishes. The asparagus was perfect too. Service was excellent! Only problem was that I didn't feel the jamon iberico was as flavorful as I was used to, so felt like too much money to spend on it. Would definitely come back for another celebration dinner.

Had a great experience here! The food was incredible, we were impressed with every dish. One of the stand out dishes that I was pleasantly surprised by was the pork chop, these are so hard to get right and they nailed it. The dry aged kanapachi was also phenomenal. We also had the pan tumaca, chorizo croquettes, patatas bravas, and the pulpo. Everything was so good. This place is intimate and so aesthetically pleasing. We sat at the bar which, was great because it allowed us to see some of the food prep, plating, etc. Matt, the bartender, was accommodating, had great suggestions, and was a great server. Will definitely be back

The food was amazing! Every dish was so delicious. The ambiance was so intimate, perfect for a date night.

Barra Oliba is an exciting addition to the Little Italy culinary and wine scene! You walk in and are greeted to an intimate but bustling ambiance that's clearly geared towards a Barcelona vibe. The menu items are crafted from locally sourced, sustainable ingredients too. The wine list is solid and if you're a fan of spicy Spanish reds, this is your place! A huge plus is the outdoor seating. More detailed review to come!

Food amazing! Ambiance perfect! Rebecca is the Consummate Host/Server! Bottle wine prices too high.

Entire experience from top to bottom was amazing. Great recommendations for wine that paired perfectly with everything we ordered. The portions are tapa style but boy do they pack flavor in each bite! The prawns and the tuna tartare were our 2 favorites! The seafood was just chefs kiss, so incredibly fresh! We Enjoyed the egg omelet with potatoes and the tomatoes with sardines was simply delicious. The coursing was perfect & we loved that the food runners described each dish when they were brought to our table. We cannot wait to come back!! Truly exceptional dining

Loved it! Romantic vibe. Would be great for date night. Chef was so helpful. He took time to walk me through all my options, since I'm gluten free. For a party of 3, we got the tortilla, patatas bravas, artichoke confit, jamón ibérico, vaca vieja (special), chocolate sourdough, and basque cheesecake.

What a great addition to the neighborhood! It's rare to find a restaurant with both ambience and delicious food but barra oliba definitely exceeded my expectations. Everything from their small pica pica bites to their entrees was top notch. Their tuna tartare, gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas, arroz negro and chicken were my favorite! Oh and their wine list is incredible!

The food was good, but not mind blowing. I am comparing it to the tapas and meals we ate while in Spain. Some items, like the pan con tomate and shrimp were very well done. Others were fine but not impressive. The prices are quite high for small portions. I was prepared for this, but I expect to be very impressed, and was not. It felt a bit like they were trying to be an elevated place with some success but many mediocre. The fish was very small for the price, full of bones, and the flavor was not all there. The chicken dish was too chicken-y and one-note. The male (maybe manager?) was aloof in a pretentious way and I noticed him coming out of the kitchen while swiping his phone. He did not wash his hands and then proceeded to serve food. I definitely expect better from an upscale restaurant.

Tapas Bar with quality ingredients and no seed oils, they keep things simple here. Fresh oysters and tuna are legit. Can't go wrong with octopus, shrimp or matrimonio pintxo. The arroz meloso and heirloom chicken are also musts Pro tip: sit at the bar and let the sommelier guide you through the wine and food pairings.

Beautiful small place, not as small as the portions, not even a bite... Suuuuuper expensive for what they offer. Nice service.

Great experience. Sat at the bar which we don't normally do. Food, ambiance, service were all awesome. Only thing (and I'm only writing this as constructive criticism) was that the shrimp was cooked a bit too long. But... whole experience was 5/5.

Amazing work on the food I give this place 100/10. This was perfect for small dishes sooo much favor

Absolutely unreal! So grateful to have such a wonderful Spanish restaurant in San Diego. The dishes are absolutely exquisite, thoughtful and seasonal. The atmosphere is beautiful, the bar is stunning and the lighting is perfect. Our server was so kind, brought us through the menu explaining everything as it was our first time. My husband and I went tonight for our anniversary and we can't wait to go back. So happy to have your wonderful team in SD!