Bodega Tapas, Wine, and Rum

I really enjoyed this restaurant... Definitely coming back to try some more dishes! Service was great, attentive and friendly and we were a large party and our waiter was awesome! Standouts - Serrano Ham was sliced paper thin, almost melts on the tongue; the French Onion was rich and thick and the sherry added a kick; the Cauliflower was amazing with a sweet/spicy heat. While these were standouts, everyone was super happy!

Outstanding tapas! Hidden gem in Wake Forest. Some of my favorite shareables: the fried cauliflower, Peruvian chicken, crab dip, foie gras, salad, empanada, fried potatoes. Drinks: They have a great wine selection. Love the Ship Down cocktail! Dessert: the chocolate mousse is amazing!

We reserved our Valentine date night prior to their menu being created. They called to apologize, and got us updated for the Valentine's Day dinner. The amount of food served for the prefix menu was a lot. But my favorite was their shrimp stuffed salmon. I cannot begin to describe it other than a bite of perfection. It melted in your mouth, had all the best flavors, presented nicely, and smelled great! Tapas during other visits have matched that quality which is why we picked there for the holiday. Service was perfectly timed and the atmosphere is intimate with the small tables and low lighting. It's a drive for us but we make sure to visit often.

I had SUCH a lovely evening here. I had time to kill in WF while my kids were at a party. Sat at the bar- the staff were SO friendly and the food was delicious and gorgeous. Highly recommended!

Amazing experience!!! Every single item that came out of the kitchen was a unique culinary treat. The drinks were very well done and the service was fast and friendly. We went on a Sunday afternoon and were immediately seated. Atmosphere was romantic and cozy. We will definitely use this restaurant as a fun downtown wake forest date night.

Bodega, in the heart of downtown Wake Forest, brings a high level of sophisticated dining to the area at a fairly high price. This tapas-themed eatery has the feel of a wine cellar. Portions are small (except for the three 'Plates') and intended to be shared. The menu is extensive (22 Tapas options from which to chose), and most of them are noteworthy and unique. It's a great place to celebrate a night out with friends. The seven of us sampled 15 different dishes. Some of our favorites were the Mushroom Ravioli ($13) - Mushrooms, Cauliflower Cream, Pesto and Chioggia Beets - a lot of flavor. The Seared Spiced Tuna with Horseradish Crema ($14) was perfectly rare and delicious, and possibly the best value on the menu. That Tapas standby, Serrano Ham ($11) with Red Wine Poached Pears, Walnuts and Parmesan was a real winner; as was the Salad de Saison ($10) with Blueberries, Goat Cheese and Serge's Grandma's Vinaigrette - so crisp and fresh and light. I also enjoyed the Grilled Broccoli Kimchi Vinaigrette ($13) with Sesame Yogurt Sauce and Cashews (though not everyone appreciated this somewhat off-the-wall concoction). We also enjoyed two change of pace plates: Arancini (Fried Risotto Balls - $11) and Parisienne Gnocchi ($15 - with Bacon, Onions, White Wine, Cream and Raclette Cheese). Another favorite was the Burrata Touille ($13). This Provençal Ratatouille included Burrata Cheese (fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream and means 'buttery' in Italian) and a Savory Granola. The Sauteed Shrimp with Toasted Garlic, Guajillo (moderately hot Mexican Chili), Mango and Chipotle Vinaigrette ($14 for four) and the NC Wagyu Beef Empanada with Cuban Picadillo Style Cilantro Creme ($10) were both delicious. Both of the Dips we tried were very tasty, but quite salty. They included Crab Dip ($15) - Texas Pete, Old Bay, Parmesan with Crostini: and NC Goat Cheese Dip ($14) - Oyster Mushrooms and Holly Grove Goat Cheese. The one item that totally missed the mark with me was the Escargots ($16 for six). Properly cooked Snails swimming in a pool of Lemon, Garlic and Butter are a personal favorite. But the ones served at Bodega had an unusual, somewhat unpleasant flavor. Since this was also the most expensive Tapas item on the menu, it was a double disappointment. Bodega offers a wide assortment of distinctive Liqueurs, Rums and other Spirits. The Red Wines were agreeable and the Orchard Sangria ($13 - White Wine, White Cranberry, Peach Brandy and Triple Sec) was interesting and refreshing. The two specialty cocktails we tried; however, were misfires with us. They were the Bittersweet Cosmopolitan ($14 - Social House Vodka, Lime, Cassis and Cranberry Bitters) and Old Cuban ($14 - Sailor Jerry's Rum, Lime. Mint, Lemongrass and Prosecco).

This place is incredible! I’ve been here a few times, and everyone is always so friendly and kind. They never rush you, even if it’s past closing time, and the food is truly outstanding. I can’t say enough good things about this spot… I’ll definitely keep coming back because everything is exceptional.

Absolutely stellar! Went here for the first time on a Friday night. Ate at the bar and our server, Jess, was so warm and helpful. I’m celiac and was thrilled to see they have a dedicated gluten free menu. We got the ratatouille, Peruvian chicken, salad, and my non-GF partner got the gnocchi. We were impressed with the freshness and flavor of the produce, the tenderness of the chicken, everything down to the flavor and brightness of the salad dressing. The gnocchi was tender and pillowy. Overall the dishes were interesting, flavorful, and had great texture variation. The environment was clean, softly lit, and a pleasant volume. We could chat easily, and no loud music. Prices are very fair and we were surprised our bill was as low as it was. Fantastic value. Really outstanding, and we’ll be back! What a gem of a place, thank you!

We indulged in five of their savory dishes between the two of us. We chose the crispy potatoes, Brussels sprouts, seared tuna, gnocchi, and the shrimp. The dishes offered a unique flavor amongst the many different dishes. An ample serving of each dish was plenty for the two of us to enjoy multiple helpings. The ambiance was cook and relaxing with a dark tone throughout. Such a quaint local restaurant in the heart of downtown Wake Forest.

I've heard about this place and checked out the reviews. Cute place inside and I love the brick building. I enjoyed a sangria and my husband had a blackberry bourbon smash cocktail. The Tapas we "ok". I didn't have anything that was a stand out dish. We tried Brussel sprouts, Peruvian chicken, Arancini (street corn fritters), seared spiced tuna, empanada and gnocchi. The tuna and arancini were the best along with the drinks. The service was ok

Went directly to this restaurant after almost a 6 hour car ride. We got the aranchini, gnocchi, Burratatouille, and a few other things that aren't pictured! Drinks came out fast and were strong. Food also came out fast and servers were super nice and helpful. I liked the darkness of the restaurant and the cute little lamps. Would go again :)

Bodega Tapas & Wine is located in Downtown Wake Forest. It is a smaller restaurant but they made sure to spread the people around so we were not close to other tables. The noise level was good but I could see it getting noisy when there is a full house. The service was great, and everyone was friendly. The menu is mostly tapas and a few plates. I got a salad and shrimp tapa. I enjoyed both but wished I added the shrimp on top of the salad. I look to explore more of the menu on future visits.

Sat at the bar last night for my Wife's Birthday. Small plates were absolutely delicious! Every offering exceeding every expectation! Jess at the bar poured amazing drinks and even laughed at all of our crazy family stories! The ambiance was pushed over the top by a visit from the owner and Super Chef, Serge! He and his crew make every visit a trip to remember!

Really good food. Arancini and the Salad de Saison was great. We found the inside for us was too loud. Seating outside on the sidewalk fine for 2 people.

Great place. Awesome food and atmosphere. I'm a local and it's hard to find high-quality food at a reasonable price. This place checks all the boxes.

food & service went well. background music would be a nice touch. Disappointed in Red wine selection in NC overall. cheese plate with almonds & olives a glass of Red blend, then glass of Sangria $73 with tip for one.

Such a wonderful dining experience, my MIL and I truly enjoyed ourselves. The food was fantastic and the server was very attentive. It was a bit loud but business was popping and it was Thursday evening so it was expected.

The food is pretty good--I wish they have a better wine selection. The service is great and the ambiance is perfect.

Bodega has become a must when in downtown Wake Forest. Our favs are the Peruvian Chicken, Arancini, Broccoli Kimchi, and Parisienne Gnocchi. The drinks are also fantastic! Be sure to try their espresso martini with any of the tasty desserts! The ambiance is also great although I will say that it gets quite loud on a busy night. Not sure what could be done about the acoustics, but hasn't kept me away yet!

The food was very good last night. When we walked in there is a wall that separates the restaurant from the entrance, however, it took awhile for anyone to see us and come attend. I feel like if the wall was shorter or didn't exist at all they would be able to see their customers walk in. The seats were mildly uncomfortable and the high tops were small. I understand this was a small restaurant so it was not a big deal. For what the design of the restaurant lacked, made up for in food. The food was exceptional and very fast. The first thing we ordered were drinks (which were great) and the Arancini and Crab Dip. Both were very good, the Arancini blew us away 10/10 and we're STILL talking about it. The second round was the Peruvian chicken and crispy potatoes, 10/10 very very good. I recommend these 4 dishes. The next round was the gnocchi and lamb meatballs. My BF loved the gnocchi and they were good, I give it an 8.5/10. We both agree the lamb meatballs were not our favorite but the flavors were good. The last round we got was escargot and the empanada. I have never tried Escargot before so it was a risk. It was not my favorite, but it didn't come with good bread. The empanada was just alright, I give it a 5/10. Overall, I would get round 1-3 again and would skip the last round. I give Bodega Tapas & Wine a 4.5 on food and service.

I recently had a wonderful experience at Bodega. the ambiance is cozy, the food is excellent, and the service was great. we were surprised at our favorites (which were the parisienne gnocchi and the arancini), given those are usually more predictable dishes. however, it's clear bo takes freshness and well-balanced flavors seriously. we can't wait to come back!

Oh Serg Serg Serg! You naughty, naughty Frenchman! How dare you serve such delightful food? I mean my first visit here, and imagine my surprise when I saw the French side of Tapas! Those escargot?! Ooo lala! My first visit here and we sampled a little bit of everything, but the prize goes to those gnocchi. Pillowy, light, drenched in buttery and cheesy sauce! Service? I M P E C C A B L E! Food? Tight, small, flawless menu! Forewarned I will return when I'm back visiting the area again! This is my warning!

Bodega, in the heart of downtown Wake Forest, brings a high level of sophisticated dining to the area at a fairly high price. This tapas-themed eatery has the feel of a wine cellar. Portions are small (except for the three 'Plates') and intended to be shared. The menu is extensive (22 Tapas options from which to chose), and most of them are noteworthy and unique. It's a great place to celebrate a night out with friends. The seven of us sampled 15 different dishes. Some of our favorites were the Mushroom Ravioli ($13) - Mushrooms, Cauliflower Cream, Pesto and Chioggia Beets - a lot of flavor. The Seared Spiced Tuna with Horseradish Crema ($14) was perfectly rare and delicious, and possibly the best value on the menu. That Tapas standby, Serrano Ham ($11) with Red Wine Poached Pears, Walnuts and Parmesan was a real winner; as was the Salad de Saison ($10) with Blueberries, Goat Cheese and Serge's Grandma's Vinaigrette - so crisp and fresh and light. I also enjoyed the Grilled Broccoli Kimchi Vinaigrette ($13) with Sesame Yogurt Sauce and Cashews (though not everyone appreciated this somewhat off-the-wall concoction). We also enjoyed two change of pace plates: Arancini (Fried Risotto Balls - $11) and Parisienne Gnocchi ($15 - with Bacon, Onions, White Wine, Cream and Raclette Cheese). Another favorite was the Burrata Touille ($13). This Provençal Ratatouille included Burrata Cheese (fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream and means 'buttery' in Italian) and a Savory Granola. The Sauteed Shrimp with Toasted Garlic, Guajillo (moderately hot Mexican Chili), Mango and Chipotle Vinaigrette ($14 for four) and the NC Wagyu Beef Empanada with Cuban Picadillo Style Cilantro Creme ($10) were both delicious. Both of the Dips we tried were very tasty, but quite salty. They included Crab Dip ($15) - Texas Pete, Old Bay, Parmesan with Crostini: and NC Goat Cheese Dip ($14) - Oyster Mushrooms and Holly Grove Goat Cheese. The one item that totally missed the mark with me was the Escargots ($16 for six). Properly cooked Snails swimming in a pool of Lemon, Garlic and Butter are a personal favorite. But the ones served at Bodega had an unusual, somewhat unpleasant flavor. Since this was also the most expensive Tapas item on the menu, it was a double disappointment. Bodega offers a wide assortment of distinctive Liqueurs, Rums and other Spirits. The Red Wines were agreeable and the Orchard Sangria ($13 - White Wine, White Cranberry, Peach Brandy and Triple Sec) was interesting and refreshing. The two specialty cocktails we tried; however, were misfires with us. They were the Bittersweet Cosmopolitan ($14 - Social House Vodka, Lime, Cassis and Cranberry Bitters) and Old Cuban ($14 - Sailor Jerry's Rum, Lime. Mint, Lemongrass and Prosecco).

My second visit, actually... I thought I had done a review previously but didn't. My friend picked Bodega to celebrate her girls bday dinner. I love the dim lighting and rustic yet elegant decor of the old building. Our waitress was so cute and very attentive. I believe we ordered almost everything on the menu. The cheese board is delicious, but not enough for 3 people. The escargot was good in the garlic butter and the arancini is always a favorite as they change the sauce depending on the season. You get one beef empanada, which is large enough for 2 and the goat cheese was so creamy. The shrimp was very flavorful and enogh for 2, but I could have eaten it all. The foie gras was interesting. I wasn't expecting it to be served a little cool and then the caramelized crispy top added the sweet. It was good and the lamb meatballs did not disappoint. The crispy potatoes and broccoli were our favorite for the night. The spicy sauce on the broccoli was amazing and the dish had an amazing flavor combo. To top it off, we finished with a delectable Mousse au Chocolat. Experience was as good the second time as the first.

Y'all. Delightful. Delicious. Decadent from the ambiance to the food and the service. I was greeted kindly during a busy Saturday evening and escorted to the bar per my request. I ordered a lovely rose while I looked over the menu before deciding on the kimchi grilled broccoli. I was torn between the short rib arancini and wagyu empanada, but the friendly bartender behind the counter didn't hear me over the din of the restaurant when I settled on the arancini - so I received both. I have no doubt they would have addressed the issue if I hadn't been so glad for the mistake that I didn't even mention it. Totally worth it and happy I received it! Finished off the meal with an Orchard Sangria - refreshing and not too sweet.

The service and ambiance were good. It's a cute place but the food and experience made us not want to return. Maybe we chose the wrong plates but we discussed where to go for dinner after we finished. We are not big eaters but this meal was meager. Our meal was done in 40 minutes as well which was a bummer. The tuna was ok, but the portion wasn't adequate. The BBQ dish was odd and my date compared it to spam which didn't help. The cheese plate was good and a good value. The shrimp was not good. We returned it and I'm glad they took it off the bill but I didn't expect it. The flavor and texture were not good. A funky aftertaste. The chicken was fine, but again even for tapas the portion seemed tiny. Underwhelmed by the flavors and quality. The servers were nice and helpful. The restaurant looks nice and good ambiance. Overall, for me this is a pass.

The service was fantastic. Our server was attentive and pleasant. The food was mediocre at best. The cheese plate was three pieces of bland cheese and an overwhelming amount of crostini. The broccoli was cold. The Peruvian chicken was very fatty. In the end, it felt a bit like an overpriced bummer of a happy hour.

Great food & unique cocktails! The menu is a combination of family recipes & tapas! Run by a French-man, we asked him what inspired him. He said he enjoyed cooking his favorite foods!

Another return visit to this local gem. Food as good as ever. It's a tapas spot, so small plates are perfect for sharing. Dining room spaced a little wider to (somewhat) preserve social distancing. Still a loud room when all the tables are full. Tried the arancini - 4 golf-ball sized dollops of risotto, deep fried golden brown. Also, the grilled octopus. Don't be scared - it's delicious! 2 inch-sized slivers of octopus grilled. They're smoky and savory - perfect on a bed of hummus and topped with chimichurri rojo. The shrimp shrimp, sautéed with garlic and guajillo (chili) and dressed with mango & chipotle vinaigrette. The shrimp is plump and fresh, cooked perfectly with a nice crunch to each bite, not mealy. The chili adds a touch of heat which is offset by the mango in the sauce. Very tasty. Peruvian chicken is marinated boneless thighs, grilled. Thighs are the most succulent part of the chicken and the marinate highlights beautifully. Grilling is perfect, meat is moist and juicy, dressed in ahi amarillo sauce. Bonus, it's served with delicious pita bread from Sassool. Yum! Lastly, the Brussels sprouts. We've had these here in the past and they were divine. This time, different prep which wasn't that great. Halved sprouts are broiled with carrots, caramelized onion and cream, garnished with almonds. The cream made the sprouts mushy and kind of bland. Much prefer the previous prep. This is an OUTSTANDING restaurant tucked away in downtown Wake Forest. Recommended!

The second we walked in, the sounds and aromas of a great dining experience greeted us. That and a smiling hostess. The food was fantastic, the kimchi broccoli being our favorite. They also offer an incredible rum selection and we really liked the desert rums, although the Rum Old Fashioned was pretty tasty a well. The staff were incredibly friendly and despite every table being full, were always prompt and available. We'll definitely be back! Pro Tip: RSVPs are a must on the weekends so don't be afraid to stop in during the week. And leave the kids at home if you can.

I know what Tapas means (small plates) and Ive had Tapas many many times but the portions were so teeny tiny. We had 5 plates between two of us and were still hungry. After 5 plates and two glass's of wine between the two of us a little over $110 not including tip of course. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was super nice. But again, portions were the smallest portions Ive ever had. We wont go back just based on the portion sizes being so measly. And if you love escargot, I wouldn't recommend. They were ok but honestly they were the size of a pencil eraser and we got 4 tiny tiny pieces of bread to go with it.

Their Escargot and cocktails are great. My favorite dessert there is Crème brûlée. Fun place to hang with friends

Food was delicious. Service was great. Server kept my glass filled. Ambiance was quiet small location to meet up with friends for a drinks and tapas in wake forest. Definitely would go back.,

Awesome place in downtown Wake Forest. We haven't been back since early last year and heard that ownership changed hands. So, we decided to stay local and were teenager "less" last night. The interior of the restaurant is quite nice with the exposed brick walls and dark furniture. There is a nice bar in the center with a brick arch. The decor is in a Mediterranean / French theme, I think. The menu has a large selection of tapas and about four large plates. We went with a cheese board that came with a spiced goat cheese, Manchego and Mahon. There were crostini's and two spreads, mango and fig. It was delicious. We then ordered the lamb meatballs and a salad( can't remember the name). Both were awesome. We then split a flat iron steak that came with mashed potatoes and a salad. The plate had enough for two people to split. The steak was cooked and seasoned just right. They have a nice cocktail, beer and wine menu. The house cocktails all have a rum as a base I believe. We had a really nice experience here. I'm glad the place survived last year. It's a nice dining option in downtown Wake Forest. If you're in town definitely check them out.

I ordered takeout from here after hearing a rumor that the chef/owner was the former Saint Jacques chef. I'm not sure if that is true, but I had a really good experience here. It was crowded but every staff member I interacted with was "go out of their way" levels of nice. It has an atmosphere that would suit a date night and I will probably try dining in at some point. The food was excellent. the standouts to me were the arancini (my understanding is that the flavor rotates; it was mushroom that day), empanadas, and the rigatoni.

Amazing! got 7 different dishes and every one was more amazing than the next. Not only my favorite local restaurant but probably my favorite restaurant period. Get a babysitter and bring an appetite!

Cheese boards and wine. Don't expect large filling meals or you'll be disappointed. Most drink their wine with pinkies in the air.

We recently had a great experience at Bodega in Wake Forest. Food was delicious and very high quality. Highly recommend this place.

I cannot get enough of this restaurant. The drinks are amazing, the food is outstanding, and the service is impeccable. The cheese board? The creme brûlé? Musts!

Great food and atmosphere. Almost feels like it belongs in downtown Raleigh rather than downtown Wake Forest, but I'm glad it's here. The owner came out and spoke with us - very friendly guy. Only con is that it is expensive for the amount you get. Overall great spot.

We are regulars at Bodega, great ambiance for a date night but also to hangout with friends. Excellent presentation of the dishes. My favorite here is the goat cheese dip, so yummy! As any tapas place the portions are very small so be Ready to get 2-3 per person. Great sangria. I am not as familiar with Spanish wine options but they have a red French one that is pretty good! I highly recommend to try this restaurant.

The food was amazing, the service was on point! The ambiance was perfect! Lamb Meatballs

5 stars every time. Apparently I somehow like drinking straight rum at this place. Must get the gnocchi and meatballs. Always great service and know you'll have a great experience.

Bodega is serving up delicious tapas in downtown Wake Forest. We stopped in recently to check this place out and Bennett took great care of us. If you are looking to indulge in a cocktail I recommend trying one of their unique rum cocktails over the classics. We tried the ship down and between the sheets, both were solid choices. I was also able to try the sangria bodega and it was good too. For tapas we split the bacon wrapped dates, campanelle pasta, empanada, shaved brussels sprouts (these are served cold like slaw), NC crab stuffed peppers and lamb meatballs. The dates and pasta are the two must orders. The sprouts and peppers were good too but I prefer them served hot. Outside of serving tapas for dinner, Bodega recently started introducing a few brunch items to their menu on Sunday's. Making a reservation was easy, you can call or book online with OpenTable. Cheers!

Nestled in quaint downtown wake forest, this charming establishment offers an ideal atmosphere for drinks, small plates, and casual conversation. The dining room was filled with families, couples and groups who were just enjoying the atmosphere and having a good time. The group across from us even took the time to share their tapas with us, we enjoyed the atmosphere. Although they obviously offer take out, they also have socially distant seating inside and outside. It pays to make reservations, especially with the limited number of tables inside, this seems to be a popular establishment. The wine selection offers an impressive variety of both red's and white's, unfortunately due to my short attention span I passed over the rum cocktails, something I will be sure to try on my return visit. A good "old fashioned" is hard so to find! I would endorse the cheeseboard, I didn't even feel the need to shun any of the cheeses they brought out, which is rare, and the crostini was very flavorful. The Parisienne gnocchi was phenomenal, a small plate, so order two if you plan on making it a meal. We also tried the Rigatoni Mezze; I took a chance on the wild boar and was happy I did! Of course I didn't leave without desert, typically I would never pass up a cannoli, but I will pass up a "mini" cannoli! so it was a homemade Crème brulee for me. Cheers!

What a wonderful find in the charming downtown Wake Forest area. This place is a must for an exciting date night. Love their gnocchi, shrimp, and seared tuna but you really can't go wrong with any of their small plates. The place is a bit echoey so if you're hard of hearing be prepared. The noise level is certainly a sign that it's a popular spot!

This is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the best tapas around! It is where I go on Friday to simply unwind and enjoy the beauty of downtown Wake Forest, tapas (cooked phenomenally) and choice of wine. 5 stars!

My husband and I dined at Bodega tonight and enjoyed our dinner very much. The servers were quite attentive and came back to refill our drinks several times. Admittedly, the service was pretty slow, but part of it may have had to do with some power issues their street was having. Not sure, since we've never dined there before. However, the food was delicious and they were quite accommodating so I would still return. I asked them what items I could have, considering I have a dairy allergy. They kindly came back with the menu, having struck out the dishes that couldn't be modified and circling what would have to be removed for some of the others. It was very much appreciated. I hope to come back and try some of their other dishes another day!

We had empanadas, escargot, Brussel sprouts, cheese plate, burrata, and the foie gras creme brûlée. All were super tasty and the wine pairing was also delicious. We loved the interesting dish choices and the feel of the restaurant as well. We will be back!

Food and service were great but a little pricey for my tastes. Seems like they don't rotate the menu much.

Bodega Tapas is a quaint hidden gem in Wake Forest. Ok so first off, yes it's definitely a loud restaurant. This isn't a place for date night due to the noise levels but I would definitely recommend for groups of 3 or more. The ambiance makes it a great place to go and socialize with friends. We ordered a few items off the menu and everything tasted great. I also recommend ordering at 3 or 4 tapas due to the portions. Overall, we were pleased with the service we received and the food! I highly recommend any of the following menu items: Caribbean Jerk ribs Rigatoni Mezze Empanadas Lamb meatballs I will definitely go back. Enjoy!

AMAZING FOOD! This is one of my top 5 restaurants in the Raleigh area. The food is always amazing and the service is great. It can get a little loud in the restaurant, but that is the only negative!

This is the first time I've gone to a restaurant five times, loved the food every time, and given a 3 star review. The food is very good, sometimes transcendent, service reasonably good, and the restaurant is attractive and inviting. I'd particularly recommend the NC Shrimp, the Brussels Sprouts, fingerling potatoes, seared tuna... there are many. The Rum Old Fashioned is delicious! There's a good selection of wines by the glass, and about 8-10 craft cocktails, with rum as a focal point. On our most recent visit, our party of four had a round of drinks and about 8 small plates, and the bill was $115 excluding tip, which seemed very reasonable. Why 3 stars, then? The noise level at Bodega is excruciatingly high - to the point where it's practically painful. The floor is a hard surface, the walls are brick, and the ceiling is wood: there's virtually no sound absorbing material in the restaurant, and the result is like something out of Gitmo. The people who run this restaurant know they have a problem, yet have done nothing since it opened to address it. ...and for this reason, we won't be returning. My only advice is to go really early or at 9pm if you don't want to damage your hearing: from 6:00 to 9:00, it's a horror show.

Found this tapas style restaurant downtown Wake Forrest, we didn't make a reservation and were able to get in rather quickly. From the look of the menu, there were several options we wanted to try.We shared the empanada, lamb meatballs, rigatoni, and lamb ribs which was the perfect serving for two. I was not disappointed by one single dish! Will definitely be back to explore more of the menu. PS the Strawberry Caipirinha is the perfect drink if you like your cocktails on the sweet and strong side lol

Bodega is a hidden gem in downtown Wake Forest! It's perfect for a romantic date night, dinner with friends, or a neighborhood drink They specialize in rum cocktails, a huge wine list and tapas! I recommend ordering 2-3 plates per person to share with the table. The service was amazing - a great resource for recommending dishes Specials: Wednesday- 1/2 price Wine Thursday- 1/2 off Cocktails My favorites: - Autumn salad w Grapes, Apples & Blue Cheese - Scallop Ceviche - Fried Mediterranean Potatoes (a MUST order!) - Tender Grilled Octopus - Seared Tuna - Warm Blueberry Polenta Cake (not too sweet and SO satisfying)

Bodega Tapas & Wine is located at the end of white street in downtown Wake Forest. They took over where Back fins used to be. Love the renovations they did. This was actually our plan B when Friday night on white got rained out. They quickly filled up so I'd recommend making reservations. Our server, I think his name was Benton, was fantastic and very patient with us being first timers. Four of us shared a plethora of tapas plates. I enjoyed my drink. Painkiller-need I say more? We started with a cheese board and what a great way to start. Now they are tapas so that means small plates, made for sharing. With 4 people, you basically get a few bites in. 3 types of cheese, manchego, and 2 others. One tasted like goat cheese and the other similar to gruyere with fig jam and quince, served with crostini. Needed a few more crostini as everything on this was delicious! Everything I tasted was enjoyable. The crab filled peppers were memorable but very small. It actually was quite a bit of food in total and yes, it can get pricey. With drinks, it averaged about $60 per couple, not including tip. But Hey, you deserve something different now and again.

Seriously the best meal. Everything about this dinner experience was exceptional (except for an air conditioning issue - hopefully that gets resolved soon?) - even with this minor issue the food and service far outweighed any slight uncomfortably warm temperature. Our server was Bennett, he was great. Attentive, offered great recommendations and we never waited any time our glasses neared empty or we wanted to order more food. The food: oh my. Be prepared to order 2-3 plates per person. Tapas style. I guess it also depends on how hungry you are. We tried the following: the empanada, the bacon wrapped dates, the goat cheese dip, crab stuffed peppers, pork belly, corn salad. The gnocchi and a special of the evening - mussels in a tallow coconut curry. All fantastic. We (4 of us) ended up ordering 2 more orders of the dates. The crab stuffed peppers were also a personal fav. The drinks: a wonderful drink selection of craft rum cocktails, extensive wine list and maybe the best white sangria I've ever had. I ordered a floral type cocktail with elderflower liquor to start but it was a little too sweet for my taste buds so I switched to the white sangria. Very refreshing. I liked this place so much that I just want to go up there by myself and become a regular the food and atmosphere was so good. Can't wait to go back.