Little Madrid Tapas-Café
Tapas bar · Edgewater ·
Candlelit Spanish tapas, paella & sangria in warm space
Candlelit Spanish tapas, paella & sangria in warm space
"First-time restaurant owner and native Spaniard Francisco Bolaños has a hit on his hands with Andersonville’s only Spanish restaurant. A mellow storefront spot, the restaurant has earned a following with a broad selection of tapas, pintxos, paellas, and more. It all goes down beautifully with cafe con leche." - Ashok Selvam
"For those who equate romance with dim lighting, Little Madrid may be the most romantic restaurant in Chicago: a tiny storefront dining room illuminated only by tabletop candles. But the tapas, pintxos, and paella are all exquisite; the wine is abundant; and the service is friendly and makes you feel cared for, all the things necessary for romance to flourish." - Lisa Shames
"Andersonville diners can be difficult to win over, but first-time restaurant owner (and native Spaniard) Francisco Bolanos seems to have solved the neighborhood puzzle with his cozy and casual storefront spot. Fans come back over and over for hits like patatas bravas, huevos rotos (manchego, jamón serrano or Spanish chorizo), and marisco paella (mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, green peas)." - Ashok Selvam
"We really want to like Little Madrid Tapas Cafe. The service is great, and it’s Andersonville’s only tapas place. While some dishes are pretty good (the creamy iberico ham croquettes are crispy and the morcilla con pimientos have a good balance of saltiness, spice, and funk) the mostly lackluster food and incredibly dark dining room make for an unenjoyable dining experience. A too-sweet glaze overpowers the chistorra sausage with potatoes, the sweet albondigas clash against a tidal wave of tangy tomato sauce, and the paella disappoints with a trifecta of overcooked rice, rubbery seafood, and overzealous use of salt. So if you’re in the area and looking for a dinner with a bunch of small plates, you might want to check out Uvae or Gadabout instead. RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE" - John Ringor
"With a small but delicious lineup of Spanish delights in Andersonville, I found the patatas bravas to be the finest in the city: fried potatoes delicately crispy outside, soft and creamy within, draped with a glossy 'fire' sauce smoldering with smoked pimento. The slim menu also features classics like tortilla española, bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with cheese, and albóndigas in tomato sauce, and paella is a specialty available in limited quantities — order ahead if you want it." - Jeffy Mai