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1. Cafe Sevilla - San Diego
- Live flamenco guitarist!
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- Spanish
- Affordable
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2. Tapas Picasso Spanish Restaurante
- Hillcrest's Spanish secret
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- Spanish
- Moderately Priced
- Downtown - Centre City
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3. Costa Brava
- In Short
The raised and fenced-in garden patio secludes diners from the bustling street and pedestrian... -
- Mediterranean
- Spanish
- Tapas / Small Plates
- Affordable
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4. Ole Madrid
- Ole!
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- Mediterranean
- Spanish
- Tapas / Small Plates
- Affordable
- Downtown - Centre City
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5. Gran Tapa (La)
- Superior Mexican food
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- American
- Mexican
- Spanish
- Tapas / Small Plates
- Moderately Priced
- Downtown - Centre City
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7. Bite
- Chef Chris Walsh has created a modern yet slightly industrial lounge
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- American
- Californian
- Tapas / Small Plates
- Cheap
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8. Spread
- Local comfort food with serious fans
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- Vegetarian
- Moderately Priced
- North Park
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9. Redfish Seafood Kitchen
- A little Cajun spice
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- Seafood
- Tapas / Small Plates
- Steakhouses
- Affordable
- Mission Valley
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10. Soleil @ K - San Diego Marriott Gaslamp
- Let the sunshine
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- American
- Californian
- Tapas / Small Plates
- Moderately Priced
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The Best of NileGuide
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Tapas are traditionally smaller versions of a much larger dish, taken originally from southern Spain where bars would top tasty treats onto their beers to keep flies out of their beers. Today, tapas have become the norm when it comes to restaurants these days, especially those in San Diego.
Tapas are no longer just a quick meal to satisfy the taste buds, but have become the chic way to eat. San Diego is all too aware of the hottest trends in food, and several restaurants have begun adding tapas into their opening plates. Like some Spanish restaurants around the city, tapas are the norm - but more and more restaurants of more traditional California cuisines are adding tapas to their menu. While Costa Brava, Cafe Sevilla and Turquoise Cafe are all favorites for their tapas. Great tapas come with great sangria, and at all three places you'll find the authentic cocktail.
On the other side of the spectrum, tapas have become an abridged version of just a small entree. At Californian restaurants, comfort food eateries and even Italian restaurants there are small little bites perfect for sharing. One of the more popular favorites that has garnered national attention for their plate sharing is Spread, a comfort food joint that was once a Superbowl sponsor that caters to the stars.
What's even more exciting about great tapas in San Diego is that more restaurants are offering little bites here and there, and will only keep getting better with time.
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