The restaurant transported guests back to Old Madrid with its warm atmosphere, delicious flavors, and enticing aromas that emanated from the kitchen. With a global pandemic raging around the world, Little Madrid Tapas Cafe remained a steady presence in the neighborhood and soon emerged as one of the best Spanish restaurants in Chicago.
Named after his beloved hometown, the restaurant serves the classic, authentic Spanish recipes taught to Bolanos by his grandmother, all while showcasing the traditional and warm Spanish hospitality you would receive back in Spain. Francisco Bolanos fell in love with traditional Spanish cuisine at a young age.
Named after his beloved hometown, the restaurant serves the classic, authentic Spanish recipes taught to Bolanos by his grandmother, all while showcasing the traditional and warm Spanish hospitality you would receive back in Spain. Francisco Bolanos fell in love with traditional Spanish cuisine at a young age.
Reviews (10)
Danny Sweis
Feb 03, 2022
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Just not worth it,
I try to not write negative reviews but a couple days later this visit still bothers me, so here’s my temporary review that I’ll probably take down in a few days.
Went with 2 other people we ordered 8 items and 2 sodas for a total of $135 before tip (25%).
Food was OK, nothing I would order again.
Here’s what we had.
Corte Little Madrid which read “ Pan con tomate, olives, almonds, jamón serrano, Spanish chorizo, salchichón, manchego, ibérico and wine cheese”.
But I got what felt like scraps cured meat including some sliced was just the dried skin of a cured
I try to not write negative reviews but a couple days later this visit still bothers me, so here’s my temporary review that I’ll probably take down in a few days.
Went with 2 other people we ordered 8 items and 2 sodas for a total of $135 before tip (25%).
Food was OK, nothing I would order again.
Here’s what we had.
Corte Little Madrid which read “ Pan con tomate, olives, almonds, jamón serrano, Spanish chorizo, salchichón, manchego, ibérico and wine cheese”.
But I got what felt like scraps cured meat including some sliced was just the dried skin of a cured
Andrea McDermott
Feb 02, 2022
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Excellent atmosphere for a candle lit dinner with friends or a loved one. Relaxed pace of eating where you can order one dish at a time. We had the tortilla, the gambas, queso de cabra and the shishito peppers. Everything was delicious and came with olives and bread to start. Can’t wait to return for the flamenco nights or Iive music too.
Mary Fuentes
Dec 29, 2021
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I we t because the very good rating. What waste of money. Sangria was water with koolId and ron, paella taste horrible. I was in several spaniards restaurants the food wS good. This was trowi g money away. Order patatas bravas They took it back hkwever they charged me. So I Sk them to take it out. Service excelle t but o ly that. Unfortunatelly. Really bad e perie.cw.
Randy Duffy
Dec 02, 2021
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Dined there for the first time last night with a friend. Food and service were absolutely wonderful. Only two issues keeping from providing 5 stars.
First was having the seating for two people at very small tables. There was very little room for multiple plates which is the essence of tapas. Second, while the darker ambience has a certain charm in the areas of the small tables it was too dark to easily read the menu and to some degree identify the food served.
Other than those two items it was a wonderful experience.
First was having the seating for two people at very small tables. There was very little room for multiple plates which is the essence of tapas. Second, while the darker ambience has a certain charm in the areas of the small tables it was too dark to easily read the menu and to some degree identify the food served.
Other than those two items it was a wonderful experience.
John Wells
Oct 24, 2021
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We are relatively new to the neighborhood, so we are trying out different restaurants to pick our "go-to" spots for various occasions.
We stumbled across this place and decided to try it, and I'm glad we did! Our conclusion that was that this is our favorite tapas place we've had in Chicago by far!
The place itself has a nice ambience with friendly, welcoming staff. We went on a Thursday and again the following Monday and both times it wasn't too crowded (they take reservation requests over the phone or through their website in case the weekends are busier). Ricardo was our server on both occasions
We stumbled across this place and decided to try it, and I'm glad we did! Our conclusion that was that this is our favorite tapas place we've had in Chicago by far!
The place itself has a nice ambience with friendly, welcoming staff. We went on a Thursday and again the following Monday and both times it wasn't too crowded (they take reservation requests over the phone or through their website in case the weekends are busier). Ricardo was our server on both occasions
Coleman Balogh
Oct 20, 2021
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Sergio Morales
Oct 17, 2021
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Tom Teare
Sep 26, 2021
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We love this place! Francisco, the owner is the ultimate host— you literally feel like you are part of his family, the minute you sit down in this intimate Andersonville spot.
The food is amazing, and truly authentic. I’ve been to Spain many times, and this place feels like a true Spanish tapas cafe that you would find on the streets of Madrid or Barcelona.
Little Madrid does not disappoint! We will be back very soon.
The food is amazing, and truly authentic. I’ve been to Spain many times, and this place feels like a true Spanish tapas cafe that you would find on the streets of Madrid or Barcelona.
Little Madrid does not disappoint! We will be back very soon.
Maria Tiliakos
Aug 25, 2021
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The food at Little Madrid Tapas Café is incredible - to say it is delicious would be an understatement. But more than this (if there even can be more!) is the warmth and heart you feel from the staff the moment you walk in. You are not simply entering a restaurant for a delicious meal. You walk in and become a special guest of the owner, Francisco, and his staff, and are immediately treated to the best he has to offer, both food and hospitality. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough.
Chris Spadafora
May 26, 2021
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A new Tapas place on Clark that still trying to get into their groove. Francisco (the owner and chef) has wonderful passion and customer service which was fantastic to see in a new small business. This made up for the tapas which didn't live up to my expectations. Euro bacon was my favorite dish. Yet, the patatas bravas were not crispy enough and was a little heavy on the paprika. They were understaffed due to issues outside of their control. Overall I walked away with a great experience; however, more focus needs to be on making amazing small plates. Definitely willing to try Little Madrid in
