Spanish wine and tapas bars in Perth
Crispy croquetas, tasty tortilla, moreish manchego… Spanish food is worth travelling to the other side of the world for. But when in Perth, the mouthwatering Mediterranean flavours are surprisingly easy to find!
Perth is blessed with several excellent Spanish tapas and wine bars and I’ve made it my mission to try them all and report back to you. ¡Salud!
Andaluz Bar & Tapas
Hidden just off Howard Street between Elizabeth Quay and Perth’s business strip of St Georges Terrace, Andaluz Bar & Tapas feels like a cosy wine cellar. The dimly-lit space is packed with antique furniture and decor: think dark leather and velvet sofas, gilt mirrors, vintage lamps and tealight candles.
The food menu is very much made for sharing, with a classic selection of tapas, charcuterie and cheese.
The wine list is not the most extensive out of the bars named in this post, but does include a good variety of Australian and Spanish favourites, with plenty available by the glass. They also have a nice range of classic and contemporary cocktails, including red, white or rosé sangría by the glass or the jug.
Walk-ins are welcome but I’d highly advise booking ahead (and requesting a sofa)!
The Spaniard
Tucked down Wolf Lane, The Spaniard is a hip contemporary space. Its brick-and-concrete warehouse feel is warmed up by quirky artworks (check out the particularly unique decor in the bathrooms…).
As well as large-ish tapas dishes they offer paella made fresh to order (vegetarian, Valencian-style with chicken, or packed with seafood). It comes in a dish to serve two, so bring a friend who’s keen to share!
Their cocktail list is creative and seasonal, and the small wine list – predominantly Spanish and almost all available by the glass – is conveniently divided into sections to give you an idea of what the wines are like even if the varieties are unfamiliar. For example, under “Pinot grigio style, light and fresh white wine” you’ll discover albariño.
Heno & Rey
On the corner of Hay and King Streets (and named with the Spanish translations of those words), Heno & Rey is a small bar on a busy inner-city street. Perch at the window and people watch while enjoying classic Spanish dishes.
You can order à la carte or try their $74pp “Madrid menu” (for a minimum of two people), which includes a range of dishes to share – from snacks to desserts via tapas and raciones (large plates).
Their fairly concise wine list is almost exclusively made up of Western Australian and Spanish wines. Head in after work for happy hour (5pm-6pm Mon-Thu) when house wines and sangría are just $8 a glass!
Pinchos
Located in a prime position on the corner of Oxford and Newcastle Streets, Pinchos is a go-to spot for a good time in Leederville. Get a table outside to soak up the sunshine, Spanish-style.
They have the biggest range of menu items of this list, ranging from tiny pintxos (one-bite snacks popular in northern Spain and costing as little as a dollar) to montaditos (grilled open sandwiches), tapas and raciones. Order by ticking your chosen items on a list – no need to remember the 15 items your group wants to order!
The drinks list is equally varied, with refreshing cocktails and both Spanish and Australian wines and beers to wash everything down.
Uniquely, Pinchos also opens for breakfast on weekends, with both Australian and Spanish dishes on the menu. Get eggs on toast for just $10 and add on your favourite sides from options like chorizo and bacon, patatas bravas and beans.
Duende
Perth’s oldest tapas bar, Duende has been dishing up delicious Spanish favourites in Leederville for around 20 years now.
On the food menu you’ll find plenty of options catering for different dietary requirements (all clearly marked), plus there’s paella available on Friday and Saturday nights.
Their wine list covers all the Spanish essentials, from Rioja to Rias Baixas, along with Aussie classics. There are good descriptions of the wines available by the glass (and similar varieties are mentioned for the Spanish wines) to help you make an informed decision about the oh-so-important question of what to quaff. Sherry and cava are available, along with a range of gin and tonic options and a good range of cocktails and mocktails.
Have you been to any of these Spanish wine and tapas bars in Perth?
