Iberico Cafe & Bar

Cafe Iberico is very good--try the mussels if nothing else. Paella is a table-favorite and good for large groups, as is the Sangria. This place gets crowded so either don't go on a weekend night or make a reservation. Also, the downstairs seating can be frosty so if you are prone to the shivers, bring an extra sweater. I also recommend going with small groups or at least people who always overpay--nothing worse than ordering and sharing tapas (which are the price-friendly menu items) only to realize John or Sue only put in for their dish, even though they ate some of everything. Or, just take your parents and let them pay for everything (unless of course, you are doing pretty well for yourself). more

This great tapas place is a wonderful place for group gatherings. The food, Spanish tapas (small plates of appetizer-like offererings that are meant to be shared), is awesome and very good value for the price. Most outstanding is the sangria, which comes with fresh fruit by the pitcher for sharing. Although the bar area can get very noisy (some folks like that, I know), if you sit in the main room, you can carry on a conversation with more than one person and enjoy the spread, too. There is a wide range of menu options, with many great choices, especially in the seafood category, so don't be afraid to try something new. Remember that, in Spain, they often drink port with their tapas, and if you try it, you'll understand why. Although the atmosphere isn't European, the food is, and that alone makes it reason enough to go. This is the perfect spot for meeting a group of friends after work. more

If you like getting a little of everything this is the place to go for Spanish Tapas. I've eaten like a king there for not a lot of money. A taste of Spain sounds like an overused cliche, but I really think you get a taste of Spain here. They have a nice seating area and the servers were super nice when I was there. I went to meet someone (who never showed) and they were patient and understanding. more

At Café Iberico, food is served in small, appetizer-sized portions called tapas. It is traditional Spanish fare (not to be confused with Mexican food - no tacos here) that includes a lot of seafood. Of course there are plenty of other options as well. This is great if you can never make up your mind what to order. Traditionally you order a bunch of tapas and everyone at your table shares them, so you can try some of everything without getting too full. I recommend the spicy potatoes (patatas bravas) and seafood salad (salpicon de mariscos) as part of the main meal, and for dessert get the banana covered in carmel and ice cream. I forget what that one is called in Spanish so you will just have to go and figure it out for yourself. Make sure to also get a nice big pitcher of Sangria! more

Are you hip to tapas? They are appetizers, both hot and cold that come in great variety. You can make a meal grazing on them, or just have a snack. They appeal to our lust for variety. I remember seeing a show about Spanish nightlife and being fascinated. So when this place opened up I wanted to at least sample tapas firsthand, even if I didn't spend the whole night drinking and dancing. Ees good, mon! But not cheap. No, actually more on the pricey side. But if you are feeling flush, go sample the grilled shrimp, the red potatoes with garlic, smoked salmon with fresh dill, etc. etc. Makes me drool just thinking about it. http://www.cafeiberico.com/ more

This is arguably one of the best tapas places in Chicago, and in the many times I've been there I've never had a bad meal. It's often packed with people, owing to its reputation for great food, but waits aren't outrageous. A classic. more

Teh food is great, the atmosphere is wonderful, and not enough good things to say about sangria. I think it is reasonably priced. Been with small and large groups and service has been excellent! more

Cafe Iberico is a lively tapas restaurant with delicious food and a decent selection on the menu. I am particularly fond of the Spanish tortillas and the cured ham dishes. The calamari are also quite good. The atmosphere is fun and the prices are not outrageous. If you go most nights (and definitely weekends), be prepared for a bit of a wait. Once you order and start sampling the food, though, the wait is surely worth it. more

Located in a unremarkable location with average decor, Cafe Iberico is a great place to enjoy tapas and sangria. The red sangria is exceptionally good and the goat cheese tapas is the best I have had in Chicago. It gets very crowded (particularly the weekends) so get there early or be prepared to wait. Great experience though. Highly recommended! more

Cafe Iberico is the best tapas restaurant in Chicago! The restaurant does get crowed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays evenings so be prepared to either wait a while or try to get there early (before 7pm). Their red sangria is wonderful and my favorite dishes are the Spicy Potatoes and Goat Cheese. The price is not very expensive and it a great time when sharing it with a group of friends. more

Cafe Iberico is my favorite place in the city for tapas and their sangria is incredible! Don't miss the cold seafood salad and goat cheese with garlic bread. There are several large dining rooms which can get noisy but the atmosphere is very festive. The only downside is that they don't take reservations and I've always had to wait in line to use the restrooms. more

Good selection of tapas and good sangria. Wait times can get long at peak times, because they don't take reservations. Despite this, this place is definately worth the wait. more

I don't believe they have changed the prices at Cafe Iberico in the last 6 years. If you enjoy having great Tapas at 1990s prices, Cafe Iberico is the place for you. Cafe Iberico started offering Tapas in Chicago years before the recent Tapas craze that overtook Chicago. The emphasis at Iberico is pretty much on more traditional Tapas, so you probably won't find any of the fusiony asian-spanish-nuevo latino kinds of stuff here. Classics like Tortilla Espanola, Patatas of all types, various fried and grilled meats and seafoods - all are quite expertly done. Cafe Iberico gets very crowded, and very loud, in the evening on weekends and some weekdays. It's a very popular post-work destination and in fact, it's not that pleasant when it gets overly crowded, unless you and your friends plan on getting drunk enough to ignore it. IF you want to focus on the food, try coming at lunchtime when it's quieter. Plan on ordering about 1.5-2 tapas per person. Any more and you'll probably be overstuffed. more