Best Tapas In Minnesota

The Spanish word for "small plates" has become ubiquitous with appetizers in general. A cooler way of saying "we're going out for some small bites," tapas have taken over the menus at many local restaurants. While a few of the entries on this list are indeed inspired by the bold flavors of Spain, all of the entries are perfect small plates to share with someone (or keep to yourself) when you're just looking to nibble.

Barrio Tequila Bar
925 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 333-9953
www.barriotequila.com

Mexican street food is given upscale treatment at this budding local chain. For a big group looking for apps and sips, the Lowertown location might be the best — it's spacious with large windows facing beautiful Mears Park. You can't beat the darker, more intimate (and original) location on Nicollet Mall, but in Lowertown you can pack in just about every friend you have with room to spare for spicy chicken tamals (make sure to add an egg for $2), excellent tacos (especially the Ahi tuna) potato sopes, snapper ceviche and plenty of other plates (many of which are discounted for happy hour) to pair with awesome margaritas.

Rincon 38
3801 Grand Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 824-4052
www.rincon38.com

This is a tapas bar. This is excellent Spanish cuisine in a comfortable setting and packs huge flavor in small packages. Must-try dishes include the Lechon, a thyme-encrusted pork tenderloin, langoustines in a garlic-pepper wine sauce, Piquillo peppers stuffed with a honey goat cheese and asparagus with a saffron aoili. The empanadas are also some of the best around, as well as the calamari. For those lucky enough to live in the neighborhood, it's a fantastic spot to drop in for a quick and casual bite, but it's more than worth the drive for the rest of us.

Saffron
123 3rd St N
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 746-5533
www.saffronmpls.com

You might think you know Mediterranean food, as the clean-eating craze has pushed it to the forefront of many diets and lifestyles, but Saffron takes it to a whole new level. This might be one of the places in the Midwest to find tagine. House made hummus comes either "original" (tagged as "just like in Palestine") or "Turk" which comes with caramelized paprika butter and za'tar. The octopus "a la plancha" with toasted garlic, smoked paprika and sherry is one of the very best ways to enjoy the multi-legged sea creature. These plates are palate-pleasers that just might get you full.

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Nightingale
2551 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 354-7060
www.nightingalempls.com

One of the best places in the Twin Cities for late night food, serving until 1 a.m. nightly, Nightingale's small, creative menu is geared toward lighter bites. Small plates include scallops, steak tartare and wings, or you can opt just nibble on some "snacks" like deviled eggs, chicken liver pate and pickle, cheese and meat plates. There is also an menu of bruschetta that holds its own with the Twin Cities' finest Italian restaurants, and the cotechino sausage alone is worth traveling for.

Saint Dinette
261 5th Street E
St Paul, MN 55101
(651) 800-1415
www.saintdinette.com

At the forefront of St. Paul's emergence as food city, Saint Dinette's French-inspired North American cuisine concept means you'll never be bored with the menu. Enjoy duck tartare alongside crudite, boudin and foie gras, and then maybe top it off with some tacos inspired by the gulf coast of Mexico. It's a great place to come for dinner — and brunch for that matter — but might be best enjoyed when you're looking for just a few things to snack on alongside one of their creative and delicious cocktails.

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Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.