The San Fermín fiesta is celebrated every July in Pamplona, Spain, and as well as the famous “Running of the Bulls,” people also take to the streets to feast on tapas and guzzle sangria. But if you’re not about to fly to the city anytime soon, there are other ways to enjoy the best that Spain has to offer. Have a party of your own this summer with the best of these new Spanish restaurants.

GREAT Tapas

An authentic tapas bar experience in the middle of a supermarket? You betcha. GREAT Food Hall’s Estudio Ibérico has been getting promising reviews since it opened. The small island bar (which can seat 12-14 diners) offers a menu of traditional Spanish snacks and nibbles. As the name suggests, the main selling point is the top-notch Ibérico ham, and Estudio happens to stock the finest pata negra from the famed Spanish 5J brand. Whole legs of ham are displayed behind the counter, and those who dine at the bar can watch as the staff hand-carve paper-thin slices to order (pre-sliced packages are sold from the deli counter). They also do a menu of traditional tapas, including pan con tomate (bread topped with a garlicky diced tomato mixture), tortilla Española (Spanish egg and potato omelet), calamares (squid) in squid ink, and croquetas de jamon (croquettes stuffed with 5J ham and creamy béchamel sauce). And of course, since no tapas experience is complete without alcohol, Estudio offers an impressive repertoire of Spanish wines, sherries and beers. Especially noteworthy is the Estrella Damm Inedit beer, which was co-created by El Bulli’s master chef Ferran Adrià.
LG, Great Food Hall, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2537-2038.

This Little Piggy…

Nestled in the Japanese cuisine-ridden Toy House building, Fandango goes back to the traditional, offering a dining experience complete with classic tapas, jugs of sangria, and guitarists serenading guests at their tables. The seafood tapas are particularly delish—fat juicy prawns sautéed in olive oil and garlic is a no-fail choice, as are the deep-fried calamari squid rings with aioli. The “potatoes Fandango” (thin strips of potato with onions, spicy chorizo, finished off with a semi-runny egg) is also worth ordering. But don’t overdose on the tapas. The roasted suckling pig here is all sorts of awesome. Made according to the traditional recipe, the skin glistens under a thin coating of oil and is roasted to a delectable crispiness. The skin’s crunchiness pairs beautifully with the layer of fat and tender meat underneath, making every bite something to “ooh” about.
9/F, The Toy House, 100 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2957-8797.

With Love From Shanghai

FoFo is backed up by some serious foodies. The owners were longtime loyal fans of Shanghai’s renowned el Willy restaurant and decided to bring chef Willy Trullas Moreno’s innovative Spanish cuisine back to their home city. The result was this cute, snow-white restaurant perched atop the Central’s M88 building. The menu is personally designed by chef Willy and expertly executed by their head chef-in-residence Alex Fargas. Just like el Willy in Shanghai, FoFo offers traditional Spanish dishes alongside creatively unconventional concoctions. Catalan classics include red peppers stuffed with codfish mousse and prawns sautéed with garlic and chili. For one-of-a-kind chef Willy tapas, opt for the plump scallop ceviche served on creamy avocado, drizzled with lime and topped off with crispy fried shallots. Other great options include the beautifully tender beef cheeks (cooked in red wine for five hours) served with a banana and passion fruit spring roll, and slow-cooked crispy suckling pig with Spanish-style potatoes. Taking a step away from the tapas, guests should try FoFo’s fantastic rice dishes. The Boston lobster paella is dripping with flavor. The restaurant also takes great pride in their Iberian hams, which have been lovingly cured for a full 36 months. The restaurant has a rooftop terrace where guests can take full advantage of the dazzling city view.
20/F, M88, 2-8 Wellington St., Central, 2900-2009.

Spain and Beyond

It’s mostly about style here at this modern tapas spot. Wooden floorboards, an exposed stone wall, and the mishmash of designer chairs and stools lend Madera a hip, rustic vibe. The menu is just as varied as the décor—though Madera is marketed as a Spanish joint, the menu draws inspiration from different global cuisines and also combines the traditional with the contemporary. A good way to start is with a small plate of thinly sliced Iberian Bellota and Serrano ham. To try another take on the Spanish hams, go for the bite-size croquettes, which are shaped into mini spheres and served on a toothpick like elegant canapés. Other Spanish offerings include grilled sardines, clams sautéed with chorizo, and paella dotted with mussels, prawns, clams, and the seafood works. For the not-so-Spanish dishes, try the American mac n’ cheese, Cuban pulled pork sandwich, or tender lamb kebabs. Like any tapas place, the wine list at Madera is extensive but to be honest, it’s really the international selection of whiskeys that impress.
10-12 Pennington St., Causeway Bay, 2890-8065.

Numero Dos

When Tapeo first opened its doors on Hollywood Road, its dozen-or-so seats were perpetually filled, and diners would have to book well ahead to ensure they got a stool along the slicked up tapas bar. So it was good news to all Tapeo fans when the restaurant opened up their second, and bigger, outlet in Sai Wan Ho. There’s still tapas bar seating for those who want to get up close and personal to the open kitchen but they’ve also installed standalone tables and several high stools by the open windows so guests can take advantage of the cool sea breeze. In terms of the food, most of the tapas—such as clams with ham and sherry, chorizo and spinach Spanish tortilla, and pork belly with quince alioli—remain unchanged from the original menu. But expect some new additions, including hearty paellas and bread pudding with orange and almond. In addition, to celebrate the traditional “running of the bulls” festival in Spain, Tapeo will be offering a promotional new dish of extra-spicy meatballs ($68). These will be available throughout July and if you manage to polish the whole plate off, the restaurant will give you a glass of complimentary Spanish wine.
GA01-03, 55 Tai Hong St., Lei King Wan, Sai Wan Ho, 2513-0199.