Tapas 24, one of Barcelona’s buzziest and busiest tapas bars, has long been drawing crowds ever since it opened its first Asian outlet in Singapore a couple of years ago. Led by Michelin-star-studded chef Carles Abellán, the joint serves up reliable and delicious small plates along the breezy banks of Robertson Quay.
The waterfront restaurant is dressed in hues of red and blue to evoke the vibrancy of Spanish culture. And it helps that the menu, too, is a celebration of fresh seasonal produce and iconic street cocktails from the region.
Settle down in front of the open kitchen, and watch the team dole up an expansive selection of sharing treats. While you wait, split a jug of summery sangria (from $62), or sip on the easy-to-drink El Rebujito ($48 per jug) with its refreshing combination of sherry, lemon-lime soda, and mint.
Transition to a savoury feast with classic tapas like Pan Con Tomate ($8.5), where crevices from the crusty Catalonian coca bread help trap pockets of oil and tomato bits. And don’t clean off those greasy fingers just yet; get them ready for the Bikini sandwich ($18). You’ll understand why this is a hot favourite – it sees Ibérico ham, black truffle paste and buffalo mozzarella sandwiched between toasted bread for an addictive bite.
Other must-orders include the gambas al ajillo ($22), a quintessential Spanish tapas of sauteed prawns swimming in sizzling olive oil with garlic and chilli slices. And another favourite of ours: the clams in sherry ($40). Cooked on the plancha, a type of flat-top griddle commonly used in Spanish cuisine, fresh clams are flambéed in sherry wine with garlic, asparagus and Ibérico ham.
For heartier bites, try the smoky Ibérico Chuleta ($42) which sees sizzling hot pork chops from the Josper grill paired with sides of fries and bright green Padrón peppers. And of course, no Spanish meal is complete without paella, and Tapas 24 has a version ($39) that combines mixed seafood and chicken. Alternatively, you can give the Arroz Negro ($38) – squid ink paella – a go if you’re feeling adventurous.
Tapas 24 also has an extensive selection of Spanish wines, from longstanding favourites to rare and undiscovered gems straight from Spain’s wineries.