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Best Tapas In Metro Detroit

Tapas, or "small plates," don't necessarily have to be Spanish, although there a few great Spanish tapas places in "the D." Check out this list for the best tapas in and near Detroit.
Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-8800
www.vicente.us

Vicente's is located in Detroit and is the place to go for Spanish tapas downtown. The restaurant opened in 2005, and in addition to its tapas menu, it also serves Cuban sandwiches, paellas and entrees, such as arroz con pollo and camarones (shrimp). On the tapas menu, try the empanadas (turnover, filled with ground beef or ground chicken), the papas rellenas (seasoned mashed potato balls, stuffed with beef) or the setas al ajo (mushrooms sautéed in olive oil, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, lemon juice and white wine).

Aventura
216 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 369-3153
aventuraannarbor.com

Aventura was recently voted one of Condé Nast's "15 New Best Restaurants in the Midwest," and it has a vast selection of tapas. Try the chorizo de Espana (dry-cured, spiced pork sausage) on the charcutería (meats) menu or the restaurant's large array of quesos (artisan cheeses), such as sheep, cow or goat cheese. Aventura also has inventive flatbreads, such as the huevo y chorizo, which includes manchego, chili flake, chorizo de España, sunny-side up egg, parsley and oregano. The restaurant is located in downtown Ann Arbor, on Washington between 4th and 5th Ave. Both street parking and parking structures are available nearby.

La Feria
4130 Cass Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 285-9081
laferiadetroit.com

La Feria is located in Downtown Detroit at the corner of Willis and Cass, near Woodward Ave. At this restaurant, choose from the cold tapas or hot tapas menu, or even the pinchos menu (lunch only, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Soups and salads are also available if you'd rather not order off the tapas menu. Make sure to order postres (dessert), as well, such as the chocolate con churros, flan al caramelo or the tarta de Santiago (flourless almond cake and powdered sugar).

Related: Best Tapas In Metro Detroit

Isalita
341 E. Liberty St., Suite 2
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 213-7400
www.isalita.com

Most of Isalita's menu is comprised of small plates, and its sister restaurant, Mani Osteria, is right next door. The restaurant calls itself "Ann Arbor's very own Mexican cantina." Isalita has a large menu, as well as drink menu, including its frozen blood orange margarita. Try the restaurant's tacos, served three tacos per order. If tacos aren't your preference, try the asada huarache, chicken enchilada, quesadillas or tierra (land meats, such as chicken) dishes. Isalita is located in downtown Ann Arbor on Liberty St.

Wright & Co.
1500 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-7711
www.wrightdetroit.com

Wright & Co. is relatively new to the Detroit restaurant scene, but it is getting a good reputation for its small plates and drinks. Try the roasted pork tenderloin, which includes apple-rosemary mostarda, rapini pesto and pork jus; the sautéed sea scallops with white bean puree, roasted tomato and green harissa; or perhaps the sirloin steak, which comes with white cheddar cheese, bacon, scallions and tomato relish. Vegetarians will find options here as well, such as the eggplant caponata and the burrata cheese plate.

Related: Best Ethnic Grocery Stores In Detroit

Liz Parker is a freelance writer and a University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature. Her work can be found at Examiner.com and yesnofilms.com.
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