Tapavino @ Sydney

This is the go-to place whenever I land in Sydney because the Marriott next to it is my home away from home. Tapavino has become so popular that it had opened in another three other locations around town.

Tapavino began in August 2012 as Australia’s first Sherry Bar in Sydney, in a little lane-way not unlike something you would find in the cobblestoned alleyways of Spain. 

Beef Tartare Tostada, Sherry Mayonesa

The beef tartare on toast was delicious, or perhaps I was really hungry. I thought it was shaved horseradish because the lighting in the restaurant was really dark, but it was shaved manchego.

Jamón Serrano, Manchego, Chorizo Pamplona 45, Pickles, Toast

Something too much while we talked and caught up with our lives. Good hams from local producers.

W.A Sardines, Carrot, Currants, Escabeche

House marinated sardines fresh from WA. They tasted like the Japanese marinated saba, very fatty and delicious. I just find them to sour.

Baked Scallops, Tomato & Paprika Butter

Nice little bites.

Braised Chorizito, Romesco De Tapavino, Black Olives

We were all looking for the toasted bread, when we tucked into our first bites of this spicy braised chorizo. The chorizo was stewed in a spicy, tomato sauce with rough chopped black olives. We had to wipe the romesco off the cast iron pan.

Patatas Brava, Chilli Salt, Paprika Mayonessa

Patatas Brava is a classic tapas, and it can be quite destroyed by these innovative chefs who stuck to the ingredients but forgot that it needed the potato to be done right. The potato was roasted to a crispy outside with hot, fluffy inside. And the spicy sauce made from mixing mayonnaise and paprika was just right.

Iceberg Lettuce, Shallot Dressing, Chives

This was my least favourite for the evening, and the first time I ordered a salad in a tapaseria . The prosciutto had been fried to a bacon crisp and scattered on the chopped iceberg lettuce. The dressing of sherry vinegar, olive oil infused with shallots was so-so.

Chocolate Terrine, Olive Oil & Salt Flake

Take a thick cut of dark chocolate brownie with a double-dose of chocolate and then smothered with a lot of liquor. And then sprinkled in the sea salt flakes and drizzled with EVOO. Strange but I quite liked it. My guests didn’t.

Creme Catalan

It’s a creme brûlée but it is named Creme Catalan, but by another name, it’s still creme brûlée.

The food remained solid, the service friendly and attentive, and the drinks wonderful. Always my go-to place.

Tapavino Spanish Tapas Wine Bar
6-8 Bulletin Place Sydney 2000 
Tel : +61 2 9247 3221

Visited Jul 2023

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