BEST SPANISH: El Bulli
Hola! Raise your sangria to an old reader favourite, El Bulli. If it’s authentic tapas you’re after – or empanadillas, paella or zarzuela, for that matter – give the overpriced CBD Spanish Quarter dives a miss and head straight on over to Surry Hills or Randwick.
It might not have quite the cachet of its Catalonian second cousin, but with so many ‘authentic’ tapas restaurants popping up around Sydney it’s nevertheless refreshing to see this little gem continue serving up its simple, flavoursome dishes – along with a generous serving of atmosphere. Owners Leah and Adrian often travel to España to ensure they stay up to date with what the Mediterranean has to offer us Sydneysiders, and El Bulli comes with all the modern touches of an authentic Spanish bistro setting. The terracotta interior, rickety wooden chairs, charming waiters, long stem roses on each table, and constant flow of savoury clay-dish tapas all make for something to really clap your hands and stomp your heels about. (Scott Winter & Vivian Yue)
501 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills or 40 St Pauls St, Randwick. 9319 5199 or 9398 2027, www.elbulli.com.au
