If there’s one thing I often have trouble with at a restaurant, it’s picking the one item on the menu I want to commit to. Can’t really pick every item you want most times – well, you can, but your stomach and pocketbook will likely both regret it! That’s why I’ve come to love small-plates restaurants, where it’s possible to create a little buffet for your dinner with a reasonable portion of many different dishes. And this style of eating has been around for a while, especially in Spain – Tapas Bars are a beloved tradition over there, and the best spot for small plates in Hoboken, NJ lives up to that tradition. Lola’s Tapas Bar, a long-standing Spanish restaurant in the heart of Hoboken, does have a full selection of entrees that are always excellent – but every time I go, I wind up being so tempted by the amazingly long, delicious list of tapas that I wind up having a meal of apps and snacks instead!
Lola's Tapas Bar might just be the most famous tapas bar in New Jersey, and the food still lives up to the hype after over 20 years.
Opened in 2000, this restaurant feels like a trip to the Spanish hills from centuries past, complete with the decor and service.
The specialty here is fresh seafood, which shows up in both the main courses and of course the tapas menu, prepared perfectly.
Of course, it's a Spanish restaurant, so an excellent paella is on the menu, as are classic steak and seafood entrees.
But the best way to enjoy Lola's is with a large selection of tapas for the table, so everyone can sample a delicious array.
Some of the tapas are simple and classic, including some of the crispiest croquettes you've ever tasted.
Others are small, delicate, and delicious - almost like a little edible art display.
The perfect accompaniment to a table of tapas? A drink, from one of the over a hundred Spanish wine selections on offer.
Have you eaten at Lola’s Tapas Bar before? What are your favorite spots for snacks, appetizers, and small plates in Hoboken, NJ? You can see the very long tapas menu on the Lola’s Tapas Bar website, and the Facebook page of this tapas bar in Hoboken will keep you updated with the latest specials. The restaurant is open late, so it’s a great choice if you’re staying the night in Hoboken at the city’s best waterfront hotel – the W Hoboken.