Hola Amigos: Five Latin American and Spanish Restaurants for Cocktails and Comida with Your Mates

Iberica takes inspiration from small Spanish towns along the stunning Balearic Islands, like Ibiza and Mallorca, so it’s no wonder the restaurant chose Sydney’s most iconic beach as its home.

Start your evening with house-made bread served with a truffle butter candle, jamón iberico, seared scallops and grilled octopus with Jerusalem artichoke and ajo blanco. Bigger plates include seafood paella, charcoal-grilled sirloin with a Pedro Ximenez reduction and a charcoal-grilled spatchcock with mojo rojo. Finish off with a caramel flan with manchego cheese, Basque cheesecake or a refreshing grape sorbet.

There is a cap of four complimentary Carajillo 43s per table at this spot, so be sure to get in quick to try their take on the coffee cocktail.

Balcon by Tapavino is a contemporary Spanish restaurant that brings the rustic and refined flavours of northern Spain to Australia. Part of the Tapavino restaurant group, Balcon is a treasure trove of Spanish delights, featuring over 500 Spanish wines and refined tapas.

Fun fact: Tapavino has some skin in the game when it comes to Licor 43. The owner’s uncle was the original importer of the liqueur into Australia many decades ago. What better way to celebrate that history than by toasting to great Spanish cocktails over a hearty meal of tapas with friends?

Snacks at Balcon include Croqueta del Dia with pear aioli and Angelachu anchovies with picual olive oil and sourdough. For entrees, savour dishes like eggplant with saffron honey glaze and grilled WA octopus with kipfler potatoes and ajada oil. Main courses feature Spanish bomba rice with eggplant and zucchini or Basque-style Jack’s Creek Angus flank steak with mojo verde. The charcuterie board is a must-try, offering house mató cheese with wild honey and jamón serrano with buffalo milk curd.

Anyone who has travelled to Mexico will know how tricky it can be to find authentic Mexican fare in Sydney. But you and your friends can find it at this elegant eatery.

Chula’s menu showcases a fresher, more vibrant side of Mexican cuisine. Rather than carby nachos and burritos, the menu focuses on lighter feeds like lime-cured snapper ceviche or the huitlacoche quesadilla made with ‘Mexican truffle’ fungus, mushroom, queso, jalapeño salsa and avocado mousse. If you prefer something sweet, the decadent churros sandwich (with salted caramel ice cream, peanuts and dulce de leche) should hit the spot and is the perfect accompaniment to the Carajillo 43.

Journey to Europe at vibrant tapas bar, Paripé, founded by two passionate Spanish people that dreamt of bringing their traditional cuisine and culture to Sydneysiders.

The menu at Paripé reflects a commitment to tradition and quality. The team sources almost every ingredient from handcrafted producers across Spain. One of the co-founders, Maria Fernandez, lends her own family’s cherished recipe for handmade Spanish tortilla to the menu alongside other favourites like croquetas and boquerones. A complimentary Carajillo 43 is the perfect accompaniment to this top-tier fare.

This lavish hideaway on Kellett Street features Madrid-inspired architecture, gorgeous oil paintings, moody lighting and a stunning chandelier centrepiece — perfect for a romantic date night or after-work drinks with your mates. Complementing the dining room is an indoor courtyard boasting a glass roof and atrium-style design, making it a crowd-pleasing, weather-proof spot for your next get-together.

The team has created a menu inspired by the tapas bars of Spain executed with top local Australian produce. For a starter, opt for the roasted sea scallops with saffron butter or the jamón serrano croqueta. For a sweet addition, you can go for the sherry-marinated figs with aged goat cheese and basil montadito. When it’s time to dig into a heftier meal, take your pick from the Catalan-style cannelloni or the El Vermut — potato chips with sardines, mussels, anchovies and salsa Spinader. Finish off your meal with a vanilla custard tart washed down with a rich and sweet Carajillo 43 — even sweeter when it’s complimentary.

Image: Kitti Gould