Dinner, Deconstructed: SF’s Best Tapas Bars
TikTok calls them 'Allison Plates'—2025’s version of ‘girl dinner’—where carefully curated snack spreads now blur the line between dinner and art project. But San Francisco has been deconstructing dinner at tapas bars long before it became a social media aesthetic. From sherry-soaked conservas to kimchi-spiked rigatoni, these spots transform the formal meal into something more playful: multiple small plates meant for sharing, savoring, and the particular pleasure of ordering just one more thing. Ready to see how the pros deconstruct dinner? These six tapas bars prove that the best meals come in pieces.
The Chaos Plates: Point, Eat, Repeat (No Overthinking Allowed)
El Lopo
1327 Polk Street
EDITOR’S PICK
A sherry-favored tapas bar where rules make sense: “Talk to your bartender like they are more than a vending machine.” “If you drink too much, you have to eat whatever we feed you.” This super fun Lower Polk haunt gets it—steamed tottle inlet mussels, queso fundido, tinned fish, and now “tapas tops” (snacks that literally sit on top of your wine glass). Don’t miss the porron drinking carafe for a playful experience with strangers.
Image courtesy of El Lopo
Destapas
2708 24th Street
Feels like "a warm summer night in the south of Spain" but also serves $10 plates. Simple, authentic Spanish vibes where the jamón ibérico melts in your mouth while you debate ordering three more things. (You will. You should.) Can’t miss their guest favorites: cheese coquetas and patatas bravas as you befriend strangers.
Image courtesy of Destapas
Happy Hour Heroes: Your 4PM Plans Just Got Better
Birba
458 Grove Street
This tiny wine bar calls itself "little troublemaker" for a reason. Hit their "Cheeky Hour" (M-Th 3-5pm) on the front parklet for $9 aperitivi and stuzzichini—that's little glasses and little snacks for those not fluent in Italian charm. Don’t miss their tinned fish collection, served with flat bread, lemon, and marinated beans for something more substantial.
Image courtesy of Birba
Canela
2272 Market Street
Canela cracked the code: $45 splits perfectly between two people for drinks and five tapas (Mon-Thurs, 4-6PM). That’s permission to leave work early and pretend you’re in Barcelona. The tapas change often enough that your “quick drink” excuse stays believable, even when you show up three Thursdays in a row.
Image courtesy of Canela’s Instagram
The New Kids: Recent Openings Worth Supporting
Jilli
1503 15th Street
LA export bringing makgeolli (cloudy fizzy rice wine) culture to SF. This Korean-inspired tapas bar plays with tradition—think kimchi vodka rigatoni and where gochujang fried chicken keeps their soul. Old school hip hop bumps while Korean cartoons flicker on the screens. It's the kind of place where solo drinkers and big groups both feel at home, united by the universal truth that everything tastes better with fizzy rice wine.
Image courtesy of Jilli’s Instagram
Kis Cafe
609 Hayes Street
Luke Sung left Isa to take over the former Petit Crenn space, transforming it into this neighborhood gem where "keep it simple" is the mission. Sub-$20 plates (yes, including steak) that change with what's good right now. It's the kind of place that makes you wonder why everyone else is trying so hard. French technique meets California ingredients meets prices that let you come back next week.
Image courtesy of Yelp
