Iberico Cafe & Bar
(312) 573-1510
739 N La Salle Dr
Chicago,
IL
60610
41.8959
-87.6325
Neighborhoods: Central, Near North Side
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11am-11:30pm
Fri 11am-1:30am
Sat 12pm-1:30am
Sun 12pm-11pm
Price:
$$
Parking:
Valet; Lot
Last updated 1.30.09
What People Are Saying About Iberico Cafe & Bar
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Seems like every restaurant in town is doing "small plates" these days; credit should go to this tapas hangout, whose zesty menu and atmosphere make conventional dining seem absolutely ho-hum. Sangria flows like water, bodies pack the bar, and voices rise to be heard in the convivial 400-seat restaurant, which has the comfortable, open feel of a Spanish villa. Crowds of Euro-folk line out the door on weekends, but servers stay pleasantly cool and collected.
The Food
Be sure to try the cold tapas (tangy Spanish olives, tuna cannelloni), but focus on the hot stuff. Our favorites: Grilled shrimp bathing in olive oil and garlic, a sampler plate of chorizo, baked goat cheese with basil, and beef tenderloin skewer with a pile of sweet, sweet caramelized onions. For dessert, don't you dare skip the sinful caramel flan, or the sauteed banana with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.
User Reviews
socialbunny
March 11, 2009
I've tried a few other tapa places and they never measured up to Iberico's. There food is great and the sangria is soooooooooo good. :-) I can't say I've ever had a bad experience. And there is always a wait but well worth it. Try the gambas de ajo yum! Dont go anywhere else or try another place. This is it people. lol
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idigtolstoy
February 14, 2009
Queso de cabra is so good we usually order 2 orders for 4 plus. Theres a garlic and olive oil shrimp you must try. The sangria is delicious go for white if you dig a sweeter taste. I prefer the red. The seafod paella's make my pants dance and OMG tell them to give you the birthday cake. I dunno what it is bu damn is that delicious. The staff is usually busy so try to order everything at once and dont be one of those annoying jerks that needs something else every 5 minutes and you will enjoy. But it takes forever to get seated but so what? How easy is to get food that has the authenticity you find on a spanish isle. Olive oil is antioxidant and helps protect cells from the mutations that cause cancer...if that helps ease the thought of waiting. : / Me likey.
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falnangl9124
October 07, 2008
I've been lucky enough to have traveled to Spain multiple times in my life, and one of my favorite things about the country is the wonderful food. Cafe Iberico captures the flavors perfectly; you know you're in a great spot for Spanish food when nothing but Spaniards or other Europeans are there. Frankly, most Americans have a tough time aclimating to "traditional" flavors, and so other so-call tapas bars such as La Tasca in the 'burbs or 1492 will stoop to "Americanizing" the flavors so people feel more comfortable ordering. Personally, the tapas are your best choice by far here, as they are decently priced, as is the sangria. Full plates can be a bit difficult to eat, especially during weekends when the place is always (ALWAYS) packed. The bar area is by far the best area to munch on tapas in since it does feel like a real meson. Because of the crowd and noise, this is not the place for young children (especially rowdy kids who need room to move around) or the elderly. The noise will irritate them, and children probably won't be a fan of much other than the tortilla espanola or the croquetas de jamon y pollo. This is also not a place for people who are in a rush. This place is authentic Spanish, all the way down to the "manana" attitude and relaxed pace of life, and just like Spain, a meal is meant to be enjoyed over a few hours, not 45 minutes. Overall, this is one of the best, most economic places you could go. If you really want tapas on a Saturday evening and don't want to sit in the crowd or deal with an extremely busy waitstaff, I would suggest stopping by the deli area where you can order all of your favorites to go, again at very reasonable prices. Remember, if you do decide to brave the crowd, patience is a virtue- take the time, enjoy catching up with your friends and soak in a few hours of an authentically Spanish way of life.
read full reviewThe Details on Iberico Cafe & Bar
What to Drink:
Iberico has an impressively lengthy list of wines and sherries--but most people go for generous pitchers of fruity red or white sangria, a bargain at just $12.95.
Parking:
Valet is available from 5pm to 12am everyday.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Discover, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, People Watching, Date Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List, Bar Scene
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
Special section
