Danica Odyssey
It was my birthday weekend, and I was willing to go out of my way to have tapas, which I haven’t enjoyed since I lived in Florida. We were so lucky to discover Tapas Del Lago, not too far from home! The atmosphere was the perfect urban vibe – a classy meal outdoors, surrounded by the excitement of the city bustle. The wine was lovely, and the tapas were exquisite. I might have to admit that my favorite part was dessert, baked custard with the perfect balance – crisp and smooth, dark and sweet. The place was hopping, not an empty seat in sight, but the service throughout our meal was very attentive. Lucky for me, I chanced into an unexpected fireworks display in town just after we left, making this an epic birthday celebration to remember!
… moreJonathan B
Whenever I am near Highland Park-Highwood or Route 41 area i try to visit Tapas Del Lago in downtown Highwood and You should also.
Closed on Mondays and only open 4-5 hours a day (see posted hours) you are going to have to make a plan to visit here, because it gets crowded, but the food-drinks are why.
The restaurant serves “small plates” delicious food entries to share.
Being a summer evening, We enjoyed the pitcher of Sangria, tasty, with small cut up fruit. We then decided on the Meatballs and Calamari appetizers to start. The sauces are so different on all these entries, you will be sure to use the bread brought to the soak up the left over sauce. The scallop entry was delicious and flavorful.
The skirt steak-potato entry was a nice plate to share, so much flavor, I have never tried skirt steak with a creme sauce, but it exceeded my expectations.
Please save room for dessert because the banana dessert and the creme brulee finisher, knocked it out of the park.
Seating is most likely tight and could be congested at times, but the food and experience are well worth it. There is an outdoor seating area but you are at the mercy of the weather.
Finally, the service is beyond great, you will order off the menu and the server knows the menu and can make excellent recommendations.
… moreleandro gentini
Basic food overall. The papas bravas were unevenly cooked, and the calamares fritos were just okay. For American standards, it’s an acceptable place—but by Spanish standards, it falls short.
… moreMichael Waks
This cozy neighborhood gem was outstanding on a cold Saturday night. The hospitable and warm wait staff made it feel like we were family. Small booths and tables. Intimate. Got very noisy as it filled up midway into our meal. Tuna tapas and scallop dish simply amazing. Spanish flan desert was firm with small strawberries a nice addition. Plus we got a 15 percent discount for coming out on a super cold evening.
… moreKaren Smith
This was a wonderful experience!! Our server, Miguel, was great! He was attentive without being annoying.
The food was really good! Good taste, and great presentation. The portions are small, but enough to share between us.
It’s a little pricey but worth it. 1
… moreE Rose
Awful experience. Placed a small order to go, and in addition to messing it up and being overcharged (price on receipt is more than what is listed on the menu), the quality was terrible. The paella was burnt and inedible. On top of this, when I called to complain, rather than apologizing or offering to right the situation in any way, the person who took the call was rude and only interested in “schooling” me (as if I had not eaten paella many times before, including in Spain). To be clear, GOOD caramelization (socarrat) in a paella is NOT the same thing as BURN. The rice in the attached image (from the order) is BURNT BLACK with the distinct flavor and aroma of burnt food – bitter, acrid, and gross. That is not a “desired effect” – it is a sign of cooking too long or having the heat too high. I offered to bring the entire dish back to show them (we didn’t eat it), but he didn’t care about seeing the burn or again, doing anything to right the situation. Bad food is one thing, bad service is another – Both? No thank you.
… moreMackenzie Klepsig
I want to start off by saying the service was utterly fantastic. The bartenders and servers are amazing conversationalists and the food runners are beyond kind. Additionally, I want to add that the tapas and cocktails are amazing. Having experience abroad in Spain several times, it was great to have what felt like an authentic experience at this tapas restaurant. I absolutely will be returning and I highly recommend this place to anyone wanting to try it. It is a cozy space, the drinks are great, as is the food. I couldn’t ask for anything more!
… moreChristopher Regala
We celebrated a birthday dinner in Highwood at Tapas del Lago, and it was a truly memorable experience, despite the restaurant’s cozy size. Stepping inside felt like being transported to the lively tapas bars of Madrid – the atmosphere was warm and infectious. Gio’s service was outstanding; his passion for the menu shone through as he expertly guided us through ordering, sharing his personal favorites. The red sangria was a delightful start, refreshingly balanced and not overly sweet. Our Seafood Paella stole our hearts – generous with succulent seafood and a thoughtful ratio of rice, elevated perfectly by the rich aioli. Gambas al ajillo, dates with bacon, tender albondigas, and the octopus were absolute standouts among the tapas we shared. Though we couldn’t fit in dessert, the selections looked irresistible. We’ll be back soon to explore more of their delicious offerings. One gentle suggestion for an otherwise flawless experience: consider softening the ambient noise level, perhaps with curtains or acoustic panels – it would further elevate the intimate charm. Beyond that, Tapas del Lago is such a good place to visit.
… moreElizabeth Sazdanoff
I’d give it ten stars just based on the food alone, but I gotta say that the service is more than half the experience! Gio, who has served me on more than one occasion, clearly loves to see returning customers and enjoys what he does. I come from a food service background, and it’s nice to see someone in that industry being so enthusiastic–it’s not an easy job! Atmosphere is cozy and intimate.
I highly recommend the #13 as a cold tapas. Hot tapas, you HAVE TO try the #21, 28, and #31! The gazpacho is also divine, I just forget which number it is. Of course, I only got a little bit of it, as my friend loved it so much that slurped it down faster than I realized what was happening.
… moreNina Gorges
Our first time here and it was amazing. The food is very flavorful, and delicious. Our server Mayco was also great, and on point. We ordered a bunch of different t plates, cold, and hot. Btw, the portions were perfect! All were very tasty. One of my favs is the queso de cabra. Didn’t have to wait long for our food to get served. We’ll def be back.
… more