From bar snacks to tapas and mezze platters, small plates are like, seriously popular right now—and honestly for good reason. That “pick and choose” kind of eating is a really good fit for trying new bites, getting a whole mix of flavors, and sharing the whole joy of a tasty meal with family, and friends. Want to figure out where to go for your next fix? We tracked down the best small plates restaurant that every state has.
New Jersey: Mompou, Newark
With top notch service and a pretty upbeat vibe, the modern Spanish restaurant Mompou receives excellent feedback for its huge selection of tapas dishes. You can savor them while you watch one of their live flamenco shows, kind of right there in the room. Some of the favorites include fried calamari tossed in a sweet, spicy mango sauce, baby lamb chops served with a Canary Islands style sauce, and sweet roasted peppers that are stuffed with goats’ cheese and walnuts.
New Jersey: Mompou, Newark
With top notch service and a pretty upbeat vibe, the modern Spanish restaurant Mompou receives excellent feedback for its huge selection of tapas dishes. You can savor them while you watch one of their live flamenco shows, kind of right there in the room. Some of the favorites include fried calamari tossed in a sweet, spicy mango sauce, baby lamb chops served with a Canary Islands style sauce, and sweet roasted peppers that are stuffed with goats’ cheese and walnuts.
South Carolina: Gervais & Vine, Columbia
Award-winning modern Mediterranean restaurant Gervais & Vine receives rave reviews for the variety of dishes it offers, as well as its cozy atmosphere. A popular spot for nearly 20 years, the restaurant also features a beautiful patio area and lively bar. Popular dishes consist of baked Brie with chutney and crackers, spicy shrimp with tomatoes and bacon, seared scallops, and Spanish meatballs with romesco sauce and mozzarella.
Delaware: La Fia, Wilmington
This kind of intimate Wilmington bistro has a pretty outstanding French-influenced menu with dishes that feel meant to be shared. You can get those artisan cheese and charcuterie boards, but there’s also small plate stuff like shrimp toast with whipped sesame, and pickled green papaya, plus an apple and kohlrabi salad with aged Cheddar and a white balsamic vinaigrette. James Beard–nominated chef Bryan Sikora runs and owns it, and people seem to love the cozy vibe just as much as what shows up on the table.
New Hampshire: Moxy, Portsmouth
James Beard Award–nominated Moxy is this pretty modern American tapas restaurant with a menu that changes, seasonally, like pretty often. People say it has excellent reviews, and diners talk about how the food feels creative, fresh, and full of flavor… and the whole atmosphere is warm, honestly, and welcoming. You can notice the little things like that, but also the menu highlights really land: patatas bravas, crispy pork belly with apple butter, fennel relish with fried garlic, and also serrano ham plus chicken croquettes.
Michigan: La Feria, Detroit
A group of friends who really loved their holiday to Seville so much set up La Feria to bring back a bit of Spain to Detroit. La Feria gets rave reviews for their tasty, pretty sensible tapas prices and this lively sort of atmosphere, you know. After you dive into a mix of the usual hot and cold tapas plates and also that great wine list, go next door to the sister wine bar, Cata Vino, to keep the whole thing going.
Iowa: The Stuffed Olive, Des Moines
The Stuffed Olive receives some pretty great reviews for its tasty little plates and that kind of lively atmosphere. Folks usually pop in here to grab a drink then a quick snack at the bar, or maybe just share a few plates with friends and make a whole night out of it. Some of the top stuff on the menu includes Nashville hot chicken sliders, Brussels sprouts with a balsamic glaze and bacon, zucchini fritters, risotto croquettes, and also spinach and artichoke dip with garlic bread.
Oklahoma: Bar Cicchetti, Oklahoma City
Bar Cicchetti’s menu invites sharing, featuring a mix of little and big plates that burst with flavor and present beautifully. People usually point out a few favorites like crispy cauliflower with fried green onions, garlic aioli, and peppadew hot sauce. Then they highlight lamb meatballs with spiced yogurt and jalapeño-mint chimichurri. For something lighter but still bold, they recommend seared tuna carpaccio with pistachio salt, plus the crab lasagna, which feels like a real treat. And honestly, customers keep saying the desserts are totally worth saving a space for even if you think you’re full.
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