Although Lodz is not located on the Mediterranean Sea, lovers of Spanish flavors will find real gems here. One of the most famous and acclaimed places is Las Tablas Tapas Bar, opened in 2018 by a young couple, Marta and Michal, who have lived in Spain for years. Their passion for Iberian flavors translated into creating a place that authentically captures the character of traditional Spanish bars. The interior with exposed brick, a long white bar and details reminiscent of the atmosphere of Spain takes guests straight to the streets of Madrid or Barcelona.

Las Tablas' menu impresses with its variety. Flagship items include breaded cheese with martini sauce, potato croquette with chili and goat cheese, and sweet white chocolate fondant with fruit mousse. For lovers of more filling dishes, there is paella with seafood or chicken, as well as panini with shrimp or jerk pork. Interestingly, the restaurant has established an ongoing partnership with a Lodz-based beer company, offering beer with its own label, as well as with a small Spanish wine bar, so guests can enjoy wines straight from the winery.

Another place worth visiting is Winni, an intimate wine bar located at 93 Piotrkowska Street, a place that combines a passion for wine and a love of Spanish snacks. The history of Winni dates back to 2015, when two friends, fascinated by the wine culture of the Iberian Peninsula, decided to create a place where boaters could discover the richness of Spanish wines and tapas.

The interior of Winnia impresses with its rustic character - wooden wine barrels serving as tables, walls decorated with a collection of bottles and corkscrews, and cozy lighting create a unique atmosphere. The menu features carefully selected wines from different regions of Spain - from crisp Albariño from Galicia to intense Tempranillo from Rioja. The wine is accompanied by authentic tapas - manchego with membrillo (cheese with quince paste), jamón serrano (dried Spanish ham), chorizo in wine, as well as olives, pickled peppers and anchovies.

Interestingly, Winni's owners regularly organize themed tastings, during which guests can learn about the history of Spain's various wine regions, as well as learn the basics of pairing wines with appropriate tapas. Prices at Winni are moderate, making the place accessible to both connoisseurs and those just beginning their adventure with Spanish flavors.

Continuing your culinary journey in Lodz, it's impossible to miss Señoritas Restaurant & Lounge, located at 1A Stanislaw Moniuszki Street. This is a place that, although it specializes mainly in Mexican cuisine, also offers a wide selection of tapas inspired by Spanish and Latin American cuisine. The history of this place is fascinating - it was founded in 2016 on the initiative of Carlos Martinez, a Mexican-born chef who, after years of working in restaurants in Barcelona, decided to combine his culinary experiences and create a place that combines the flavors of both sides of the Atlantic.

The interior of Señoritas impresses with its colorful decor, reminiscent of Mexican tradition, but with subtle Spanish touches. The walls are decorated with hand-painted azulejos tiles, and flamenco music interspersed with Latin rhythms flows from the speakers. The tapas menu at Señoritas is a true fusion of flavors - you'll find classic Spanish patatas bravas (potatoes in a spicy sauce), as well as more exotic offerings such as empanadas with chorizo or gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic oil) with chili.

Particularly noteworthy is the 'Tapas del Mar' section of seafood tapas, where the chef presents his best creations, combining traditional Spanish recipes with Mexican techniques and spices. Prices at Señoritas are slightly higher than at other tapas bars in Lodz, but the quality and originality of the dishes fully compensate for this. The place is especially popular with young professionals and tourists looking for a new culinary experience.

Another place worth visiting is WINOTEKA Księży Młyn restaurant, located at 32 Fr. Bishop Wincentego Tymienieckiego St. This is a place of unique character, located on the premises of the revitalized 19th-century factory of Karol Scheibler, one of Lodz's greatest industrialists. The history of this place dates back to 2014, when a group of wine and good cuisine enthusiasts decided to create a space combining the culinary traditions of different regions of Europe with the rich history of industrial Lodz.

Although not a typical tapas bar, WINOTEKA Księży Młyn offers an impressive selection of Spanish wines and snacks inspired by Iberian cuisine. The interior impresses with its industrial character - high ceilings, original brick walls and elements of factory architecture create a unique atmosphere. The tapas menu at WINOTECE is a true journey through the different regions of Spain - from Catalan pan con tomate (bread with tomatoes), to Basque pintxos (small sandwiches), to Andalusian gazpacho.

Particularly recommended is tasting tapas paired with wines from the same region of Spain - WINOTEKA's sommelier will be happy to advise which wine goes best with your chosen appetizers. Prices at WINOTECKA are moderate to high, but the quality of the products and the unique atmosphere make it a place you want to return to. WINOTEKA Księży Młyn is the perfect place for a romantic dinner or a business meeting in an unusual setting.

To complete the Lodz tapas bar scene, there are two places that, while not typically Spanish, offer interesting interpretations of Iberian snacks. The first is Las Palmas Lodz, located at 2/4 Franklin Delano Roosevelt St. This cocktail bar with elements of fusion cuisine was established in 2017 as the fruit of a collaboration between Lodz bartender Piotr Wisniewski and chef Alejandro Fernandes, who worked for years in restaurants in the Canary Islands.

Las Palmas is distinguished by its modern, minimalist decor with subtle references to the aesthetics of the Canary Islands - bright colors, wood elements and vegetation create a pleasant, holiday atmosphere. The tapas menu at Las Palmas is a creative fusion of traditional Spanish snacks with elements of Canarian cuisine and international touches. Try papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo verde and mojo rojo - traditional Canarian sauces, as well as almejas a la marinera (mussels in a wine and garlic sauce) or pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus) in a modern interpretation.

Las Palmas is also famous for its cocktails inspired by Spanish and Canarian flavors - especially recommended are their proprietary sangria with local fruits and herbs and various variations on the gin tonica, the most popular drink in Spain today. Prices at Las Palmas are moderate to high, but the quality and originality of both the dishes and cocktails fully justify it. The place is especially popular with young professionals and those looking for new and exciting culinary experiences.

Last, but equally interesting, is Bistro 102, located at 102 Piotrkowska St. This is a place with a rich history - the establishment is located in a tenement from the late 19th century, which survived the turmoil of war and hosted various businesses over the years. In 2013, the space was transformed into a modern bistro that combines elements of various European cuisines, including Spanish.

The interior of Bistro 102 is a successful combination of classic elegance with modern touches - original stucco and high ceilings contrast with the contemporary design of the furniture and lighting. The tapas menu at Bistro 102, while not the main specialty of the establishment, offers interesting interpretations of classic Spanish snacks. Particularly recommended are croquetas de jamón (croquettes with ham), tortilla española (Spanish potato omelet) and albóndigas en salsa de tomate (meatballs in tomato sauce).

Bistro 102 also stands out for its extensive wine list, which includes many items from different regions of Spain - from crisp white wines from Rueda to full-bodied red wines from Priorat. Prices at Bistro 102 are moderate, and the pleasant atmosphere and professional service make it an ideal place for an informal business lunch or dinner with friends.

Comparing all of the places described, you'll notice that each offers a slightly different approach to Spanish tapas. Las Tablas and Winni focus on authenticity and tradition, Señoritas and WINOTEKA Księży Młyn offer a fusion of flavors and cultures, while Las Palmas and Bistro 102 present modern, creative interpretations of classic recipes. Thanks to this diversity, every lover of Spanish flavors will find something for themselves in Lodz - from traditional tapas served in a rustic atmosphere to modern, fusion snacks served in elegant surroundings. Prices range from affordable at Winni and Bistro 102, to moderate at Las Tablas and WINOTECE, to slightly higher at Señoritas and Las Palmas, but in each case the quality and originality of the dishes compensate for the expense.