I've come here a number of times and each time it's been consistent and high quality.
This past Saturday I went here for my birthday with a bunch of friends and we absolutely loved it. From start to finish this was a true Catalonian tapas experience. A long evening with great friends, delicious food, and amazing wine. Our server, Josh, was fantastic and took great care of us. Couldn't have asked for a better time.
I will be back 😁
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
catherine vuong
I went to dinner with a friend today, and the service and the food was supar compared to the other times I ate at this restaurant. The FIDEUÀ just didn't taste right compared to the other times I had it. The server ridiculed me in front of my friend when I wanted 2 of the red wines with lemon sorbet as we were waiting for the paella to come out. The service was rather slow and mediocre this time, and I don't know why since all the other times I went it was always great. This time the waiter was just focusing more attention on specific tables instead of treating every table equally. The red wine with sorbet was also a bit of compared to last the other times I've been here.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Elena Usanova
Paella was good.
Ranjana Rajendran
I was so optimistic about this because I love Catalan cuisine but sad to say it was not a good experience.
I arrived as soon as the door opened and asked to sit outside. I ordered a tinto de verano (one of my favorite summertime drinks). After some time, I ordered the mushroom appetizer. I moved inside when the other party sitting in the patio was super loud. I left about ten minutes later.
Good: - the mushrooms were so yummy. I really am sad I missed out on the rest of the meal
Bad: - the patio space had a weird sanitation smell that kind of put me off my food - the interior smelled liked cleaning chemicals - the tinto de verano tasted more like a sangria with lemonade - when I moved inside, I was told I could only sit at specific tables even though there were at least 15 tables open - this last one is the reason I decided to write the review: I asked for a to-go box for the mushrooms. The busser brought me a box but it ended up leaking all over my car because it was meant for items that weren’t liquid. But when he placed it down, it popped open and fell to the ground. He then put it right back on the table. I was horrified that he would take something that was on the ground of a restaurant and place it back on the table - especially in front of a guest. It gave me the ick and I was out.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
Gangadharan Esakki
One of the best places to enjoy your evening with your loved one. Ideal for date nights or a romantic evening relaxing with your partner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Bohdana Davila
La Catalana: A Barcelona Escape
The aroma of saffron and olives instantly transported me to Barcelona. La Catalana isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. Each tapas dish is a miniature masterpiece, the flavors vibrant and authentic. The wine selection is superb, each bottle a journey through sun-drenched vineyards of different regions of Spain.
But the magic extends beyond the food. The warm atmosphere, fostered by years of friendship with the owner and servers, is as captivating as the music. Live guitar adds a touch of melancholic magic to the lively scene.
La Catalana is a refuge, a place where the spirit soars. A taste of Barcelona, waiting to enchant. Go, and be transported.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aidas B
That was not just a meal, that was an experience of authentic dishes from Spain.. Rodrigo was an excellent host..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AO “Fine diner”
I’ve been coming for years and this last time was a little disappointing: the octopus was overcooked, so the paella (the rice was burned on the bottom) not to mention the portion keeps getting smaller…they close early even if there’s still people inside. Hope they work on the kitchen to bring back the skills. Good options on wine by the glass though, when summer they open the terrace.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Richa Chadha
Went for dinner on a Friday evening—the ambiance was lovely with dim lighting and live music, perfect for a relaxed night out. We were a group of four and ordered a variety of tapas: croquettes, pan con tomate, tortilla, and fries with eggs—all tasty and well-prepared.
The meal started off nicely with complimentary bread and olive oil. We then ordered the Paella Muntanya with succarrat, which was the biggest letdown of the night. At $60, the portion was surprisingly small and lacked the signature crispy rice at the bottom.
Desserts were a highlight—the burnt cheesecake was outstanding, and the crema catalana was decent. Service was on the slower side but generally pleasant.
The standout for us was the aioli—creamy, flavorful, and truly authentic. I had my eye on the fideuà, but skipped it after seeing the poor price-to-portion ratio with the paella.
Overall, it was a good experience, but the paella really brought the evening down.
Great waiter - he made excellent suggestions. Octopus was delicious! Shared rice dishes great. Very enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leandro Cordeiro
5 estrellas. Awesome food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
angel
We had an incredible experience at La Catalana recently. The atmosphere inside was intimate and cozy while the service was exceptional as well! They did a great job of giving us recommendations and guiding us through the menu. The food overall was amazing too, it's obvious how high-quality and authentic all of the dishes are! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Montgomery
So... for context, a month or so ago we went to Jose Andres' Michelin-star tapas restaurant Jaleo in DC... and this place is noticeably better. Seriously - this chef is ON IT for amazing traditional Catalan cuisine. The Pulpo was perfect with just a bit of smoky and char with a saffron sauce, the Gambas were huge and perfectly cooked, Croquettes were super yummy, and the real surprise was the Cannelloni which was so creamy and delicious. This Chef Is AWESOME. The owner and waitstaff were kind, engaging, and attentive, the Sangria (classica) was great and not overly sweet like some places, and price and ambiance were just perfect too. We're foodies and really were impressed with everything and had an absolutely great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
yogeta machhi
La Catalana is a true hidden gem in San Jose! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, cozy atmosphere that feels like a little slice of Spain. The tapas are beautifully presented and packed with flavor—don’t miss the patatas bravas or the garlic shrimp. We also tried the paella and it was absolutely spot-on, with perfectly cooked rice and a generous mix of seafood. The sangria? Deliciously refreshing and not overly sweet.
Service was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. It’s clear the staff care about creating an authentic experience. Whether you’re a Spanish cuisine aficionado or just looking for a special night out, La Catalana is well worth the visit. Highly recommend!
Great services and love the wine
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've come here a number of times and each time it's been consistent and high quality.
This past Saturday I went here for my birthday with a bunch of friends and we absolutely loved it. From start to finish this was a true Catalonian tapas experience. A long evening with great friends, delicious food, and amazing wine. Our server, Josh, was fantastic and took great care of us. Couldn't have asked for a better time.
I will be back 😁
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went to dinner with a friend today, and the service and the food was supar compared to the other times I ate at this restaurant. The FIDEUÀ just didn't taste right compared to the other times I had it. The server ridiculed me in front of my friend when I wanted 2 of the red wines with lemon sorbet as we were waiting for the paella to come out. The service was rather slow and mediocre this time, and I don't know why since all the other times I went it was always great. This time the waiter was just focusing more attention on specific tables instead of treating every table equally. The red wine with sorbet was also a bit of compared to last the other times I've been here.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Paella was good.
I was so optimistic about this because I love Catalan cuisine but sad to say it was not a good experience.
I arrived as soon as the door opened and asked to sit outside. I ordered a tinto de verano (one of my favorite summertime drinks). After some time, I ordered the mushroom appetizer. I moved inside when the other party sitting in the patio was super loud. I left about ten minutes later.
Good:
- the mushrooms were so yummy. I really am sad I missed out on the rest of the meal
Bad:
- the patio space had a weird sanitation smell that kind of put me off my food
- the interior smelled liked cleaning chemicals
- the tinto de verano tasted more like a sangria with lemonade
- when I moved inside, I was told I could only sit at specific tables even though there were at least 15 tables open
- this last one is the reason I decided to write the review: I asked for a to-go box for the mushrooms. The busser brought me a box but it ended up leaking all over my car because it was meant for items that weren’t liquid. But when he placed it down, it popped open and fell to the ground. He then put it right back on the table. I was horrified that he would take something that was on the ground of a restaurant and place it back on the table - especially in front of a guest. It gave me the ick and I was out.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
One of the best places to enjoy your evening with your loved one. Ideal for date nights or a romantic evening relaxing with your partner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
La Catalana: A Barcelona Escape
The aroma of saffron and olives instantly transported me to Barcelona. La Catalana isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. Each tapas dish is a miniature masterpiece, the flavors vibrant and authentic. The wine selection is superb, each bottle a journey through sun-drenched vineyards of different regions of Spain.
But the magic extends beyond the food. The warm atmosphere, fostered by years of friendship with the owner and servers, is as captivating as the music. Live guitar adds a touch of melancholic magic to the lively scene.
La Catalana is a refuge, a place where the spirit soars. A taste of Barcelona, waiting to enchant. Go, and be transported.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
That was not just a meal, that was an experience of authentic dishes from Spain.. Rodrigo was an excellent host..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been coming for years and this last time was a little disappointing: the octopus was overcooked, so the paella (the rice was burned on the bottom) not to mention the portion keeps getting smaller…they close early even if there’s still people inside. Hope they work on the kitchen to bring back the skills. Good options on wine by the glass though, when summer they open the terrace.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Went for dinner on a Friday evening—the ambiance was lovely with dim lighting and live music, perfect for a relaxed night out. We were a group of four and ordered a variety of tapas: croquettes, pan con tomate, tortilla, and fries with eggs—all tasty and well-prepared.
The meal started off nicely with complimentary bread and olive oil. We then ordered the Paella Muntanya with succarrat, which was the biggest letdown of the night. At $60, the portion was surprisingly small and lacked the signature crispy rice at the bottom.
Desserts were a highlight—the burnt cheesecake was outstanding, and the crema catalana was decent. Service was on the slower side but generally pleasant.
The standout for us was the aioli—creamy, flavorful, and truly authentic. I had my eye on the fideuà, but skipped it after seeing the poor price-to-portion ratio with the paella.
Overall, it was a good experience, but the paella really brought the evening down.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Great waiter - he made excellent suggestions. Octopus was delicious! Shared rice dishes great. Very enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
5 estrellas.
Awesome food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an incredible experience at La Catalana recently. The atmosphere inside was intimate and cozy while the service was exceptional as well! They did a great job of giving us recommendations and guiding us through the menu. The food overall was amazing too, it's obvious how high-quality and authentic all of the dishes are! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So... for context, a month or so ago we went to Jose Andres' Michelin-star tapas restaurant Jaleo in DC... and this place is noticeably better. Seriously - this chef is ON IT for amazing traditional Catalan cuisine. The Pulpo was perfect with just a bit of smoky and char with a saffron sauce, the Gambas were huge and perfectly cooked, Croquettes were super yummy, and the real surprise was the Cannelloni which was so creamy and delicious. This Chef Is AWESOME. The owner and waitstaff were kind, engaging, and attentive, the Sangria (classica) was great and not overly sweet like some places, and price and ambiance were just perfect too. We're foodies and really were impressed with everything and had an absolutely great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
La Catalana is a true hidden gem in San Jose! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, cozy atmosphere that feels like a little slice of Spain. The tapas are beautifully presented and packed with flavor—don’t miss the patatas bravas or the garlic shrimp. We also tried the paella and it was absolutely spot-on, with perfectly cooked rice and a generous mix of seafood. The sangria? Deliciously refreshing and not overly sweet.
Service was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. It’s clear the staff care about creating an authentic experience. Whether you’re a Spanish cuisine aficionado or just looking for a special night out, La Catalana is well worth the visit. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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