Tapas del Lago is worth a visit in Highwood! This cozy, casual spot serves up delicious tapas perfect for sharing. The inviting facade, complete with a charming patio and rustic tables, sets the tone for a lovely evening. Our server, Gio, was outstanding - knowledgeable about the wines and tapas, and happy to guide us through the menu. We enjoyed his favorite picks, including octopus, gambas, and scallops, paired with a fantastic blend of Garnacha and Syrah. Even without dessert cravings, we ended up ordering another drink and that's how great the experience was! Perfect for date nights or family dinners, Tapas del Lago is a must-visit for sharing good food and making memories. Can't wait to go back and try more tapas!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joey Avraham
If you’re anywhere near Highwood and craving an unforgettable dining experience, Tapas Del Lago is a must! The atmosphere is warm, stylish, and inviting, making it perfect for both a casual night out or a special occasion.
The star of the night for me was the octopus. Perfectly tender with just the right char, it was hands down the best I’ve had—not chewy, not overdone, but beautifully balanced with smokiness and seasoning that let the freshness shine. Every bite was packed with flavor, and it paired perfectly with their wine list.
Beyond that, the menu is full of creative small plates that encourage sharing and conversation. The staff was welcoming, attentive without being overbearing, and clearly passionate about what they’re serving.
Tapas Del Lago is the kind of place that makes you want to come back the next day and order the exact same thing again. Don’t miss the octopus—you’ll thank me later!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T L
Great food, great place, good service. You must try if you haven’t.
Renee Messick
Food and service are always amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Xiaoling Zhang
Fabulous place to have a quality meal. I came multiple times with different friends and everyone loves this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jay Miller
This place has become a weekly tradition for my wife and me, and for good reason. After two years in business, it’s clear they’ve hit their stride. The food, the atmosphere, the service everything about this restaurant makes it one of our absolute favorites.
The seafood paella is consistently outstanding rich, perfectly cooked, and deeply flavorful. It always hits the spot, whether we’re there for a casual date night or celebrating something special. In the warmer months, their patio is unbeatable relaxing, charming, and perfect for a pitcher of their on-point sangria. When winter rolls around, the indoor dining space becomes the coziest little escape the warm lighting, dark wood accents transport you straight to Spain. It’s a beautiful blend of rustic and European charm.
There’s always a lively energy, especially on the weekends the place is bustling with regulars and newcomers alike, and it’s got a great vibe. Whether you’re seated at the bar or at a cozy corner table, it always feels warm and welcoming.
The Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp) is absolutely addictive garlicky, sizzling, and packed with flavor. The Spanish meatballs are equally delicious hearty, perfectly seasoned, and incredibly satisfying. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality. My wife and I can enjoy a full meal with wine without breaking the bank, which makes this spot feel both upscale and approachable.
A huge shoutout to our favorite server, Gio he’s a gem. Friendly, patient, and super knowledgeable, especially when it comes to wine recommendations. He always makes our experience feel personal and enjoyable. That said, the entire staff is fantastic warm, attentive, and genuinely happy to be there. You can tell the team is well taken care of, and that speaks volumes about the ownership. They’re clearly doing something right.
In short: Tapas Del Lago is a must visit. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, you’ll be glad you stopped by. It’s one of those rare places that feels like a little getaway every time you walk through the door
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pam Villa del Rey
We had a great experience dining here. We were able to get outside seating with no wait at all even if we did not have a reservation. Food was good. Service was excellent. Our server Gio was very attentive to our needs and was continuously checking if we needed anything. He was very accomodating of our requests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan 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.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Preeti Tupsakhare
Yummy food and very nice service. The staff is very friendly and courteous . The food was outstanding. We tried patata, paella was super yummy..
Amazing spot. The service is super friendly and makes you feel right at home. Every tapa I’ve tried has been incredible and packed with flavor. Cool, sleek atmosphere. Definitely a place to go regularly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Javier Sanchez
Food was good, space was nice but felt a bit cramped.
Really nice area to be in.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Karen 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
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Trina Grogan
Super tasty tapas in a fun atmosphere. Everything we got was delicious and the service was good. Highly recommend!
Tapas del Lago is worth a visit in Highwood! This cozy, casual spot serves up delicious tapas perfect for sharing. The inviting facade, complete with a charming patio and rustic tables, sets the tone for a lovely evening. Our server, Gio, was outstanding - knowledgeable about the wines and tapas, and happy to guide us through the menu. We enjoyed his favorite picks, including octopus, gambas, and scallops, paired with a fantastic blend of Garnacha and Syrah. Even without dessert cravings, we ended up ordering another drink and that's how great the experience was! Perfect for date nights or family dinners, Tapas del Lago is a must-visit for sharing good food and making memories. Can't wait to go back and try more tapas!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you’re anywhere near Highwood and craving an unforgettable dining experience, Tapas Del Lago is a must! The atmosphere is warm, stylish, and inviting, making it perfect for both a casual night out or a special occasion.
The star of the night for me was the octopus. Perfectly tender with just the right char, it was hands down the best I’ve had—not chewy, not overdone, but beautifully balanced with smokiness and seasoning that let the freshness shine. Every bite was packed with flavor, and it paired perfectly with their wine list.
Beyond that, the menu is full of creative small plates that encourage sharing and conversation. The staff was welcoming, attentive without being overbearing, and clearly passionate about what they’re serving.
Tapas Del Lago is the kind of place that makes you want to come back the next day and order the exact same thing again. Don’t miss the octopus—you’ll thank me later!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, great place, good service. You must try if you haven’t.
Food and service are always amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fabulous place to have a quality meal. I came multiple times with different friends and everyone loves this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place has become a weekly tradition for my wife and me, and for good reason. After two years in business, it’s clear they’ve hit their stride. The food, the atmosphere, the service everything about this restaurant makes it one of our absolute favorites.
The seafood paella is consistently outstanding rich, perfectly cooked, and deeply flavorful. It always hits the spot, whether we’re there for a casual date night or celebrating something special. In the warmer months, their patio is unbeatable relaxing, charming, and perfect for a pitcher of their on-point sangria. When winter rolls around, the indoor dining space becomes the coziest little escape the warm lighting, dark wood accents transport you straight to Spain. It’s a beautiful blend of rustic and European charm.
There’s always a lively energy, especially on the weekends the place is bustling with regulars and newcomers alike, and it’s got a great vibe. Whether you’re seated at the bar or at a cozy corner table, it always feels warm and welcoming.
The Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp) is absolutely addictive garlicky, sizzling, and packed with flavor. The Spanish meatballs are equally delicious hearty, perfectly seasoned, and incredibly satisfying. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality. My wife and I can enjoy a full meal with wine without breaking the bank, which makes this spot feel both upscale and approachable.
A huge shoutout to our favorite server, Gio he’s a gem. Friendly, patient, and super knowledgeable, especially when it comes to wine recommendations. He always makes our experience feel personal and enjoyable. That said, the entire staff is fantastic warm, attentive, and genuinely happy to be there. You can tell the team is well taken care of, and that speaks volumes about the ownership. They’re clearly doing something right.
In short: Tapas Del Lago is a must visit. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, you’ll be glad you stopped by. It’s one of those rare places that feels like a little getaway every time you walk through the door
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a great experience dining here. We were able to get outside seating with no wait at all even if we did not have a reservation. Food was good. Service was excellent. Our server Gio was very attentive to our needs and was continuously checking if we needed anything. He was very accomodating of our requests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yummy food and very nice service. The staff is very friendly and courteous . The food was outstanding. We tried patata, paella was super yummy..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food 😋 tasty 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was delicious
Amazing spot. The service is super friendly and makes you feel right at home. Every tapa I’ve tried has been incredible and packed with flavor. Cool, sleek atmosphere. Definitely a place to go regularly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was good, space was nice but felt a bit cramped.
Really nice area to be in.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
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
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super tasty tapas in a fun atmosphere. Everything we got was delicious and the service was good. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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