La Catalana

3720 N First St UNIT 10, San Jose
(408) 324-1321

Recent Reviews

chen whitechubbyguy

Service is good but food is horribly bad..probably the worst one I had in the

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 4

Tomoko Daido

I'm glad I had my last dinner here in America!The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious.I think it would be great to come back here again ☺️Kid-friendliness: They recommended a children's menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

DaVIjay Bolton

ignore testingdoes it serve lobster?

Atmosphere: 3

NilaTheCat Y

cake and the burger tastes good, extremely slow service haha..

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 2

Laura G

Nice ambiance, with live music. The service is great, but the menu is limited since you can't change it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Akyra Pagoulatos

As always, excellent and plentful food and

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Patatas Bravas, Lamb Slider, Bread and Olive Oil, Pulpo Octopus, Boquerones, Gambas Al Ajillo, Jamon Iberico, Meatballs

Ahmet Gizik

Delicious food and kind server.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Дарина Скрементова

We looove this place so much for its delicious food, cozy atmosphere and great service. We ordered a catering from this restaurant for our son’s first birthday party and it was fantastic. Everyone liked how the food was packed and how it tasted. Everything has been delivered on time which is super important. Highly recommend this place for those who love Spanish food and a home-like environment.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

KING Cuenca

La Catalana San Jose Review: A Real Taste of Catalonia (A Spanish Autonomous Community)Nestled in the vibrant heart of San Jose, California, La Catalana beckoned with the promise of an authentic Spanish culinary experience. As a gourmet foodie with a Spanish heritage and a profound appreciation for wine, my expectations were a mix of excitement and curiosity. The promise of a menu paired with Cava and a selection of Spanish tapas and traditional dishes piqued my interest.The Ambiance and Initial Impressions.Upon entering La Catalana, I was immediately struck by the warm, inviting ambience. The decor, reminiscent of a traditional Spanish eatery, created an atmosphere that was both cosy and culturally rich. My companions and I were seated comfortably, and we eagerly anticipated the culinary journey ahead.The evening began with a toast of Cava, Spain's renowned sparkling wine, setting a celebratory tone for the meal. This was followed by Pago de Capellanes, Joven, from Ribera del Duero, a robust yet balanced red that promised to complement the variety of flavours in our selected dishes.Tapas Experience (Spanish Tapas)A Spanish tapa is a small dish or appetizer typically served in bars and restaurants in Spain. The concept of tapas is deeply ingrained in Spanish culture and is central to the social aspect of dining in the country. Tapas can range from simple items like olives, cheese, or cured meats to more elaborate dishes such as patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), and croquetas (breaded and fried rolls with various fillings like ham or cheese)Originally, a tapa (which means "cover" or "lid" in Spanish) was a small snack served on a plate that would cover a drink, possibly to protect it from dust or insects. Over time, this evolved into a culinary tradition where people hop from bar to bar, enjoying different tapas with their drinks, often turning it into a full meal. Tapas can be cold (like mixed olives and cheese) or hot (like chorizo in red wine), and their variety and flavour profiles are vast, reflecting the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Spain.Our culinary exploration commenced with a selection of tapas. First was the Plato de Jamon Serrano. As someone with Spanish roots, I found the flavour slightly lacking compared to the Jamon I remember from Spain – it missed that distinct, rich taste that I've come to associate with this iconic dish.The Patatas Bravas, however, were a delight. The simplicity of fried potatoes was elevated by the smoky paprika and the homemade Brava sauce, which added a perfect spicy kick.Next were the Canelones. These homemade Catalan-style cannelloni, filled with ground cod fish in a pine nut cream sauce, truly reminded me of Catalonia. The flavours were well-balanced, with the nuttiness of the pine nut cream complementing the delicate fish.Unfortunately, the Croquetas did not meet our expectations. They seemed to be more oil-laden than anticipated, detracting from what should have been a crispy, savoury treat.Main Courses.Our group then sampled two main dishes. The Paella de Rabo de Toro was a point of contention. The traditional Spanish Bomba rice, a key element of paella, seemed questionable, and the overall flavour profile and texture didn't quite capture the essence of this classic dish.In stark contrast, the Fideua Negra was the star of the evening. The noodle paella, rich with the flavours of calamari and squid ink, was a true delight, especially when complemented by the best all i oli sauce we had ever tasted.The potential for an improved culinary experience is there, and I look forward to revisiting them in the future to see how they have evolved.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Squid Ink Paella, Paella Mar Y Montana, Cured Meats, Arros Negre, Creme Brulee, Gambas Al Ajillo

Elizabeth Cortez

Had an excellent dinner with family for one of my cousins' birthday. We ordered multiple tapas plates, but my favorites were the chorizo and the Pulpo. We also ordered 3 different paellas, and I enjoyed all of them. My cousins got the sangria, which is on the sweet side, while I got a glass of their Clos Bartolome wine - a blend of Garnacha and Cariñena.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Crema Catalana, Grilled Octopus, Arros Negre

Anna Abelowitz

Roy and Josh deserve to be recognized! This restaurant is very lucky to have them. Extremely professional and empathetic. I called the restaurant during a very busy time and Roy was still very patient with my questions on the phone, he set realistic expectations for us considering how busy they were. Once we arrived, he let us wait in the patio, not standing around awkwardly. And once we were seated Josh was the star of the night. He made brilliant recommendations and made great conversation and was an asset to our wonderful evening. Everything was delicious of course - huge shout out to the chef and everyone working in the kitchen. This night was really the highlight of our dining experience last week in Milpitas.Croquetas - Cauliflower - Lamb sliders - cheese plate - shrimp - mushrooms - olives - tortilla EVERYTHING WAS SO GOOD. Oh and the deserts! And wine!Thank you !!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Patatas Bravas, Lamb Slider, Bread and Olive Oil, Creme Brulee, Gambas Al Ajillo

John Ragsdale

I'm a bit of a tapas snob, and find most places in San Jose mediocre at best. We checked out La Catalana Friday night and loved it! Best roasted pulpo I've had in the US other than Julian Serrano. Don't miss the morcilla, it was the highlight of the night for me. Even the olives were memorable. Service was amazing. Loved being able to taste a few wines before ordering a bottle. Highly recommend.Dietary restrictions: Very helpful with vegetarian and keto recommendations

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Morcilla, Cured Meats, Gambas Al Ajillo

Adem Taylan Sengul

We had a reservation there for 5 ppl. They gave us a table for 4 and did not make any single effort to correct their mistake. It was my birthday.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

David Rosello

Great Spanish wine selection and great tapas and Paella. I really enjoy coming to La Catalana. One of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. Quality food and wineVegetarian options: Good selection for it being a Spanish tapas place.Parking: Lots of parking.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Morcilla, Lamb Slider, Pescaditos Fritos, Grilled Octopus, Huevos Rotos, Arros Negre, Boquerones, Jamon Iberico

Rong Mao

Wonderful little gem at the corner of a strip mall. The food and wine tasted delicious and authentic. Everything we sampled was scrumptious. Lovely live music on Saturday evenings. The ambience was lovely and romantic. Our waitress was super sweet and patient. Even the bathroom was spotless and tastefully decorated! Almost feels like we were in Spain again. We came here for a birthday celebration and the singer sang us the happy birthday song, and our dessert was on the house. So sweet! This place was beyond my expectations and we would love to come back again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Squid Ink Paella, Crema Catalana, Pescaditos Fritos, Bread and Olive Oil, Arros Negre, Gambas Al Ajillo

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