The staff is extremely friendly and personable. The food was absolutely delicious. Everything that we tried was outstanding. We were suggested the cheesecake for dessert and it was incredible. I hope everything works out with the amazing family that owns this small but awesome business and they are able to stay open at the current location or move to another.
Glad I was able to experience Macarena Tapas on their last day open. The staff is amazing and the food was delicious. Sorry to see this place go, but happy to hear they're possibly opening in Oswego. This is a one of a kind place. Made me remember my time I spent in Spain.
LauraS
John is an amazing Chef and the food is still incredible after 20 years. Elvia is an attentive server with great recommendations. Brought dear friends for a last hurrah, and we all can't wait to see what John does next!
JMC92
I have come here for many years and it is one of my favorite places. I am deeply sad that the restaurant is closing. The food is absolutely top-notch and so is the service. The staff is friendly, attentive and make sure you have the best experience! Thank you!
AndrewGalbraith
Macarena Tapas Naperville was more than a restaurant; it was a beacon of culinary brilliance in the heart of Naperville, now etched in the memories of those fortunate to have experienced its magic. Its closure marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable flavors and moments. The menu, a celebration of Spanish cuisine, offered a journey through taste and tradition. Each dish, from the artfully spicy Patatas Bravas to the succulent Gambas al Ajillo, was a masterpiece, blending authenticity with innovation. Dining at Macarena was not just eating; it was an immersive cultural experience. The ambiance of Macarena Tapas mirrored the warmth of Spanish hospitality, creating a space where every visit felt like a festive gathering among friends. The décor, with its elegant nods to Spain, and the vibrant yet cozy atmosphere, made every meal a special occasion. But the true essence of Macarena lay in its people. The staff's genuine warmth and exceptional service made diners feel not just welcomed, but cherished. This personal touch transformed great meals into memorable experiences, fostering a sense of community and belonging. As we bid farewell to Macarena Tapas Naperville, we hold tight to the memories of the joy and culinary delight it brought into our lives. The anticipation for the owner's next venture is a testament to the indelible impact of Macarena. It wasn't just a restaurant; it was a place where food was celebrated, and every meal was an adventure. Here's to the legacy of Macarena Tapas — a jewel in Naperville's culinary crown, whose spirit will continue to inspire. Thank you for the memories, the flavors, and the joy. Until we meet again in your next chapter.
MikeD
First timers. Very friendly staff. Good suggestions on what to try. We had red and wild berry sangria, which were both tasty. We had Calamares a la plancha (Squid). It was good but wanted a little more flavor. Vieiras con bacon (Scallops). Excellent. Queso de Cara (goat cheese and tomato sauce). Very good. Montaditos de Solomillo. Beef tenderloin. Good but not worth the price. A bit pricey at $75 per person.
bretts
Great time as always. Hate to see it ending at the current location. Please creat a new place and experience soon! Loss for the area what was landlord thinking not renewing the lease!
BrianD
Food was not very good. Most dishes came out cold. Baby octopus was terrible. Potato's, croquettes, and goat cheese were ok but cold. Very expensive for the quality. Server was super nice but stopped to talk with other tables for over 5 minutes while i could see our food waiting to be picked up. Not as good as previous visits.
joe b.
The other day I made dinner reservations for New Year's Eve. the web site didn't say anything about the restaurant being closed. Looked today and now it says it's going to be closed. I will never step foot in this place again
Rachel Trumbore
Chef John has an insanely delicious menu of tapas. We ate so much and it was all top notch! Highly recommend the cheese, beef tenderloin, and octopus!
This place was pretty good for the Chicago suburbs.The decor was small and captured some parts of what it’s like to be in Spain.We skipped the drinks and opted for a variety of tapas instead.The favorites were the beef empanadas, the grilled squid, and the garlic mushrooms.The other dishes were a mixture of boring and non traditional. I don’t think there should be jalapeños in the patatas bravas for example.The octopus was not very tender. The pork tenderloin was tender but not very moist, no sauce whatsoever and the Moroccan spices didn’t come through well.I appreciate that the staff gave us the pork tenderloins on the house because it took so long for it to get to our table relative to the other dishes.It’s a good restaurant, but personally nothing was good enough for me to warrant a return visit though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Steve M.
We used to love coming to this place for a unique tapas experience. Unfortunately the portions have significantly decreased and the prices have gone way up. We ordered a ham and manchego plate that came with 4 tiny slices of manchego cheese. I asked for a few more slices of cheese to go with the ham, and they charged us $18 for the extra cheese. Additionally, the food is not as good as it used to be. Very disappointing experience.The waitress who has been there for a long time is absolutely a pleasure and so nice. She was and always has been amazing.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
grtrx
As always Macarena provides excellent food and superb friendly service. Great wine. Great food. Great people. The artichoke and pear salad is wonderful, and works with the Can Sumoi perfectly. The calamares Andaluz take me back to Spain. There are many reasons this remains my favorite restaurant in the western burbs.
Gabby T.
The place was packed with a considerable wait. I suggest making a reservation. The place is a little crowded inside but made for a quant environment. The goat cheese is to die for. Everything was very tasty and well-seasoned. The staff was super friendly with huge smiles everywhere. Will definitely be going back.
Geomarc
Wonderful dining experience. Don't be fooled by the outdoor appearance as the restaurant is located in a small strip mall. It is very intimate and, on this night, (Tuesday) very quiet as there weren't many customers. Our waitress was outstanding, very knowledgeable regarding the menu and provided great guidance and suggestions. The food was absolutely delicious though portion sizes were a bit on the small side. All in all a good value, but not a great value. I highly recommend this neighborhood gem. We've been there many times and always been delighted with the service and food.
The staff is extremely friendly and personable. The food was absolutely delicious. Everything that we tried was outstanding. We were suggested the cheesecake for dessert and it was incredible. I hope everything works out with the amazing family that owns this small but awesome business and they are able to stay open at the current location or move to another.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Empanadas, Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Glad I was able to experience Macarena Tapas on their last day open. The staff is amazing and the food was delicious. Sorry to see this place go, but happy to hear they're possibly opening in Oswego. This is a one of a kind place. Made me remember my time I spent in Spain.
John is an amazing Chef and the food is still incredible after 20 years. Elvia is an attentive server with great recommendations. Brought dear friends for a last hurrah, and we all can't wait to see what John does next!
I have come here for many years and it is one of my favorite places. I am deeply sad that the restaurant is closing. The food is absolutely top-notch and so is the service. The staff is friendly, attentive and make sure you have the best experience! Thank you!
Macarena Tapas Naperville was more than a restaurant; it was a beacon of culinary brilliance in the heart of Naperville, now etched in the memories of those fortunate to have experienced its magic. Its closure marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable flavors and moments. The menu, a celebration of Spanish cuisine, offered a journey through taste and tradition. Each dish, from the artfully spicy Patatas Bravas to the succulent Gambas al Ajillo, was a masterpiece, blending authenticity with innovation. Dining at Macarena was not just eating; it was an immersive cultural experience. The ambiance of Macarena Tapas mirrored the warmth of Spanish hospitality, creating a space where every visit felt like a festive gathering among friends. The décor, with its elegant nods to Spain, and the vibrant yet cozy atmosphere, made every meal a special occasion. But the true essence of Macarena lay in its people. The staff's genuine warmth and exceptional service made diners feel not just welcomed, but cherished. This personal touch transformed great meals into memorable experiences, fostering a sense of community and belonging. As we bid farewell to Macarena Tapas Naperville, we hold tight to the memories of the joy and culinary delight it brought into our lives. The anticipation for the owner's next venture is a testament to the indelible impact of Macarena. It wasn't just a restaurant; it was a place where food was celebrated, and every meal was an adventure. Here's to the legacy of Macarena Tapas — a jewel in Naperville's culinary crown, whose spirit will continue to inspire. Thank you for the memories, the flavors, and the joy. Until we meet again in your next chapter.
First timers. Very friendly staff. Good suggestions on what to try. We had red and wild berry sangria, which were both tasty. We had Calamares a la plancha (Squid). It was good but wanted a little more flavor. Vieiras con bacon (Scallops). Excellent. Queso de Cara (goat cheese and tomato sauce). Very good. Montaditos de Solomillo. Beef tenderloin. Good but not worth the price. A bit pricey at $75 per person.
Great time as always. Hate to see it ending at the current location. Please creat a new place and experience soon! Loss for the area what was landlord thinking not renewing the lease!
Food was not very good. Most dishes came out cold. Baby octopus was terrible. Potato's, croquettes, and goat cheese were ok but cold. Very expensive for the quality. Server was super nice but stopped to talk with other tables for over 5 minutes while i could see our food waiting to be picked up. Not as good as previous visits.
The other day I made dinner reservations for New Year's Eve. the web site didn't say anything about the restaurant being closed. Looked today and now it says it's going to be closed. I will never step foot in this place again
Chef John has an insanely delicious menu of tapas. We ate so much and it was all top notch! Highly recommend the cheese, beef tenderloin, and octopus!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Empanadas, Pinchos De Solomillo Beef Tenderloin Skewers, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Restaurantji Recommends
This place was pretty good for the Chicago suburbs.The decor was small and captured some parts of what it’s like to be in Spain.We skipped the drinks and opted for a variety of tapas instead.The favorites were the beef empanadas, the grilled squid, and the garlic mushrooms.The other dishes were a mixture of boring and non traditional. I don’t think there should be jalapeños in the patatas bravas for example.The octopus was not very tender. The pork tenderloin was tender but not very moist, no sauce whatsoever and the Moroccan spices didn’t come through well.I appreciate that the staff gave us the pork tenderloins on the house because it took so long for it to get to our table relative to the other dishes.It’s a good restaurant, but personally nothing was good enough for me to warrant a return visit though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
We used to love coming to this place for a unique tapas experience. Unfortunately the portions have significantly decreased and the prices have gone way up. We ordered a ham and manchego plate that came with 4 tiny slices of manchego cheese. I asked for a few more slices of cheese to go with the ham, and they charged us $18 for the extra cheese. Additionally, the food is not as good as it used to be. Very disappointing experience.The waitress who has been there for a long time is absolutely a pleasure and so nice. She was and always has been amazing.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
As always Macarena provides excellent food and superb friendly service. Great wine. Great food. Great people. The artichoke and pear salad is wonderful, and works with the Can Sumoi perfectly. The calamares Andaluz take me back to Spain. There are many reasons this remains my favorite restaurant in the western burbs.
The place was packed with a considerable wait. I suggest making a reservation. The place is a little crowded inside but made for a quant environment. The goat cheese is to die for. Everything was very tasty and well-seasoned. The staff was super friendly with huge smiles everywhere. Will definitely be going back.
Wonderful dining experience. Don't be fooled by the outdoor appearance as the restaurant is located in a small strip mall. It is very intimate and, on this night, (Tuesday) very quiet as there weren't many customers. Our waitress was outstanding, very knowledgeable regarding the menu and provided great guidance and suggestions. The food was absolutely delicious though portion sizes were a bit on the small side. All in all a good value, but not a great value. I highly recommend this neighborhood gem. We've been there many times and always been delighted with the service and food.