When the streets of Barcelona collide with Hollywood imagination, what happens? It's what Los Angeles has been learning to eat every single night. This city went from thick steaks and mashed potatoes to lots of shareable dishes, and it is at its heart a celebration of modern Spanish cuisine in Los Angeles. Chefs blend Spanish ham with Californian fruits, while bars use Sherries for drinkability that pairs with food. This is why the movement is crucial right now.

Why Modern Spanish Cuisine in Los Angeles Is Booming

From the $645 Somni tasting menu in West Hollywood to Vaca DTLA’s diverse offering of tapas and steaks. The connection? Region: Basque pintxos, Andalusian seafood, Catalan pan con tomato… and they use farms in the area. Top Chef veteran Amar Santana heads up Vaca by respecting classic techniques but "brightening" them for California.

Small Plates, Big Ideas

Tapas are not appetizers anymore. LA kitchens use tapas as a canvas: scorched octopus with paprika aioli, truffle croquetas, and cuttlefish ink paella delivered at the table. Communal plates suit LA's social style of dining, enabling diners to sample more and avoid the food coma.

The Rise of Sherry Cocktails

We've seen bartenders trade in strong spirits for fortified wine. Nutty, saline sherries such as Lustau's can serve as a foundation for drinks, and NYC's NoMad notes that 50-60% of their cocktails contain sherry. LA is similarly hip to amontillado highballs and fino spritzes that slice through saline jamón. The result: lower proof, longer nights.

What Sets the New Wave Apart

• Regional cooking, not simply "Spanish"

• California ingredients: Santa Barbara uni, citrus, avocado

• Menus with a focus on beverages: vermouth, cava, and sherry

In short

This is modern Spanish cuisine in LA. This is not just a trend; it's a reset to the emphasis on flavor, connection, and harmony. Get ready for more tasting counters, more vegetable-focused tapas, and more reverence for Sherry cocktails as the preferred drink of choice.

And it’s at VACA in DTLA that the soul of the city taps into the spirit of Barcelona and into the soul of Andalucia in the heart of Los Angeles, with their classic and contemporary tapas, modern high-quality meats, and the craft cocktails that will take your taste buds on a journey with them.

FAQs

What is modern Spanish cuisine?

Reinterpretation of the regional Spanish cuisine using local and modern methods.

Where to try it in LA?

Somni, Vaca DTLA, Xuntos, La Paella, Bar Besito.

Are sherry drinks sweet?

Fino and manzanilla are dry, while Pedro Ximénez is sweet.

Is it expensive?

You can go from $12 tapas up to $645 tastings.

What pairs with paella?

Dry fino sherry, Albariño or cava.