About
Alegrias Spanish Tapas
The cuisine is traditional Spanish tapas with a twist from the labours of Chef Santiago who takes no shortcuts in its production and presentation with everything from the sauces to the bread being made in house to deliver the authentic flavours of Spain. The wine list is carefully curated to consist of a fantastic representation of imported Spanish wines that are not commonly found in Sydney so as to fully complement the cuisine.
Delicated
Service
Romantic candle lit tables with hardwood features and classic chandeliers makes Alegrias and intimate midweek location. On the weekends the venue is more lively and boisterous with regular live performances from Spanish dancers and musicians. The outdoor terrace is the ideal location to enjoy a drink and watch the world pass by with good company and tasty tapas.
History
Tradition
The legend goes that the tradition of serving small plates and bar snacks with wine, beer and sherry – otherwise known as ‘tapas’ – began when King Alfonso XIII The Wise was recovering from an illness by drinking wine capped with morsels of simply served food. After regaining his health, he decreed that all taverns in Spain would not be allowed to serve their patrons wine unless it was accompanied by a small snack. At Alegrias Spanish Tapas and Bar we indulge in a range of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes alongside a few glasses, ideally with a group of friends and family, and the crystal chandeliers adorning its high ceilings and hardwood features, Alegrias Spanish Tapas Bar & Restaurant will invoke images of the class of the past.
Using the finest imported Spanish ingredients, combined with the freshest Australian produce
Large Spanish Wine List
Alegrias has an extensive imported Spanish wine list which is very representative of Spain. We have excellent Tempranillos from Rioja, delicious spanish sherries from Jerez and refreshing Verdejo’s and Viura’s from all over spain. Our wine selection has both breadth and depth with and excellent variety of wines from vintages going back up to 20 years. Perfect for pairing with dishes such as suckling pig or our many delicious seafood dishes such as our garlic king prawns or lobster paella
Live Entertainment
Alegrias has long been the go to restaurant in the Balmain peninsula for in house dining entertainment on the weekends. With regular flamenco and spanish dancing shows as well as spanish singers and flamenco guitarists we endeavour to keep our venue lively and charismatic so our guests feel as if they are visiting Spain when they dine with us. At our original location in Darling street our motto was we are a “taste of Spain in Balmain” and while we are no longer in Balmain we are still on the Balmain peninsula and have kept the same philosophy.
Indoor and Outdoor seating
With a intimate indoor dining area accentuated with Spanish artwork, crystal chandeliers, wine racks full of Spanish wine and large windows, Alegrias provides a fantastic dining ambiance. We also have a large outdoor dining area with our veranda having plenty of outdoor undercover seating with custom made bar benches built with handmade spanish tiles and natural Australian wood, hardwood outdoor dining tables as well as wine barrels for more casual drinking and dining. Best enjoyed in the early evening it truly is a beautiful area to enjoy some tapas and a glass of wine.
Authentic Spanish Cuisine
Alegrias strives to create beautiful and authentic spanish dishes utilising the finest imported ingredients from spain with the best of local Australian produce. All of the Spanish Bomba rice used in the paellas we import ourselves to ensure that we always have the highest quality ingridients available. For example our incredibly popular seasonal dish, the Balmain Bug Paella is a perfect example of the fusion of ingredients and flavours transforming a traditional Spanish dish into a gastronomic delight perfect for the Balmain peninsula.
Tapas bar
Alegrias has a separate tapas bar area which we have called Gorditos tapas bar which is more a more casual dining and drinking area. With an amazing outdoor area our guests can enjoy Estrella Damm on tap while enjoying Spanish tapas in the sun in a spacious and relaxed atmosphere.
Spanish Paellas
Alegrias has for years been a leader of authentic freshly made Spanish Paella, with an excellent selection of dry and wet rice paellas. We take no shortcuts in making the most authentic and flavoursome paellas in Sydney, with head Chef Santiago regularly being requested for private events including cooking for the Spanish consulate with whom we have a excellent working relationship in our mission to bring Spanish cuisine into mainstream Australian dining culture. We make all of the stocks in house from scratch and import all of the key spanish ingredients even including the Bomba rice used in each paella which is all grown in Spain
Embracing
Seasonal Menus
Alegrias utilises the best of imported Spanish produce combined with the freshest Australian produce to deliver a gastronomic delight for our guests. With Spain often being awarded as the “healthiest country in the world” in large part due to the Mediterranean diet enjoyed by its citizens, we are confident that not only are the flavours we present exciting but the food is of the highest quality for a balanced and healthy diet. Chef Santiago is a fervent proponent of the benefits of the benefits of the mediterranean diet, and well prepared Spanish cuisine which he imparts into the dishes he creates for our guests. We still of course have a few delectable dishes which don’t follow that criteria but we strive to provide wholesome and authentic Spanish cuisine.
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Dining & Events
Alegrias is the perfect location for groups anywhere from 8 up to 100. Our function menus have been tried and tested to provide a substantial social dining experience which is usually delivered over 2-3 hours so that our guests can enjoy tapas and Spanish cuisine the way it was originally intended, that being with good wine and good company. We can cater for birthdays, weddings and special events where our guests thoroughly enjoy themselves with a wide selection of Spanish dishes. As these events require planning and preparation to ensure that we host the perfect event for you and all your guests these bookings have to be made by online request or over the phone with the follow up confirming everything from table sizes, method of delivery and catering to guests with specific dietary requirements so that no one feels left out.
Open Timing
Tuesday- Sunday
5pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun Lunch
12pm-3:30pm
+61 2 9555 6150
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