About
Alegrias Spanish Tapas
Alegrias Spanish Tapas presents a unique culinary experience that combines traditional Spanish tapas with innovative twists, courtesy of the dedicated efforts of Chef Gutierrez. In our pursuit of authenticity, we take no shortcuts in the production and presentation of our dishes. Everything, from our flavorful sauces to our freshly baked bread, is prepared in-house to capture the true essence of Spanish cuisine.
Our wine list has been meticulously curated to showcase an exceptional selection of imported Spanish wines, many of which are not commonly found in Sydney. This ensures that our guests can enjoy a truly complementary pairing of food and wine, enhancing the overall dining experience. Join us at Alegrias Spanish Tapas for a memorable gastronomic journey through the flavors and traditions of Spain.
Delicated
Service
Alegrias offers an enchanting atmosphere for intimate dining experiences, featuring romantic candlelit tables, elegant hardwood accents, and classic chandeliers. During the weekdays, the ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for a cozy dinner date.
On weekends, the venue comes alive with lively energy and excitement, featuring regular live performances from talented Spanish dancers and musicians. Step out onto our charming outdoor terrace, where you can savor a refreshing drink, indulge in delectable tapas, and enjoy good company as the world passes by. Alegrias truly captures the essence of both intimate and vibrant Spanish dining experiences, making it the perfect destination for any occasion.
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
At Alegrias, we take pride in using the finest imported Spanish ingredients alongside the freshest Australian produce to create a gastronomic delight for our guests. Spain is often recognized as the “healthiest country in the world,” largely due to the Mediterranean diet its citizens enjoy. We believe that our carefully crafted flavors not only excite the palate but also contribute to a high-quality, balanced, and healthy diet.
Chef Gutiérrez passionately champions the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and expertly prepared Spanish cuisine, infusing these principles into the dishes he creates for our guests. While we do offer a few indulgent dishes that deviate from this standard, our primary focus is on delivering wholesome and authentic Spanish cuisine that promotes well-being and satisfies the senses.
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Dining & Events
Alegrias is the ideal venue for groups ranging from 8 to 100 guests. Our carefully crafted function menus are designed to offer a substantial social dining experience, typically spanning 2-3 hours, allowing guests to savor tapas and Spanish cuisine the way it was meant to be enjoyed – with fine wine and great company. We cater to a variety of events, including birthdays, weddings, and special celebrations, ensuring that our guests delight in a broad selection of Spanish dishes.
To provide the perfect event experience for you and all your guests, we require that these bookings be made through an online request or over the phone, followed by a confirmation process. This allows us to meticulously plan every aspect of your event, from table sizes and food delivery methods to accommodating guests with specific dietary requirements. We are committed to ensuring that no one feels excluded and that everyone can fully partake in the Alegrias experience.
Open Timing
Wednesday- Sunday
5pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun Lunch
12pm-3:30pm
+61 2 9555 6150
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