Tapas & Tunes

The menu centres on traditional Spanish tapas and pintxos, with some creative fusion touches woven in. Sharing plates range from croquetas filled with Serrano ham or leek to slow-cooked ribs glazed with smoked paprika, sherry, sugar cane, and chilli. Swordfish, chorizo, and roasted pepper skewers sit alongside pan-fried cod in a white wine, chilli, and parsley liquor, while a thick-cut rump steak on a sharing board anchors the heavier end of the menu.

Pintxos — open toasts on sourdough — include gambas al ajillo with king prawns, olive oil, garlic, and chilli, Gran Reserva Serrano jamón with Manchego and quince paste, and Arroyabe Bonito tuna with Manzanilla olives and Catalonian apple vinegar. Lighter bites run from pimientos de padrón and patatas bravas with fresh tomato paprika chilli sauce and aioli to baked Camembert with rosemary, quince paste, and Albariño.

A daily-rotating charcuterie and cheese board features selections from Spanish and British specialist producers, with a vegan option available. Side dishes such as pearl barley with saffron and cardamom or giant couscous with quinoa, broccoli, spring onion, and mint add variety to the table.

For something sweet, churros arrive with hot chocolate and cinnamon, while Crema Catalana delivers a classic vanilla custard with burnt sugar. Saturday brunch runs from late morning with tortilla Española, Pan con Tomate, and churros, and a dedicated children’s menu offers smaller tapas portions for under-10s. Vegetarian dishes are clearly marked throughout, with vegan chorizo available as a substitute in several plates.

The drinks list is where Tapas & Tunes truly stands apart. An extensive Spanish wine selection spans Rioja Tempranillos, Ribera del Duero crianzas, Albariño from Rías Baixas, and aged sherries from Lustau and Valdespino, all available by the glass or bottle. Sparkling options include Cava from Llopart and Juvé y Camps alongside British fizz from Bolney.

A standout feature is the traditional Asturian sidra — poured from height with a pouring spout in authentic style — sitting alongside Galician cider from Maeloc. Classic and Cava sangria come by the glass or jug, and Spanish vermouth is served over ice with olives. The cocktail menu runs from a Pineapple Margarita and Dark & Stormy with Kraken Spiced Rum to a Raspberry Bellini with Cava, while after-dinner options include an Espresso Martini and Hazelnut Alexander with Courvoisier VSOP Cognac. A dedicated gin kitchen pairs seven gins — including three from Yorkshire — with Fever-Tree tonics.

Draught Mahou lager and a rotating guest tap cover beer drinkers, with bottled options spanning Inedit Damm, Duvel, and Erdinger Weissbier, plus a non-alcoholic Estrella Galicia for those keeping it dry. Dark Woods Coffee from Marsden supplies the espresso-based drinks, and an extensive tea selection includes Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Masala Chai, and flowering tea served in glass jugs. Premium soft drinks from Square Root, Soda Folk, Luscombe, and Fentimans complete the offering.

Tapas & Tunes occupies a Victorian building on Kirkgate, its sage green shopfront and painted lettering — “Bar · Restaurant · Venue · Deli” — catching the eye among Otley’s traditional stone frontages. Large picture windows frame the ground-floor dining room, where recessed spotlights, pale cream walls, and warm wooden elements create a contemporary, uncluttered space that belies the period exterior. Light upholstered seating and warm amber lighting set an intimate tone once evening arrives.

The venue operates across two distinct floors. The downstairs restaurant hosts the main tapas dining and, on select Friday evenings, live Spanish classical and flamenco guitar. Upstairs, the dedicated Upstairs@TNT space runs tribute nights, a dinner jazz series, open mic evenings, and Latino and salsa party nights — a separate, higher-energy identity from the relaxed restaurant below.

Out the back, a courtyard garden provides a hidden outdoor retreat in warmer months. The whole venue is available for private dining and events, with the family-run atmosphere lending a warmth and personality that larger operations rarely match.

Otley is a market town known for its independent shops, traditional pubs, and weekly outdoor market. Kirkgate runs through the heart of the town centre, and Tapas & Tunes sits well among a growing independent food and drink scene. Regular bus services connect Otley to Leeds city centre.

Tapas & Tunes has step-free entry, wheelchair-accessible seating, and an accessible restroom.

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: Closed