Located in Bethesda, TapaBar offers innovative Spanish food, wines and cocktails by the Roche brothers  

TapaBar is located at the corner of Norfolk and Fairmont Avenue. Chef Alonso Roche will surprise you with his inventive yet classic take on Spanish food. Armed with an intimate knowledge of Spanish food and a love for the craft of cooking, Chef Roche will take you on a trip around some of Spain's most interesting culinary regions. 

TapaBar's interior, designed by Alvaro Roche reflects the same basic idea of re-interpreting  classic tapas. Spanish tile line the floor but in a custom soft grey and white so as not to overpower the Spanish theme. A white Carrara marble wrap-around bar gives ample room for customers to dine at the bar...the Spanish way on a first-come, first-served basis. Multi-colored Butcher block tables will allow diners to comfortably eat and linger.

Phone

(240) 483-4004

Location

4901 Fairmont Ave, Unit A

Bethesda MD 20814

Hours

Lunch T-Fri 11:30-2p

Happy Hour T-Fri 4:30p-6:30p

Dinner

T-Th 5p–9;30p
F-Sat 5p–11;30p
Sun 5p- 9:30p

Closed on Monday              

BRUNCH

Sunday 11a-2:30p 

For reservations please Call us

at (240) 483–4004 Mon-Sat, or book online through our website and OpenTable. Calls will be returned after 2pm.

(Please note that we block off seats on OpenTable for walk ins and busy times, so call us if you are unable to reserve your desired time)  
Reservations recommended for parties of 4 or more.

TapaBar brings the traditional casual Spanish tapas experience to Bethesda with a fresh modern twist! Chef Alonso Roche’s nostalgic, yet innovative vision combines a rich array of both locally sourced ingredients in season and spectacular Spanish imports.  The result: clean flavors enriched with delectable Spanish hams, cheeses, and chorizos that keep each dish true to its origins. Chef Roche’s creative flair shines in a Deconstructed Gazpacho Salad; Smashed Beans and Marinated White Anchovies; Farm Fresh Eggs with House made Chistorra sausage and French Fries; Local Porterhouse Pork Chop and Tomato Salad Laced with Truffle Sherry Vinaigrette; and Smoked Octopus with Piquillo Potato Puree. 

A true gin and tonic connoisseur, Chef Roche also presents a robust menu of gin and infused homemade tonics, as well as his own signature Sangria recipes perfected during long summer nights in Madrid. All shared in a relaxed atmosphere that evokes Spain’s traditional dining heritage—reinterpreted with just the right measure of bright new surprises.

“Our goal is to allow customers a full meal and 1 or 2 glasses of wine, while keeping the tab below $50,” explains Chef Alonso Roche.

About The Roche Brothers

Chef Alonso Roche started his career as a television producer before pursuing his true passion for cooking. He graduated from L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg MD over 10 years ago and has been cooking in kitchens around Washington ever since, including Persimmon Restaurant with Damian Salvatore and at Willow under Tracy O' Grady. He spent 2 years working in Spain, as a Contributing Editor for a Spanish cookbook produced by "El Alambique"  a traditional purveyor of Spanish cook wares and was the leading instructor for its culinary school, offering classes in global cuisine. He also worked at Zaranda under Fernando Arellano, a 2 star Michelin chef in Madrid. 

Alvaro Roche worked for many years in the fashion industry as a designer, living in Spain, Italy, and France. He founded and was lead designer for his own line of children's clothing and was responsible for its success and growth when it grew to a chain of 150 stores spread out over Latin America.

Five years ago, the brothers co-founded Bold Bite, the acclaimed casual dining spot with locations in Bethesda and Union Station and 202 Donuts which is situation inside of Bold Bite Bethesda.  The Bethesda location is next door to Tapa Bar and shares a kitchen and a flexible space that will allow for additional private dining experiences.