ABOUT US
A Corner of Madrid in the Heart of Chicago Amid the aroma of smoked paprika and the whisper of Rioja being poured, Little Madrid Tapas Café was born: an intimate homage to tradition, elegance, and Spanish passion. Founded in 2020—just weeks before the world paused—this restaurant not only survived, it blossomed. Here, every dish is a story. Every croquette, a memory. Every evening, a celebration. “Tapas are the expression of a lifestyle, in which everything is tested, there is a lot of talking, drinking in an intelligent way, and you come to the conclusion in small doses the world is wonderful.”
- Francisco F. Bolaños
- Welcome to Little Madrid!



Francisco F. Bolaños
A lawyer by training, a Madrileño at heart, and a citizen of the world by vocation. Francisco Bolaños has lived in over twenty countries, worked between New York, Europe, and Latin America, and cultivated a rare gift: blending diplomacy of the soul with culinary authenticity. Little Madrid was born from a dream. A deep desire to honor his hometown, to share the tapas he grew up with, and to offer Chicago a sensory experience where time slows down and only pleasure remains. Recognized by the City of Madrid and the Spanish Consulate, Francisco has not only won the palates of Chicago, but also its admiration. With a clear vision and natural elegance, he has turned his restaurant into a reference point, an experience, a secret locals whisper about. More Than Just a Restaurant Little Madrid is a place where flamenco pulses once a month, where the wine is chosen with wisdom, and where every detail matters. It’s the reflection of a man who traded courtrooms for kitchens—without ever compromising on excellence.

Real Stories. Real Impact.
Nancy2025-08-26Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TL;DR: The food and service don’t match the hype or the price. After reading so many glowing reviews, my boyfriend and I were excited to try this spot. Our first mistake was showing up at 8:30pm on a Monday. Even though the posted closing time was 10pm, we were told the kitchen closed at 9pm and were rushed to order. Also worth noting: paella isn’t available that late. I could’ve looked past these things if the food had been good—but it wasn’t. Food (pictured): • Patatas Aioli – Soft, not crispy, tasted reheated. Drenched in heavy mayo that congealed quickly. • Gambas al Ajillo – Six tiny, flavorless shrimp drowning in oil, with four pieces of light garlic, untoasted bread. This was our waiter’s “favorite dish,” and a total letdown. Food (not pictured): • Croquetas de Pollo – Overly greasy, with the same aioli as the potatoes. Needed acidity to balance it out. • Albondigas (meatballs) – sauce was good but overall forgettable. • Berenjenas a la Malagueña (eggplant) – The one highlight of the night. Definitely order this if you come here. Overall, between the rushed service and subpar food, it just didn’t live up to the price or the praise. Won’t be back Mihir Patel & Ashley Lopez2025-08-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Top notch happy hour! Amazing ambiance and service. Worked hard to make sure we has a great experiance and meal, even though we were just happy hour hunters. Also the presentation of the food was amazing. Would def recommend to others and go back for a formal dinner. Yareglis Castillo2025-08-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Food and service was Amazing! TL C2025-08-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Insanely authentic. Best tapas I've had outside of Spain in the last 25 years-and I lived there for months! Even better than highly rated restaurants in Barcelona. I hope Michelin is paying attention to this place. The staff was incredible and went out of their way to accommodate our ruckus party of six. What an experience-what a birthday!!! I can't wait to go back! Peter Monk2025-08-10Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. On Saturday evening, we dined at Little Madrid Tapas Cafe with some friends visiting from out of town. Our friends had recently returned from Seville, Spain and were amazed at the authenticity of both the food and the drinks. Everything about the evening was perfect - the service, the attention to detail, the dishes (the croquettes and the stuffed dates were off the charts amazing!) Also, the Sangria was on par with what our friends enjoyed in Spain. But the highlight was the service throughout the evening. We felt constantly cared for but never rushed. If we had questions about drinks or the food samples were enthusiastically offered. Finally, the atmosphere was the icing on the cake for the evening. Straddling the line between intimate (perhaps romantic if you’re on a date) and energetic, the vibe at Little Madrid Tapas Cafe was wonderful. We had late reservations so towards the very end of the evening, the staff put on some festive music and wound their way through the room Conga Line style, serving free Bota style Sangria to all those who wanted to partake. Thanks again to the entire Team at Little Madrid Tapas Cafe for a a truly magical evening. Needless to say, we will be back! Sameet Sapra2025-08-10Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The potatoes, mussels, meatballs, and croquettes were the clear highlights among the tapas for me. I’d skip the cheese platter. The ambiance felt like I was exactly in Madrid, and one time a guy came around and poured wine down everyone’s throats.. yeah kinda cool. The dishes that were good were really really good, but not every dish is on that level. Jasmine Reddy2025-08-02Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Incredible tapas, food comes fast & service is great! Pricing is also reasonable. Definitely recommend!