Tapas Papa Frita - Scottsdale

Delicious, delicious, delicious! Me and my friend truly enjoyed everything we ordered - escargot, lamb chop, layered eggplant, hummus, salad and etc. Yes, we were starved but it was the food not hunger made our appetite. Friendly staff, great vibe - great place to go for any occasion!

Food was exceptional with fresh ingredients you could taste with every bite. The protein in each dish was cooked to perfection and the rice was prepared excellently. The paella was amazing both with and without the aioli added to it. I’ll happily be back! Visit Tapeo for your paella craving! And if you haven’t had paella before Tapeo will change your life! Portion sizes are generous, seasoning is balanced and not overwhelming, and I felt like I got my money’s worth in terms of protein and portion size.

Another wonderful meal! The stuffed dates are our favorite and we ordered them twice. The paella is always perfectly cooked and abundant. The Nutella cheesecake is just heavenly.....

Food and atmosphere was excellent. I ordered octopus, ox tail and mushrooms with goat cheese - all great. My only minor setback was that the service seemed a bit rushed.

My boyfriend and I visited this location last weekend and everything was amazing! The food was flavorful and delicious, our service was great and the flamenco dancing was such great entertainment. The owner was so welcoming and sweet. A great place for a date night or night out with friends or family. We’ll be back ☺️

First time here and i enjoyed the tapas. Reminded me of tapas I got in Barcelona. Restaurant has a large outdoor dining area and the staff was pleasant. We ordered the $59 per person tasting menu that allows you to taste a lot of different tapas. I loved all of them except for the paella. My friend liked the paella but I found it too "fishy". That said, I've never really been a paella fan and next time I will just stick with the tapas.

When my wife and I walked in tonight for drinks and appetizers we didn't expect a lot (it was quite loud in there). But, the food was outstanding (warm bread with garlic aioli sauce to dip it into, garlic shrimp, breaded artichokes, and the beef tenderloin - to die for). Then the authentic Spanish Flamenco music came on (with dancing). What a great experience! Wow!!!

We saw this place two years ago when we were at Canal Convergence, so this year we made a plan to try it. It was phenomenal. Our server was so friendly, informative and attentive. We decided to do the Mediterranean special and it did not disappoint. We especially loved the bacon wrapped dates and the crab stuffed peppers. The paella was delicious, just would have liked the lobster tail to be a little less dry. The desert looked like something from Chopped, puff pastry with roasted apples. Definitely a place to try again in the future.

Great atmosphere. Nested back in a small area in old Scottsdale. Food was excellent. Music was perfect! We will return.

Chef J (Pepe) does it again!! We have eaten here many times and the food is always spectacular. Tonight it was perfect, especially with Braulio as our waiter. He was the perfect blend of knowledge, friendliness and advice about the dishes. Our meal could not have been more wonderul. The croquettes jamon, the lambchops, sauteed mushrooms, steak in warm spanish blue cheése sauce and pork ribs with plantains were all just exquisite. And those warm rolls with aioli!¡ topped off with great coffee and Basque cheesecake, WOW. Thank you Papas Tapas Fritas for making our holiday season.

We had a wonderful experience at Tapas Fridas! The food was absolutely delicious, we shared several tapas-style dishes, including the lamb chops, ahi tuna, and bacon-wrapped stuffed dates, and every bite was exceptional. We finished with a flavorful, perfectly cooked paella that was the highlight of the night. We sat on the patio with a beautiful view of the Scottsdale waterfront, such a great atmosphere for a relaxing evening. The restaurant is also very accessible, with a convenient ramp for wheelchairs and plenty of space inside to move comfortably. Highly recommend Tapas Fridas for amazing food, a warm ambiance, and a thoughtful dining experience!

Utterly incredible, I could not be more impressed, ordered 7 tapas plates , ate every crumb. Ordered to many too list , every bite was heaven. This place is amazing. Such a beautiful restaurant. The staff are genuinely happy to work here , and they know the menu. I will be back Soon. Thank you for what you do KITCHEN STAFF. THEIR IS GENIUS IN THIS KITCHEN. If you are a foodie like me. YESSSS GO HERE!

We celebrated two family birthdays at Tapas Papa Frita Spanish Restaurant, and it couldn’t have been more perfect! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, lively, and full of authentic Spanish charm. The food was incredible — every dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. From the tapas to the paella, everything tasted fresh and perfectly seasoned. You can really tell that the chefs take pride in what they do. A special shoutout to the gentleman who took care of our table — he was absolutely amazing! Friendly, attentive, and genuinely kind, he made us feel right at home. He went above and beyond to make sure our birthday celebration was memorable, and we truly appreciated his energy and professionalism. Thank you, Papas Fritos, for an unforgettable evening filled with great food, laughter, and top-notch service. We’ll definitely be back soon — and we’ll be recommending you to all our friends and family! 🎉🇪🇸

This is one of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at in long time! We started with the Sautéed mushroom and garlic it was phenomenal! Then, we order calamari, and those are the most delicious, tender calamari we’ve had since we lived in California. We shared the spring salad mix. I had the Valencia paella and my husband had the roasted baby back ribs with rice. The paella was stupendous, and my husband‘s ribs were fall off the bone delicious!! I highly recommend this restaurant and I for certain we will be coming back!

We are visiting from out of town and had an excellent dinner here. All the food was great, we especially liked the meatballs and the leek puff pastry. Tylr was our server and was great, gave great wine recommendations, checked in on us a lot even though it seemed quite busy, and was all around awesome. We had a great time, thanks very much!

While visiting Scottsdale Christmas week, we enjoyed dinner here twice. What a treat!!! The food is amazing, the outdoor patio magical, the service is superb, the wine list extensive. Thank you server Kevin!!! One night we enjoyed live music and it was wonderful. We highly recommend the Chef Specials, which are a sampling of exceptional tapas and a delicious paella for two. The price is right, too! I cannot wait to visit this wonderful restaurant on our next trip to Arizona.

While the cost of the food was a bit on the high side but you get what you pay for, food is excellent and presentation and preparation amazing. The service was very attentive and friendly. The stuffed, bacon wrapped dates were so delicious. The paella was also very good, the fresh ingredients definitely stood out in the food. The desserts were equally delightful. The Catalonian Creme Brulee and churros were both a nice end to dinner. Looking forward to going back to try other tapas.

We only had the tapas but everything was well prepared. The sangria is very good and the wine list was very impressive. The decor transports you to Spain. Well done

The location is very nice and the flamenco show was great, a friendly service but, unfortunately, food is not the best part of it. Sangria was watery and very expensive, sausages were overcooked and tuna fish not properly cut out and chewy. Some nice ideas but the execution has definitely to be improved.

Tapas Papas Fritas delivers an unforgettable dining experience with bold flavors and a lively atmosphere! For the table, there was the Solomillo Moreno—grilled tenderloin of beef with adobo—and it was a masterpiece. Tender, perfectly cooked, and infused with rich, smoky seasoning. The Gambas al Pil Pil were equally impressive—spicy sautéed Gulf shrimp bathed in garlic, guindilla pepper, and white wine sauce. Every bite had a perfect balance of heat and flavor. The Patatas Bravas added the perfect crispy, comforting touch to the meal—golden potatoes with just the right amount of kick. To top it all off, I sipped on a French 75, and it was beautifully crafted—bright, refreshing, and elegant. Tapas Papas Fritas is a must-visit for anyone who loves expertly prepared Spanish flavors. I’ll definitely be coming back for more!

The atmosphere is comforting, live music and a place where you can go with friends or date night. In the heart of waterfront in Scottsdale. Lots of shopping in surrounding areas. I’m a wheelchair user and getting around the area is very accessible. Nice location for pictures and taking a stroll after your meal. The service was pretty slow we waiting a long time for our drinks and we never got our second round and they missed part of our order. Overall the food was very good and filling.

Could be a great place but for the amount/price ratio of the tapas: very little servings; good food in general with nice wines offering. Great service.

A little on the pricey side for the qty of food, other than that, a great experience. Service was very attentive and friendly. We each got the chef's menu sample tapas - 1 meat, 1 vegan and 2 glasses of wine. The food was really tasty and flavors unique. It was nice to be able to sample so many of the tapas options. When we go back, we know what to target again. The paella portion in and of itself would be enough for a meal and most of it came home. Do yourself a favor and get extra bread and garlic aioli to take home also! Will be back.

Great stuff, many choices! The views and atmosphere were simply perfect. Dined outside, got well attended to and the tapas and drinks kept on coming. Love the wrapped and stuffed dates (datiles), the bacalao fish was tender with a thin delicate crust, enjoyed the croquetas as they were top notch, and several other dishes. Live Musical entertainment from 6:30 on several days a week.

We had a group of 5 eating at this restaurant and we had a great time with the live music and dance show. The staff was very friendly, helpful and made us feel right at home. The tapas were delicious and the paella was also very good. Would recommend for anyone looking for some good tapas, good ambiance and great service.

First time here. Had the best of chef food selection. Super impressed with everything except the last course the "masterpiece paella" I've had far better. And instead of chicken in it, try fish. Also only got 3 mussels and 6 shrimp.

Really good visit! The bread and the garlic aoli was absolutely amazing, we had 3 servings! Jamon Ibérico was delicious especially when eaten with the included breadstick. We did Taste of Spain Best of the Chef combo. Crab stuffed peppers were amazing. Mushrooms were really good. Bacon Wrapped Dates were also amazing. Queso Manchego was delicious. Shrimp in garlic wine sauce were delicious. Grilled Tenderloin were ridiculously delicious. Paella was also really good with chicken, sausage, cams, mussels and shrimp, rice soccarat was delicious. Sangria was really good. Overall a great meal. Highly recommend.

I'd give the tapas a 4, the paella a 3.6, the portions were a bit small, the pella was decent but a bit disappointing, the mussels in the paella were so small there was just a touch of meat in them. Service was very good. Flamenco group was great. I was a bit disappointed with reservations. They were made weeks in advance for seating for two for anniversary front stage for the show, when we got there, they sat us pretty far away from the stage, they did attempt to get us closer, but was still a bit disappointing. Over all was good experience.

The location is by the "river" with a nice patio. The dining room is large and is arranged in section. A raised stage for Flamingo shows (you'll have to find out their schedule). The octopu and the shrimp appetizers were expertly done and were really tender "melt in your mouth. For tapas size, they were overpriced; especially the octopus o e @ $25. The pain course of paella was very disappointing and was way to wet; unlike the typical Spanish ones. I fully agree with the review of Mimmo Rot who wrote a review about his disappointing paella. Beers are bottles only.

Great Service. Great people working to create an experience. Food was mediocre but good. Apps came out luke warm and the paella was salty. Guessing the cook smokes. Id come back, give it a second chance.

The Valentines menu was a little over the top for me. Service was good, but my choice for dinner had too many flavors and sauces for my taste. The sirloin abodi sauce was excellent, thr grilled lamp chops was superb.

The stars are purely for the food, the atmosphere is awesome! Really love the vibe here, and we do really really enjoy the night here. And all the dancers and performers are truly awesome, really devoted to their performance. I know judging from professional standpoint, there still a lot room to improve. But I can’t remember what is the last time I had blast in a restaurant with decent live performance, so that’s weekend night will spend! However, beside the paella, most of the tapas are not on par of my expectations. I did have experience in Europe and NYC for some amazing Spanish food, I think this restaurant still has a lots of room to improve. After all, the food is the soul, others is just bonus.

My friend and I recently visited Tapas Papa Frita. The indoor part of the restaurant is beautiful, and the patio on which we dined had a nice vibe with a great 2nd story view of Scottsdale's water front and plentiful trees. Our server was friendly and efficient. Frita's menu is one of the most extensive I've ever seen. My friend ordered the Paella De Pollo dish. Its flavors were well rounded with a hint of spice. I was grateful he shared some with me because it was the best part of the meal. I had Calimero and Red Pepper Humus. I knew I should have asked my server about the Calimero before ordering, which I didn't. My bad. I was expecting more of Calimari dish. Mine was a large piece of squid that was very fresh. But the presentation of the dish and its flavor were somewhat dull. My humus was also a bit disappointing. The chips weren't crisp as I prefer and the humus lacked spice. I would love to return with a group of people so we could order a larger variety of food. That would be a great experience!

The bread with sauce were very tasteful! The $59 per person was not worth.

Once we received our food it was excellent, however waiting an hour for it to come was frustrating compounded by the disjointed service in which it took 20 minutes for someone, not our waiter to bring glasses of water to the table. To stave off hunger, we asked for a second helping of roles that were never provided. The decore was nice though it was unpleasant to sit on cracked a pealing vinyl cushions. The restaurant was noisy for any conversation, mad worse during the ongoing flamico dancers continuous stomping of their heals on the hard wood stage. Overall it was an unpleasant dinning experience that overshadowed the excellent food

Had been here several times and enjoyed the experience every time. Was slightly annoyed when we ordered 6-7 tapas and specifically asked the bartender to spread them out for us, and they literally all drop on the bar two minutes later…could have been ok with this, until we go to close out, and somewhere between the bar and the register the bartender loses my credit card. We proceed to wait 25 minutes watching them move things around, meanwhile not one person comes to talk to us, offer a drink for the hassle, absolutely nothing, then he can’t find it and we just have to close out as normal. Now the major hassle is on me to switch all my direct deposits… Accidents happen, but at least pretend like you care. Definitely ruined the night for me and won’t be in a rush to come back.

Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. I'll start with the food. Overall mediocre at best. Mussels were majorly lacking in flavor, frozen mussels, which are fine but the sauce needs major work, plain tomato sauce from a can. Croquettes were the same, seriously lacking in flavor, also tasted frozen and seasonings people, come on! Albondogas, if you can even call it that, was awful, frozen meatballs, again no seasonings. Paella was acceptable, rice wasn't crispy, again majorly lacked flavor. I'm fine with the prices, if the food was acceptable. We knew we were getting tapas. Drinks, nothing to hard to mess up here, were also mediocre. We (party of 4) would have ordered another round but our server was nowhere to be found. If the food is atrocious, I definitely would like to walk out with a little buzz. Couldn't even get a refill of water. If it wasn't for Kevin, who wasn't even our server, it would easily be a 1 star. We made sure to tip him. He knows what he's doing, kitchen needs help. Management needs to step up. This was our first and last time here, will not return.

We came specifically for the paella. Our waiter highly recommended the “Mediterranean Tasting Experience,” so we decided to add that as well. Unfortunately, the paella was extremely salty, to the point that it overwhelmed the dish. The Mediterranean Tasting Experience was just okay and felt overpriced for what it was. An experience like this really took Old Town Scottsdale off our dining bucket list.

We came here hoping for a good paella and ordered the black rice one. It arrived overcooked, watery, and without the crispy bottom you expect from real paella. The waiter suggested trying the Valencian instead, but that one was made with regular rice and even the sausage tasted off. Really disappointing experience.

I've never felt so belittled by the service at a restaurant. Waited by the host stand for about 20 minutes with no one there to assist us while several employees just walked by looking at us. When we were finally sat our server barely acknowledged us but was extremely friendly to the tables next to us. We ended up only ordering a few plates to share because we weren't too hungry. Our server was clearly frustrated by this as he was knowingly pointing and talking about us to another waiter. The food was a subpar overpriced mess of "fine authentic Spanish dining". As for the atmosphere, if you enjoy having to scream across a 30x30 table due to how chaotic it was in here you would like it. Have never experienced such an entitled environment.