Find Tapas and Small Bites Nearby

This time of year is great for catching up with old friends and family members, out-of-town guests and visitors.

Many gatherings naturally center around food. That’s why tapas, or meals made up of several small plates to share, are a perfect plan for reuniting with an old gang.

“Tapas” comes from traditional Spanish snacks and appetizers, but many types of restaurants offer their own version of “small plates.”

Choosing items to share off a menu is a group activity and discussing and experiencing new tastes can be a gustatory adventure. Patch compiled a list of local restaurants you can go to experience the small plate trend with your own loved ones.

Glen Burnie
For years in Glen Burnie has found a way to win the hearts (and stomachs) of locals with a small plates menu that includes the crab pretzel, Jamaican jerk chicken wings, Southwestern Chipotle eggrolls, shakin’ bacon fries, sweet potato stix and more. The bar area has games going and a half dozen beers on tap. If you're not looking for the sports scene, grab one of the roomy booths and chat over a couple items on the Starters menu. 

Crofton is also an eat-in restaurant serving food in small and large portions. Lunch or dinner options include roasted rack of lamb, broccoli and rice stuffed chicken breasts, sun-dried tomato crusted rack of lam, or coq au vin. 

Odenton area
The closest thing to tapas we can think of locally is the Four Seasons Grille at the Village at Waugh Chapel, which has a variety of Mediterranean options, including appetizers that could serve as small plates themselves. There are options like beef Wellington bruschetta, scallops Napoleon and imperial mushroom caps, plus a Mediterranean plate hummus, vegetables and an array of olives and pita bread. There’s also a goat cheese brulee and some rosemary mango beef skewers. 

Pasadena has a late-night tapas menu, along with pretty much everything else you might want. Give it a shot!

Severn area
Red Parrot Asian Bistro, located in Hanover near Arundel Mills, is one of the most unique Asian-styled restaurants in the greater Severn area. Tucked away in the shopping centers with Maiwand Kebob and Starbucks, Red Parrot has everything from traditional cuisines like sushi to more unique meals like Maguro Tartare, spicy tuna topped with a quail egg. The restaurant also serves small plates featuring sashimi and other various sushi dishes. 

Greater Annapolis in the Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole features specialties like rum-smoked mahi mahi tiny tacos and a variety of ceviche (mixture of fish or shellfish in a tasty marinade), and their guacamole is made fresh to order. Oh, and they have all kinds of awesome rum drinks. (Editor's note: This is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere nearby.)

Severna Park
features entrees such as pizza, steaks, seafood and even desserts from the wood-fired grill. Small plates are available on a select part of the menu.