Relax on a holiday solo trip to Taipei’s Spanish-style tapas bar with hidden menu items

Text/Photos bySir San Gao

I had previously noticed this place, OLE Tapas (a grill bar), which was originally a small shop in Shilin. Not long ago, I discovered it had moved near Anhe Road. The space had expanded. On a rainy evening, I stopped by for a late drink. It was quite late, and there weren’t many customers left—probably regulars. After a quick greeting, I sat at the bar to see what snacks would go well with drinks.

They served Spanish Granacha wine (220 NTD per glass). I started with a white wine and then ordered a red. The red wine was rich in fruity aromas, had a bit of body, and was lightly acidic. As someone who doesn’t know much about wine, I can’t describe it well, but my impression is that it’s probably something most people could enjoy. (A safe choice?)

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive after drinking.

The menu includes freshly sliced ham and sausages, among others. The menu cards on the wall seem to change periodically, along with occasional hidden menu items. I came late that day, so the weekend specials were already sold out and unavailable.

The tapas bread bases here are all baked to a crisp—without exception—and the portions are fairly large, sprinkled with red pepper flakes that have a slightly spicy and fragrant aroma.

Wild tiger prawns with Italian cheese, half topped with salsa and the other half with a special orange-yellow sauce. The overall taste was distinct and refreshing, with sweet shrimp meat. The menu stated that the base cheese used was Gorgonzola (blue cheese), which I remember being quite soft and mild in flavor.

Brown sugar goat cheese, drizzled with concentrated molasses, olive oil, and a few leaves of sesame. The melted goat cheese paired with the aroma of molasses was both sweet and gamy—definitely not something to have without wine.

Feeling good after the first round, I ordered more: herbal sausage, topped with a pepper-flavored sauce. The texture was springy and firm, the flavors bold yet easy to enjoy.

Thinly sliced ribeye with Emmental cheese, paired again with that gently flavored orange-yellow sauce. The ribeye was mostly tender and soft with just a slight rim of fat, keeping its meaty taste. It was pretty good.

Brown sugar foie gras (fatty liver) as the final tapas. It was smooth and rich—left me wanting more... But by then, I was full and tipsy. The bill came to around 1,400 NTD. Prices have gone up since the move. Later, I chatted with the owner. It’s a great spot whether you’re here alone or with a partner for a quiet drink and snack, or with friends for drinks and conversation.

OLE Tapas Bar
Address: No. 4, Lane 109, Section 1, Anhe Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Business Hours: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Closed Mondays)
Phone: 0909-800433

Savoring Taiwan, one delicious bite at a time
Sir San Gao’s Food Journey　Sir San Gao’s Fan Page