La Marcha Tapas Bar

- 2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

Located on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, La Marcha Tapas Bar is a culinary destination that transports California diners directly to the lively streets and rich flavors of Spain. Operating as a dedicated **Spanish restaurant**, a vibrant **Tapas bar**, and a popular **Brunch restaurant**, La Marcha offers a versatile and deeply authentic Iberian experience for all dining occasions. The atmosphere is designed to feel **Casual** yet **Trendy**, and **Cozy** while maintaining an **Upscale** edge, making it an ideal choice for both a relaxed meal and a special night out.

La Marcha is celebrated for its commitment to traditional Spanish cuisine, offering a wide array of **Small plates** perfect for sharing, a hallmark of Spanish dining. Their menu is extensive, encompassing classic and regional tapas like **Patatas Bravas** and several varieties of **Croquetas** (including **Croquetas De Jamón** and the unique **Croquetas Negras**). A major draw is the impressive selection of seven distinct **Paella** dishes, ensuring that aficionados of Spanish rice dishes will find a favorite.

The restaurant is highly **Popular for** Lunch, Dinner, and especially its celebrated Brunch service, catering to **Groups** and **Tourists** exploring the Bay Area. The commitment to a broad menu that includes **Vegan options**, **Vegetarian options**, and **Organic dishes** demonstrates its appeal to a diverse California crowd. Despite the occasional critique of the drinks or wait times, customer reviews consistently praise the food's authentic, well-seasoned flavor, with dishes like the seafood paella and shrimp being top favorites, establishing La Marcha as a true gem in the neighborhood.

Beyond the food, La Marcha provides a full-service experience with offerings like **Happy hour drinks**, **Late-night food**, and excellent beverage selections, all contributing to a complete and engaging Spanish cultural outing in Berkeley.

La Marcha Tapas Bar is conveniently situated in the East Bay at **2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702, USA**. This location makes it easily accessible for residents across Berkeley, Oakland, and the wider San Francisco Bay Area. Being located on a main thoroughfare provides excellent visibility and transportation access.

The restaurant offers flexible options for parking, with both **Free street parking** and **Paid street parking** available nearby, allowing guests to choose the best option for their visit. The establishment is ready to accommodate all guests, ensuring a comfortable experience regardless of mobility needs. It features a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, **Wheelchair accessible restroom**, and **Wheelchair accessible seating**.

Planning a visit to La Marcha is highly recommended. The restaurant **Accepts reservations** and, given its popularity, diners should be aware that there is **Usually a wait** during peak hours. Specifically, **Brunch reservations are recommended** and **Dinner reservations are recommended** to secure seating at this vibrant spot. For families, **High chairs** are available for children. The restaurant is also committed to inclusivity, offering a **Gender-neutral restroom**.

La Marcha offers comprehensive service options designed to fit the modern California lifestyle, from dining in a cozy setting to enjoying high-quality Spanish cuisine at home.

• Full Dining Service: The restaurant provides full **Table service** and comfortable **Seating** for **Breakfast**, **Brunch**, **Lunch**, and **Dinner**. This comprehensive schedule, including its specialty brunch, makes it a destination throughout the day.
• Convenience and Off-Site Options: Catering to busy Bay Area residents, La Marcha offers multiple ways to enjoy its food outside the venue, including **Delivery**, **Takeout**, and **Onsite services** for events.
• Bar and Social Programs: The restaurant features a dedicated **Bar onsite** and offers both **Happy hour food** and **Happy hour drinks**, making it a great after-work or pre-dinner destination. They also offer **Late-night food** options for night owls.
• Catering and Events: La Marcha provides professional **Catering** services, allowing customers to bring the authentic flavors of Spain, including their famous paella, to their private events.
• Beverage Flexibility: The establishment is fully equipped to serve **Alcohol**, **Beer**, **Cocktails**, **Hard liquor**, and **Wine**, including their popular **Sangria Kits** for take-out. **Coffee** is also available, perfect for complementing the brunch menu.
• Payment and Amenities: Accepting major forms of payment, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**, La Marcha ensures a smooth transaction process. Essential amenities include a **Restroom** and a **Gender-neutral restroom**.

La Marcha is defined by the authenticity and sheer variety of its Spanish menu, paired with an acknowledged commitment to an exciting beverage experience.

• The Paella Paradise: The restaurant specializes in **Paella**, offering an impressive seven varieties, significantly more than most Spanish establishments. Highlights include:
  • Paella Valenciana ($65.00) & Paella Mixta ($54.00): The classics that anchor the menu.
  • Arroz Negro ($65.00): A unique, flavorful squid-ink rice dish.
  • Paella Marroquí ($52.00): A distinct offering showcasing Moroccan-Spanish culinary fusion.
  • Paella Mañanera ($55.00): A special Paella creation specifically for their celebrated Brunch menu.
• Authentic and Varied Tapas: The extensive tapas menu offers a comprehensive journey through Spanish small plates, often described as having a "very spaniard with its flavors with a bit of a twist." Must-try dishes include:
  • **Buñuelos De Gambas** and **Gambas Con Ajoblanco** (shrimp dishes often cited as top favorites).
  • **Pulpo Gallego** (Galician Octopus) and **Calamares Fritos** (fried calamari, though sometimes wished for more crispness). The Calamari with squid ink is noted as "🤌" by one customer.
  • A wide selection of **Croquetas** (including beef, mushroom, ham, and the unique Mar Y Montana).
  • Spanish staples like **Tortilla** and **Pan Con Tomate** (bread with tomato).
• Brunch Specialties: La Marcha distinguishes itself as a premier **Brunch restaurant** with creative, Spanish-themed offerings beyond typical fare. This includes items like **Huevos A La Flamenca**, **Torrijas Tres Leches** (Spanish French Toast), and the **Benedicto Escalivada** (a Spanish take on the classic Benedict).
• Beverage Program: The venue boasts a **Great wine list** of Spanish, domestic, and international selections. They also offer a strong cocktail program, noted as having **Great cocktails**, including signature drinks like the **Mimosa Valenciana** and the **Spanish 75**, along with both red and white **Sangria** available by the glass or as a pitcher/kit. Despite one customer's negative experience, many find the drinks "nice and refreshing."
• Dessert & Tablas: End the meal with a classic dessert like **Churros Con Chocolate** or explore the specialty charcuterie selections such as the **Tabla De Jamón Iberico De Bellota** (Iberian Ham).

For making reservations for dinner, brunch, or for inquiries regarding the diverse menu of paellas and tapas available for take-out and delivery, please use the following contact details:

Address: 2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702, USA

Phone: (510) 288-9997

For those in the Bay Area seeking an authentic Spanish culinary adventure, La Marcha Tapas Bar is worth choosing for several compelling reasons that solidify its status as a local gem. The core reason to visit is the **authenticity and breadth of the menu**, particularly the Paella selection. With seven different paellas, including less common options like **Paella Marroquí** and **Arroz Negro**, La Marcha offers a specialized depth that few other restaurants in the region can match. Though one customer noted a desire for more seafood in the Paella Marinera, the overall flavor and the presence of the desirable crispy bottom layer, known as Socarrat, are consistently praised.

You are also choosing a spot for unparalleled variety in **Small plates**. The Tapas menu, which includes **Croquetas** in multiple styles and excellent seafood like the "top favorite" shrimp dishes, ensures a fun, communal, and flavorful dining experience. This variety, paired with the optional specialized sauces like **Squid Ink Aioli** and **Zatar Aioli**, allows for a truly customized tasting journey.

Furthermore, the restaurant's commitment to all-day dining—from its special, highly-rated **Brunch Specialties** (like the **Paella Mañanera** and unique Benedicts) to its **Late-night food** offerings—makes it a flexible and reliable choice for any schedule. The atmosphere, described as a mix of **Cozy, Romantic, and Trendy**, combined with the extensive **Great wine list** and generally well-received **Great cocktails**, creates a complete and engaging dining package.

Despite occasional feedback on the pace of service ("food takes a long time") or inconsistent drink quality, the overwhelming enjoyment of the food and the overall unique experience position La Marcha as an essential stop for high-quality, authentic Spanish cuisine in the Bay Area. Whether you are driving down San Pablo Ave or actively seeking a place to try multiple types of paella, this "great little gem" will likely hit the spot.

La Marcha Tapas Bar

2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702, USA