Toro

"Toro is one of the city’s most popular restaurants, period. Open for almost two decades in the South End, the crowd-favorite spot serves modern and traditional Spanish tapas ranging from simple-yet-delicious pan con tomate to elaborate dishes pairing seafood and charcuterie with rich, bold flavors that keep the crowds lining up at this energetic restaurant. Definitely eat your way through plenty of small plates, but try the paella, too." - Eater Staff

"Toro is a Spanish restaurant in the South End of Boston. It offers a broad look at Spain’s cuisine, including Basque pintxos, paella, and a variety of tapas. One of its popular dishes is the grilled corn topped with aioli and cheese, which is Mexican." - Erika Adams

"Toro is a true Barcelona-style tapas restaurant serving traditional and modern Spanish-style small plates made with locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. This place is always packed due to their amazing food (James Beard Award winning Chef) and equally amazing drink program serving classic-inspired cocktails and an eclectic, carefully curated wine list. Oh, and it's pretty small. It's much easier to get a table at lunch (M-F) then it is dinner (7 days a week). They don't take reservations, and the bar is usually packed making the wait a bit challenging at times, but always worth it. Sunday brunch is also amazing. (Not for the flavor-shy.)" - Adam&Co.

"Toro hits that perfect sweet spot between bar and restaurant. This South End tapas restaurant has high-top tables and a busy bar area where you'll want to cozy up with friends so you can try as many dishes as possible. It’s never been an easy place to get into, but plates like the uni bocadillo with miso butter make it worth the wait. It’s definitely easier during the warmer months, since they have a good number of sidewalk tables." - tanya edwards

"It’s a feat for any restaurant to stay open for (nearly) twenty years, and it’s even more of a feat for that restaurant to retain its relevance through and through. That’s how any local would describe Toro, the South End spot which was an early adopter of the chef-driven tapas movement. It’s got all the classics such as croquetas and pan con tomate, as well as some more inventive options like an uni bocadillo sandwich with miso butter and pickled mustard seeds. Whether you’re a seasoned vet who knows your jamón iberico from your jamón serrano, or you’re a first-timer to ordering tapas, Toro makes Spanish cuisine approachable. Pro tip: in the warmer months, the back patio is one of the South End’s best spots to pull up a seat, order some cocktails, and indulge in a parade of small bites. You’ll almost–almost–feel like you’re in Spain." - Todd Plummer, Shannon McMahon