Bambú

Bambú Review

At peak times, it's standing room only in this jovial basement tapas bar catering to students. The floor may be littered with napkins, and you might have to shout to be heard, but it's the generous tapas and big, sloppy bocadillos (sandwiches) that draw the crowds. (There's a dining room in back, but the bar is the place to be.) Although paella is usually the exclusive domain of pricey restaurants devoted to the specialty, you can enjoy a ración of paella during lunch here, ladled out from a large caldero (shallow pan). Another bonus: even if you just order a drink, you'll be served a liberal helping of the "tapa of the day."