Welcome to Bota Tapas & Paella Bar
At Bota Tapas & Paella Bar, the spirit of Spain comes alive in the heart of San Francisco. This vibrant eatery specializes in seafood, offering an inviting menu filled with delectable tapas and expertly crafted paellas. Guests rave about the perfectly grilled octopus and the flavorful lamb chops, all enjoyed in a warm, romantic atmosphere. With a commitment to exceptional service and an extensive wine selection, Bota creates memorable dining experiences for all occasions—from casual dinners to festive celebrations. Whether you're sharing small bites or indulging in a signature paella, every dish reflects a dedication to fresh ingredients and authentic flavors.
- 490 Geary St San Francisco, CA 94102 United States Hotline: (415) 345-2303
Welcome to the vibrant world of Bota Tapas & Paella Bar, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of San Francisco at 490 Geary St. This captivating Spanish eatery invites you to indulge in the sumptuous flavors of the Mediterranean with a focus on fresh seafood and carefully curated tapas. Whether you're after a casual dinner or a romantic night out, Bota effortlessly balances a trendy ambiance with a classy touch.
The heart of Bota lies in its commitment to authentic Spanish cuisine, showcasing an array of tapas and their signature paella. Diners have raved about the Seafood Paella, praised for its depth of flavor and the iconic crunch at the bottom—a hallmark of a well-crafted dish. In the words of a satisfied guest, it’s a dish you “fall in love with.” Other notable mentions include the Garlic Prawns and Octopus, which not only tantalize the palate but also leave a lasting impression with their exquisite presentation and robust tastes.
- Atmosphere: With a moderate noise level, the setting provides a lively backdrop that is perfect for both small gatherings and larger groups.
- Accessibility: Bota is wheelchair accessible and offers outdoor seating with heating, making it welcoming year-round.
- Reservation-Friendly: You can easily secure a table for a special occasion or a spontaneous dinner via their convenient reservation system.
- Service: Guests consistently commend the attentive staff; whether it's the recommendations from servers or the seamless dining experience, Bota shines in service.
The menu extends beyond main offerings, with tempting breakfast options like the Tortilla Española and Fresh Fruit Bowl, ideal for a leisurely morning or a quick grab-and-go vibe. Desserts such as Chocolate Ganache and Churros are must-tries that add a sweet finale to your culinary journey.
For those seeking variety, Bota presents numerous vegan and vegetarian dishes, ensuring a diverse menu that caters to all dietary preferences. Their commitment to sustainability is evident with reusable tableware and options for eco-friendly transportation with bike parking and EV charging stations nearby.
From the lively shared tapas experience to the aromatic, rich paellas, Bota Tapas & Paella Bar is a celebration of Spanish culture and cuisine. It's more than just a meal; it’s an experience that welcomes you with open arms, making you feel right at home while you savor each bite. Don't miss out on this culinary delight during your next outing in San Francisco!

Everything is on point! Love the paella with a little crunch. Lamb is next to perfection and potatoes with bravas do not dissappoint. We will definitely come back again

Fantastic service, Dios is a star. came twice during a visit to San Francisco. loved the Bacon wrapped Dates and the Seafood Paella. not too loud. highly recommended

My boyfriend took me to this really cute tapas place in downtown San Francisco for Valentine's Day. I was so happy he was able to get us a reservation. The ambience was very romantic but nothing compared to the amazing service we got! Our servers name was Keith and he was extremely attentive despite how busy it was. He gave us all the best recommendations for food and he was very patient with us when it came to picking our wine as their selection is a little pricey so he made sure we got exactly what we wanted. 10/10 dinner date would absolutely come again.

The food was really good! I would recommend the garlic prawns and the octopus, and the dessert was phenomenal.

Cute spot for small bites/tapas! Their food is yummy and fresh, I just wish the paella had more seafood in it. Their staff is kind and accommodating. Overall Id go back, but their menu is limited and their alcohol is minimal.

My fiance & I were so hungry after checking into our hotel nearby, that Bota was conveniently open (all the other food spots we were looking at opened around 5/5:30, so we came here around 4:30! It was pretty empty on a Friday around this time but it was nice because it felt like we had the restaurant to ourselves! Our server Keith is awesome! He was very informative with explaining the menu & the specials they had. He was also attentive making sure we were enjoying our food & our water cups were always filled! This was my first time eating a paella & I'm in love! We ordered the regular sized meat paella & it was a perfect size for 2 people to share. Tapas we ordered: brussel sprouts, lamb chops, & the meatballs! Brussel sprouts & lamb chops were do crispy & flavorful! The meatballs were okay/different, I definitely had to drench it in the sauce it came in each bite I took. Definitely think this is a nice spot & would come back again :)

In town for a conference and so many choices to eat, love SF for that. The Ramen as well as the Tai place down the street had a line out the door and this place was surprisingly empty and we were up for Tapas. What a great find ! The hostess and waiter were great and engaged in giving us some feedback on our dishes. We ordered Pear Confit, Octopus, Ox Tail, and the dates. Portions were generous and the four orders was plenty for two. The oxtail, octopus and dates were worldly. The pear confit was a bit too spicy but sweet pears gave it good balance. We really enjoyed the ambience, service and food! What a nice meal!

We have eaten at Bota at least a half dozen times, probably more than that. I had not been there since the pandemic, however, until last night, and that visit is what prompts this review. In general, we have had dinner early, before a show at the American Conservatory Theatre. Its main space is across the street, a thirty second walk away. But we have enjoyed the experience enough to made reservations without being headed to a show afterward. My wife went there with some out of town friends recently, and they had fun. That is a good word to use. The place can be boisterous. So if you are looking for "serene," I'm not sure this would be suitable. For a first date, it would work if you both were more festive and less calm. The sangria is a good indication. It would be wrong not to imbibe. I'd highlight how accommodating they were. Our waiter was helpful. We were meeting another couple. Our show, the Lehman trilogy, was 3 hours 30 minutes, and it had an early start. They messed up the calendar. They texted as we sat down to say they likely would miss the meal. So we had to change the order. That was no problem. We were willing to relinquish a four top by the window. We volunteered to be reseated. But then our friends showed up, very late. We had not finished. They squeezed in next to us. They finished off the paella. That dish is their specialty. It is made as it should be. That means to order. They warn you it will be more than a thirty minute wait. That's a positive signal. If it came out immediately, that would mean they just had a batch ready, prepared in advance, and they toss in the proteins that they have reheated. In order for the rice to have the flavors imparted to it, they need the full process. As a side, we had brussel sprouts. Those have a bit of cheese. Those are vegetables that have improved in reputation. California is the place to have them. The cheese plate, while pricey, was flavorful and plentiful. It is for sharing. The play was great, much better than I had expected (I was dreading the length). The dinner was a prelude that fit the bill.

My favorite tapas restaurant in the city!' Nicolas was an amazing server! He recommended the chocolate ganache and the churros for dessert. Paella was delicious they have several options. This was was mouthwateringpp

Fantastic experience at Bota Tapas & Paella Bar for my birthday celebration. We ordered Sangria, Pinot Noir & marinated olives mixed appetizer to start. Comfortable seating, clean, beautiful interior. Easy to make reservations online ahead of time. Entrees grilled Octopus & Lamb Chops. Perfectly grilled and presentation was very nice! The restaurant is in a hotel & I recommend Bota since it was so close to the Union Square. Attentive and friendly service. Looking forward to returning to Bota & trying the Squid Ink Paella! My birthday and the kind, talented kitchen staff made a small dessert to a enjoy chocolate, strawberries, shortbread dessert. It was so delightful. Made my celebration so memorable! Highly reccommed the grilled Octopus! Enjoy!