It's hard to think back to a time before this Little Italy restaurant was a go-to for tapas, fire-kissed mains, bracing cocktails and copitas of dry sherry. Inhabit the dusky, lively interior or the sunlit patio — either one is a natural backdrop to a parade of Spain's greatest hits.

What this Little Italy spot lacks in size it makes up for with heaps of sultry Spanish style. With hours that stretch from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., it's as comfortable for a morning café con leche as it is for afternoon conservas with cava, and dinnertime tapas with a barrage of house cocktails.

Sundays are for paella at this cozy Little Italy spot, where chef Rob Bragagnolo runs a kitchen that's inspired by the Mediterranean and committed to seasonality and finicky details. From Thursday to Saturday, plates might include piquillo peppers, fire-grilled Iberico pork, artichoke gnocchi and the sweet ending found in coffee and cardamom cheesecake.

Revamped and refined, this popular restaurant is reclaiming its spot among King West's list of elites. Classic dishes range from pan con boquerones and croquetas to garlic-punched shrimp and charcoal-fired beef, lamb, pork and chicken. It's worth waiting for paella, whether you order the team's seafood, vegetarian, short rib or duck rendition.

Patria's sassy little sister, this King West haunt is for diners seeking a nightlife vibe with their pintxos. Modern plating gives tapas, from duck liver parfait tart to patatas bravas, a fresh feel, with cocktails and people-watching proving to be solid competition for diners' attention.

With a menu of Spanish hits ranging from paella Valenciana and tortilla Española to gambas al ajillo and empanadillas, this traditional Leslieville restaurant is never quiet. Whether your cravings demand seafood paella with a properly caramelized socarrat crust, or would be appeased with a simple plate of clams in white wine sauce, you'll find it here.

Chef Ramon Simarro treats tradition to a Michelin-style upgrade at this expansive restaurant in the Distillery District. You may have had pintxos, tapas, paella and Spanish sweets before, but never quite like this.

Fresh ingredients find their way into a number of regional Spanish dishes at this family-friendly spot in Etobicoke. Fancy a sunny tour of España? Start with calamares a la plancha and grilled chorizo before darting off with macarrones a la Madrileña and seafood-heavy paella.

Inspired by Spain and Italy, dishes at this neighbourhood spot in Baby Point are rustic, real and bursting with flavour. Working with fresh, seasonal ingredients, the team crafts braised rabbit with navy beans, lobster a la Catalana, pan-seared branzino and a host of other tempting offerings.