La Marcha Tapas Bar

Checked in to La Marcha again last night, and really enjoyed it. The staff seemed to be really on their game, very friendly fast and efficient service. We sat at the end of the bar, closest to the door. Food was excellent as it was the first time, especially the ribs and the kale. My only suggestion for diners would be that if it is a busy night (and apparently it usually is) I would recommend not sitting right next to the door if you can. It can get busy and noisy if there are groups waiting to be seated.

I love their paella. Have not been to the actual restaurant, but they serve it during the Picnic at the Presidio and I never miss ordering it! I can only imagine what the restaurant has to offer

What ever you into you should always have the meatballs. Very yummy. Ok well not when your a vegi. If so you will find a lot of veg stuff here as well.
I was here at one of the happy hours. Pretty awesome. Tapas for 2 usd is a steal so make sure you eat a lot. Haha but the serving sizes are tapas like small so don’t worry you will order a lot.
Service was very friendly and explains everything. So I enjoyed it here. And btw the happy hours is also with non alcoholic drinks!

I came by here with my friends on a Tuesday night! It’s a pretty popular location. I enjoyed the vibe and the location. Parking was easy to find. They have two unisex bathrooms. When we came here, because we didn’t have a reservation, they put in the table at the back that was a shared table. If you want a private table, make sure you call in advance. When I came here, we ordered a pitcher of sangria and it was amazing!!! There was cantaloupe in the sangria which was great, and the pieces to eat were amazing! I really loved the sangria, along with the paella, it was AMAZING. I’ve never thought I’d like paella, but this place, was truly amazing. The size was great, the purple cauliflower was also amazing. I absolutely love the paella! This is a must try, make sure you come by early to look for parking, its also free parking after 6pm or else, it will be 2 hours max.

We had an amazing experience at La Marcha last night.
1. The front of the house person really sets the tone. Trish was AWESOME. Seriously, our date night out would have been worth going to La Marcha if just for Trish.
2. We had a lovely server (whose name I can’t recall, but she was nice).
3. The food! Wild boar meatballs were smoky, gamey, tasty, and perfect. I could have eaten them all night. The patatas bravas were delicious, as were the clams, the squid, the sausage, the asparagus, the octopus (cooked perfectly) and pretty much everything. I would have preferred the tortilla more room temperature than cold, but that’s my only imperfection.
4. The paella. We ordered the pork pork and more pork one. I’m finishing it now. Amazing.
5. The flan we ordered for dessert was delectable. The churros were a tad overdone, but great.
6. The cava and sangria made for a very happy table.
Thank you La Marcha! We can’t wait to come back to order the rest of the menu (and to see Trish!).

Last night visiting town, I chose La Marcha to dine for some Happy Hour and a pot of Paella.
I just have to clarify, you cannot have food that good with service that bad.
Had reservations for two and sat down at 9:45pm, we didn’t get any cups of water til 10:20pm after we asked twice.
You just can’t have two servers on a Saturday night for happy hour.
Looking around, I can see it in other customers eyes, like «what I gotta do around here to get a menu?»
Management beware, you could’ve lost a few patrons last night do to under staffing and overworking your servers.
I feel that our server could’ve deserved a $ 20 tip but instead got $ 8 tip due to the fact that I believed she was just so overwhelmed, she might’ve forgot about customer service.
In conclusion, The happy hour prices are cheap, $ 2-​$ 3 per tapas plate plus you get a free tapa with every purchase of HH alcohol.
The Paella Marinera was the highlight and well worth the visit. But, the service could’ve been more spot on if there were at least 4 servers, not 2.
I’m really not the one to critique. but, Otherwise, I would still eat here, I just might have to catch it on a less busier night for a happier experience.

The wild boar meatballs are INCREDIBLE! Just spicy enough buy not too spicy.
The asparagus with truffle honey has such a satisfying, complex flavor that perfectly harmonizes with the burrata cheese toast. It is so much more than simply roasted asparagus.
The house sangria works perfectly with the tapas.
The ambiance is inviting, the staff is friendly (and a few speak spanish!) and knowledgeable about the food.
I cannot recall enjoying Spanish tapas as much as I have here. I will DEFINITELY be back!

Their Off The Grid paella is suddenly lacking in meat, seafood, veggies and soccarat. It’s still tasty, if heavy on the untoasted rice, but in no way as good as it was last season.
Today’s version didn’t even have the roasted garlic we had come to look forward to.
Please bring the old recipe back! :-(

Great happy hour deal and date spot! The boar meatballs in a delicious tomato cream sauce (ask for extra bread to dip in the sauce!) and goat cheese stuffed piquillo peppers were amazing! The olives were also delicious and a generous portion. Sangria was good too… not watery like a lot of sangria out there.
Love the exposed brick interior. The place is small so make a res on open table.

REALLY NOISY on this visit.
Update based on another dinner visit, mid week. Fairly easy to get a reservation for 7 people, which was a surprise.
Food is still good. We had a non-​vegan vegetarian in the party, so got a vegetarian paella in addition to a seafood based one. The vegetarian one was just ok. I probably wouldn’t get it again and just more vegetarian small plates.

I really love their system for the wait list. You basically give them your number and they’ll give you a call when a table is ready. And if you don’t answer, they’ll send you a text. It’s convenient in that you get to walk around without being antsy. (Also, you should check out the 99 cent store nearby if you’re just waiting). We were told the wait was estimated 45 min, but it was also mentioned that it probably wouldn’t take that long. I think it was just 20 min long.
Our waitress was AMAZING! I really wish I got her name. But when we found out one of our appetizers was not available (as well as two more things on the menu), she recommended the lamb sliderwhich were AMAZE-​BALL. SO GOOD. EUG. SO. GOOD. I wish i had more. Each order comes with two sliders. The cumin worked really well with the lamb, and the cucumber just complimented the slider really well. ¹⁰⁄₁₀ for the slider; just try it. The bun was perfectly crunchy. Just order it.
The second thing I had was the paella marinera, which compared to the lamb, was not as good but still wonderful. The sauce did not taste as flavorful as another place I had, but I feel like it’s unfair to compare that. However, the dish definitely did not skimp on the seafood. My friend and I were hungry, so we killed the dish. I definitely want to come back and try another paella!

Our first time finally enjoying great food here! Thank you to the wonderful staff for being so attentive and personable, the food for being utterly delicious and the vino… Ah what can I say…
The plates just kept coming and there was not a second we were waiting for anything!

Tried some of their tapas at Off the Grid at the Presidio. It was good but a little pricey for what you get even compared to the other food trucks.
The cod potato fritters were delicious! Very nice creamy texture inside and crispy outside. Unfortunately it was $ 8 for 3 of them which was just enough for a small snack. The potatoes bravas ($ 6) were more filling and the sauce was tasty.

I’d been stalking La Marcha’s paella for… I don’t even know how long before they opened their restaurant. But back before they opened the brick and mortar, Ñora paella would pop up at food festivals, and I would happily wait in line for 30 minutes to get the best paella I’ve had outside of Spain.
I came to La Marcha a little while after they opened and had an overall good night. Sad to say the tapas are a bit of a let down here. They’re not bad, but they’re certainly not the best I’ve had. The stuffed piquillo peppers were actually very good, but the meatballs that everyone raves about were just okay to me, along with the calamari.
But that paella! I haven’t found anything close to La Marcha’s paella and it’s enough to keep me coming back. The restaurant vibe is cozy, and service is friendly — overall, it’s a good way to spend your evening :)

I officially have a new favorite restaurant to go to whenever I’m hanging in Berkeley! La Marcha is a small rustic restaurant that features all of the vibrant culinary culture that Spain has to offer and they definitely have succeeded on virtually all fronts! It feels as if you could have strolled right off the streets of Spain and right into this hip neighborhood tapas bar with its bright yet sparse interior and sleek bar. This place has tons of things going for it, most of all the helpful staff. In just a handful of months since opening, chef-​owners Sergio (who personally came out to greet us) and Emily have gained quite a cult following for their innovative take on their wide variety of their incredible paellas, on top of eclectic Spanish tapas in a space that has a warm and intimate yet lively vibe going for it.
I have to admit, I was lured in by the amazing reviews from Michael Bauer in the Chronicle and Luke Tsai in the East Bay Express, not to mention all the praise that all of my fellow Unilocalers have been posting since it opened last fall. Be forewarned that La Marcha does fill up fast so making a reservation via OpenTable is a must. Although I got here an hour before my 5pm reservation, just to check the place out and maybe to get a Happy Hour libation at the bar, the pleasant hostess Trish greeted me and treated me like family! I had a great experience with her. Since the place was still relatively empty, she insisted that I didn’t need to sit at the bar to enjoy Happy Hour, as she first seated me at a table on the side of the restaurant and then she graciously moved me to a larger table by the window for the view. Our server Ismael, who happens to be from Barcelona, told me his favorite dishes were the deep fried calamari and the croquetas. I ordered a glass of the sangria to start off with, which at the Happy Hour price of 5 dollars was a real steal, and it tasted like juice! It was that good! While I waited, you also get a complimentary Happy Hour plate to go with it, so I noshed on the Patatas Bravas which were a lively fried potatoes dish topped with a spicy yet savory ailoi sauce. We all loved it so much, we went on to order two more orders once our Happy Hour really took off.
Once my friends arrived, we really went to town on the extensive Happy Hour tapas menu that La Marcha prides itself on. There was a wide variety to all of the dishes, there were some pluses and minuses to each, most of which had to do with the size of some of the tapas, some came plentiful for a small dish so we could all try it, while others were one bite only for one person, which of course was a real pain when there were four people at our table. Of the dishes we were served, we all loved the calamari, the wild boar meatballs (served two a piece), the chicken wings, (also served two bites a piece) and the brussels sprouts. All tasted as if they were cooked with tender care, full of thought and flavor. While we sat there, our hostess Trish once again came out this time with a complimentary bottle of Segura Viudas Brut Spanish Sparkling Wine. It was the piece de resistance to cap a perfect meal of tapas for Happy Hour.
Obviously no meal at La Marcha could be complete without trying one of Chef Sergio’s trademark paellas and so many reviews suggested trying a big pan of the squid-​ink-​blackened Arroz Negro which came loaded with clams, fennel sausage, peas, anchovy breadcrumbs, beautifully topped with truffle aioli and salmon roe. I found it as good as it sounded. Some of the others at the table didn’t find it as appetizing, which I think had to due with the overall darkness of the dish thanks to the squid ink (so much so it tinted my hands as I scooped it out). At 32 dollars, this paelle is a dish that’s not for everyone, it’s a real risk taker, so I suggest when going for the first time, you should something more simple like the Paella Mixta which sounds equally as delicious! We followed up our meal with the sole Happy Hour dessert, which were the churros and left us all a little disappointed due to over-​fried quality of the dish which left everything tasting way too hard.
I look forward to returning with both a group of friends or even strolling in one day and sitting at the bar by myself. The Happy Hour deals cannot be beat. And if you’re with a group and you call in early enough, I found out they can in fact sit you at the last minute at their communal table as long as it’s from 4−6pm. Here at La Marcha, I learned that Spanish cuisine is can not only be flavorful, it also brims with energy and passion. Their menu of tapas and paellas are served a popping atmosphere that clearly reflects the chefs’ shared passion for Spanish cuisine which we are fortunate enough enjoy here in the Bay Area. By merging the best Spanish culinary traditions with the abundance of fresh produce and ingredients this region has to offer, La Marcha presents some really innovative dishes and for that they should be applauded.

Come early for happy hour, between 4−6pm, and enjoy a free tapa with the purchase of a drink! Their sangria is delicious and only $ 5. Non-​happy hour glasses are double the size and double the price, but worth it!
The tapas are quite tasty, but portions are teensy weensy. We got the patatas bravas, calamares fritos, and tortilla de patatas. For our main, we shared the paella marinera, which came with mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari, peppers, peas, and saffron rice. It was unfortunately pretty bland. Dessert was churros con chocolate, which were pretty good.
I’m only giving 3 stars because of the minuscule tapas portions and not-​so-​great paella, but I’d go back for the happy hour and sangria!

Great food, welcoming, friendly, attentive staff in a cute, quaint place.
I had made a reservation via Opentable and was afraid to be seated at the bar… the place is small so i can see why they would seat solo or 2 people at the bar. not a big deal but i wanted to call as our party of 3 preferred a table for easier sharing and conversing. I left a message the night before and the hostesss called the next day and was very accommodating and mentioned parties of 3+ are seated at the table as the place is small.
We arrived and were warmly greeted which was really nice… i wish i got the hostess’ name as she was awesome… our server Angelica was really nice and attentive… she didn’t make any recommendation or advise of the happy hour other than handing the menu… not a bad thing but later realized you can get a sampling of the tapas up until 6pm. which is a great way to decide if it was worth getting a larger order.
FAVORITE ITEMS
* Wild Boar Meatball with sherry tomato cream, manchego, guindilla peppers — OMG DELICIOUS! i wish we had some bread to absorb all the sauce…
* Potata Bravas — fried potatoes, calabrian ñora sauce — crispy on the outside, tender inside drizzled with a cream sauce
* Fried Calamari — crispy squid, cumin salt, black squid ink aioli — awesome flavor and crispness
* Paella — perfectly cooked with chorizo, pork, smoked belly — flavors of saffron, smokiness — WONDERFUL
* Vanilla custard — creamy and decadent
OKAY items but MUST TRY
* Octopus —
* Chicken Wings — saffron aioli — light garlic
* Tuna — seemed overly simple tuna with aoili on crostini
* Churro — Im not sure if this is authentic way of making a churro but i guess im used to it being crispy on the outside with softness in the middle… this seems ‘overcooked’ accompanied with a dark chocolate ganache
Would i return? Most definitely! The paella hit the spot… not sure how authentic as i never been to Spain but all i can say is, I will definitely return for this, calamari and to try other tapas.
Thanks for a wonderful dining experience… will be back soon!

I usually avoid dining out on Valentine’s because of all the pomp and circumstance (overpriced food, cranky service, and high expectations). When I happened to snare an early reservation (5:30 pm) for that night, I decided to bite the bullet because I *heart* paella.
Foreshadowing the evening, I got a call a few days before informing me that although I had a reservation, the restaurant was small, so would I mind being seated at the bar? Still hankering for paella, I said fine but made sure paella was going to be offered in their $ 45 prix fixe menu.
We arrive on time for our reservation, but things didn’t look good because the restaurant was packed and people were waiting outside (where did these people come from, didn’t the restaurant just open 30 minutes ago?). Our bar seats didn’t end up being ready for another 45 friggin minutes!!! Pissed-​o-​rama!
I had a nice chat with the hostess, suggesting maybe they should get rid of reservations altogether. I don’t know if it was just the Valentine’s Day crowd, but people were lingering over their meal for 2 – 3 hours. While I enjoy savoring a Spanish meal as much as the next person (and given that paellas there take 30 minutes to prepare and the restaurant is small), they’ve got to find a better way of accommodating patrons.
We ordered some sangria while we were waiting to take the edge off (and to their credit, they later comped this for us). Yes, their sangria made us MUCH happier. Yummy, with a hint of peaches.
As for the FOOD:
Ensalada*** of butter lettuce and yellow-​fin tuna was good (olives especially tasty), although a bit lukewarm — we were still trying to get over that 45 minute wait.
Bacalao*** — salt cod & potato cakes nicely crunchy and accompanied by a quail egg and trout roe.
Piquillos****- the stuffed peppers with fennel and blood orange were surprisingly savory, sweet, tart — a lovely mix of flavors.
Paella***** — scallops and Dungeness crab paella was wonderfully done — the rice was infused with a delicious seafood broth. One of the best paellas I’ve had outside of Spain. Good portion size, too.
Churros & chocolate** — not as hoped, very dense and hard, not crisp or light. Sadness.
So, yeah, the service affected our meal experience. In the end, they did give us a table rather than just seats at the bar. Thank goodness the totally drinkable sangria and sop-​it-​up-​worthy paella made it sorta worth it.
They haven’t been opened long, so I’m hopeful they’ll figure out the kinks. I would definitely return for their paella & sangria. Just gotta choose the right time to go. 3.5 for now.
Random notes: Didn’t like the TV screen showing sports above the bar. Kinda takes away from the whole savoring Spanish food vibe (plus, don’t want folks to stay indefinitely for reasons mentioned above).
Parking can be tight on that corner of University and San Pablo.

Pros: a hip atmosphere with great smiling service! This is a tapas place so there are lots of delicious flavors that flow through this place. Went to an event and got to try their tapas and they are very flavorful and unique! This caramelized onion with cheese (?) filling was delicious as well as this bread with spread tapas. The wines and beers on tap are wonderful as well!
Cons: being such a trendy place, the interior is definitely on the small side so there is limited seating.
Overall: a great new establishment definitely worth checking out for their delicious tapas!

It’s early days so a 3.5 seems right. The space is cute and the staff is damned friendly. My trip to Madrid made me a lifelong tapas fan so I was pumped for this place to open.
You’ll love the double Happy Hour 4 – 6,10−12 when you get a free tapa when you purchase a drink. Good value.
Two meatballs were flavorful and so tender in what seemed like a romanesco sauce with a tiny toast. Yummy.
I kill for gambas allijo, shrimp in spicy garlic oil that you sop up with crusty bread. This was not that. The 5 shrimp served weren’t garlicky tasting and were tough. A miss
Couldn’t resist getting the JAMON! Very big portion with a nice drizzle of oil and peppers however that buttery, rich taste wasn’t there.
The food is good; definitely come by