Taberna 12 review: our verdict
Tortilla, paella, plancha prawns, Galician octopus, croquettes, calamari and pintxos: Taberna 12 takes the bodega aesthetic to the hilt with bullfight posters, a bull's head on the wall, brick walls and leather banquettes. The kitchen serves straight-up Spanish fare without fusion detours, paired with wines and beers from across Spain and a house-made sangria.
The long, dimly lit dining room comes alive with a flamenco and Latin DJ from Monday to Saturday, and the screen lights up on nights of big matches. It's a spot for friends or colleagues to enjoy an aperitif that spills into dinner at any hour, since the house opens from noon until 2 a.m. Service is quick, but its friendliness depends on the server you happen to catch; it's not ideal for a quiet tête-à-tête on a Friday evening.
The good tip: happy hour for a beer and a few tapas before dinner. The trap: looking for the entrance, as the tavern is tucked away in a small street behind Mohammed V Avenue. The best time to go: a match night, if you're there for the atmosphere.
