• Gambas al ajillo is a typical Spanish dish with shrimp and garlic.gambas image by corinne matusiak from Fotolia.com
  
  Delaware is a very small state, mostly known as the first state to ratify the Constitution and as a tax haven. It also has a handful of restaurants that serve Spanish dishes. These tend heavily toward tapas, creative small plates that can start as small as a bunch of olives and nuts and end up as big as a plate of sizzling chorizo sausage with sides. As with most Mediterranean food, dishes are based on fresh ingredients prepared simply. There are no heavy sauces; adornments are usually limited to garlic and fresh herbs.
  
  

Ole Tapas Lounge

• Ole Tapas Lounge is a stylish place, with low-slung tables and modern art on the walls. The word tapas comes from the spanish verb "tapar," to cover. Originally served on small plates covering beers, the small plates of tasty food have taken on their own life in America. Dishes include Spanish favorites like tortilla de patata, with egg and potatoes, and the Spanish sausage called morcilla. This lounge serves sangria by the pitcher, which nearly assures a good time.
  
  Ole Tapas Lounge
  
  1126 Capitol Trail
  
  Newark, DE
  
  302-224-9378
  
  oletapaslounge.com
  
  

Orillas Tapas Bar

• The Orillas Tapas Bar doubles as a tapas restaurant, serving small but high quality plates. Located in Wilmington, one of Delaware's biggest cities, the space draws a business crowd. The decor is elegant with a rustic touch, given by exposed brick walls. The food includes favorites like albondigas, or meatballs, and paella with roasted scallops. Try the flan for dessert.
  
  Orillas Tapas Bar Restaurant
  
  413N North Market St.
  
  Wilmington, DE
  
  302-427-9700
  
  orillastapasbar.com
  
  

Mariachi's Restaurant

• Although mariachi is a form of purely Mexican music, this restaurant serves a menu of both Spanish and Mexican cuisine. The Spanish side of the menu offers classics like mussels in a sherry wine sauce or shrimp in a garlic sauce. It also serves a massive dish of paella with seafood. The decor is more on the Mexican than the European side, with bright lighting and colorful Central American art.
  
  Mariachi's Restaurant
  
  14 Wilmington Ave.
  
  Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
  
  302-227-0115
  
  mariachirehobothde.com