Buena Vida Tapas Bar

Bad: The shrimp and grits had 4 shrimp and it cost 20 dollars. We ordered a pitcher and it came out 10 minutes after our food. We waited 30 minutes for our check, and we flagged down the waitress multiple times to ask for it. The restaurant was not busy, they had plenty of staff.Good: the salad was truly incredible (15 dollars).Overall very disappointing and will not be returning. I recommend finding another brunch restaurant.

I recently checked out Buena Vida Tapas Bar on the Beltline, and overall, it was a great experience with a few minor hiccups. The restaurant is inspired by the vibrant vibes of Southern Spain, and you can definitely feel that in the atmosphere. From the laid-back, hippie-chic feel reminiscent of Ibiza to the delicious Spanish-inspired dishes, it was a fun culinary adventure.We started with the Patatas Bravas, which were chunky, twice-fried potatoes topped with a bravas sauce, garlic, aioli, and paprika. The crispy texture paired with the flavorful sauces hit all the right notes. Next up were the Empanadas, which had a beef filling (if I remember right) and came with a house-made hot sauce that added just the right amount of heat. The empanadas were flaky and delicious, a definite must-try.For the entrée, I had the Pimentón Chicken Breakfast Sandwich, and wow--this was a knockout. The buttermilk biscuit was buttery and soft, and the pimentón spiced fried chicken had the perfect balance of crispy and juicy. The fried egg, brown sugar honey, quince jam, and garlic aioli added a sweet and savory combo that made each bite exciting. My friend tried the Chicken & Waffle, which had that same amazing pimentón chicken, topped with hot honey and served with a house-made waffle and maple syrup--another solid dish.As for drinks, I had the Passionate Affair cocktail, which was a mix of Old Forester Bourbon, passion fruit, lemon, and simple syrup. It was refreshing and tangy, with just the right kick from the bourbon.One downside: we sat on the outdoor patio, and the flies were a bit of a nuisance--almost to the point where it was hard to enjoy the meal. It took away from the experience, but the food was so good that we powered through.Despite the fly situation, I'd definitely recommend Buena Vida for anyone looking for great tapas and an easygoing, Spanish-inspired vibe. Just maybe opt for indoor seating if you want a more peaceful meal!

Buena Vida offered a unique take on several classic menu items. I got the spanish grilled cheese, goat cheese fritters, potatoes bravos, and the roasted cauliflower. The spanish grilled cheese was very unique with the combination of the manchego cheese and the garlic aioli. I thought it was very flavorful and creamy to the bite. I also really liked the goat cheese fritters which had a strong complement with the creaminess of the goat cheese and the sweetness of the sauce underneath. Overall, I loved the tapa experience which allowed you to sample various dishes at once. Great choice for an immersive and flavorful dinner experience.

My brother and I just treated my dad to brunch here for Father's Day. We attended the Egyptian Khufu virtual reality experience in the adjacent building so this restaurant is convenient.The decor is beautiful with indoor and terraced seating. It's scorching hot today so we chose indoors.We took a chance on visiting on Sunday, today, at 1130am without a reservation and we were able to walk right in and get a great booth near the bar.Service from Chloe and the staff was super friendly and efficient the duration of our visit.Dad and my brother had the Pimenton chicken sandwich on a biscuit with a side of the potatoes. Greg had the eggs Benedict. I ordered the vegan hash bowl. We paired the food with a bottle of Vinho Verde from Portugal.For dessert we ordered the vegan lemon olive oil cake plus the churros with chocolate dipping sauce and coffees.Food and service were excellent! We are excited to come back!!

Surprised my daughter and had her birthday lunch here. This place has been on her foodie list for awhile and we happened to be in the area. It was completely last minute; with no reservation. The staff was not only super friendly but also extremely accommodating. The food was excellent. Lovely vibe and definitely insta-worthy.

Walking through the door at Buena Vida, I was immediately impressed by the ambiance and decor. Despite having a decent-sized group of seven, we were seated fairly quickly.Our server was well-versed with the menu and answered all our questions efficiently.I ordered the Mojo steak, calamari, and mushroom croquetas. Unfortunately, the flavors in these dishes were underwhelming. The croquetas, which I was most excited about, were lukewarm and mushy. The calamari and steak were just okay, lacking any standout qualities.Given the small tapas plates and the price point, I expected more flavor and a wow factor.I would consider returning, but only for the drinks.

This place has a great vibe! I picked this spot for brunch because the menu looked perfect for a mixed group - something for everyone. We got mimosas and a wide variety of food and everyone found their meals to be delicious. I had the vegan hash bowl with homemade sausage, just egg, potatoes and veggies with guacamole and the portion was HUGE. We were heading out of town right after brunch, otherwise would we all would have taken leftovers home. One person got the avocado toast and I promise you, you have never seen an avocado toast this big before. Everyone was friendly, service was a little slower so don't go in a rush and be ready to just enjoy your time. There's lots of nice touches with the decor so get ready for some cute selfies.

I came to Buena Vida tapas on a Saturday evening with a couple friends and it was great we got seated quickly outside which was nice!The entire staff was really nice and helpful especially because we had a coupon for a comped tapa so I'm happy that we had that accommodated!!We ordered the sangria pitcher which was delicious and generous and then just a bunch of tapas to splitI thought the tapas were good but just didn't think they were the best I've had! Overall delicious and a good experience

Buena Vida is one of my go-to places and I've been going for years now. I usually get the brussel sprouts, the pimenton chicken and the patatas bravas. They are all consistently good. The portion sizes have gotten smaller in the past year or so for some items, but food and labor cost have gone up, so I understand. The food, vibe, inside or patio environment and the service are great. They have nice backgrounds for pics too. The last time I was there, our waitress Aymmeri, was excellent! She was sweet, patient, answered all of our questions, checked on us often and made sure we were happy with our meal. One of the best waitresses I've had.

Endless mimosas where amazing the service was great and the food was 10 out of 10! Definitely will be visiting again. Our servers name was Johnnie. He was very attentive to our needs.