Lola Gaspar in Santa Ana, CA

*Lola Gaspar’s dark and romantic interior makes it the perfect setting for date night.*

If you’re not looking closely, you might walk past it, but tucked away within a corner of the historic Santora building in downtown Santa Ana you’ll find Lola Gaspar, a dark and intimate bar-slash-restaurant serving up cocktails and a unique fusion of Spanish-Mexican cuisine.

Lola Gaspar first opened its doors in 2008, but this DTSA mainstay is just now receiving recognition from the world-famous Michelin guide.

As one of our favorite date night venues, they’ve also made regular appearances on our lists of Orange County’s most romantic restaurants and Orange County’s most unique bars.

The highlight of Lola's menu is undoubtedly the tacos, and for the widest variety, their weekly Taco Tuesday is a must.

Taco Tuesday orders are cooked outdoors on their Santa Maria grill, with their prawn and suadero tacos being the most popular.

Chef Luis Perez details the high-quality ingredients:

“Our prawns come from Mexico, our meats are sourced through Francisco's Meat Co. out of Anaheim, and our salsas are made from scratch.”

Another menu staple is the queka, a quesadilla made with hand-pressed organic heirloom masa and filled with monterey jack cheese and your choice of protein. If your palate can handle spicy, you’ll love the habanero salsa that comes on the side.

Their most popular dessert, churros con chocolate offers a sweet, rich ending to a savory meal.

Lola Gaspar's bar menu focuses on mezcal and tequila cocktails, making it an ideal spot to enjoy drinks in downtown Santa Ana.

Key Info

Address: 211 W 2nd St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Walk-ins welcome, reservations recommended

Metered street parking available, free parking in the nearby structures during certain times

Check Instagram for updates

Meet Chef Luis Perez

Tell us about your journey to Lola Gaspar!

The concept began after a sabbatical in Barcelona in 2006 and came to fruition in December of 2008. The original idea was to bring more of a "Spanish" vibe to the area, with small plates, sangria, etc. In 2019, I took a trip to Mexico City and it completely changed what I felt Lola Gaspar should be. The menu was completely revamped to reflect on those experiences.

What do you like about being located in DTSA?

I love being in DTSA, especially in the Artist Village, because it is very reminiscent of my time in Barcelona. At the same time the culture and community you find in DTSA you won't find anywhere else in Orange County.

Lola Gaspar received recognition from the Michelin Guide this year (2024). What does that mean to you?

Receiving recognition from the Michelin Guide is truly an honor. It means a great deal to be recognized for the hard work, dedication, attention to detail, and standards that after 15 years are still being upheld.

What do you hope visitors will take away from a visit to Lola Gaspar?

I hope that visitors feel like they are getting transported somewhere...from the décor, vibe, music, cocktails, and food. I want our guests to feel like, "That was unlike anything I have ever experienced and I can't wait to come back with my friends!”

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