Jaleo is one of the newest restaurants at Disney Springs and has quickly become a favorite of many.  It is a tapas-focused Restaurant from Chef José Andrés and is considered Signature Dining by Disney (2 table service credits on the Disney Dining Plan).  Since this is a tapas restaurant, the Disney Dining Plan can get a little confusing for the entrees and appetizers.  On the Disney Dining Plan, each diner can get two regular tapas OR one tapa that "serves two" OR one plated dish OR one plated pallea. If you are on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan, you can select one of the options above, plus an additional tapa.

First let's take in the restaurant's atmosphere and decor.  The building greets you with pops of red as you approach.  Once inside, there's a nice open feeling with a lounge area to the left and the main dining area to the right.  There are some interesting tables to be found, with one having a Foosball table underneath!

Restaurant exterior

Foosball table

Menus

Open kitchen with Iberico Ham hanging

High ceilings and cozy booths

Fresh and delicious sangria

From there we went into tapas-land!  We all picked a few that sounded interesting as well as took some suggestions from our server.  A few came out at a time as we grazed throughout the meal. Overall we took our time with this meal and enjoyed great company.  This is a restaurant I would recommend taking your time with, as you want to pace yourself through the tapas courses.

Patatas Bravas A Jaleo favorite: fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli

Croquetas de Pollo Traditional chicken fritters

Pan de Cristal con Tomate Toasted slices of uniquely crispy and ethereal bread brushed with fresh tomato

Sangria Watermelon Pinchos

Endivias con Queso de Cabra y Naranjas Endives, goat cheese, oranges and almonds

Cono de Tomate y Queso Tomato marmalade and goat cheese cone

Buñuelos de Bacalao Fried cod and potato fritters with honey alioli

Datiles con Tocino 'Como Hace Todo el Mundo' Fried bacon-wrapped dates served with an apple-mustard sauce

Gambas al Ajillo The very, very famous tapa of shrimp sauteed with garlic

Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos de Setas y Queso de Cabra Seared piquillo peppers filled with mushrooms and goat cheese

Bikini de Jamon con Queso Manchego Pressed sandwich of Spanish ham and Manchego cheese

Tortilla de Patatas Clasica Spanish omelette with potatoes and onions

There were four of us dining and we left full, but not stuffed after sharing all those wonderful tapas.  My favorite was the croquettes and there was a lot of love for the bacon wrapped dates as well.  We didn't get to try the paella this time but would definitely make a point to order some on my next visit.  However, the variety of flavors, tastes and textures we got from this tapas experience was wonderful.  We all had a great meal and agreed that this is definitely a repeatable restaurant and great for a group to share and try lots of yummy things.

Which of these tapas looks best to you? Let us know in the comments below!

- Agent Maci