Spanish Food

Spanish Restaurant

Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant is diverse, with the culture and flavors of each Spanish region influencing the tapas, seafood, and paella offerings.

History, culture, and tradition define this Spanish Restaurant. In Spain,  Spanish food and wine have evolved together. It’s why regional pairing is so significant at Spanish Restaurants. In Spain, food and wine have evolved around the culture and techniques of the region. They go hand-in-hand. Each Spanish region has a story; each Spanish wine region has a tradition.

No other nation in the world can match Spain’s diversity for food and wine. According to Chef Carlos, “Spain was blessed by God!”

Spanish Restaurant

SPANISH CUISINE

Spanish Tapas

Tapas Restaurant

Spain is known for its tapas culture, where small plates of food are shared among friends and family. This encourages socializing and allows you to explore the different Spanish regions and sample a variety of dishes in one sitting.

“Certain smells and tastes can last a lifetime. My Spanish food draws inspiration from cherished memories and sensory flashbacks of growing up with a celebrity chef as a father and mother who woke up and went to bed with the chickens.”

For a memorable experience, this Spanish restaurant won’t disappoint! Welcome to Restaurante Don Quijote. Salud!

40th Anniversary Wine Sale

Spanish WIne

No other nation in the world can match Spain's diversity for food and wine. Indeed, Spanish wine has captured the imagination of everyone, from the most sophisticated pallet to a new generation of wine enthusiasts.

How did Spain's wine culture reach such heights? Some say it's because God loves the Spanish so much that he blessed them with Rioja, the perfect wine region!

Spanish Wines
Spanish Desserts

ELENA'S DESSERTS

Elena’s Spanish Desserts are considered by many to be Valpo’s best desserts and even credited for helping make Valpo a culinary destination. The desserts are so fresh and good, it is common for locals to stop by Don Quijote for dessert after dinning elsewhere. The Spanish Desserts are that good!

Romantic Restaurant

Chefs' Table | Romantic Dinner for 2

For a truly extraordinary dining experience, Don Quijote Restaurant offers the Chef's Table plus Cellar Tour on Friday and Saturday evenings. Each course is personally selected, prepared, and served by Chef Carlos Rivero.

This all-inclusive dinner package is a romantic experience you'll always cherish and includes a tour of the Don Quijote Wine Cellar. Ask about the Don Q Wine Gift Basket.

Chefs' Table
Two people on a date sitting at a table with wine.
Wine Gift Baskets

Don Quijote Gifts

Gift basket full of assorted goods.

Show them your passion with Don Quijote Wine Gift Baskets! Spain is known for its diverse, high-quality wines, including renowned varieties like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Cava. A gift basket can be a delightful way to share a piece of Spanish culture. Your Spanish wine basket can come in a variety of options, prices and tastes. Choose a blend of red wine, white wine, and cava. Love Rioja? Let Carlos help you select a variety of Tempranillo.

Wine gift baskets are suitable for many occasions, from birthdays and anniversaries to corporate gifts and thank-you. They can be tailored to fit different tastes and preferences. Of course, wine pairing and cheese are always favorites. Many Spanish wine gift baskets include delicious accompaniments like tapas, cheeses, cured meats (like Jamón Ibérico), and olives. This creates a well-rounded gift experience that complements the wine and enhances the enjoyment.

Spanish wines often come with rich stories and traditions, which is why so many people love to have this popular gift presented during a remarkable dinner experience. For a special romantic rendezvous, present your wine gift basket during a Chefs Table Dinner.

Don Quijote

RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR SEATING

When Chef Carlos first introduced al fresco dining to Valpo 40 years ago, people laughed at him. Valparaiso's original restaurant with outdoor seating is now legendary! Outdoor dining is ``table stakes`` in Valpo and has helped make Valpo a destination. While sharing a table of tapas with friends is always fun, you can't top the paella and seafood for a Mediterranean state of mind.

Learn more
Outdoor seating arrangement at Spanish restaurant with Spanish wine.
Bottle and glass of wine on table.
Don Quijote

Restaurants with Outdoor Drinking

Every restaurant with outdoor drinking in Valpo has a version of Don Quijote's legendary sangria, but only one is the original. For a truly authentic outdoor dining experience, order seafood paella for two and a bottle of tempranillo wine from Rioja.

Wine Guide to Outdoor Dining
Meet

Chef Carlos Rivero

Carlos was born in Pontevedra, Spain in a small village tucked into the lush green mountains of the region of Galicia. He inherited his fascination for cooking from his father who worked as a chef on an ocean liner. Carlos spent his early years in Madrid as an apprentice in several major hotels in the capital. In 1975, he opened his own restaurant/cafe in the Tetuan neighborhood of Madrid where he worked as a chef until he came to the United States in 1978. His dream was to open a restaurant here in the states and introduce to Americans the rich and varied cuisine of his native Spain. After several years of working and planning, the “impossible dream” came true and he opened Restaurante Don Quijote in 1985 in downtown Valparaiso. This establishment is, to this day, the only Spanish restaurant in the state of Indiana.

Dinner for 2 at Chef Carlo's Table & Wine Cellar Tour
Don Quijote

Scholarship Fund

The Don Quijote Scholarship Fund provides support to help students experience the world. Whether the trip school-sponsored or an individual study, the Fund helps to fulfill the student’s dream to immerse his or herself in another country; to learn about and truly experience the culture and people he or she previously only read about. The scholarship may be used for the expenses associated with the educational travel.

Latest Blogs

Spanish Food, Wine, and Culture

Don Q’s Bolero 40 & Sangria Martini Part of Valpo Cocktail Challenge

Cheers to 40 years of flavor and flair! Don Quijote Restaurant is proud to be participating in the Valpo Cocktail Challenge 2025 with two signature entries that raise the bar (literally) for what a cocktail can be: the Bolero 40 and the Sangria Martini. Both are featured in Valparaiso’s curated list of 15 must-try cocktails […]

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40th Celebration Encore Performance | Danae Franco Returns to Don Quijote!

Due to Popular Demand  | Danae Franco Returns to Don Quijote! Our hearts are still singing from her last appearance, and now,  due to overwhelming demand, vocalist Danae Franco returns for an encore performance as part of Don Quijote’s 40th Anniversary Celebration! If you joined us for her last show, you already know why this […]

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From Cuba with Love | Special 40th Anniversary Celebration at Don Quijote

🎶 From Cuba with Love – A Special 40th Anniversary Celebration at Don Quijote Restaurant in Valparaiso Experience the soul of Cuba with powerhouse vocalist Danae Franco as she brings classic Cuban music to life in a vibrant tribute show. Backed by her sizzling live band, she reimagines timeless boleros, son, and salsa with raw […]

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