(CLOSED) El Mesón Spanish Restaurant: Authentic Spanish Cuisine Crafted by a Spaniard

At El Mesón Spanish Restaurant, authentic Spanish cuisine comes to life under the vision of Rubén Mato Alonso, a Spaniard dedicated to showcasing his homeland’s culinary heritage. Offering complimentary tapas to entice diners, El Mesón stands out in Shenzhen, where Spanish food is often misrepresented due to the scarcity of Spanish culinary experts. Rubén, one of the few Spaniards in this industry in the city, brings unparalleled authenticity to every dish.

Since settling in Shenzhen in 2010, Rubén has built a reputation through his company, Exotic Winds, importing premium Spanish wines and ingredients for over a decade. His deep connection to Spain’s gastronomic traditions fuels El Mesón, a realization of his long-held dream to create a restaurant that utilizes the finest imported ingredients he sources directly from Spain. Each dish reflects his commitment to quality and cultural fidelity, offering Shenzhen diners a true taste of Spain.

In 2024, Rubén seized a unique opportunity to bring his vision for authentic Spanish cuisine to life. Through a partnership with Lavo, he transformed the menu of their Nanshan restaurant at Shenzhen Bay Sports Stadium into a celebration of casual, home-style Spanish dishes. This collaboration gave rise to El Mesón, a dining destination rooted in Rubén’s passion for his cultural heritage.

Drawing on his mother’s cherished recipes, Rubén dedicated seven months to meticulously designing and perfecting the new menu, ensuring every dish captured the warmth and authenticity of Spanish home cooking. By March 2025, the revamped menu was successfully launched, introducing Shenzhen diners to a fresh, flavorful take on Spanish cuisine crafted with care and tradition.

At El Mesón, the dining experience centers on the vibrant tradition of tapas, a hallmark of Spanish cuisine that celebrates small, shareable portions designed to explore a variety of flavors. Rooted in Spain’s deeply social culture, tapas encourage communal dining, allowing guests to savor diverse dishes rather than filling up on a single entrée. Standout tapas include the Garlic & Chili Shrimps, Wine-Cooked Chorizos, Romesco Sauce Ox-Tongue, and Honey Crispy Eggplant Chips, each bursting with authentic Spanish flair.

Garlic & Chili Shrimps

Wine-Cooked Chorizos

Romesco Sauce Ox-Tongue

Honey Crispy Eggplant Chips

For those seeking innovative bites, El Mesón offers creative Mini-Toasts such as Sobrasada Paprika Sausage Spread, Melted Brie Cheese on Roasted Pepper, and Chorizo with Salsa Brava Sauce, blending tradition with bold new flavors. Among the main dishes, the Fresh Prawns & Mushrooms in Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce and Carmen’s Cow Stomach Stew shine, while seafood lovers can indulge in Galicia Octopus, Wine Sauce Fresh Mussels, or the Soupy Seafood Platter. Beef options, including Blue Cheese Cream Rib-Eye, Goose Liver Tenderloin, and Wagyu M6, elevate the menu with sophistication.

Sobrasada Paprika Sausage Spread Mini Toast

Melted Brie Cheese on Roasted Pepper Mini Toast

Chorizo with Salsa Brava Hot Sauce Mini Toast

Fresh Prawns & Mushrooms in Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce

Carmen’s Cow Stomach Stew

Galicia Octopus

Wine Sauce Fresh Mussels

Soupy Seafood Platter

Blue Cheese Cream Rib-Eye Beef Steak

Goose Liver Beef Tenderloin

Australian Rib-Eye Wagyu M6 300g

Rice dishes honor Spanish classics, featuring Seafood Paella, Soupy Seafood Rice, Black Rice Seafood, and Meat Paella, each crafted with authentic ingredients. This thoughtfully curated menu, reflects the heart of Spanish dining, inviting Shenzhen’s food enthusiasts to share in the joy of tapas and the richness of Spain’s culinary heritage.

Seafood Paella

Soupy Seafood Rice Paella

Black Rice Seafood Paella

Guests can indulge in Ibérico dry-aged meat platters, starting at just RMB 48 for a Salchichón Ibérico, a traditional Spanish dry-aged sausage. The platter selection spans a wide range, from Jamón Serrano Ham to the luxurious Jamón Ibérico 52 Month Aged Ham, showcasing the rich flavors of Spain’s finest cured meats.

Salchichón Ibérico Dry-Sausage

Jamón Serrano Ham 24 Months

Jamón Ibérico Spanish Ham 52 Months

The restaurant’s wine cellar boasts over 40 Spanish wines from 12 distinct regions, with bottles starting at RMB 138. This curated collection includes rare gems like Sparkling Cava and Sherry dessert wines, offering Shenzhen diners an authentic taste of Spain’s diverse viticulture. Additionally, an indoor Spanish Import Food Mini Shop allows patrons to purchase premium products such as olive oil, pickled vegetables, canned tuna and sardines, and even Spanish yogurts, bringing a slice of Spain home.

Wine Cellar

Spanish Import Foods Mini Shop

El Mesón enhances the dining experience with enticing daily promotions: after 9:00 PM, each glass of wine comes with a free tapa (under RMB 58); a 40% discount on brunch options reduces prices to below RMB 60 daily until 5:30 PM; afternoon coffee deals start at RMB 28 for a coffee paired with an empanadilla baked dumpling until 5:30 PM; purchasing a bottle of wine grants two or three free tapas (under RMB 58); and take-away wine purchases enjoy a 30% discount. These offerings make El Mesón a vibrant hub for authentic Spanish cuisine and culture in Shenzhen.

Address: Bay Plaza B-105, Nanshan Shenzhen Bay Sports Stadium (Houhai metro station). 南山区科苑南路2888号深圳湾万象城 BAYPLAZA-B105 （深圳湾体育馆下，后海地铁站）

Tel.: 13410063907 for reservations

WeChat: Scan below QR code for reservations

May 8, 2025