Bar Celis in Caguas won the Best Tapas award at the 2026 Ruta de la Tapa with its grilled octopus dish featuring foam of potatoes and celery and olive tapenade. The Ruta de la Tapa 2026, a month-long event, invited the public to visit different restaurants in Puerto Rico to discover flavors and products related to Spanish cuisine.
Bar Celis, a gastronomic project created by chef Luis Miguel Díaz, presented a tapas dish inspired by Spanish taverns. A panel of professionals from the gastronomy and media sectors, including Madeleine Vázquez, Lynet Santiago Túa, Yahaira Solís, Francisco Javier Díaz Torres, and Cristiana Fernández, evaluated the participating proposals and selected Bar Celis as the winner.
Additionally, Caleta del Vino in Old San Juan won the public’s choice award with its Ceviche Canario, made with sea bass, avocado, mango, and red onion, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and parsley. The Ruta de la Tapa is part of the Eat Spain Drink Spain campaign, an international promotion of Spanish cuisine led by ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones.