Aventura

216 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, United States
$$$ Restaurant
(1752 Reviews)
Price Range $50–100

Welcome to Aventura, a vibrant and welcoming restaurant nestled in the heart of Ann Arbor, Michigan at 216 E Washington St. This culinary gem specializes in Spanish cuisine, offering an exciting array of tapas and paellas that transport diners straight to the sun-kissed coasts of Spain.

The minute you step inside Aventura, you're greeted by a lively, energetic atmosphere, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience. The warm wooden accents and tasteful decor set a charming scene, inviting you to relax and indulge. Although bustling on busy nights, it’s part of the restaurant's charm—embrace the noise and excitement while savoring delightful dishes and crafted cocktails.

A true highlight at Aventura is their exquisite array of paellas. Dive into the Valenciana Paella Box, a feast of confit duck, bone-in chicken legs, and a delectable blend of saffron-infused ingredients, or opt for the Marisco Paella Box, brimming with fresh clams, shrimp, and octopus, capturing the essence of the sea. For a heartier option, the Americana Paella Box features succulent boneless chicken thigh and spicy chorizo—a dish that promises to warm your soul.

If you're looking for a lighter fare to share, their tapas selection does not disappoint. Picture fluffy AvenChurros, the ultimate sweet ending to your culinary adventure, or tantalizing twists on traditional dishes. Patrons rave about the bacon-wrapped dates and the perfectly seasoned mackerel, showcasing the kitchen’s commitment to quality and authenticity. Each dish is crafted with care, reflecting chef Raul C's intricate culinary techniques and passion for Spanish cuisine.

And let’s not forget about the drinks! Aventura boasts an impressive cocktail menu where even the classics are elevated—there’s something for everyone, from expertly blended sangrias to unique concoctions that perfectly pair with your meal. Many customers have praised the bartenders for their skill and attentiveness, making it a fantastic spot for happy hour with friends.

Customer experiences truly underline the essence of Aventura. Meg Watt described her visit as “absolutely incredible,” with the food and service exceeding expectations, while Andrew Ramos claimed to have enjoyed some of the best octopus he’s ever had—better than what he experienced in Greece! With high praise for both the food and staff, it’s clear that Aventura is in the business of creating memorable culinary adventures.

So whether you’re a local or visiting Ann Arbor, Aventura is a must-try for anyone looking to indulge in authentic Spanish flavors in an inviting atmosphere. Grab your friends or a date and embark on a gastronomic journey that pays homage to traditional Spanish cuisine while putting a fresh spin on flavor. Don’t miss out on this delightful treasure just waiting for you in downtown Ann Arbor!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves late-night food
Has private dining room
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

04:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

04:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

04:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

04:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Friday

04:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

04:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

04:00 PM - 10:00 PM

1752 Reviews
Andrew Ramos

03 Sep 2025

Love this place. Great assortment of cocktails. I've had better octopus here than I have in Greece to be honest. If it's your first time here with at least one other person, opt for a paella and tapas while you wait! It's loud in the dining room on a busy night so I seek out weeknights.

Meg Watt

22 Aug 2025

We had an amazing experience at Aventura Ann Arbor! We arrived on a busy Saturday without a reservation, and Kevin went above and beyond to find us seats. The customer service was outstanding—everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome. And the food? Absolutely incredible! Every dish was flavorful and beautifully prepared. From start to finish, it was a fantastic dining experience. We’ll definitely be back! Highly recommend!

Diana Reyes

13 Aug 2025

Amazing, and making honor to the name, it is a great adventure and experience to enjoy this place and the high quality food chef Raul C offers!! The quality, love and perfection in the craft of each dish shines through. Their Paella Valenciana is very authentic made with ingredients from Spain and a staple to try when you come. Their sangria was delicious as well as the tapas we ordered like croquetas, jamón ibérico, patatas bravas…every single dish was exceptional! Our servers were very kind and knowledgeable. Make sure you have reservations in advance as is a popular restaurant.. and when you try it you’ll know why!

Bart Patterson

28 Jul 2025

The food was very good. We ordered several of the tapas, I would have preferred several of them be delivered together. Each was delivered individually. Multiple servers waited on us bringing food and clearing plates. Sangria was very tasty, atmosphere was very good, music might have been a little loud to hold a conversation as I was sitting across the table.

John Schwenker

27 Jul 2025

Great experience! Highly recommend the bacon wrapped dates. The mackeral was a good starter, but certainly heavy on the salty flavor. The cucumber and tuna was a good followup, along with the mushrooms. If you like tapas or are looking to try them, this is one of the better places I have been.

Radhika Breaden

10 Jul 2025

Incredible upscale tapas and bar in the heart of Ann Arbor! Just stopped in for happy hour and was extremely impressed at the high level of professionalism, service and skill. The bartender made even classic drinks elevated and the cocktails and wine list were a cut above. Try some of the bites including the dates — could eat a dozen! We will definitely be back!

Myra Manalo

07 Jul 2025

Tapas were super delicious. I didn’t get a chance to picture them all. Paella was good but felt like it was missing something. 5 star service super friendly and helpful. Great place.

Maurielle C

03 Jul 2025

Aventura has very friendly staff and service, and everyone is very welcoming and attentive! Their tapas and drinks are also good. I highly recommend trying their sangrias. Summertime happy hour is lovely, and I highly recommend trying it out!

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