Don Quijote brings the spirit of Spain to Valparaiso with an authentic dining experience centered on classic entrees, flavorful tapas, and a warm, candlelit setting that makes every visit feel special.
As a Spanish restaurant with a strong reputation for quality and atmosphere, it offers more than just a meal — it creates a place where guests can slow down, share plates, enjoy thoughtful conversation, and experience the comfort of traditional hospitality.
Whether you are stopping in for lunch, settling in for dinner, or planning a memorable evening out, Don Quijote delivers a polished yet welcoming setting that appeals to solo diners, couples, families, and groups alike.
Customers consistently praise the restaurant for its fast service, great cocktails, excellent coffee, impressive dessert selection, and well-curated wine list, all of which help turn a simple night out into something memorable.
The menu goes beyond the expected with comfort food, healthy options, small plates, spirits, beer, and cocktails, along with local specialties that give guests a true taste of the area.
Don Quijote is also a strong choice for catering, table service, and relaxed dining experiences, with options for dine-in, takeaway, kerbside pickup, delivery, outdoor seating, and on-site services to fit a variety of needs and schedules.
With a 4.70-star rating based on 947 reviews, it is clear that guests return not only for the food, but for the consistent quality and care that define the experience.
The atmosphere is equally inviting, blending casual comfort with a cozy, romantic, trendy, and upmarket feel that makes it suitable for both everyday dining and special occasions.
Practical amenities like wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and toilet ensure the space is welcoming to more guests, while conveniences such as restroom access, Wi-Fi, and free Wi-Fi add to the overall ease of the visit.
Dinner reservations are recommended, and the restaurant accepts reservations as well as credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for added convenience. Located at 119 E Lincolnway in Valparaiso, Don Quijote is a standout destination for anyone seeking great food, attentive service, and a memorable Spanish dining experience in the heart of the city.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Don Quijote
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
galician meat pastry made with peppers, tomatoes, onions and chicken.
spanish style omelette made with potatoes, onions and eggs.
creamed chicken dipped in egg and bread crumbs then deep fried.
steamed mussels.
tender, tasty shrimp sauteed with garlic.
jumbo shrimp grilled in the shell.
jumbo shrimp in the shell rioja style (sauteed with garlic in a white wine sauce).
french fried squid.
squid sauteed with onion, garlic and herbs, then simmered in its own ink.
galician style octopus with paprika and olive oil.
uniquely delicious spanish style meatballs.
moorish style skewered pork marinated in wine, paprika, oregano, parsley, garlic and olive oil.
mild smoked spanish sausage.
sliced cured spanish ham.
chicken livers sauteed with onions, garlic and herbs in a delicious sherry sauce.
french fried chicken livers.
fresh mushrooms sauteed with garlic.
grilled fresh mushrooms with garlic and olive oil.
sauteed artichokes with cured spanish ham.
french fried artichoke bottoms.
french fried cauliflower.
fresh cauliflower sauteed with garlic, paprika and roasted red peppers.
potatoes in a creamy garlic sauce.
potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce.
semi-soft spanish cheese.
tortilla,albóndigas,champiñones al ajillo, chorizo and patatas bravas.
tortilla,albóndigas,champiñones al ajillo, chorizo and patatas bravas.
Hear from our valued guests
Have seen their billboards for years and finally took a chance and went. Why did I wait soooo long! Ed, our server was SUPER! The atmosphere was super. The food, was fantastic! Such a great dinning experience! Fresh flavors and expertly prepared. The owner truly cares about his business and treats his guests like royalty. We will be back. Put it on your list.
Everything about this place was an absolute treat. From the care that the servers took and making us feel welcomed and explaining all of the variety of options, to the owner actually coming out and greeting us making us feel very welcomed. I would recommend a reservation if you need one as it does get very busy, but we were able to go early and enjoy our meal. There was live music that was not too loud at all and he was very talented, it was very much a relaxed atmosphere. When it came to the tapas, we got the combo platter and it was an absolute treat. The variety was amazing and all of the things you could want were on there. I'm told some of their best stuff! We completely cleared our plate of appetizers, and couldn't imagine how good the main entrees would be. I got crab stuffed flounder, and it was cooked to perfection. Served with vegetables and the best Spanish rice I've had in my life. Hands down. No questions asked. We also sampled the house wine, and ended up leaving with three bottles because they had a buy two get one free. There was also another dish that was pork skewers served with vegetables and rice, and they were an absolute succulent bite each time. We were so impressed that there weren't much left on our plates by the time we were done. Still unable to stop, we ended up ordering two desserts! Everything they say about the desserts is true, they're the best ones I think I've ever had. And the flavor is incomparable. We got the wine stewed pear and the pound cake in a cream, jelled sauce. I'm so relieved that we decided to get two desserts because they were both beyond words. The sponge cake was refreshing and light and cool as well as very rich and creamy. What really impressed me was the wine stewed pear as the caramelization and sweetness of the wine went together heavenly. That served over ice cream which gave it a lovely vanilla creamy base. I think my favorite part was drinking the juices afterwards. This is truly a gem of Valpo, knowing it's
If we could give 100/10 we would! The food was incredible, highly recommend the calamares en su tinta, and the flan for dessert. Elena was incredibly sweet and treated us like family. Healthy portions, attentive staff and each bite continuously tasted like the first. We WILL be back!
For over 30 years we have driven the Route between Elkhart Indiana and the suburbs of Illinois to visit family. We have seen the Dan Quixote billboard for that long and always mentioned that we want to go. Well last night, on June 20th, summer solstice evening of 2025, we finally stopped! This place felt magical to us. It's so quaint and such an Amazing atmosphere. We dined outside on the most beautiful evening. Our server Thomas was so fun and very attentive. The appetizers, soup, entrées, dessert, and wine were all out of this world! Very authentic The proprietors, Carlos and Elena, treated everyone there like family. You just don't see that very much anymore. It's obvious they have poured their hearts and souls into this restaurant for the past 40 years. The experience there was just as magical as the food. We can't wait to go back! If you're driving through the area on the tollroad, Don Quixote is worth the time a little bit off of the highway in downtown Valpo. 👏🏼🍷
Don Quijote in Valparaiso is a fantastic spot for authentic Spanish cuisine. The food is flavorful and well-prepared, especially the paella and tapas like croquetas and patatas bravas. Great wine and sangria selection, friendly service, and a warm atmosphere. Highly recommended for a memorable dining experience.
The food was outstanding and the service was absolutely wonderful. This was our third time dining here, and once again, everything exceeded our expectations. The Tortilla à la española was cooked to perfection, and the Cordero asado was incredibly tender—literally melting in your mouth. We also had the pleasure of meeting Carlos, the owner, and his business partner, Mrs. Elena, who is in charge of desserts. Both were extremely kind, welcoming, and generous. Elena’s flan deserves special mention—it had a truly unique and unforgettable flavor. To top off an already perfect evening, they surprised us with a complimentary bottle of wine. Exceptional food, impeccable service, and genuine hospitality. Highly recommended. We will definitely be back.
Highly recommend this restaurant! Our servers, Ed and Morgan, provided excellent service to our group and ensured that we felt welcomed and comfortable. They timed everything perfectly, descriptively described dishes, and kept our waters filled. Service was complemented well by the tasty red sangria, tapas, and marinara paella to create a memorable experience. Carlos can sure throw down in the kitchen! We made sure to save room for dessert. We ordered the flan, lime ice pie, pear, and blueberry desserts. So delicious! These all paired especially well with the port wine that was offered to us. We look forward to returning. Thank you so much for everything!!
First time eating here. Let me start by saying the owners of this place are amazing, they make everyone feel very welcomed. They will talk to every table we even got free samples of other food just so we can try it. The food is just as incredible. We had the croquetas and pállela for two and the pitcher of sangria. For dessert we had the flan. We will definitely be returning to this restaurant. It is no wonder it has been in business for over 40 years.
I traveled to Valparaiso, IN for work and am I more than glad I came across this restaurant. I have dined at a few Spanish, Argentinian, and Brazilian restaurants across the country and this place is the most impressive I have had. I started with the pulpo and croquettes, and both were a 10/10. I spent some time in the Caribbean, and the pulpo dish here blew away anything I had in Puerto Rico. Presentation, taste, and price point were all great. For my entree I had a special, which was the smelt with a side of Spanish rice and brussel sprouts. Again, 10’s across the board. They also had an amazing wine and desert list! The service here is also seriously unmatched. Elena and Carlos are extremely friendly, welcoming people. They let me taste their in-house port and suggested an amazing dessert!!My server was also great, and explained the menu super well! By far one of the best and most remarkable dining experiences I’ve had while traveling. Next time I am around Valparaiso, I will be back again! 11/10 across the board!
We were in Indiana for just a few hours from Chicago and we had the best experience at Don Quijote. All staff were welcoming, professional, and knowledgeable. The atmosphere felt like being at a plaza in Spain. The food was unique, authentic, and satisfying. For drinks we had the house sangria & limonada. As a vegetarian, I had the gazpacho, cauliflower, cold potatoes, & mushrooms. My husband had the calamari. For dessert, we shared the Pera al Vino (pears poached in red wine) which was the best thing I have ever tasted and I was sure to tell our waiter so! Overall, I'm so glad we stopped in and we will definitely be back.
Common questions about Don Quijote
Don Quijote is located at 119 E Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383, United States, Valparaiso, IN, United States.
You can reach Don Quijote by calling +1 219-462-7976.
Don Quijote has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 947 customer reviews.
Don Quijote features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Don Quijote features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Don Quijote features the following highlights: Fast service, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Don Quijote features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Don Quijote features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Healthy options, Small plates, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Don Quijote features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Don Quijote features the following amenities: Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Don Quijote features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
Don Quijote features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, Tourists.
Don Quijote features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Don Quijote features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Don Quijote features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Don Quijote features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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