Venga, Bar de tapas, Leblon quarter, upper-class district in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold ( such as mixed olives and cheese ) or warm ( such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid ). In select bars tapas have evolved into an entire, and sometimes sophisticated, cuisine. One can order many different tapas and combine them to make a full meal..The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them.