Going out for dinner on a first date is a big time commitment and the process can seem really formal. Tapas can be a good middle ground because you're still eating together, but you can cut the date short or extend it however you see fit. It's also a great way to see if your date is the sharing type.
Avoid anything too spicy if you know you're sensitive to it, and use a knife and fork to dive into the messier options. I will die on the hill of arepas as the best date food of all time, but I trust you to pick your own option.