Spanish food in London has come a long way in recent years. Where once you would find only Tesco’s charcuterie presented on a wooden board and a glass of abrasive sangria, now there are Barcelona style boquerias and Basque country Pinxtos bars on every corner of every neighbourhood. The Revolución is in full swing and Londoners, always on the go and fond of a drink, have taken to small, fresh plates and glasses of sherry with zest.
Here are our ideal places to eat tapas in London:
Barrafina – Dean Street
No list of London restaurants, let alone London tapas restaurants, is complete without Barrafina. Frequently voted as London’s favourite place to dine, Barrafina’s popularity has led to two more springing up in central London.
The original has moved from Frith to Dean Street but the relocation has maintained what made the first Barrafina so great – a buzz created by simple decor, bar-stool seating only and a no reservations policy which made you feel blessed to nab a seat. The open kitchen view of the swashbuckling chefs only adds to its charm. The simplicity of the menu stays true to its Barcelona-bistro inspiration, with a focus on fresh seafood cooked and presented, zero-frills. Must-try dishes include a courgette flower stuffed with goat’s cheese and with garnished honey, and barbecued quail with aioli. Arrive early, order smartly and you’re in for the best Spanish food possible without hopping on a plane.
Address: 26-27 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3LL
Website: www.barrafina.co.uk
Boqueria – Acre Lane
Taking inspiration from the same Barcelona tapas bars as Barrafina, Boqueria, a 10 minute walk from Brixton tube station, offers a choice of bar seating or a beautiful, airy room at the back. Booking is essential as this South London favourite is heaving every night, and with good reason. Perennial favourites like jamon iberico and tortilla rub shoulders with more original creations such as red tuna carpaccio with almonds and soy sauce. We particularly love the foie and pedro ximenez on toast – a bite or two offers both sweetness and umami which will have you ordering a second and maybe even third.
Address: 192 Acre lane, SW2 5UL
Website: www.boqueriatapas.com
José Tapas Bar – Bermondsey
Chef Jose Pizzaro has worked in and opened a string of Spanish restaurants across the capital in his 15 years here. Jose Tapas Bar was his first solo opening, and in our opinion, his best. It is a no frills affair, with dishes listed on a chalkboard divided into cold cuts and cheese on one side, and specials on the other. The menu changes daily and depends on what looks good in nearby Borough Market. His hake and aioli was a particular favourite the last time we visited. The bar also stocks some rare sherries which suit the mostly standing room-only style of the place.
Website: josepizarro.com
Address: 104 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3UB
Brindisa – Borough Market
Another tapas bar located close to Borough Market, Brindisa is always alive with city workers spilling out onto the street, having a drink and a snack. The bustle and brio is magnetic, making it impossible to walk past without dropping in to sample some of their excellent Spanish cold meats and cheeses – their ‘selection of ibericos’ is worth the visit alone. They also do a mean ‘Spanish Sunday Roast’ if the traditional roast beef and all the trimmings just isn’t ticking your boxes.
Address: Borough Market, 18-20 Southwark St, London SE1 1TJ
Website: www.brindisa.com
Lurra – Seymour Place
Not a Tapas bar per se, but certainly in thrall to the Basque barbeque institution Etxebarri, this Spanish joint has gained huge popularity amongst London diners since its arrival in 2015. Without doubt, punters flock here for one thing above all else, Lurra’s 17 year-old (a LOT in cow’s years) Galician beef.
It arrives sizzling on a hot plate, unadorned but for a pinch or two of top quality Maldon sea salt, with a charred, almost bitter crust and VERY rare middle. It is delicious – the age of the cow allowing for a maturing flavour and complexity that is impossible to achieve in a younger one. The restaurant does a few smaller, starting plates very well indeed – cod brandade in courgette flower a particular highlight – but with the beef being this darn tasty and generous, we wouldn’t recommend over sedating your appetite before the main event.
Address: 9 Seymour Place, London W1H 5BA
Website: www.lurra.co.uk
Honourable mentions
Here are some other excellent options which didn’t quite make our top five, but are still well worth a visit.
Miss Tapas
A tiny, no reservations joint close to Peckham Rye Station, Miss Tapas is cheap and cheerful but does a roaring trade nightly, owing to a short, concise list of specials and reasonably priced but carefully selected regional wines.
Address: 46 Choumert Rd, London SE15, UK
Website: www.misstapas.com
Dehesa
A Spanish-Italian hybrid, Dehesa offers classy, well executed small plates and a great wine list just off Oxford Street.
Address: Kingly Court, 25 Ganton St, Carnaby, London W1F 9BP, UK
Website: www.saltyardgroup.co.uk
Rosita and The Sherry Bar (formerly Lola Rojo)
A recent change in name and move to a more sherry focused, Pinxtos experience has done nothing to dampen the popularity of this great little place just a few minutes walk from Clapham Junction Station.
Address: 124 Northcote Rd, London SW11 6QU
Website: www.rositasherry.net
Moro
Spanish tapas with a nod to North Africa, the flavours of the Sahara are a welcome addition to this sometimes experimental, always delicious menu.
Address: 32 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4QE
Website: moro.co.uk
Pix Bar
Pix Bar offers a large but simple and affordable menu of cold cuts and snacks, and with many outposts across the city, you’re never far from your next glass of Pedro Ximenez.
Address: Seven Dials London, 63 Neal St, London WC2H 9PJ
Website: www.pix-bar.com