Best tapas restaurants in London
There’s nothing like sipping a sangria on the Costa del Sol or trying a new tapas dish in the back streets of Barcelona or a square of San Sebastian. If the group holiday fails to make it out of the group chat, but you need a taste of sunshine, you can always count on the tapas restaurants in our capital.
Deriving from the word “tapa”, which means “lid” in Español, tapas is said to have come from when bartenders covered customers’ drinks with a slice of ham or a bit of cheese to stop flies drowning in your caña.
The other origin of tapas is said to have come from a Spanish king, who realised that if he ate while drinking wine, he didn’t get a hangover.
I don’t need any more reason to mop up that red with a chunk of bread… these are the best tapas restaurants in London.
El Ganso Cafe
A tapas restaurant that takes you from day to night. El Ganso is a Spanish caff where the fry-ups come with patatas bravas. Or you can go sweet with some churros, coated in a sugar and cinnamon rub, the deep-fried dough is calling to be dipped in melted dark choc. That’s flamenco music to my ears.
Tapas is about grazing, and the extensive menu at this spot is sure to keep you occupied.
In evening dining, one dish you have to order is the Albóndigas – traditional Spanish meatballs served in cherry tomato sauce, inspired by the head chef’s mum’s traditional recipe – and it’s glorious. And remember to order some of the E5 Bakehouse bread and save some to soak up the leftover sauce.
London Fields, E8 | elgansocafe.co.uk
Bar Kroketa
There aren’t many occasions where a restaurant has gone viral on TikTok and it’s then lived up to expectations. But I can’t write about the best tapas in London without paying homage to my favourite plate – the hearty croqueta – or mentioning a restaurant that dedicates most of its menu to these deep-fried delights.
Bar Kroketa’s croquetas were one of the best I’ve had outside of Spain. The jamón, migas and paleta taste the most like a traditional Spanish bodega. You can also try some interesting spins on the classic with a chicken, homemade mustard and chicken skin croqueta, or the butternut squash and roasted piquillo – my fave kind of pepper.
Soho, W1F | kroketa.co.uk
Escocesa
When realising that Scottish seafood was being shipped to Spain due to delicacies not being in demand in the UK, the owner of Escocesa (translated as Scottish) stepped in to hi-jack some of that elite produce.
This spot is a love letter to Spain and Scotland, with a whole glug of Spanish sherry in the mix.
The menu has favourites such as stuffed courgette flowers, tortilla and pan con tomate. But the marisco is where it really comes into its own – you’ll find dishes such as seabass ceviche with coriander, red onions and grapes or charcoal-grilled sardines with ajillo.
Stoke Newington, N16 | escocesa.co.uk
Rayuela
Now for a bit of fine dining tapas. Rayuela is a Spanish word for hopscotch, and that is how they want you to consume the dishes here, jumping from one mouthful to the next, tastebuds overcome as each flavour dances on your palette.
With things done a little differently here, Rayuela serves main dishes alongside tapas and starters. And a main event it is. Cooked on the charcoal grill, try the blue-fin tuna served with pistachio ajo blanco and cherry bonbons or the octopus with chontaduro sauce and red mojo. A decadent dinner out Ealing way.
Ealing, W5 | rayuela.co.uk
Llerena
You’ll find a compact menu of deliciousness at this North London location. The prawn dish sizzles in a garlic and chilli sauce, the padrón peppers are charred to perfection and you simply have to try the Jamón Ibérico.
A paella special enters the Llerena menu for weekend dining, expect it true Spanish style – slow-cooked with love using homemade sofrito sauce and Spanish rice and seafood.
Dine on a Sunday (or Thursday) and you’ll be accompanied by the sounds of live Spanish guitar to serenade your meal.
Islington, N1 | llerena.co.uk
Gremio
If it were me picking three tapas dishes for the table, it would have to be fried honey aubergine, the grilled pork belly with apple sauce, a morcilla crumb and crispy sage and then the Creama Catalana. A dessert counts, right?
The best thing about this Brixton spot, though, is after you enjoy some tapas, the restaurant below St Matthew’s Church turns into a club. Every Friday night, the tables are cleared away and a DJ jumps on the decks.
Dance the night away while sipping on a glass (or jug) of Sangria, take it a la casa or Gremio style, which is made with Absolut vodka, Absolut raspberry vodka, rose wine, peach, strawberry and lemon. A fruity twist on the classic.
Brixton, SW2 | gremiodebrixton.com
José Pizarro
It’s not possible to do a round-up of London tapas without mentioning chef José Pizarro, he is somewhat a king of Spanish small plates with three spots just on Bermondsey Street. How can you choose between them?
Well, here is my easy guide: the Pizarro restaurant at number 194 is for decadent dining, think whole legs of lamb and Andalucian cuttlefish stew to slurp.
The Tapas Bar at 104 is most like a traditional Spanish tapas bar, with no reservations and the menu on a chalkboard. It’s authentic and tasty with over 50 Spanish wines and sherries on the menu sold by the glass.
And finally, the newest venture, Lolo at number 102 does all-day dining. From lazy Spanish omelettes or devilled eggs in the morning to Ox cheek on brioche served in the evening, there is something to satisfy.
Bermondsey, SE1 | josepizarro.com
Editor's note: Spot any incorrect information? Or have an article idea for HeadBox.com? Get in touch at submissions@headbox.com