Fancy a slice of Spain but don't fancy coughing up the airfare? Fair, let us help guide you through Spain in the city. From gorgeous tapas bars to slinky eateries, London is veritable proof that European culture can thrive, with famous Iberian dining spots sharing the same postcodes with casual paella destinations. Get tucking in authentic cuisine, sip a glass of rioja and soak up the lively Mediterranean atmosphere at London's best Spanish restaurants.
With one of the best Spanish restaurants in London Bridge under their belt, as well as outposts in Fleet Street to Masons Avenue, El Vino's eateries are fantastic if you've got a hankering for delicious Mediterranean food. Pop over for everything from client lunches to date nights.
If you're looking for authentic Spanish-style cooking in the city, get on over to Prince Arthur. Proudly Basque, its dishes are cooked over open flame on a custom-built grill imported from the homeland.
There's a choice of spots to tuck in, from the elegant dining room to the cosy pub. Wherever you pull up a pew, expect prime cuts like Galician Blond beef and standout seafood like wild turbot and bluefin tuna. The native lobster rice with saffron aioli is simply stunning, with a lot of bite. Though you really can't skimp on chutoro, tomato, and arbequinato start - it simply melts in your mouth.
When you need Spanish restaurants in Shoreditch, BiBo is coming in hot with menus of brunch, tapas and paella for you to make your way through. Not only that, but there's a six-course express lunch menu that will only set you back £25.
Nestled in a gorgeous, listed building and fronting a menu of lip-smacking grub, The Olde Wine Shades is one of the best Spanish tapas restaurants in London. Head on over to dive into chunky chips with bravas sauce, rioja-marinated chorizo and serrano meatballs.
Championing the flavours of the Basque region to the heart of Shoreditch, Sagardi is the Curtain Road eatery that comes out on top for premium steaks and regional wines. The perfect date night hangout, the atmosphere here is relaxed and welcoming.
Having won an award for the best Spanish tapas in London during the 2020/2021 SME Awards, El Pirata really is something special. Escape the busy streets of Mayfair with this vibrant, hidden eatery, where for the last 30 years they've been serving authentic Mediterranean fare in traditional fashion. Expect top-quality hospitality and over 100 fine wines on their list, as well as a range of dishes like gambas pil pil, deep-fried squid and prawn fritters with garlic aioli. What's more, they offer boozy brunches with unlimited sangria here too.
Got a hankering for simple yet perfectly executed Spanish fare? Then Dehesa should be your go-to. The menu here changes seasonally but always showcases a creative range of European bites. And to quench your thirst, choose from wines, beers or cocktails.
Bringing Mediterranean vibes to the Bedford Road, La Terraza is a top spot for Spanish small plates. Pull up a pew at the bar, in the restaurant or on the terrace to tuck into traditional tapas, from patatas bravas con chorizo to croquetas de pollo and pulpo a la parilla.
There's plenty to pair with your plates too - we're talking sangria, classic cocktails, worldly wine and a sold list of beers. Get down here at the weekend and the place transforms from laidback taverna to full on Latin party.
Opera Tavern doesn't do its food in half measure, oh no. Mixing European flavours, this is one of the best Spanish restaurants in Covent Garden, serving up the likes of classic tortilla, iberico pork burgers and chorizo magno. Plus, there's a fabulous selection of vinos to pair.
Taking up a prime position near Regent Street and home to a rooftop terrace, Aqua Nueva is a stunning place for a bite to eat. Drawing inspiration from traditional cuisine, the venue offers a choice of Northern Spanish small plates which are ideal for sharing when out with mates or on a date night.
Head over to Westfield, Borough or Goodge Street where this slick tapas bar cooks up an indulgent selection of small plates and snacks, including cured meats, cheese, croquetas and seafood. To go with your meal, there's a top-notch array of fine Spanish wines, as well as chilled sherries and puddings.
Searching for cool Spanish restaurants in London? Barrafina is located on Adelaide Street, as well as Coal Drops Yard and London Bridge. Enjoy munching on tapas such as lamb shanks, ham croquettes, cheese and marinated olives, alongside a glass of wine or beer.
Sporting a casual dining environment, Tapas Revolution is ideal for chilled-out lunches and relaxed dinners. The menu here is jam-packed with crowd-pleasing Spanish classics, from sharing-size paellas to tapas small plates and jugs full of fruity sangria.
Ideal for private parties and date nights alike, Pizarro in London Bridge is a Spanish restaurant promising traditional grub fused together with a modern approach to eating out. Come here for the cool interiors and extensive wine list and stay for the mouthwatering tapas.
Book La Rueda, a South London favourite serving authentic Spanish tapas and handcrafted cocktails for over 40 years. Whether it's sizzling chorizo, patatas bravas, or paella made to order, the food is as lively as the atmosphere.
Take it upstairs to the Rooftop Bar for evening DJs (playing every Friday to Saturday) and panoramic Clapham vibes. With tapas deals, sangria jugs, and cocktail specials throughout the week, La Rueda makes any night feel like a Spanish fiesta.
From King's Cross to Shoreditch to Farringdon and Monument, Camino has a number of venues waiting to satisfy your craving for Spanish food. Taking inspiration from this Mediterranean destination, you can expect a warm tapas bar feel with a contemporary edge, alongside Galician fillet steaks, mushroom and butter bean mojo verde, and more - plus the aperitivo, cava and wine to accompany.
If you're on the hunt for Spanish restaurants in Soho, Ember Yard boasts a menu of European fusion cuisine. Chow down on all kinds of mouthwatering morsels, from jamon, leek and manchego croquetas to churros with warm chocolate sauce.
A stylish restaurant in Waterloo, Strings offers a delicious Spanish and Italian menu in Mediterranean-inspired surrounds. We're talking patatas bravas, garlic prawns, sea bass fillets and steaks, washed down with excellent wines and cocktails.
That's not all that's on offer here, as they also host live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Expect charming guitar players, whether you're dining in the main restaurant or relaxing at the bar.
While The Gatehouse may not look like your usual Spanish spot, don't let its appearance fool you; this Highgate gastropub boasts some of the city's best tapas. Using sustainable producers, it rustles up all the classics you know and love, as well as a few signature sensations.
Spanish fine dining restaurant ArrosQD is bringing Valencian techniques and open fire cookery to the heart of Fitzrovia. From tasting menus of varying sizes and indulgence level, to super swanky interiors, this swish spot is making sure your dining experience is extra special.
Combining the finest Scottish seafood with Spanish cuisine and other ingredients is Stoke Newington's Escocesa, a tapas restaurant that's the little sister of Bar Esteban. This laid-back spot is the place for hand-dived Orkney scallops, grilled octopus with white beans puree and capers, and slow-cooked Iberian pig cheek with apple chutney - all washed down by drinks that reflect owner Stephen's love of sherry or your choice of cocktails. Better yet? Executive chef Pablo Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience from Michelin star restaurant Jean Luc Figueras in Catalunya alongside London's Barrafina and Moro.
Moro and Morito chef-owners, Sam and Sam Clark, opened their third site on Hackney Road - a follow up to their Exmouth Market location that's been on the scene since 1997. The husband and wife team promise an array of exciting flavours and ingredients from Southern Spain to the mountains of North Africa, with a constantly-changing menu that could include lamb chops in anchovy butter, grilled wild bream and sweet onion tortilla.
Nieves Barragan (previously of Barrafina) has teamed up with the former general manager, Jose Etura, to create Sabor, a two-storey Spanish restaurant located in the heart of Mayfair. Each floor has a different theme, with the ground boasting an open kitchen whipping up dishes from the Basque Country and Catalonia. Upstairs, you'll find notes from Galicia and Castile. Plates include the likes of octopus with Mojo Rojo and stuffed piquillo peppers with braised ox tail.
If London's Spanish dining scene had a new crown jewel, it's Legado. From Michelin-starred chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho, the force behind Sabor, this Shoreditch newcomer is both a celebration of Spanish heritage and a bold step forward. Inspired by Nieves' Basque childhood, Legado transports diners from East London drizzle to the warmth of a Spanish taberna, complete with terracotta tiles, flickering ovens, and a soundtrack of sizzling prawns.
The menu is a masterclass in texture and tradition: quisquillas de Cádiz bursting with sweetness, piquillo goat's cheese tempura that melts on the tongue, and arroz campero rich with ibérico pork and mushrooms. Even the desserts - like the saffron ice cream with white chocolate mousse and Arbequina olive oil - nod to Spain's sun-soaked soul.
