The term tapas may no longer be exclusive to Spanish plates (you'll find everything from Peruvian to Mexican below), but it's still wholly defined by its gorgeous flavours and broad ingredients. For small plate fun in the city? We're bringing you croquetas in Shoreditch, slinky wine-led tapas bars in central London and padron peppers in Brixton. Check out our favourite London restaurants for tapas.
You can find award-winning Spanish destination Barrafina in Coal Drops Yard, Borough and Adelaide Street, bringing a variety of feasting menus that are designed for sharing to your tapas meals. Plus, this swish spot will have the wine to match.
Head to Goodge Street, Borough or Westfield where this tapas bar is bringing you a stunning selection of small plates, served with elegance and panache. From their smoked haddock croquetas, to their unique list of sherries and fine wines, they're one of the best Spanish restaurants in central London.
La Rueda brings the spirit of Spain to Clapham with 40 years of authentic tapas, vibrant cocktails, and warm, rustic interiors. Perfect for date nights, group dinners, or rooftop parties, the menu spans traditional favourites and modern twists, while the bar serves sangrias, Spanish wines, and signature cocktails. Private and semi-private hire options, plus regular deals like Tapas Tuesdays and Happy Wednesdays, make it a neighbourhood essential.
Tucked between Kentish Town and Tufnell Park, Haylaz Brasserie & Tapas is one of North London's brightest hidden gems for tapas lovers. Bursting with Mediterranean flair and Spanish-inspired small plates, it's the kind of place where you can graze.
Expect sizzling prawns, sun-drenched flavours, and a bar that knows its way around a cocktail shaker. With live music setting the mood and a leafy garden perfect for alfresco evenings, Haylaz brings a slice of the Med to NW5.
Leicester Square Kitchen is an amazing place to pick up delicious Peruvian and Mexican tapas in the city. Not just because their small plates are delicious and their South American cocktail menu is just as, but it's no less than slap bang in the middle of London's iconic square.
Not sure where to eat out in Waterloo? Just follow the sultry sounds of live guitar music, and you'll be brought to Mediterranean hotspot Strings. Enjoy a plethora of tapas plates such as calamari, empanadas and padron peppers, alongside European wines and classic cocktails from mojitos to sangria.
BiBo is the ultimate place for tapas in Shoreditch. Not only is this dining den a total looker, but there's a six-course express lunch menu of small plates for only £25 and the chance to settle down to eat at dinnertime too.
If you're looking to impress your mates, take them to The Union Bar Paddington in Sheldon Square. Not only does the restaurant boast a fantastic array of tapas and wines, but also features eye-pleasing views of the river and a buzzing atmosphere.
The Gatehouse in Highgate is as cosy as they come, boasting rustic interiors and a roaring fireplace. But don't let that fool you, as their chef also knows how to rustle up a fantastic array of tapas plates, including pimentos de padron and pan amb tomaquet.
If you're looking for places to eat tapas in London, then El Pirata should be on your radar - having won the SME Award for Best Spanish Tapas in London for 2020-2021. Their focus is on family cooking and traditional Spanish hospitality, having been transporting diners to the streets of Madrid for over 30 years. Serving up all the classics from light bites and seafood plates to grilled dishes and plenty of wine, this is one to book.
Located in the City of London, Andrea Adams Court boasts beaut interiors, from the lush dangling foliage to the ornate wooden bar. As for the menu, you can expect tantalising tapas treats, including salted cod croquettes, tortilla and slow-cooked pork belly.
If you're looking for tapas in and around Clapham, it's hard to top La Terraza. This place packs in all kinds of sensational small plates, from pollo picanton and patatas bravas con chorizo to gambas al pil pil and pulpo a la parilla.
Got a bigger hole to fill? There's plenty of big plates up for grabs too – we're talking sirloin steak, seabass and lamb cutlets.
Not only does Opera Tavern cook up some of the best tapas in the city, but its Covent Garden location makes it a top choice for wining and dining in London. Go for the infamous Iberico pork and foie gras burger and stay for the fine selection of tapas, exclusive Spanish and Italian wines and gorgeous interior.
Whether you book into Camino Shoreditch, Farringdon, Monument or King's Cross, you'll get a mix of cosy, contemporary and fun vibes in equal measure - thanks to bottomless brunches, terracotta styling and music to boot. As for the menu? Use your wine to wash down black rice with cuttlefish and squid ink, alongside seared tuna, Galician fillet steaks and grilled leeks with romesco too.
For laid-back dining in a fun and relaxed setting head east to Tapas Revolution's newest (and largest) restaurant at Stratford Westfield. Settle yourself in for a feast of epic proportions with a menu jam-packed with Spanish classics, from patatas bravas to bacalao con piperrada, all washed down with jugs of sangria, of course.
Soak up Spanish wines and dig into sharing plates from London Bridge to Blackfriars and beyond. Whether you choose to dine alfresco on a sun-soaked terrace or cosy up at a table inside, El Vino won't leave you disappointed.= when it comes to a classic tapas experience.
For stylish haunts near London Bridge, Pizarro is slinging out some of the best Spanish food. From daily-changing croquettes to white pickled anchovies and so much more, the venue also has a wide selection of wine or cocktails to choose between.
Tucked away in the basement of The Hoxton Hotel in High Holborn, The Spirited is a vibrant tapas restaurant that showcases flavours from the 12 sovereign nations of South America. This is paired with a quirky signature cocktail menu, inspired by the Caribbean.
This cool space flaunts rustic wooden decor throughout, complete with pretty greenery and colourful tapestries hanging from the walls. On the food front, expect everything from sea bass ceviche to chickpea fries or scallops in herbed garlic butter and a creamy parmesan foam.
Located just off Regent Street, Aqua Nueva is a stunning Spanish restaurant and bar, specialising in tapas. While the space itself draws inspiration from traditional decor, the menu is equally as impressive with its Northern-style small plates that are ideal for sharing.
Escocesa can be found serving the finest tapas from their Stoke Newington Church Street location, promising the very best Scottish seafood and Spanish produce too. The result? Everything from charcoal tenderstem broccoli with crumbed mushrooms to seabass ceviche and slow-cooked Iberian pig cheek with apple chutney on the menu, with owner Stephen's love of sherry shining through on the drinks list. Plus, executive chef Pablo Rodriguez has a wealth of experience at Michelin star restaurant Jean Luc Figueras in Catalunya alongside London's Barrafina and Moro too, so your tastebuds are in great hands.
If you're in search of an elevated tapas experience in London, quite literally, Waterloo Sky Bar offers an intimate and stylish setting for Mediterranean small plates with a view. Located atop the H10 London Waterloo Hotel, this chic rooftop pairs skyline panoramas with delicious dishes like ham croquettes, Manchego cheese, and golden churros.
The tapas menu is accompanied by classic cocktails and a carefully selected wine list, including crisp Cava. Perfect for a relaxed evening of sharing plates and conversation, it's a refined alternative to London's busier tapas haunts.
