Small plates are quickly becoming a favourite way to dine in London. Whether you're looking to share with friends, bond on a date night or you're just too darn indecisive, they're perfect for spreading across a table and diving in. While tapas will always have a place in our hearts, there’s plenty of dishes from around the world to sample, from Italian cicchetti to Middle Eatsern mezze, graze your way across continents with our guide to small plates in London.
A hidden gem in the heart of the city, The King Arm's is just a short walk from both London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Much loved by its locals, it's got a cosy bar area and plenty of quiet corners for a pint and a bite.
There's even more to love over on the menu, with classic pub grub dishes, grilled meats and a long list of small plates. We're talking short rib croquettes, aubergine parmigiana, peri peri chicken wings and honey glazed halloumi.
Located within a former power station, don't be deceived by this imposing 9000 sq.ft venue, the small plates here are as good as any cosy independent nook. With offerings such as clam, nduja and cider linguine, and smoked tomatoes served with burrata and basil oil, the focus at Wild by Tart is on sustainable local produce and the highest quality ingredients.
Finsbury Park's Must Day & Night is a great pick of small plate restaurants if you're after Mediterranean dishes aplenty. Think beetroot carpaccio, calamari, patatas bravas, falafel and more across an extensive list, all washed down by cocktails.
For a welcoming ambiance and a stunning selection of cocktails, head to the award-winning Little Bird Battersea. As for the menu, they boast a diverse selection of dishes including prawn dim sum, filo feta cheese and falafel tacos.
Serving up small plates in the form of chorizo al vino, padron peppers and Iberian pork, El Pirata has the tapas plates sorted. On top of authentic eats, there's also over 100 different wines to wash it all down.
After Pan-Asian small plates? Everything from dim sum to sushi and wok-fried squid in sambal suace is on the cards at Gura Gura. Plus, this destination is all kinds of pretty, from foliage ceiling installations to wall art and murals.
Aqua Nueva is a stunning Spanish restaurant and bar for enjoying small plates in London. Located in a prime central London location, just a stone's throw from Regent Street, the venue takes inspiration from Northern Spain with traditional decor and tapas dishes.
With candlelight and rustic charm, Oui Madame is designed for slow, lingering dinners. The menu is packed with small and sharing plates, from scallops and pressed pork to rack of lamb and seafood orzotto.
The wine list gives you plenty of reasons to stick around too. Every plate is paired perfectly with a drop from France's most famous regions.
For Italian small plates in London? Check out Osteria Vitis, found on Major Draper Street in Woolwich. Their charming, historical building dates back to 1671 and has been tastefully updated, yet still includes exposed brick, warm wood accents and a cosy vibe to create a true Italian osteria.
Small plates here include all-day brunch dishes like flaked poached salmon on an Italian stracchino cheese-slathered toast and whipped ricotta, honey walnut and figs atop warm waffles, alongside other dishes like the tender slow-cooked squid in a white wine-tomato sauce and traditional Sicilian arancini.
Found near the British Museum, on Great Russell Street and minutes from Tottenham Court Road station is the conveniently located Bloomsbury St Lounge. The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is tucked away inside Radisson Blu Hotel, serving moreish chilli garlic prawns, aubergine, goma and crumbled feta with crisp flat bread, and habanero-spiced chicken across its small plates.
Pedro's Wine Bar brings the vibrant flavours of Portugal to Bermondsey, perfectly pairing its wine selection with a delicious menu of traditional small plates.
From flaming chouriço to hearty feijoada pork stew, every dish celebrates Portugal's culinary heritage with a modern twist. Whether you're indulging in grilled octopus or finishing with a classic pastel de nata, the food here elevates the wine experience in a warm, inviting setting.
Small plates on a rooftop? If that sounds like your thing, then Sabine is just the place. Expect to tuck into a seasonally-changing list of sumptuous dishes, all while swilling them down with cocktails and enjoying views of St Paul's.
Nestled in the heart of Peckham, The Begging Bowl is a celebration of Thai street food culture, serving up small plates packed with flavour and flair. Founded by chef Jane Alty, the kitchen draws on regional Thai traditions and fresh British produce to craft dishes that are both authentic and inventive.
With unlimited rice, a laid-back vibe and a menu that changes with the seasons, it's perfect for casual dinners and group feasts alike.
Below popular Soho eatery The Counter, you'll find Under The Counter - a late-night listening bar brought to life by mixology expert João Silva and chef Kemal Demirasal. Here, you'll find DJs playing immersive playlists, as well as some cracking small plates.
Their Turkish-inspired menu ranges from white crab orzo to pistachio and feta cigars or fries with caviar mayonnaise. Plus, there's a huge selection of wines and spirits to enjoy on the side.
This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is a glamorous haunt boasting a menu of Spanish and Italian small plates, alongside signature Mexican and Peruvian offerings from sister sites Monmouth Kitchen and Leicester Square Kitchen. Signature dishes include their deliciously dainty tacos, jamon and machego croquettas and chilli panko tiger prawns.
Looking to graze on top-notch nosh? Get on over to Arabica - an amazing Levantine restaurant in King's Cross.
Pull up a pew at the counter to watch the chef's at work, settle into the wooden banquettes or bag the large central table for a long and leisurely group dinner. Whatever brings you here, you can tuck into delicious meze, from sea bream crudo to chargrilled prawns with citrus butter. Over at its sister site in Borough Market, you can tuck into more delicious dishes inspired by travels through Jordan, Lebanon, Istanbul and beyond.
Kentish Town's Never For Ever serves up small plates a-plenty with a focus on sustainability and seasonal grub. Munch on nduja and scamorza croquettes, crispy squid and watermelon gazpacho, all swilled down with a choice of craft beers, cocktails or global wines.
From hot sauce-smothered halloumi served alongside lemon yoghurt, to tamari soy-glazed pork belly bites and a range of different tacos, the small plates at The Street Easy are crowd-pleasers that are designed to be shared. Plus, you can wash it all down with cocktails at this Exmouth Market spot.
@ The Elmhurst on Every 1st Thursday of the month
On the lookout for sensational small plates? Get on over to The Elmhurst Supper Club.
Running on the 1st Thursday of the month, it serves up seasonal dishes from head chef Andrew Swann - each paired with wine and cocktail suggestions from the in-house mixologist and sommelier from Ellis Wines. Bag your ticket to a spot at the table from just £16.50.
Gallio is a gorgeous Mediterranean restaurant in Canary Wharf that dishes out delicious mezze plates all day long. You can expect everything from patatas bravas and fried halloumi to lamb kofte and traditional Greek salad, alongside plenty of tasty seafood options too.
Sometimes nothing beats tucking into some delicious small plates or sharing them with friends, so be sure to check out Hannah in Clapham. This stunning haunt not only offers mouthwatering plates, but they also have a crackin' drinks menu to be enjoyed in their stunning space.
Whatever you're in the mood for, you'll find it in small plate form at LULA in Queen's Park. This charming eatery is full of pretty plants, rustic wooden furniture and white brick walls, with a gorgeous loft space for private hire too. What's more, you can dine on tasty bites like beef tartare, grilled tataki salmon and king oyster mushrooms here.
A traditional boozer in Mayfair that's been transformed into a slick pub and wine bar, The White Horse is also home to a mega menu of small plates. While regularly changing, you can expect international bites that place a strong focus on Italian flavours.
While Paternoster Tavern is certainly a looker, found in a Grade II-listed building boasting ornate yet stylish interiors, the menu is equally as enticing. Delve into Asian-British small plates, like salt and pepper tofu, chicken bites with coconut curry mayo and scallop cakes accompanied by fennel salad.
Whether you're looking for a light bite or want to tuck into a lot of little dishes, you're going to love Lillie's small plates. A refined rooftop wine bar and restaurant, this place serves up English sparkling wines and all kinds of incredible seasonal British dishes.
We're talking Gressingham duck, wild boar pasta, beef tartare and Suffolk ham hock. Prefer something from the sea? How about Carlingford oysters, Scottish salmon, Orkney scallops, smoked eel, Exmoor caviar and lobster rolls.
For lovers of creative, shareable dishes, Noci Richmond is a small-plates paradise. From crispy Parma ham parcels to burrata with dill oil, 'nduja arancini, and seasonal salads, there's a plate to suit every appetite.
Pair with cocktails like the peach and elderflower gin fizz or green chilli and mango margarita and enjoy a laid-back, buzzy atmosphere overlooking Richmond Hill. The same culinary style thrives across Islington, Shoreditch, and Battersea, making Noci a go-to destination for small-plate enthusiasts.
Looking for a pub that can handle date night just as easily as a lively group dinner? Make tracks to 26 Furnival Street, a relaxed City fringe hangout dishing up rave-worthy pizzas alongside a tempting line-up of Mediterranean plates.
Order lamb kofta, golden halloumi, patatas bravas and more for the table, or skip sharing altogether and claim the carbonara bites as your own. All menu choices are thoughtfully planned and guided by quality ingredients from local London suppliers.
At Camino Farringdon, King's Cross, Monument and Shoreditch, it's all about good food, great company, and the relaxed joy of sharing plates. The former is set in a stunning historic building and was born from a life-changing journey through Spain, where the people, flavours, and energy left a mark on its founder.
Today, that passion lives on in every dish, drink, and lively moment inside. Whether you're after a cosy meal in the back dining room or a fun-filled night of tapas and cocktails, this is the perfect place to eat, drink, and embrace the Spanish way of life.
This gorgeous wine bar and bottle shop not only serves stunning dynamic wines from unique producers, but it also happens to dish up some particularly impressive small plates. Swing by to sip on refreshing drinks paired expertly with fresh cheese plates, cured meats and more.
Offering a gorgeous array of small plates at both their Haggerston and Bethnal Green venues, Arepa & Co is the place to go for delicious Venezuelan eats, including yuca chips, tequenos, tostones and much more.
When it comes to Mediterranean small plates, the team at Arthur Hooper's know what they're doing. Head to the London Bridge restaurant to spend the night digging into cheese, cured meat and colourful salads.
Searching for authentic Indian small plates? Head to the West End and feast on tapas-inspired dishes at Roti Chai. The restaurant's casual dining space takes inspiration the street hawkers, roadside cafes and railway stations of the sub-continent with its innovate take on traditional cuisine.
At Ciro's in Islington, you're bound to be pleased when you feast your eyes on its authentic Italian small plates menu. The wine bar and restaurant specialises in tempting dishes of lasagne, gorgonzola dumping and various crostinis like anchovy and lemon, paired with refreshing cocktails or a glass of red.
Situated inside the National Theatre, Forza Wine is a great choice for small plates and delicious drinks along the Southbank. Expect amazing views of the Thames while you dine, as well as sleek, modern interiors that are filled with natural light.
Tuck into a range of tasty treats like cauliflower fritti, burrata and anchovies on toast or purple sprouting broccoli, paired with a selection of premium wines or killer cocktails.
With quirky cocktails and small plates galore, Oriole is bringing us speakeasy vibes in Covent Garden. Dig into a range of delicious bites including mushrooms with egg yolk, beef tartare and smoked cauliflower, while enjoying their live piano music and stunning sips like the chocolate miso whisky concoction Mizuwari.
If you're in North London, you don't have to look too far for some of the best small plates around thanks to Chuku's, the world's first Nigerian tapas restaurant. Nestled on the High Road, this contemporary eatery is known best for whipping up innovative dishes, presenting the flavours of Lagos and beyond in a new light. Menu standouts include the plantain waffles, topped with blueberries, maple syrup and dairy-free ice cream, and the tender, suya meatballs. You won't be left thirsty either, as it offers an array of signature tipples, from Nigerian Guinness to coconut rum-based The Obi.
Beneath OMA on Bedale Street lies AGORA, a stripped-back souvla bar that brings the raw energy of Athenian street food to Borough Market. At its heart is a huge Greek charcoal rotisserie turning juicy pork, lamb, and chicken skewers, paired with oven-fresh flatbreads and vibrant dips.
The atmosphere is relaxed yet lively, with rustic, minimalist decor and an open kitchen that invites diners into the action. Led by Chef Jorge Paredes, AGORA is a hidden gem offering big flavours and great value, proudly recognised by the Michelin Guide.
One Club Row is Shoreditch's intimate dining experience hidden just off Whitby Street, above the vibrant Knave of Clubs pub. The creation of hospitality experts James Dye, Benjy Leibowitz, and chef Patrick Powell, the venue blends the lively spirit of New York bistros with the elegance of Parisian brasseries, all while championing the best of British produce.
The restaurant's warm wood interiors and soft lighting create a cosy yet sophisticated ambience that evolves from day to night. The menu features inventive classics such as pickled jalapeño gougères and mussels frites, alongside standout martinis, especially the signature Club Row martini, a perfect match for those seeking a refined yet approachable dining destination in Shoreditch.
With an open kitchen and glass-walled pasta lab, Osteria Angelina serves up culinary theatre with its sensational small plates. Its delicious dishes perfectly blend the warmth of a northern Italian osteria with the precision and flair of Japanese technique.
Think seasonal fresh pasta, fritti, crudo and big cuts of meat, fish and veg cooked over binchotan charcoal.
With a reputation for its playlists alongside its sensational small plates, Caia adds even more boho cool to Notting Hill's Golborne Road. Expect walnut displays packed with vinyl, candlelight and an open kitchen.
The menu is just as stylish, combining the very best of the bistro with Asian flair and flavours. Think courgette carpaccio, beef tartare with oyster and tosazu, cacio e pepe with cheung fun noodles, and red prawn risotto.
A Mayfair restaurant that draws in some of London's biggest socialites, MNKY HSE also aren't shy a small plate or three. From beef brisket tacos to Latino plates brimming with British produce, you're sure a unique dining experience.
Hausu is a meeting of great tunes and delicious dishes in the heart of Peckham. With a vintage hi‑fidelity sound system piping out carefully curated playlists, it serves up super cool sophistication with its spectacular small plates.
Pull up a pew to tuck into oysters, the signature dad's broth, ox heart ragu, grilled scallops and Tokyo turnips with leek ash. Got a few in your crew? Sharing platters of turbot with seaweed butter, ex-dairy sirloin with black lime butter, and venison saddle with sour cherry will see that you all leave full.
Tucked into the heart of Mayfair, Kanishka by Atul Kochhar redefines the small plates experience with a refined Indian twist. The menu is a journey through the lesser-known flavours of Northeast India, and every Tuesday to Thursday, from midday 'til 5pm you can enjoy three dishes from their small bites menu for £18 per person.
The tempting grilled seabass pollichattu is delicious, while the chicken tikka pie cleverly marries British comfort with subcontinental spice. For something more indulgent, the beef rib-eye roast is a must-order.
