London , Spanish Restaurant Guide

“Excellent, authentic Spanish food and wine” ensure this expansive operation across two floors of the former Lloyds Bank HQ near the Bank of England appeals to diners from beyond the City’s confines (even if it is also clearly “catering to corporate card-holders”). Its spacious and tastefully decorated premises are unusually hospitable and stylish for somewhere in the heart of the Square Mile. Top Menu Tips – “the croquettas and monkfish are especially good”.

José P’s City “professionally run” outpost in Broadgate Circle becomes “buzzy with the after-work crowd” and it makes “a good midweek date night spot for solid tapas”. Those searching the passionate Iberian cuisine and approach that’s won Sr. P the Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain’s equivalent of a knighthood) should probably head down to his other ventures in SE1 though.

From its King’s Cross roots, this tapas chain mushroomed in size in 2025 with its takeover of the former Iberica group, acquiring the latter’s good-looking sites in the process. Reports are slightly uneven, but its early days and the balance is notably positive, especially about the “buzzy” vibe in all locations.

2022 Review: This “great little tapas bar with simple service” at the edge of Borough Market is “a place where the food speaks for itself” – which may be a good thing, since its “cramped” accommodation inside a Victorian railway arch is “decidedly grotty”. There’s a definite meat bias to the menu, although the “squid with black rice is particularly good”.

“Enjoyed sitting at the bar in Borough Kitchen…”; “a great place near the South Kensington Museums…”; “a great site on the banks of the Thames in Richmond” – it’s often the handy situation, “casual atmosphere” and affordable prices of this Hispanic group that generates interest amongst diners. “The food is of a reasonable standard”, but considering they are run by the UK’s premier Spanish food importers, performance is notably “chain like”, with “nothing spectacular” food-wise and “average service” often the end-product.

From its King’s Cross roots, this tapas chain mushroomed in size in 2025 with its takeover of the former Iberica group, acquiring the latter’s good-looking sites in the process. Reports are slightly uneven, but its early days and the balance is notably positive, especially about the “buzzy” vibe in all locations.

“Authentic tapas in rustic surroundings under the arches in Southwark” helps make this an extremely popular “old favourite” for many in our annual diners’ poll. “It feels unchanged over 20 years, with classic, tasty dishes much better than the ordinariness of the setting might lead one to expect; and with the boss always around to greet you and chat like he has over the years”. “Prices are reasonable, including the keenly priced wine list, described in idiosyncratic terms (such as ‘Ollie Reed in a bottle’)”.

2024 Review: Star chef Dani Garcia opened his first UK venture in Shoreditch’s Mondrian Hotel a couple of years ago, to mixed reviews. This up-and-down sentiment continues in feedback to date – some reporters think the Spanish cuisine – paellas, roast and grilled fish and meat, tapas – is “very good” (but encountered “an empty room on a Sunday lunch”); other well-travelled types thought it “underwhelming compared to the wonders of his native Andalusian restaurants”.

“It’s a little crowded and cramped but the food is phenomenal” at Tomos Parry’s “lively, totally welcoming and unstuffy” operation – the clever conversion of the first floor of a Shoreditch pub (over the Smoking Goat) with its own separate entrance. When it opened in 2018, Tomos helped lead the vogue for cooking over fire in the capital and the “fabulous” results here remain “worthy of applause for their creativity, presentation, taste and good value”. “Passionate staff add to the atmosphere as does the open grill and it’s an absolute must-do, especially for a group of foodie friends looking for a fun night”. “From the bread through to the superbly done fish and vegetable-based dishes and a memorable wine list, it’s memorable all round, every time”. Top Menu Tip – “exquisite Turbot” (for which the venue is named… in Welsh!).

Many a Londoner has enjoyed their first taste of tapas at this “always very busy” and crowded Hispanic fixture, opposite the Young Vic theatre (a stalwart launched in 1987). The tapas are “reasonable” rather than brilliant, it’s fair to say, and a popular innovation is “paella cooked outside on the pavement” in warmer weather.

“Despite the queues, it’s worth the squeeze to get some anchovies, goats’ cheese and honey and pretty much anything else on the blackboard” at legendary Spanish restaurateur, José Pizarro’s most popular destination on Bermondsey Street: an “outstanding and consistent performer” with “sublime food and some cracking wines”. The only negative – “you just have to get over how many they can cram into this tiny outlet!”

“Never tire of it”, declare the legion of fans of Sam & Sam Clark’s Exmouth Market stalwart, crowning it “still one of the best”; and hailing “top flavours” from a “super-reliable” Spanish/North African menu (“no tweezers here, just very tasty food in generous portions”); all alongside the “buzzy” and “cool” setting and “classy Iberian wines to boot”. “Chaotic” service seems to have been a recurring problem this year, though, and that it’s nowadays too “crowded, rowdy, and highly priced” features in ever-more reports. Top Menu Tips – “top starters include the smoky duck breast with orange, and delicate lamb’s kidneys on toast; charcoal-grilled lamb with beetroot is perfection; the yogurt cake could be described as Moroccan Mess!”

“This ever-friendly cafe sibling of next door Moro is a wonderful place to eat great tapas” – “especially sitting outside in Exmouth market”. Husband-and-wife team Sam & Sam Clark’s 15-year-old spin-off provides “superb tasty food at very reasonable prices” in a “casual but professional” environment, encompassing “interesting plates” of Spanish and North African-inspired food that is “not pretentious but delivers great enjoyment”. There’s a second branch in Hackney Road.

José P’s “busy, bustling, authentic Spanish restaurant” in his Bermondsey heartland (opposite his original tapas bar) wins consistent praise for “top-notch Hispanic cuisine (a nice mix of small and large sharing plates”), with “knowledgeable staff” on hand to “make you feel very special”. “A great place for a rowdy lunch with friends or a more intimate get-together with a partner”, it has “a wine list which encourages you to explore lesser-known Spanish varieties”. Top Menu Tip – “amazing jamon croquetas!”

“Forget hopping on a budget flight to the famous Cal Pep in Barcelona…” – the original inspiration for the Hart Bros’ genius small group of tapas pitstops – “… here in London you can sit at the counter, with the fun of watching mouthwatering tapas being prepared in front of you, so delivered piping hot (and best is the unbeatable fresh fish cooked ‘a la plancha’)”. “From the greeting to the explanations of the dishes, service is knowledgeable and caring”; there’s “a good choice of Spanish wines and sherries”; and the “superb” overall formula has made them one of the most popular destinations in our annual diners’ poll for almost 20 years now, even if the feeling has grown that “merely a small selection of dishes can incur eyewatering bills”. Top Tips – “the best atmosphere is had eating perched on a stool at the counter, but the Adelaide Street branch does have comfortable table seating downstairs”. On the Menu – “specific praise for the mojama”; “especially lovely prawn stuffed tortilla, seabream and the crisp aubergine with honey”; “tasty rabbit paella”; “squid croquetas are a perfect combo – crunchy on the outside, unctuous within”. “Shout out for the basics: lovely oils, bread etc…”