Southwark, Spanish Restaurant Guide

“Very good-quality” tapas and a “nice, buzzy” atmosphere greet guests at this converted small backstreet pub near the South Bank, one of the longer-established Hispanic specialists in town. It’s a “favourite for a casual night out” and “conveniently located for the NT, Young Vic, Tate Mod and so on”.

“Delicious tapas with a view of the River Thames” from “a large open terrace” is going down a storm at the instantly popular, new Richmond branch of the well-known chain (occupying the prominent site that was formerly Jackson & Rye, RIP). Backed by the firm of wholesalers of the same name, the group has steadily grown from its Borough Market origins over the last 10 years, and fans feel “it’s exactly what you would expect from a place run by Spanish produce importers”. On the downside, though, there is a school of thought that “while the food’s done decently, it’s serviceable but unexciting”.

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”.

“Top tapas in The Cut” – ‘London’s original tapas bar’ still cuts it after 35 years, providing sterling pre- and post-show service to theatregoers visiting the nearby Young and Old Vic. The “very friendly, helpful owner” ensures there’s a good atmosphere even when the joint is rammed.

“Sights and smells of Spain sitting at the counter” provide “heaven on a stool” at the Hart Bros’ faithful recreations of Barcelona’s Cal Pep: still, after 15 years, one of the most-mentioned groups in our survey. The “extraordinary tapas is full of fresh ideas” – there’s “always something new to try on the menu” (created by their chef/director Angel Zapata Martin) – and it “still deserves top marks, particularly the seafood” (which is the only option nowadays at the WC2 ‘Mariscos’ outlet). A meal is “not cheap” mind you (in fact, even fans can find prices “crazy”) but the overall verdict? “Worth the queue, and the bill!” (In July 2022, they added a new, fifth branch to the group, in SE1’s Borough Yards developments).

“In an outdoor, but well-sheltered setting”, the Hart Bros’ outside-only terrace in Coal Drops Yard has won a good following: “dining outside on a sunny day is a highlight”, and the tabletop ‘parrilla’ grills allow guests the fun of cooking their own meat, seafood and vegetables over coals. On the downside, though, “results can be very average at high prices” and “while it works as a novelty, having a proper chef to cook for you is generally a better option in a restaurant!” In May 2022 (too late for survey feedback), they opened a second Borough Yards location. Like its sibling, it too has an outside terrace (with 40 covers), also with grills. But, for the first time, you will not have to DIY here, there also being an indoor restaurant (with 60 covers) with a menu designed for sharing cooked for you in the open kitchen.

“A variety of excellent tapas” (mixing Spanish and Italian inspirations) and an appealing, “buzzy” (if sometimes “loud”) atmosphere created huge interest in the original Fitzrovia branch, when it opened back in 2005. But while still retaining a loyal fan club, it can seem overhyped nowadays (“it’s always listed as a go-to place, but there are much better tapas available elsewhere now”). Having spawned various spin-offs (Dehesa, Opera Tavern, Ember Yard), since 2018 it’s been part of Urban Pubs & Bars who have decided to roll it out: first to Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush (which opened in July 2022) and coming soon to Borough Market if local planning objections can be overcome.