London’s top tapas restaurants

With a regular cocktail of the week and a mouthwatering selection of foodie specials, it’s no wonder this Tooting-based tapas spot is a neighbourhood favourite. The Little Tapería’s aim is simple: to bring delicious, innovative tapas, made with really good ingredients, to South London. Also available for private parties, group bookings and bottomless brunches, the space caters for just about every occasion.

This has to be one of the most spectacular settings for a tapas restaurant in all of the capital. The acclaimed chef and restaurateur, José Pizarro has transformed the high-ceilinged Senate Room in The Royal Academy of Arts into an elegant place where you can catch up with friends over shareable dishes that range from the petite to the platter-sized. There’s an array of traditional tapas options including slow-cooked chorizo, spicy prawn fritters, gazpacho and a daily-changing tortilla, while the larger plates include marinated Ibérico pork with confit peppers, and octopus with tenderstem broccoli and a coriander, mint and parsley sauce.

This neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar can be found in the quietly up-and-coming pocket of Brockley in southeast London. These guys really know their stuff about Spanish wine, and you’ll undoubtedly end up leaving with a bottle or two to enjoy at home. Before you go though, you should cosy up on one of the tables and sample some of the foodie delights on offer. The menu may feature an authentic paella with chorizo, a fresh fish stew, or a sharing board piled high with manchego and Ibérico ham — but whatever’s on offer, it’ll most definitely transport you to the shores of sunny Spain and melt any cares away for a little while at least!

This family-run eatery has been located on the colourful and enviable location of Columbia Road (where the famous flower market takes place), since 1982. This bright and homely spot is a brilliant place to people-watch while tucking into some incredible homemade morsels. The menu offers up seafood from scallops and prawns to octopus and squid, as well as more meaty plates including Serrano ham croquetas with alioli and a barbecued shoulder of Ibérico pork. Vegetarians are well-catered for too with classic bites like patatas bravas, a traditional tortilla and an indulgent pisto manchego — which comprises slow-cooked aubergine, peppers, courgettes and tomato all topped off with a fried egg.

You’ll find this snug tapas spot up in leafy Finsbury Park near to the famous pub, The Faltering Fullback, which could make for an excellent pre- or post-meal drinking den! At La Fabrica, you’ll find plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans, so if you’re heading out in a big group, this could be an ideal option. In addition to the usual croquetas, pintxos and pork, there are indulgent cheese-based delights for veggies, as well as baked aubergine dishes, mushroom creations and hearty stews for vegans. There are also wallet-friendly deals on quieter evenings!

This group of independent wine bars boasts iconic locations in the capital, including Borough Market, Spitalfields Market and Leadenhall Market. They offer up a mouthwatering menu to pair with their wines, which features high-end and creative dishes such as truffle manchego and venison chorizo, and saffron and lemon arancini. The evening menu features even more tempting small plates, from the crowd-pleasing Iberico croquettes and patatas bravas to the show-stopping chargrilled swordfish skewers that come served with a sherry balsamic glaze and a sesame and piquillo salsa.

This sleek European restaurant and bar is located near to the verdant, vibrant Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There are elements taken from delicacies all over the continent here, but some of the more Spanish-inspired dishes include moreish mini chorizo picantes, padron peppers, and wild mushroom croquetas. All of this can be accompanied by one of the country’s juicy wines and if you have any room left, round it all off with a baked Basque cheesecake served with fresh passion fruit. You won’t regret it!

The Hampstead outpost of this group of wine bars is located just steps from the Hampstead Heath Overground station, so you could enjoy a walk around the sprawling park and then easily hop back home after a few glasses of vino. The tapas here come with recommended wine pairings too: for example, the king prawns cooked in Falanghina white wine with samphire, garlic, orange and chilli can be enjoyed with a glass of Castaño Macabeo, while it’s suggested that the Spanish chorizo cooked in red wine with pink peppercorns, chive oil and parsley is washed down with a glass of Castaño Monastrell.

Despite being located between Islington, Hackney and Dalston, visit the Vins al fresco terrace in the height of summer and you’ll feel like you’re in a chic faraway city! The wine list is cool and curated, and its foodie offering matches up to this vibe. While it often changes to cater for the rolling seasons, you’ll find tasty tapas-style small plates such as braised ox cheek with parsnip crisps or vintage cheddar croquettes with spicy tomato jam. It often has an unmissable Basque-style cheesecake on the menu too…

The menu at this sleek yet laidback Borough small plates locale changes weekly, so you can be assured that everything you eat here is made from the freshest ingredients that are very much in season. It’s positioned a little way away from the bustling hub of the market too, so it feels like you’ve stumbled upon a bit of an inside secret. Some previous menu highlights include pork cheek croquettes and monkfish with saffron, and all the dishes are arranged exquisitely, just waiting for that Instagram story to be uploaded!