Looking for the best tapas in the City of London? Look no further.
The small plates are the perfect meal to enjoy in the summer months with a cold beer or large glass of chilled Cava. Whether it’s mixed olives, chorizo, padron peppers or seafood, there’s something for all tastes and appetites. Hungry? We certainly are.
Tapas is not just a meal but a social event and even the most high-end spots encourage you to share plates while sharing stories. So, without further ado, here is where you’ll find the best tapas in the City of London. Salud!
Morito
If you haven’t been to Morito yet, where have you been? You’ll find the slick, minimalist restaurant in Exmouth Market and Hackney Road serving delicious food with hungry pilgrims travelling from across the capital.
Despite being sister restaurants, the two places serve slightly different takes on tapas, with the Exmouth Market branch offering a mixture of dishes inspired and influenced by southern Spain and Northern Africa, while Hackney Road has a lighter menu with a nod to Crete.
Head to Exmouth Market for salt cod croquetas with aioli or pop in to Hackney Road for breakfast before work and tuck into a plate of Cretan sausage with chopped salad, Greek yoghurt and flatbread.
Exmouth Market EC1R 4QE and Hackney Road E2 8JL
morito.co.uk
Camino
This lively spot is a great place to nibble on authentic tapas from different regions of Spain. Located in the heart of the City, just a short walk from Monument and Bank stations, the cosy eatery is known for its simple but delicious tapas, which includes hand-dived scallops with samphire and plates piled high with meats and cheese.
Camino is a great place to grab a couple of colleagues after a busy day. Feast on great food and sip on sangria in a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. The vibrant spot is decked out with Iberian mementoes and will transport you to a family home in Spain.
15 Mincing Lane EC3R 7BD
camino.uk.com
José Pizarro’s City
Another relaxed foodie affair, José Pizarro’s City offers flavourful dishes and an enthusiastic atmosphere, and the fare is among the best tapas in the City of London. The Spanish restaurant is one of three in the capital and is found nestled in Broadgate Circle next to Liverpool Street station.
The busy but favoured tapas bar serves incredible options including grilled squid with creamy potatoes and pine nuts, slowed cooked chorizo in red wine with quince and carved-to-order jamón ibérico. What’s more, the bar also offers an extensive list of brilliant Spanish wines and beers, which are perfect for sipping on the terrace overlooking the City’s passersby below.
36 Broadgate Circle EC2M 1QS
josepizarro.com
Bravas Tapas
This quaint place is lovely on a hot summer’s day. Overlook the beautiful boats as they bob on the waters of St Katherine Docks while eating al fresco on Bravas Tapas’ terrace. Taking inspiration from Northern Spain, the small plates transport you to the shores of the Basque region.
The light and airy restaurant, with exposed brick walls and rustic wooden tables, has a simple yet thoughtful menu. Share platefuls of crispy piquillo-wrapped prawns, blistered padron peppers and bowls of traditional Spanish pickles, before washing it all down with a cocktail overlooking the harbour.
St Katherine Docks E1W 1AT
bravasrestaurant.com
Brindisa
This Spanish tapas restaurant mixes traditional recipes with contemporary, seasonal ingredients presented in a bright restaurant with mid-century decor. Find Brindisa just a stone’s throw away from Borough Market the other side of London Bridge.
Using fresh ingredients from the market, Tapas Brindisa is a favourite amongst Londoners and tourists alike.
Choose from the traditional bites such as tortilla, croquetas, chorizo and padron peppers, but if you’re after a show-stopper, opt for one of the hand-carved hams or a plate of Galician blond ex dairy cow sirloin steak with chimichurri. There’s even a special menu dedicated to coravin wines, which includes a 2011 Tempranillo which has been aged for 10 years in Sicilia, giving a vintage yet drinkable taste.
18-20 Southwark Street SE1 1TJ
brindisakitchens.com
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