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Top 5 Tapas Restaurants in London

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A white plate with a finely prepared dish is placed on a marble table. The meal consists of what appears to be a gourmet salad with various vegetables, herbs, and two lemon wedges. In the background, utensils and part of a wine glass are visible.
Image via Barrafina

Looking to sharpen your Spanish summer palate? To become more acquainted with top-tier Spanish wine and the wonderful, varied world of small plates, hot and cold? We at Culture Calling are not immune to picky bits, so we've amassed a list of our top tapas spots in London.

Bar 61, Streatham Hill

A cozy, dimly-lit bar with a wooden counter and stools. Shelves lined with bottles and glasses are behind the bar. A TV displaying a soccer match is on the wall. Tables and chairs are scattered around, with lantern-style lights and decorative elements creating a warm atmosphere.
Image via tasteatlas

61A Streatham Hill, SW2 4TX

You’d be forgiven for never realising this little SW gem was rated one of the best Tapas bars in London. From the outside the restaurant looks unassuming, hence this writer walking past it every day for four years like the silly chorizo they are.

However, the moment you step inside, Bar 61 charms you with its fun family-run atmosphere, excellent service and a delicious range of well-priced tapas. The chorizo in red wine, delicate baby squid and ham & chicken croquettes are all definite winners, as is their cheese selection board that is both huge in size and in flavour.

It may be a little more south of the river than some care to venture, but it’s well worth the experience. See their website here. 

Barrafina

Inside a modern, upscale bar with marble counters, several chefs are seen in motion, preparing food behind a well-lit counter. The counter is lined with empty barstools and various condiments. Bottles and glassware are arranged neatly on shelves above.
Image via tripadvisor

Various locations

With five locations in the heart of London, Barrafina is one of the most popular tapas spots in the capital. With open kitchens so you can watch the masters at work as they whip up a selection of regional dishes, Barrafina covers all bases when it comes to Spanish cuisine.

We’d recommend the seafood choices including classics such as grilled sardines or salt cod and juicy scallops, as well as their prawn and manchego tortilla. For a more meaty option, you can’t go wrong with their pork belly, ears and chickpeas, and to finish off then the poached fruit with Sangria sorbet is the perfect blend of flavour and texture. 

See their website here.

Brindisa

A table set with various dishes including fried chicken on a plate with sauce, a dish of octopus with paprika potatoes, a bowl of crispy fried food with lemon wedges, a piece of vegetable tart garnished with greens, a glass of soda with a lemon slice, and a can of Spanish peppers. White napkins lie nearby.
Image via Brindisa

Various locations

One of the consistently top-rated tapas spots in the city, each one of their locations offers a level field of high quality fresh produce all across the board. They've been kicking around in one form or another for over thirty years now, opening spots as far as Richmond, offering a huge range of delights.

Big cheese boards, meats from the grill, and seemingly endless veggie and vegan options, Brindisa has justifyably found itself placed atop at many a Best Tapas Restaurants list. The best part is, it's not even that expensive, with a cheese board as low as £14. Not bad for a fancy spot. 

See their website here.

Miss Tapas

A cozy restaurant with large glass windows; a sign reading Mis Tapas and Spanish Gastronomy is above. Inside, people are dining and talking, illuminated by warm hanging lights. Some patrons are seated at a window counter decorated with candles and yellow flowers.
Image via Time Out

46 Choumert Road, SE15 4SE

As soon as you take your first bite of one of the tasty morsels on offer in Peckham’s Miss Tapas, it becomes clear that here is a place where passion is key. Started by Blanca Rowe, who also happens to be one half of our favourite Peckham couple as her husband is Mr Bao, Miss Tapas is championing Spanish flavours combining both traditional expertise and inventive new dishes.

From mushroom and truffle croquetas to the classic but amazing pan con tomate, not to mention the mouth-watering presa ibérica de bellota and the carefully curated selection of Spanish wine, Miss Tapas is the perfect place to relax and indulge in some top quality, lovingly prepared tapas. See their website here.

Boqueria

Five golden-brown croquettes are neatly lined up on a wooden cutting board. A knife and fork are placed on either side of the board. The board rests on a patterned tile surface.
Image via boqueriatapas

Nine Elms, Battersea Power, SW8 4LT

When most people think of the tastes of Spain, Paella is usually at the top of the list. Luckily, you don’t need to travel all the way there (as nice as that would be) to enjoy a hearty helping of this delish dish.

While serving up tapas including Iberian pork cheese in red wine with homemade hummus as well as the ever popular classic of tortilla espanola (or gorgeously melted in the middle Spanish omelette to you and me) and perfectly seasoned Padron peppers, Boqueria’s paella prowess shines thanks to its inclusion of juicy king prawns, mussels and squid. 

See their website here.