London doesn’t just have great food-it has Spanish tapas that feel like a weekend in Barcelona without leaving the city. If you’ve ever sat at a bustling bar in Madrid, watching the waiter slide a plate of crispy patatas bravas your way while a glass of Rioja glows red in the low light, you know what we’re talking about. That magic? It’s here. And it’s better than you remember.
Forget the tourist traps with plastic olives and overpriced sangria. The real tapas scene in London has grown up. It’s not about imitation anymore-it’s about authenticity, passion, and small plates that make you forget you’re in a city known for rain and fish and chips. We’ve tried dozens. We’ve walked out of places disappointed. And we’ve found the ones that don’t just serve food-they serve experience.
La Taberna del Churro: Where the Churros Are Just the Start
Don’t let the name fool you. La Taberna del Churro in Soho isn’t just about fried dough dipped in chocolate. It’s a hidden gem tucked between a laundromat and a vintage record shop. The owner, Carlos, moved from Seville in 2018 and brought his abuela’s recipes with him. His patatas bravas? Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, drenched in a smoky paprika aioli that lingers just long enough to make you order another round.
Pair it with a glass of Albariño from Rías Baixas-light, citrusy, and cold enough to cut through the oil. They serve it in proper Spanish wine glasses, not those tiny plastic cups you get at chain restaurants. The wine list? 18 Spanish labels, all under £8 a glass. That’s not a deal. That’s a rebellion against London’s markups.
They don’t take reservations. Show up at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday. You’ll be glad you did.
Barrafina: The Original Game-Changer
If you want to know where London’s modern tapas boom started, look no further than Barrafina. Opened in 2007 by Sam and Eddie Hart, this was the first place in the UK to bring true Spanish bar culture to the table-no menus, no waiters, just a counter where you sit elbow-to-elbow with strangers who become friends over a plate of jamón ibérico.
The kitchen is open, and you watch as chefs hand-roll croquetas, sear scallops in olive oil, and fry squid in a flash. Their tortilla española? Thick, eggy, with just a hint of potato. Not soggy. Not dry. Perfect. And the jamón? Sliced to order from a whole leg hanging behind the bar. You can taste the 36-month aging. It melts on your tongue like butter.
They don’t do wine lists. You tell them what you like-dry? Sweet? Sparkling?-and they pour you a glass from a bottle they’ve opened just for you. It’s personal. It’s efficient. And it’s why they’ve kept Michelin stars for over a decade.
El Gato Negro: The Cozy Corner in Covent Garden
Step into El Gato Negro and you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a family kitchen in Valencia. The walls are painted in warm terracotta. The tables are small. The music? Flamenco guitar, low and steady. The owner, Ana, used to run a tapas bar in Alicante before moving to London in 2015. She brought her husband, her recipes, and her stubbornness.
Try the boquerones-fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar, garlic, and parsley. They’re not pickled. They’re not fishy. They’re bright, clean, and taste like the Mediterranean breeze. Pair them with a glass of Cava Brut. It’s the same sparkling wine they drink at Sunday lunch back home.
They make their own alioli from scratch. No jars. No shortcuts. Just garlic, egg yolk, and olive oil, pounded in a mortar until it’s thick enough to stand a spoon upright. It’s served with grilled bread. You’ll want to lick the plate.
They close at 11 p.m. sharp. No exceptions. That’s how they do it in Spain.
Los Toros: The Newcomer That’s Already a Classic
Opened in 2023 in Shoreditch, Los Toros didn’t have a marketing budget. They didn’t need one. Word spread fast. Why? Because they do one thing better than anyone else: the pulpo a la gallega.
Octopus, slow-cooked for six hours, then charred over oak wood. Tossed with coarse sea salt, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s tender. It’s smoky. It’s addictive. One plate. Two people. Three glasses of Tempranillo. You won’t leave hungry. You’ll leave thinking about it for days.
Their chorizo is handmade in-house. No preservatives. No fillers. Just pork, paprika, garlic, and time. They serve it sliced thin, with a side of manchego cheese and quince paste. Sweet. Salty. Perfect.
They have no website. No online booking. Just a phone number. Call at 5 p.m. on a Friday. If you get through, you’re in.
La Bodega Negra: For the Wine Lovers
If you’re here for the wine as much as the food, La Bodega Negra in Brixton is your spot. This isn’t a tapas bar with wine. It’s a wine bar with tapas. The owner, Luisa, trained as a sommelier in Jerez and spent years traveling Spain’s wine regions before opening in 2021.
Her shelves hold over 120 Spanish wines. Sherry from Sanlúcar. Garnacha from Calatayud. Mencía from Bierzo. She pours tastes by the half-glass. You can try three before you commit. That’s how you learn.
The food? Simple. But perfect. Grilled artichokes with lemon and sea salt. Fried baby squid with squid ink aioli. A cheese board with four Spanish varieties-Manchego, Cabrales, Tetilla, and Idiazabal. Each one comes with a note on where it’s from and how to eat it.
They host monthly wine tastings. No tickets. Just show up. Bring a friend. Leave with a new favorite bottle.
What Makes a Great Tapas Bar in London?
Not every place that calls itself a tapas bar deserves the name. Here’s what separates the good from the great:
- Authentic ingredients: Jamón ibérico shouldn’t come in a plastic packet. It should be sliced fresh from a leg that’s been hanging for years.
- Wine by the glass: If the cheapest wine is £12, walk out. Good Spanish wine should be affordable. A glass of Rioja should cost less than a latte.
- No menus: If you’re handed a 10-page menu, it’s not tapas. Tapas is spontaneous. It’s what’s fresh today.
- Bar seating: You’re meant to stand or perch at the counter. That’s how it’s done in Spain.
- No English translations: If the menu says “Spanish omelette” instead of “tortilla española,” they’re trying too hard.
These aren’t rules. They’re traditions. And the best bars in London respect them.
What to Order (And What to Skip)
Here’s what to order:
- Patatas bravas: Crispy, spicy, with a kick.
- Calamares a la romana: Light, fried squid with a squeeze of lemon.
- Albóndigas: Spiced meatballs in a rich tomato sauce.
- Manchego cheese: Hard, nutty, and perfect with quince paste.
- Churros con chocolate: For dessert. Always.
Here’s what to skip:
- Paella: It’s not a tapas dish. It’s a main course. If they serve it in small portions, they’re trying to pass it off as tapas.
- Sangria in a pitcher: It’s usually made with cheap wine and syrup. Skip it.
- “Spanish” tacos: No. Just no.
Final Tip: Go with Friends
Tapas aren’t meant to be eaten alone. Order five or six plates. Share them. Talk. Laugh. Let the wine flow. That’s the point. The food is delicious. But the real magic? It’s in the company.
London has more Spanish bars now than it did five years ago. But only a handful get it right. These five? They do. Go early. Sit at the bar. Order the wine they recommend. And don’t rush. This isn’t dinner. It’s an evening.
Are Spanish tapas bars in London expensive?
Not if you know where to go. At the best places, a plate of patatas bravas costs £5-£7, and a glass of Spanish wine runs £6-£8. You can eat well for under £30 per person, including wine. The high-end spots like Barrafina charge more, but you’re paying for authenticity, not just food.
Do I need to book a table at tapas bars in London?
Most don’t take reservations-especially the best ones. You sit at the bar, first come, first served. Arrive before 7 p.m. to avoid a 30-minute wait. Some, like La Bodega Negra, let you call ahead to reserve a spot at the counter, but it’s not common.
What’s the best Spanish wine to pair with tapas?
It depends on what you’re eating. For fried foods like calamari or croquetas, go for a crisp Albariño or Verdejo. For meat dishes like chorizo or albóndigas, a medium-bodied Rioja or Tempranillo works best. For cheese and cured meats, try a dry Sherry-Fino or Manzanilla. Don’t overthink it. Ask the bartender. They’ll pour you a taste.
Are these tapas bars open on Sundays?
Most do, but hours vary. Barrafina and La Bodega Negra are open Sunday lunch and dinner. La Taberna del Churro and El Gato Negro close early on Sundays. Los Toros is closed on Sundays. Always check ahead-Spanish bars in London often follow Spanish hours, which means they close earlier than British restaurants.
Can I find vegetarian tapas in London?
Absolutely. Spanish cuisine is full of veggie-friendly options: grilled vegetables, patatas bravas, alioli with bread, roasted peppers, fried artichokes, and manchego cheese. Most tapas bars will have at least 3-5 vegetarian plates. Just ask. They’re used to it.
Where to Go Next
If you loved these tapas bars, try these next:
- El Pastor in Soho-Spanish-Mexican fusion with killer tacos and mezcal cocktails.
- La Bodega de la Vina in Peckham-small, authentic, and run by a family from Galicia.
- Taberna La Bodega in Camden-old-school vibe, live flamenco on weekends.
London’s Spanish scene isn’t just growing. It’s thriving. And it’s not trying to be anything else. It’s just Spanish. And that’s enough.