The Best Spanish Restaurants in London

It’s hard to walk around London without seeing a Barrafina these days (there are now five branches in total), but this site on Soho’s Dean Street is the original. It was founded by brothers Sam and Eddie Hart, whose love of all things Spanish is thanks to their Mallorcan-born mother. They don’t take bookings here, yet the wait is well worth it for the blackboard of specials including fresh fish of the day. For dessert, the classic Santiago tart and crema catalana are menu stalwarts.

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There was great anticipation when renowned Andalusian chef Dani García opened his London outpost at the Virgin Hotel London Shoreditch. The basement location is a designer hangout for sure, attracting the fashionable crowd who crave a fun sharing experience. The menu includes familiar tapas snacks like pan con tomate and padron peppers, but what really catches the eye are the paellas to share and signature filled brioches (choose from chorizo, chicken or oxtail). The weekday express lunch menu offers incredible value.

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Abel Lusa has been the hands-on Owner of this much-loved Kensington restaurant for almost 30 years. One can expect a real warmth to the service, with most of the clientele seeming more like old friends now. The cooking retains all the true flavours and colours of Spanish cuisine, despite a few subtle global influences including a small selection of Japanese-inspired dishes. Start with a few tapas plates and follow with a main plate such as the flavoursome Iberian pork pluma. A wine list of over 500 bottles covers all the regions of Spain.

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Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, best known for his restaurants in Bristol, oversees this top-floor spot inside the fashionable The Standard Hotel, overlooking St. Pancras International station. Blending his Spanish heritage with a love of all things Mexican, you’ll be able to spot words like ‘birria’, ‘tostada’ and ‘mole’ among the usual Spanish suspects on a fun, accessible menu. The signature cocktails suit the vibe of the place, and if you come for Saturday brunch you’ll be treated to a selection of tacos.

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An authentic tapas bar with a rustic charm and high-top tables, José never fails to impress with how many people it can fit into such a tiny space. Run by the eponymous José Pizarro, it’s been a feature on Bermondsey High Street since opening in 2011, consistently drawing in diners with great value dishes chalked up on the blackboard – seafood is a particular highlight. No bookings are taken, so if you can’t get in, or fancy somewhere with a little more comfort, head further along the road to their other simply named spot, Pizarro.

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The northern Basque region of Spain provides the inspiration for Lurra, where the chefs showcase the authentic skill of cooking over wood and charcoal to great effect. Prized produce liked whole turbot and presa Ibérica is sold by weight, and – as is the tradition of the region – the beef is sourced from retired dairy cows. When the weather allows, request a table on the delightful courtyard terrace, and don’t forget to bring your sweet tooth for the delicious Basque cheesecake. Their sister restaurant, Donostia, is just over the road.

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Another restaurant that has taken inspiration from the wood-fired cooking of the Basque region is this immensely popular spot from Tomos Parry, the chef behind the much-lauded Brat. In a prime Soho location, the restaurant is set over two levels, with the brighter ground floor space being the place to sit. Reflected in the terse menu descriptions, there is a welcome lack of pretension to the cooking; ingredients are trusted and allowed to shine in their true form. The mutton chops and grilled cockles are just two of the many highlights.

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You get two Spanish restaurants for the price of one at this MICHELIN Starred spot that has as much buzz in its atmosphere as it does quality in its cooking. The downstairs counter is adjacent to the bar and is for walk-ins only, serving tapas from all over Spain and with a focus on fresh seafood. Upstairs is El Asador, which focuses on the regions of Galicia and Castile, and is the home of their signature Segovian suckling pig – one of the finest Spanish dishes in London. Throughout, you can hear the joyousness of your fellow diners.

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