Dining
The 6 Best Tapas in London
Marble counters, Michelin small plates and Moorish Clerkenwell cooking: London's best tapas.
In short: our top picks are Barrafina, Sabor and Morito. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London does tapas as well as almost anywhere outside Spain, from no-bookings counters to Michelin-starred rooms. Barrafina reset the whole scene with its marble counter and its queue, Sabor took it to a star, and Morito brings the Moorish end from a tiny Clerkenwell shopfront. The trick is to over-order, share everything and keep the sherry coming. Aim for a late lunch or an early sitting to dodge the worst of the wait.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Barrafina | Soho | £££ |
| Sabor | Mayfair | £££ |
| Morito | Clerkenwell | ££ |
| Jose | Bermondsey | ££ |
| Brindisa | Borough | ££ |
| Boqueria | Brixton | ££ |
-
Editor’s choice
Barrafina
Why we pick itThe no-bookings marble counter that reset London tapas, flawless cooking and a legendary queue, now with several branches.
Spanish tapas counter
-
Sabor
Why we pick itNieves Barragan Mohacho's Michelin-starred love letter to Spain, from a Basque counter to an upstairs asador.
Michelin Spanish
-
Morito
Why we pick itThe tiny orange-toned sibling of Moro on Exmouth Market, inventive tapas and cracking regional Spanish wines.
Moorish tapas
-
Jose
Why we pick itJose Pizarro's standing-room tapas bar on Bermondsey Street, fresh classics and sherry by the copita.
rustic tapas bar
-
Brindisa
Why we pick itThe Spanish larder specialists' flagship tapas kitchen beside Borough Market, chorizo rolls and all.
Spanish tapas kitchen
-
Boqueria
Why we pick itA lively neighbourhood tapas bar in Brixton and Battersea, generous plates and a buzzy room.
neighbourhood tapas
Before you book
The best counters, led by Barrafina, do not take bookings, so arrive early or off-peak and be ready to wait with a glass. The sit-down rooms like Sabor and Jose take reservations and are worth planning around. Tapas adds up fast, so pace the ordering; three or four plates a head is usually plenty.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Barrafina is our editor's choice: The no-bookings marble counter that reset London tapas, flawless cooking and a legendary queue, now with several branches. Barrafina, Sabor and Morito lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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