Spanish food in London: a guide by occasion

Updated 11 Sep 2026 · Based on 144 tracked Spanish venues in London · Best-ranked list

Not every Spanish restaurant fits every plan. Using the Google ratings, review counts and the dishes we have confirmed on each menu, here is how we would play London depending on the occasion.

For a date

Dehesa (25 Ganton St, Carnaby, London W1F 9BP, UK) — the strongest all-round rating in the city (★ 4.7 from 4,190 reviews; the menu confirms Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), fried calamari, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs) and chorizo). Book ahead at weekends.

Tapas with friends

La Bodega (78 Tavistock Rd, London W11 1AN, UK) — the widest confirmed Spanish spread in London: Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), fried calamari, pan con tomate, paella, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs), chorizo, ensaladilla rusa and oxtail stew (rabo de toro) (★ 4.1 from 843 reviews; the menu confirms Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), fried calamari, pan con tomate, paella, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs), chorizo, ensaladilla rusa and oxtail stew (rabo de toro)). Order several plates to share and ask what is on special.

A special occasion

Salt Yard Borough (New Hibernia House, Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AG, UK) — ★ 4.8 from 3,484 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas, Ibérico/serrano ham and Padrón peppers. Tell them you are celebrating when you book; Spanish restaurants are usually generous with a celebration table.

A quick, casual bite

Ember Yard - Tapas & Cocktail Bar (60 Berwick St, London W1F 8SX, UK) — ★ 4.7 from 2,835 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), pan con tomate, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs), chorizo and churros. Bar seating and a couple of tapas is the fastest way to eat well here.

Something sweet to finish

Ember Yard - Tapas & Cocktail Bar (60 Berwick St, London W1F 8SX, UK) — one of the few places in London whose menu confirms churros.

What to order in London

These are the classic dishes most often confirmed on the menus we checked, each linked to our recipe so you know exactly what should arrive at the table:

Ibérico/serrano ham — confirmed on 97 menus in London
croquetas — confirmed on 94 menus in London
chorizo — confirmed on 91 menus in London
Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega) — confirmed on 84 menus in London
patatas bravas — confirmed on 83 menus in London
Padrón peppers — confirmed on 82 menus in London

All 144 tracked venues, filterable by dish, price and rating: London on the map.

Rankings by dish in London: Jamón ibérico/serrano (96) · Croquetas (94) · Chorizo (91) · Pulpo a la gallega (84) · Patatas bravas (83) · Pimientos de Padrón (82) · Gambas al ajillo (78) · Tortilla española (75) · Pan con tomate (66) · Calamares (63) · Paella (61) · Albóndigas (44) · Churros (33) · Gazpacho / salmorejo (33) · Ensaladilla rusa (10) · Rabo de toro (6) · Torrijas (4)

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