The Costa del Thames - guide to some of the best Spanish tapas

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TRUE TASTE OF SPAIN

Brindisa Ham School

Of course you can buy Jamon at good supermarkets or good delicatessens – but where’s the challenge in that? If you really fall for Jamon Brindisa, a specialist emporium in Borough Market that is the full anchovy when it comes to the taste of Spain, runs a ‘Ham School’ most Tuesdays (they book up fast). Here you can level-up your pork perspicacity, bone up on your carving skills, and make a little piggy of yourself over some top Spanish wine. You’ll also get 15% off in their shop where they sell a range of Spanish delicacies including a wonderful selection of chorizo.

Jose Pizzaro

Often described as the Godfather of Spanish cooking in the UK, José Pizzaro suddenly has his name all over London. His José Tapas Bar in Bermondsey Street is rammed, his Pizzaro restaurant just down the road from the eponymous bar is hard to get into, José Pizzaro at Broadgate Circus delights the City crowd and he has recently been installed in the rather less ambiently Spanish surroundings of the Royal Academy. The latter doesn’t have the youthful energy and vibe of the earlier places – then again Royal Academicians err perhaps more on the genteel side.

Copita & Barrica

Copita is the Spanish word for ‘sherry glass’ so no surprises that nestling on the shelves behind the bar in this D’Arblay Street establishment is a great collection of the finest wines Jerez has to offer. There’s a very authentic vibe and you could easily imagine José Carreras and Placido Domingo skiving off from the Royal Opera house for a ‘Copita’ of chilled manzanilla (well, good for the voice old chap). The wine list is 99% Spanish, food critics rave over the seasonally changing menu, what’s not to like. NB: if you can’t get into Copita don’t panic, a short stroll away in Goodge Street the same team operate Barrica.

Hispania

Now here’s a thing, an old bank that hasn’t been turned into a Wetherspoons but a really classy upscale Spanish eatery much beloved of City types. We’re talking Lombard Street where one brokers and jobbers went about their Top and Bowler hatted business.  To be fair it’s more of a restaurant than a tapas bar with Michelin Star chef Marcos Moran orchestrating the tarantella at the pass. It’s a ‘go large or go home’ statement of a place for when you want a big night out with big flavours on your plate.

Iberica

With currently an empire of 5 venues spread between Canary Wharf and Victoria, Iberica has certainly gone large. They’ve found a winning formula with the chance to dine informally at the bar or sit down and have a more structured meal. The Jamon here is a major feature, normally with a choice of several varieties (try the tasting plate!). Great wine list with most served by the glass, the bottle and by the ‘poron’ – that arcane flask from which wine is poured at a great height (now we did we put that straw donkey?)

El Pirata of Mayfair

Apparently one of Fred Sirieix’s favourite hang-outs, El Pirata has been turning out the tapas for a quarter of a century. Just off Piccadilly in the quiet surroundings of Down Street it’s informal, relaxed and busy with a combination of hipster hedge fund workers by day and resident Mayfairites by night, attracted to its warmth, hospitality and fine weather al fresco dining. It’s a comfortable place with a chic bar whilst you’re waiting for a table. The food has an enviable reputation, and they even do take-out.

Market Bar Brindisa

Finally, to square the circle, we’re coming right back round to Brindisa – but not the shop this time, the bar and kitchen they have in the middle of Borough Market. Redolent of bars in markets all over Spain, this is a walk-up, on the hoof, on the go, quick drink and snack scenario where tapas all really started. If this isn’t Spain comes to London on the Costa del Thames we don’t know what is!