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Sep 30 2026
Restaurants From Spain in the UK
The turn of the millennium sparked a wave of popularity in Spanish tapas, with the UK in particular falling for the lure of Spain’s soul food dishes - made with love, spice and fire. We take a look at how this culinary favorite has evolved across Great Britain, with some of the best certified Restaurants From Spain that go far beyond just London.
Discover Spanish food and beverage products in the UK through local gourmet shops, Colmados From Spain.
Top Restaurants From Spain in the UK
Bar 44 (Bristol, Penarth and Cardiff)
Group 44, now with four locations in England and Wales, is the endeavor of owners Tom and Owen, who bring their gastronomic reflections from around Spain to the table in each venue. Following the success of Bar 44 in 2002, the casual Spanish tapas atmosphere extended with Asador 44 - its restaurant with an ample menu of meats, seafood and vegetables cooked over fire, and then with Mercado 44, a culinary boutique with Spanish products to take home.
Menu highlight: Arroz meloso with artichoke, wild mushroom and charcoal aioli
Curado Bar (Cardiff)
Cardiff diners can also check out Curado Bar – hailed as the Welsh capital’s first Spanish tapas bar. With its chic industrial backdrop, Curado is much more than a bar, serving elevated tapas and classic Spanish dishes with a twist. There’s also an extensive cheese menu, a highly curated wine, spirits and beer selection, and a fun, cozy atmosphere, both on the ground floor and upstairs.
Menu highlight: Slow-braised Salamancan jamón ibérico pig cheek with pickled fennel and piquillo pepper ketchup
Lunya and Lunyalita (Liverpool)
In the north, Liverpool has Lunya restaurant, which prides itself on being an independent venture that is obsessed with Catalan and Spanish food culture. Since 2010, Lunya has been offering authentic Spanish dishes and weekly deals, making it irresistible for locals and visitors.
In 2024 it became staff-owned, so the level of service speaks for itself. Lunya is also the UK’s largest online Spanish deli and they offer catering outside of the restaurant. Its more recent counterpart overlooking Albert Dock, Lunyalita has two floors, making it a versatile setting for casual breakfasts, deli shopping, group dining events and sharing plates with friends.
Menu highlight: “Dirty bravas” with chorizo and crispy onions
Pluma (Amersham)
With its quaint rural setting in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Pluma restaurant has made its mark on High Street with a distinctly Spanish-taberna look. Inside, the simple, top-quality ingredients from Spain are given a full culinary spotlight, with Chef Javier creating elegant dishes for the most discerning of palates. Be prepared to be impressed by these authentic flavors of Spain, with a particular focus on Basque-style delicacies, served up in high style.
Menu highlight: Pan fried baby squid in salsa roja with saffron aioli
José Pizarro The Swan Inn (Esher)
Just south-east of London, in Surrey, José Pizarro The Swan Inn Esher is José Pizarro’s first gastropub, offering the charm of a traditional British pub with the warmth of Spanish flavor. Whether you are coming for breakfast, traditional tapas or sizzling dishes cooked over fire on the outdoor BBQ terrace, José Pizarro promises the original and authentic Spanish touch. His restaurant portfolio has since expanded into The Big Smoke, to include Lolo, Pizarro, Keeper’s House and José Tapas Bar, all in central London.
Menu highlight: Rabbit paella with seasonal vegetables
Escocesa (London)
At Escocesa in London, high-end Scottish seafood is transformed into Spanish cuisine classics, marrying the flavors of Spain with the fresh catches of Scotland. Bar Esteban and Maresco are two more certified venues by the same group to check out. Aside from stunning fish dishes prepared by seasoned chefs, Escocesa also excels in tapas with modern ingredients, and considering one of the owners’ fondness for sherry, you’ll find an ample sherry menu along with gins, wines and beers from around the Iberian Peninsula.
Menu highlight: Pulpo with white bean purée
Barrafina (London)
With no less than five locations around London, Barrafina is practically an institution in fine Spanish tapas dining in the city. Founded in 2007 and inspired by the owner’s family ties to Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, the original Barrafina in Soho went on to earn the first Michelin star by a non-reservation restaurant in London. Each of the venues has an open kitchen, so diners can eat and be entertained watching the menu come alive by its passionate chefs.
Menu highlight: Arroz de Carabineros
Sabor (London)
Sabor in London’s Mayfair is one of two restaurants owned by Michelin-star chef Nieves Barragán, the undisputed queen of Spanish cuisine in London. Sabor has four distinct areas offering different styles of cuisine and hospitality culture depending on group size and preferences, including an outdoor terrace. Its sister restaurant with a trendy Shoreditch vibe.
Menu highlight: Txuletón 40-day aged Rib-eye with tomato salad
Looking for more? Discover the full Restaurants from Spain selection and explore some of the best Spanish dining experiences across the UK Restaurants From Spain list.