Tapas/Spanish restaurant in London recommendations please?

[notamumyetbutoneday]

Hi

We are visiting relatives in London over Christmas and have a day planned at the Vinopolis wine tasting place. Beforehand we would like to go to a Spanish/Tapas restuarant, preferably situated around the south bank but we dont mind a bit of a walk.

Does anyone have any recommendations pleae? It will need to be one which takes advance bookings as we wont have time to wait as we have a wine tour thing booked.

Any recommndations gratefully received!

thanks

If you would be prepared to venture to Soho, in my opinion the best Spanish restaurant in town is Cafe Espana on Old Compton Street.
Absolutely lovely food, and friendly staff.

Is SOHO far from south bank? bear in mind I am country bumpkin from oop North! (DH from London but lacks any directional skills).
Ill try and find a website, thanks

It's about 20min walk through Leicester Sq, if you prefer to stay in the South Bank, there is a fab Turkish restaurant called Taz (the Globe Walk branch, 2min from vinopolis) is superb, and lots of other chains.
Have fun!

Navarros on Charlotte Street is fabulous (Charlotte St is just off Tottenham Court Rd).

Would suggest

Tapas Brindisa but they don't take bookings...

There is apparently one on the Cut near waterloo - but can't remember it's name.. did hear good reviews...

sorry not much help

Don't go to the one on the Cut (Meson don Felipe) - they poisoned me!!!! Though that was a while ago...

El Pirata in Mayfair (maybe about 30 mins walk, bit more perhaps) is quite fun and the food is good.

Fino on Charlotte St is expensive, but magnificent. Again, quite a long walk.

Oh snickersnack, I've eaten at Meson Don Felipe loads of times and never been poisoned. Mind you it's tiny and packed so not great if there's a few of you.

I like El Faro in the docklands. You could get to/from there from the south bank by Thames Clipper, which is a pretty nice way to get around.

thanks for all your recommendations, im going to have a look at their websites now!

Not QuiteCockney- I love the look of El faro and geting htere by boat!!! Ive had a look at the Clipper website and am totally baffled as to how we would get there? Do you happen to know please which pier we would use to get there/back? ive had a look on google maps but it doesnt show the Piers.

Thank you!!!

No don't go to Cafe Espana, you have to queue for ages so it's no good for visiting the city. Better for when you have no other plans and aren't in a rush. It's miles away from vinopolis too.

I haven't been poisoned by Don Felipe, I think it's really nice there! V spanish too. I did actually get ill after Taz though!!

Oh god, I remember the days when I used to eat out!

Sorry, didn't see your message.

Right - I'd get off at the Canary Wharf pier - this pier is right outside the Royal China restaurant, if you're looking at a map. I'd get on at Bankside maybe? Where are you starting?

It's a bit of a stroll at the Canary Wharf end.

Oh, and El Faro is absolutely bloody excellent. I don't really actually like tapas that much, I find it far too greasy. But at El Faro, I like it fine (and yes, it's still greasy - but it all tastes so good, it's worth it).

Check the clipper schedule, though - they don't run as often as tubes.

Definately Navarros on Charlotte St. I don't think its open at lunchtime on Saturday or Sundays.

Ok, just looked on Google Maps, and the piers are on there, just as little boat symbols in the water. And of course you can't tell what kind of pier they are, some piers are Thames Clipper, some are just tourist piers.

I would second Navarros or Cafe Espana.
Old Compton St probably nearer for you.

panic stations! i just called 5 spanish restaurants- navarros, faro, ciglia, el faro and el pirata- and they are ALL CLOSED ON 27TH DECEMBER!!! argh! what to do? we only want something light to eat, not a full on pub meal or italian or something.

Argh! back to trawling the internet!

Cubana in waterloo is excellent, really good food, and quite close to Vinopolis

www.cubana.co.uk/

Thanks devilwearsprimark- just checked their website, thought it was ideal...butthey dont open until 5pm on a saturday!!! Gah!!! seriosuly, i am panicking now- will we wend up in Mcdonalds?!

Wagamama on the south bank will be quick and light, but nothing special.

oooh or

www.bincho.co.uk/ in the oxo tower.

thanks devil- dont think MIL will go for japanese though much as i love yakitori- sigh.

have you heard of Pico Bar and Grill? its coming up on the southbanklondon website as doing portugeuse tapas, but I can't find a website for it or even any online reviews which is making me rather suspicious. I had no idea it would be this tricky to find somewhere!