The best Spanish restaurants in Soho

Acclaimed chef Tomos Parry of Shoreditch's Basque stalwart Brat is also behind the decks at Mountain. Brat's younger sibling boasts its own Michelin star as of 2024, reflecting Parry's mastery when it comes to grilling, well, anything over a wood fire. Expertly prepared fish and meat sit alongside gourmet Spanish delicacies like sobrassada sausage, treating diners to the smoky flavours of Parry's cooking. Fine wines courtesy of Noble Rot round off the experience.

Ember Yard  brings the flavours of Spain and Italy to life with a menu centred on wood‑fired grills and sharing plates crafted by head chef Adam Kulikowski. Dishes range from the likes of rib‑eye with apricot harissa butter to manchego croquettes, served in a warm, dimly lit setting near Oxford Circus. A downstairs bar offers an intimate spot for wine and cocktails, perfect for pre or post‑dinner drinks.

There was a time when the original Barrafina in Dean Street was arguably the best-known Spanish restaurant in all of London, not just Soho, boasting a Michelin star in recognition of the authenticity and excellence evident in the dishes served here. Though it has since lost its star, this perennially popular tapas restaurant in Soho is still going strong and now has multiple branches across the city. Perch at the counter, nibble on traditional tapas, and soak up the hubbub as the sounds of the kitchen mingle with Soho's busy streets.

Perched above Regent Street, Aqua Nueva is a contemporary Spanish restaurant boasting both an elegant dining room and two inviting rooftop terraces with sweeping views over Soho. Guests can choose from a variety of Spanish menus, from relaxed brunches to pre‑theatre dining. Look forward to sharing plates of tapas, croquettes, and other classic bites served in a chic, lounge‑style setting.

The Michelin-starred Sabor in Heddon Street offers a journey through Spain's culinary diversity across three distinct spaces. The Counter serves tapas prepared in an open kitchen, while upstairs El Asador specialises in Galician and Castilian dishes cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven. For a more casual visit, the ground-floor bar provides tapas alongside an extensive selection of Spanish wines, sherries, and cocktails.

It's all about croquettes at Bar Kroketa. This cosy Spanish restaurant in Soho specialises in the classic tapas dish, serving croquettes with a variety of fillings – black squid ink and alioli, for example, or piquillo and manchego. Other classic Spanish small plates are served as well, accompanied by cocktails, Spanish beers, cava, and other regionally appropriate drinks, all served in a lively atmosphere.

Inspired by Spain's lively tapas bar tradition, Copita offers a convivial setting for sharing small plates, drinks, and conversation. The menu changes seasonally, with favourites like patatas bravas, chorizo, and king prawns alongside Moorish‑inspired dishes such as burnt aubergine with labneh and pomegranate. An all‑Spanish wine list, sherries, and a selection of Spanish beers are available as well.

Tapas Brindisa's Broadwick Street branch is a go-to for Soho diners on the hunt for seasonal Spanish small plates. The menu features everything from traditional bites like Padron peppers and boquerones to artisan cheese boards, Iberian cured meats, and flame-grilled treats. Whether you're soaking up the street-side buzz on the terrace or dining in the stylish indoor space, it's a pleasant spot for a leisurely lunch or a quick pre-theatre bite.

Maresco is a relaxed, seafood-focused Spanish restaurant in Soho that takes advantage of the fact that premium Scottish fish and seafood are often sold to Spain. The restaurant offers a choice between counter seating by the open kitchen or a more classic table setup, creating a laidback yet polished atmosphere. Expect daily specials alongside sherries and an expertly curated list of Spanish wines.

If you're at all familiar with Spanish cuisine, you know meat is a big part of it. Lobos Meat and Tapas caters unashamedly to meat lovers, dishing up succulent cuts of Iberico pork alongside bold Spanish wines. The Soho tapas restaurant blends rustic charm with a touch of sophistication, offering a menu packed with hearty tapas like juicy ribeye, tender albondigas, and spiced pork fillet. Traditional favourites like Spanish omelette, chorizo, and patatas bravas round out the line-up.

Dehesa, the older sibling of Ember Yard, sits just off bustling Carnaby Street and likewise finds its niche in the good-food-and-wine-loving overlap of Spain and Italy. This lively charcuterie and tapas spot offers a rotating seasonal menu, best enjoyed on its spacious, heated corner terrace, said to be the largest in Soho and perfect for alfresco dining all year round.