Southampton · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Bitterne Park, Southampton
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Bitterne Park and Southampton, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement parties
Tapas catering in Bitterne Park
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Croquetas
Croquetas disappear fast.
How our tapas catering works in Bitterne Park
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. For engagement drinks and tapas before paella, we will put together a menu of patatas bravas, Manchego with membrillo and albóndigas and more.
Around Bitterne Park, tapas suit garden parties and village-hall celebrations. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Where
- Bitterne Park (SO18, SO17, SO19)
- County
- Southampton
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Catering for every guest
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
What happens on the day
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That is how the grains cook evenly and the toasted base, the socarrat, forms. Your guests will smell it before they see it. At midsummer, it is light in Bitterne Park until about 9:25pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Towns and villages near Bitterne Park
What else we do in Bitterne Park
Events we cater in Bitterne Park
They make a perfect starter before paella.
Whatever you are celebrating in Bitterne Park, live paella can be the centrepiece. We frequently cook for:
- Cocktail parties
- Evening grazing
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement parties
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of Ascension.
What your quote should include
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- Allergen information for each dish
- How bad weather is handled
- How late numbers can change
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Parking near the venue
- A spot for our serving station
- Space to finish hot dishes
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
Planning a tapas spread in Bitterne Park
Bitterne Park is about 1 mile east of Southampton, in Southampton. Tell us where your event in Bitterne Park will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cater in 40 places across Southampton.
Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Bitterne station, about 0.5 miles south-west. If you are looking at a historic venue around Bitterne Park, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. With the sea within about 3 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
We cater events across SO18, SO17 and SO19 and the streets around it. Whether your event is on Neva Road, Avon Road and Bond Road or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. Being close to the A3024, Bitterne Park is easy for us to reach. Close by, we cover events in Midanbury (1 mile north-east), Bitterne Manor (1 mile south-west), St Denys (1 mile west), Townhill Park (1 mile north-east) and Bitterne (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Shirley (3 miles west), Regents Park (3 miles west), Maybush (3 miles west), Coxford (3 miles west), Freemantle (3 miles west) and Lordswood (3 miles north-west).
A little further out are Bitterne Local History Society Heritage And Research Centre (0.8 miles south-east) and Royal South Hants Hospital (1.3 miles south-west). The countryside around Bitterne Park includes Netley Common.
- Local schools include Bitterne Park Primary School (less than half a mile north-west) and Bitterne Park School (under half a mile north)
- Pubs nearby include Bitterne Park Hotel (within half a mile west)
Is live paella right for your event?
Tapas are flexible, so they fit most plans. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
What you get with us
- We cover Bitterne Park and the whole of Southampton
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Real theatre, not just catering
See Our pricing And The cost guide.
What tapas catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- Whether you need crockery
- How many staff you need
- Distance and access to the venue
- Timings and hours
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
- Where the event is
- The courses you’d like
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Your questions about tapas catering in Bitterne Park
How far is Bitterne Park from London?
About 68 miles from central London, and well within our area.
What’s the nearest station to Bitterne Park for guests?
Bitterne station, about 0.5 miles south-west of the centre.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
What if the weather’s bad?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Do you come to Bitterne Park?
Yes. We cover London and the South East, including Bitterne Park. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
- Cooked live in giant pans at your event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options
- Paella, tapas, canapés and desserts
- Sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff