Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Blackfriars events
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Blackfriars and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Evening grazing
- Launches and office parties
- Birthday drinks
Book tapas catering in Blackfriars
Tapas catering for your event in Blackfriars
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, starter or main event. On the menu are gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo, and we are regularly asked to cater office parties and launches and sharing tapas starters.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Blackfriars, in a home, a venue or an office. Tell us about access and parking. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Where
- Blackfriars (SE1, EC1M, EC1N)
- County
- Greater London
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Room for a tapas table
- Space to finish hot dishes
As a London location, Blackfriars is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Check diets in advance
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Add a live paella main.
Events we cater in Blackfriars
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Cocktail parties
- Launches and office parties
- Evening grazing
Nearby historic houses include Dr Johnson's House (within half a mile north-west) and Mansion House (0.6 miles east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Before booking anyone
- Payment terms and deposit
- Who provides the crockery
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- What the price includes, item by item
Planning a tapas spread in Blackfriars
Blackfriars is about 1 mile north-west of London, in Greater London. Whether your event is in the middle of Blackfriars or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in all 764 towns and villages across Greater London.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Blackfriars, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Ann Blackfriars.
Tapas catering in SE1, EC1M and EC1N is planned around your venue. Local streets include Oat Lane, Bear Lane and Shoe Lane; an event at home on any of them works well with live paella. Main roads around Blackfriars include the A4 and A40, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. We also cook at events in Temple (1 mile west), Temple Bar (1 mile west), Bankside (1 mile south-east), Smithfield (1 mile north) and Clare Market (1 mile west). Larger places within reach include Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (3 miles south).
Nearby you’ll also find St Brides Crypt Museum (within half a mile north-west) and St Philip's Hospital (0.6 miles west). Open spaces near Blackfriars include Barnsbury Wood and St. James's Park Lake.
- Nearby schools include London Nautical School (0.5 miles south-west) and St Alban's Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Black Friar pub (within half a mile south-east)
- Other local spots include Barts Health Archives (within half a mile north-east) and County of London (0.6 miles east)
Blackfriars: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Bernie Spain Gardens?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
What’s the nearest station to Blackfriars for guests?
Blackfriars has its own station: London Blackfriars station.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
Can you do sangria?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it is worth asking.
Do you come to Blackfriars?
We do. We cook at events in Blackfriars and across Greater London. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
How many tapas per person?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Tell us more and we will advise.
What happens on the day
The paella is cooked in huge, shallow pans over gas burners. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. A summer drinks reception in Blackfriars has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and how you want the tapas served.
- You get a suggested selection and a price.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- We serve canapés with drinks or set table tapas down to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Preparing for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Getting a price
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Also near Blackfriars
Other catering in Blackfriars
The menu, dish by dish
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, frequently with alioli.
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.
DIY paella versus live catering
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Working with your venue
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
What tapas catering costs
The price comes down to a few factors:
- How many guests are eating
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Parking and unloading
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Getting an accurate quote
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Expected numbers
- The courses you’d like
- The date and time of the event
- What the venue already provides
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
- 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