Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Clerkenwell events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Clerkenwell. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Sharing tapas starters
Tapas catering in Clerkenwell
Tapas catering in Clerkenwell, made fresh on the day
We finish hot tapas on site, so they’re served at their best. Typical bookings include sharing tapas starters and welcome-drink canapés, serving padrón peppers, albóndigas and gambas al ajillo.
For a London drinks party in Clerkenwell, canapé tapas are easy to serve in a small space. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Area
- Clerkenwell (N1, EC1V, WC1X)
- County
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Receptions and parties in Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is about 2 miles north of London, in Greater London. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Clerkenwell and the surrounding area. Clerkenwell is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London we cover.
Guests travelling by rail: Farringdon station is in Clerkenwell itself. Historic houses near Clerkenwell include Dr Johnson's House (0.8 miles south) and Mansion House (1.1 miles south-east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Tapas catering in N1, EC1V and WC1X is planned around your venue and your guests. That could mean an event in a garden on Long Lane, City Road and Noel Road. You will find Clerkenwell on the A1 and A5201, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Other places close to Clerkenwell for tapas catering include Farringdon (1 mile south), Angel (1 mile north), Smithfield (1 mile south), Holborn (1 mile south-west) and St Pancras (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover Kensington (5 miles south-west), Walthamstow (5 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).
A little further out are County of London (0.9 miles south-east) and Museum of Funeral History (under half a mile west). Open spaces near Clerkenwell include St. James's Park Lake and Ludgate Hill.
- Local schools include Tech City College (within half a mile north-east) and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (0.6 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Sekforde pub (under half a mile south)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Barts Health Archives (0.6 miles south)
For planners, venues and organisers
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
If you’re organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
How the day works
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. A summer drinks reception in Clerkenwell has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Related guides
Places near Clerkenwell
More for events in Clerkenwell
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Book staff to carry canapés round
- Check diets in advance
- Tell us what role tapas play
Table tapas are set down to share.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Why choose tapas catering in Clerkenwell?
Big or small, tapas work.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Clerkenwell book us for occasions like:
- Drinks reception canapés
- Engagement parties
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing tapas starters
Parks such as King Square Gardens have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Before you book anyone
- A clear list of what’s included
- How long the team stays
- Space, access and power needs
- If the price includes VAT
Your questions about tapas catering in Clerkenwell
Can you cater a reception after a service at St James's Church?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook in King Square Gardens?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
Do you serve drinks with tapas?
Sangria and bar staff can be added.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
What do you need at the venue?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
When do you arrive?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
How we price tapas catering
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Travel, parking and access
- Whether you need crockery
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- How many staff you need
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Getting an accurate quote
To speed things up, tell us:
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- What the venue already provides
- The courses you’d like
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- Parking near the venue
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
Clerkenwell is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Clerkenwell
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas are flexible, which makes them easy to plan around. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why us?
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- A clear, itemised quote
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
- 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