Live paella catering, cooked fresh at your event · London and the South East
A spread of tapas on wooden boards with glasses of red wine

Greater London · England

Tapas & canapé catering in Coombe, Greater London

Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in Coombe.

  • Drinks parties and receptions
  • Tapas before paella
  • Sharing tapas starters

Get a quote

Tapas catering near Coombe

Perfect for your event in Coombe

They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.

Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:

  • Table tapas as a starter
  • Engagement parties
  • Birthday and anniversary parties
  • Evening grazing

Guests travelling by rail: South Croydon station is about 1 mile away.

Comparing caterers

  • Any travel, parking or access charges
  • Who provides the crockery
  • Staff numbers and hours
  • If the price includes VAT

How to compare caterers

Tapas catering for your event in Coombe

For standing receptions, canapés work best; table tapas suit seated meals. Many events have both. Typical bookings include anniversary parties and cocktail parties, serving patatas bravas, Manchego with membrillo and albóndigas.

Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Coombe, indoors or out. Tell us about access and parking. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.

Where
Coombe (CR0, CR2, CR9)
Area hub
Greater London
Diets
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
Add-ons
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
Price
Contact us for a quote
Updated
23 October 2026
Sangria with fruit served in a glass and jug

A closer look at the menu

Croquetas

Crisp outside, creamy inside, often with ham or mushroom.

Gambas al ajillo

Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil with a little chilli.

Planning for every diet

Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Here’s how:

  • Check diets in advance
  • Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
  • Label seafood clearly
  • Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry

We clear our equipment when service ends.

Waiting staff for canapés.

Before you choose a spot

Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:

  • Space to finish hot dishes
  • The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
  • Room on tables for sharing dishes

Coombe is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.

Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.

On the menu in Coombe

  • Patatas bravas
  • Croquetas
  • Olives & bread
  • Gambas al ajillo
  • Manchego & membrillo
  • Serrano ham
  • Chorizo in red wine
  • Padrón peppers
  • Tortilla española
  • Albóndigas

Browse the menu

Planning a tapas spread in Coombe

Coombe is about 1 mile east of Croydon, in Greater London. Events in Coombe are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. Coombe is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we cook. Our events stretch from Coombe to London (about 9 miles away).

A picnic in Addington Hills? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is frequently easier for catering. Historic buildings near Coombe often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.

Anywhere in CR0, CR2 and CR9, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. We can cater an event on streets such as Oaks Road, Coombe Road and Coombe Lane or the roads around them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Croydon (1 mile west), Addiscombe (1 mile north), South Croydon (1 mile south-west), Shirley Oaks (1 mile north-east) and Shirley (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include London (9 miles north), City of Westminster (11 miles north), Marylebone (11 miles north), Kensington (11 miles north-west), St Pancras (11 miles north) and Shoreditch (11 miles north).

Other landmarks nearby include Addiscombe (1.3 miles north) and National Psychosis Unit (2.1 miles north-east). Not far away are Bramley Bank and Duppas Hill.

  • Schools near Coombe include Royal Russell School (under half a mile south) and St Peter's Primary School (0.9 miles south-west)
  • Nearby, you will find Coombe Lodge pub (less than half a mile south-west)
Map of Coombe © OpenStreetMap contributors

Coombe: your questions answered

Which station should guests use for Coombe?

The closest is South Croydon station, roughly 1 mile away.

Is parking a problem for events in Coombe?

It can be, so tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway. We will plan unloading around it.

Are there vegetarian tapas?

Lots. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.

How long does the paella take?

It depends on the menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance.

Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.

Do you cook tapas on site?

We finish hot dishes on site; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.

Is the paella cooked on site?

Yes. We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook it there and then, then serve straight from the pan.

What do you need at the venue?

Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. Send us a picture if you’re not sure.

Live paella or other catering?

If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.

Why book with us

  • Fast service from the pan
  • We cover Coombe and the whole of Greater London
  • Drinks service on request
  • Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts

See How we price Or The cost guide.

Cook it yourself or book a caterer?

Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.

You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.

What affects the price in Coombe

Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:

  • Plates, cutlery and glassware
  • Timings and hours
  • Travel, parking and access
  • How many guests are eating

Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.

What to tell us

To speed things up, tell us:

  • Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
  • Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
  • What the venue already provides
  • Expected numbers

Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.

Step by step

From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. If you’ve chosen tapas or canapés, they go out first as the rice is cooking. Sunset in Coombe is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.

  1. Send us the date, venue, numbers and serving style.
  2. We suggest a selection and confirm a quote.
  3. On the day, we set up and prepare the hot tapas there.
  4. Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
  5. We clear away our equipment when service is finished.

Before we arrive

  • Confirm numbers and diets before the day
  • Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
  • Get the venue’s permission for cooking

Get a quote

Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.

Ask for a quote

Planning help

  • 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

See the menu · How it works · Get a quote