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 Catering in Coulsdon

Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Coulsdon: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.

  • Launches and office parties
  • Sharing boards for evening guests
  • Anniversary parties

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Book tapas catering in Coulsdon

About our tapas catering in Coulsdon

Hot tapas are finished on site, so they’re served at their best. On the menu are Manchego with membrillo, padrón peppers and Serrano ham, and we’re frequently booked for cocktail parties and office parties and launches.

Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Coulsdon. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.

Where
Coulsdon (CR5, CR8, CR3)
Region
Greater London
Diets
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
Also available
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
Quotes
Contact us for a quote
Last updated
23 October 2026
A spread of tapas on wooden boards with glasses of red wine

Organising for someone else?

Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we will work to it.

For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.

Catering for every guest

Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:

  • Canapés need staff to serve
  • Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
  • Ask guests about diets and allergies
  • Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal

Staff keep the canapés coming.

Serving boards and crockery.

How it works

On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, so we time everything to your schedule. Sunset in Coulsdon is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.

  1. First, we check availability.
  2. You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
  3. We set up on arrival.
  4. Hot and cold tapas are served.
  5. We clear away at the end.

Preparing for the day

  • Arrange parking near the cooking spot
  • Get the venue’s permission for cooking
  • Let us know who to talk to on the day

Getting a price

To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.

Tell us about your event

Planning help

Coulsdon: your questions answered

Is parking a problem for events in Coulsdon?

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

Can you cater a reception after a service at St Andrew'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 normally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.

How soon do we need to book?

Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.

Are there vegetarian tapas?

Plenty are vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. We label each dish.

How do you work out quantities?

Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.

Do you do desserts?

We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.

Can we add tapas or canapés?

Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.

Is tapas catering available separately?

Yes, tapas work on their own.

Where we can cook in Coulsdon

Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:

  • Room for a tapas table
  • A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
  • Room on tables for sharing dishes

As a London location, Coulsdon is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.

If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.

What we offer

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

See the full menu

Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?

For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.

You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.

Coulsdon: venues and local tips

Coulsdon is about 13 miles south of London, in Greater London. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Coulsdon and the surrounding area. We cover all 764 towns and villages across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is London, about 13 miles away.

After a ceremony at a church such as St Andrew's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. If you’re looking at a historic venue around Coulsdon, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.

This part of Greater London takes in CR5, CR8 and CR3, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. We can cater an event on streets such as Hadleigh Grove, Farthing Way and Dobson Close or the roads around them. You’ll find Coulsdon on the B276 and B2030, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Nearby, we also cater events in Woodcote (1 mile north), Old Coulsdon (1 mile south-east), Woodmansterne (1 mile west), Chipstead (1 mile south-west) and Purley (2 miles north-east). Larger places within reach include London (13 miles north), City of Westminster (14 miles north), Marylebone (14 miles north), Kensington (13 miles north), St Pancras (15 miles north) and Shoreditch (15 miles north).

A little further out are Croydon Airport Visitor Centre (3 miles north) and Purley War Memorial Hospital (2 miles north-east). The countryside around Coulsdon includes Duppas Hill and Mercers Lake.

  • Schools near Coulsdon include Coulsdon Sixth Form College (1 mile south-east)
  • Pubs nearby include The Pembroke pub (within half a mile north)
Map of Coulsdon © OpenStreetMap contributors

Why choose live paella in Coulsdon?

Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.

Why us?

  • Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
  • Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
  • No hidden extras in your quote
  • Paella cooked from scratch on site

Take a look at Our prices page Or The cost guide.

What tapas catering costs

There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:

  • Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
  • How many guests are eating
  • Distance and access to the venue
  • Whether you need crockery

Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.

What to tell us

A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:

  • Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
  • Approximate guest numbers, including children
  • Anything your venue supplies
  • The courses you’d like

The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. When you’re ready, fill in our quote form.

Perfect for your event in Coulsdon

Tapas get people talking.

In Coulsdon and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:

  • Canapés with welcome drinks
  • Evening grazing
  • Tapas with a paella main course
  • Birthday drinks

Guests travelling by rail: Coulsdon South station is in Coulsdon itself.

Questions to ask before booking

  • Any travel, parking or access charges
  • When payment is due
  • How dietary needs and allergies are handled
  • Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables

12 questions to ask before you book

  • 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