Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Downe events
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 in Downe.
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas starters
- Birthday and anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Downe
Tapas catering in Downe, cooked live
Many classic tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. We’re often asked to cater drinks parties and receptions and sharing boards for evening guests, serving gambas al ajillo, padrón peppers and Manchego with membrillo.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Downe, in a home, a venue or an office. Let us know about parking and loading. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
- Where
- Downe (BR6)
- County
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Working with your venue
If you are organising for someone else, whether you are a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
The process
When we arrive, we set up our cooking area, light the burners and start the sofrito. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so the timing is planned around your event. Evening receptions in Downe stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can use our quote form.
Planning help
Live paella or other catering?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Why us?
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- We cover Downe and the whole of Greater London
Take a look at Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Collect dietary needs
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Add sangria or cava
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Bar staff and sangria.
Prices and what affects them
These are the factors that matter most:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Timings and hours
- How many staff you need
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Details that help
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The date and time of the event
- Which courses you have in mind
- A picture of where we’d cook
- What the venue already provides
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
What we need at the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Unloading access
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Permission from the venue
Downe is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Downe
- Tortilla española
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
The menu, dish by dish
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Tapas for events in Downe
Downe is about 4 miles south-west of Orpington, in Greater London. Across the BR6 area, we can bring the pans to you. We cater in 764 places in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Downe to London (13 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Chelsfield station, about 2.6 miles north-east. After a ceremony at a church such as St Mary's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Downe, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
For tapas catering in BR6, we plan around your venue. Streets in the area include High Street, North End Lane and Belle Vue Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Farthing Street (1 mile north-west), Hazelwood (1 mile east), Luxted (1 mile south), Leaves Green (1 mile west) and Single Street (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include London (13 miles north-west), City of Westminster (15 miles north-west), Marylebone (15 miles north-west), St Pancras (15 miles north-west), Shoreditch (14 miles north-west) and Hoxton (15 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Crofton Roman Villa (2.7 miles north-east) and Princess Royal University Hospital (1.8 miles north). Not far away are Downe Bank Nature Reserve and Betsom's Hill.
- Schools near Downe include Charles Darwin School (1.8 miles south)
- Local pubs include The Queens Head pub (less than half a mile south)
Events we cater in Downe
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
Big or small, live paella works well. Typical bookings include:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
- Evening grazing
- Canapés with welcome drinks
Parks such as South Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Comparing caterers
- If the price includes VAT
- What the price includes, item by item
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Whether travel is included
Also in Downe
Questions from Downe
What about parking in Downe?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We will work around it.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Mary's Church?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is halal food available?
Yes, on request. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we will cook a separate pan.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Yes. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.
- 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