Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Dulwich, Greater London
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella makes the food a highlight of your event in Dulwich.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Evening grazing
Live tapas catering in Dulwich
For event organisers in Dulwich
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Dulwich? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
About our tapas catering in Dulwich
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Whether it’s anniversary parties and canapés with welcome drinks, we’ll put together a menu of Manchego with membrillo, patatas bravas and padrón peppers and more.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Dulwich. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
- Area
- Dulwich (SE22, SE21, SE23)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Occasions we cook for in Dulwich
They work for any size of event.
Here are some of the events we cook for in Dulwich and Greater London:
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Tapas starters
- Evening sharing boards
- Engagement parties
After a ceremony at a church such as Christ's Chapel of God's Gift, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
Before you book anyone
- What the price includes, item by item
- Payment terms and deposit
- The venue requirements
- How each diet is kept separate
What else we do in Dulwich
FAQs for Dulwich
Is parking a problem for events in Dulwich?
It can be, so tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway. We will work around it.
Which station should guests use for Dulwich?
West Dulwich station, about 0.7 miles south-west of the centre.
Should we have more than one paella?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details for a suggestion.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site so they’re served at their best.
What’s in the pans
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
Tortilla española
Potato omelette served in wedges or squares.
Prices and what affects them
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- How many courses
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The number of people
- The length of service
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Getting an accurate quote
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- The venue or postcode
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Planning a tapas spread in Dulwich
Dulwich is about 1 mile south-east of Herne Hill, in Greater London. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Dulwich and the surrounding area. Dulwich is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London we cover.
Parks such as Dulwich Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. Historic houses near Dulwich include Kingswood House (1.1 miles south) and Queen's House (4 miles north-east). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Anywhere in SE22, SE21 and SE23, we can cook for your guests. Your event could be at a home on Court Lane, Druce Road and Boxall Road. Dulwich sits on or near the A2216, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. For events just outside Dulwich, we cover Dulwich Village (1 mile north-west), West Dulwich (1 mile south), Herne Hill (1 mile north-west), Sydenham Hill (1 mile south-east) and Forest Hill (1 mile east). We also cook in nearby towns such as London (4 miles north), City of Westminster (6 miles north-west), Marylebone (6 miles north-west), Kensington (7 miles north-west), St Pancras (6 miles north) and Shoreditch (6 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Lewisham Shopping Centre (3.1 miles east) and Greenwich Castle (4 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Knight's Hill and Centre for Wildlife Gardening.
- Local schools include Alleyn's School (0.6 miles north) and The Charter School (0.9 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Crown and Greyhound pub (less than half a mile north-west)
- Local facilities include Nunhead (1.8 miles north-east)
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Collect dietary needs
We clear our equipment when service ends.
Serving boards and crockery.
Should I cook it 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.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Space, weather and the venue
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
- Permission from the venue
As a London location, Dulwich is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Dulwich
- Serrano ham
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
The process
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. A summer drinks reception in Dulwich 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.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Ask for a quote
Thinking about tapas catering for your event in Dulwich? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. To contact us, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
- 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