Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in East Dulwich, Greater London
Looking for tapas catering in East Dulwich? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Office parties and launches
- Sharing tapas starters
- Drinks reception canapés
Planning an event in East Dulwich?
Tapas catering for your event in East Dulwich
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, served while the paella cooks, but they work on their own too. We cook albóndigas, gambas al ajillo and Manchego with membrillo, and typical bookings are for tapas with a paella main course and engagement drinks.
For a London drinks party in East Dulwich, canapé tapas are easy to serve in a small space. Timings are planned around your event, whether that’s speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
- Area
- East Dulwich (SE5, SE22, SE15)
- Region
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Tapas for events in East Dulwich
East Dulwich is about 3 miles south of London, in Greater London. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around East Dulwich and the surrounding area. East Dulwich is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we cook.
Parks such as Brunswick Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. After a ceremony at a church such as The Latter Rain Outpouring Revival Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
This part of Greater London takes in SE5, SE22 and SE15, so your event can be anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Rye Lane, Wren Road and Adys Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. Main roads around East Dulwich include the A2214 and A2215, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. We also cook at events in Denmark Hill (1 mile north-west), Herne Hill (1 mile south-west), Dulwich Village (1 mile south), Camberwell (1 mile north) and Peckham (1 mile north-east). Further out, we also cater in London (3 miles north), City of Westminster (5 miles north-west), Marylebone (5 miles north-west), Kensington (6 miles north-west), St Pancras (5 miles north) and Shoreditch (4 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Dulwich Community Hospital (under half a mile south-east) and Nunhead (1.4 miles east). Open spaces near East Dulwich include Knight's Hill and Centre for Wildlife Gardening.
- Nearby schools include The Charter School East Dulwich (within half a mile south-east) and The Charter School (within half a mile south-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Fox on the Hill pub (within half a mile north-west)
What affects the price in East Dulwich
Every event is priced individually, and the price depends on a few things:
- The number of people
- How many courses
- How many staff you need
- Whether you need crockery
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Details that help
These details help us quote quickly:
- The date and rough timings
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
Send us the date, your venue or SE5 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
East Dulwich: your questions answered
We’re having a ceremony at The Latter Rain Outpouring Revival Church: can you cater afterwards?
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. Tell us where the reception will be.
Which station should guests use for East Dulwich?
East Dulwich has its own station: East Dulwich station.
How much tapas do we need?
Quantities depend on timing and courses. Give us the details and we will advise.
How long does the paella take?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Do you provide plates and cutlery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Can you cook in the rain?
We cook under cover, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Also near East Dulwich
Other catering in East Dulwich
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. Sunset in East Dulwich is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
How to prepare
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Plan cover in case of rain
Ask for a quote
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Related guides
A closer look at the menu
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Perfect for your event in East Dulwich
Tapas are sociable food.
Whatever you’re celebrating in East Dulwich, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Tapas starters
- Evening grazing
- Tapas with a paella main course
Nearby historic houses include Kingswood House (2.2 miles south) and Mansion House (3.5 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
What your quote should include
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- When payment is due
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Check diets in advance
- Ensure dishes are labelled
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Afterwards, we clear away.
Sangria and bar staff.
Organising for someone else?
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Throwing a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Where we can cook in East Dulwich
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- A spot for our serving station
East Dulwich is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Padrón peppers
- Tortilla española
- 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