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 Holborn

We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Holborn and Greater London, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.

  • Work receptions
  • Sharing boards for evening guests
  • Cocktail parties

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Book tapas catering in Holborn

Holborn: venues and local tips

Holborn is about 2 miles north-west of London, in Greater London. For tapas catering in Holborn, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Holborn. We cook in all 764 towns and villages in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages.

After a ceremony at a church such as St Alban's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Guests travelling by rail: Farringdon station is in Holborn itself.

Here we cover the WC1X, WC1N and EC1R postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Your event could be at a home on Shoe Lane, Drury Lane and New Square. With the A4 and A40 close by, Holborn is simple for us to get to with everything for your event. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Farringdon (1 mile east), St Pancras (1 mile north-west), Clare Market (1 mile south), Smithfield (1 mile east) and Temple Bar (1 mile south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (6 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (13 miles west), Brompton (3 miles south-west) and Stockwell (4 miles south).

A little further out are The Postal Museum (within half a mile north) and Montfichet's Tower (0.7 miles south-east). Not far away are Barnsbury Wood and Ludgate Hill.

  • Schools near Holborn include City Academy (within half a mile north) and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (0.9 miles north)
  • Pubs nearby include The Yorkshire Grey pub (under half a mile north)
  • Parks and local facilities nearby include British Library of Political and Economic Science (within half a mile south) and Metropolitan Borough of Holborn (0.5 miles south-west)
Map of Holborn © OpenStreetMap contributors

How our tapas catering works in Holborn

Tapas pair naturally with a live paella, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they work on their own too. We’re frequently asked to cater birthday drinks and engagement parties, with croquetas, tortilla española and Serrano ham.

For a London drinks party in Holborn, 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.

Where
Holborn (WC1X, WC1N, EC1R)
Region
Greater London
Diets
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
Extras
Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
Price
Ask us for a quote
Updated
23 October 2026
Tapas and red wine on a long table

Why choose tapas catering in Holborn?

They work for any size of event.

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

  • Evening sharing boards
  • Office parties and launches
  • Drinks parties and receptions
  • Tapas before paella

Parks such as Lincoln's Inn Fields have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.

Before booking anyone

  • How dietary needs and allergies are handled
  • Space, access and power needs
  • VAT, if it applies
  • How long the team stays

12 questions to ask before you book

How the day works

Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. At midsummer, it’s light in Holborn until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.

  1. Send us the date, venue and numbers.
  2. You get a selection and a price.
  3. We set up and finish the hot dishes.
  4. We serve canapés or table tapas.
  5. We clear our equipment afterwards.

How to prepare

  • Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
  • Tell us where to park and unload
  • Arrange a covered spot for wet weather

How to get a price

Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.

Tell us about your event

Read more

Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?

You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.

You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.

How we price tapas catering

The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:

  • Starters, canapés and desserts
  • Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
  • How long we’re needed on site
  • Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff

Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.

What to tell us

We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:

  • The date and time of the event
  • A picture of where we’d cook
  • The courses you’d like
  • Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers

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.

Why live cooking beats a buffet

Generic canapés all look the same. Tapas bring something different. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.

Why book with us

  • Waiting staff and crockery on request
  • Events in Holborn and across Greater London
  • Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
  • Everything cooked fresh at your event

Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.

FAQs for Holborn

What about parking in Holborn?

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

Could we have live paella in Lincoln's Inn Fields?

Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.

Is the paella gluten-free?

A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we take the right care.

Can you serve drinks?

Sangria, yes. We can also supply bar staff for your own drinks.

Can you serve tapas as well?

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

Do you cook it at the event?

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

Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?

Lots. Tortilla, patatas bravas, padrón peppers and Manchego are vegetarian classics.

Will there be enough food?

Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.

The menu, dish by dish

Gambas al ajillo

Popular with prawn fans.

Manchego & membrillo

Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.

Space, weather and the venue

Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but a few things matter:

  • A spot for our serving station
  • The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
  • Unloading access

As a London location, Holborn 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’ll advise before booking.

On the menu in Holborn

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

See the full menu

Diets, allergies and planning

A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:

  • Add sangria or cava
  • Tell us what role tapas play
  • Collect dietary needs
  • Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate

We clear our equipment when service ends.

Sangria and bar staff.

  • 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