Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Islington events
Looking for tapas catering in Islington? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Sharing tapas starters
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Drinks parties and receptions
Planning an event in Islington?
How our tapas catering works in Islington
We will recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. For welcome-drink canapés and tapas starters, we’ll put together a menu of croquetas, albóndigas and gambas al ajillo and more.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Islington, in a home, a venue or an office. Tell us about access and parking. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Where
- Islington (N1, N7, NW1, EC1V)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Before you choose a spot
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
As a London location, Islington is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Islington
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
Islington questions
We’re having a ceremony at St Mary's 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 typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
What’s the nearest station to Islington for guests?
Islington has its own station: Essex Road station.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
How many different paellas?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll help you decide the split.
How much does tapas catering cost in Islington?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Can you cook in the rain?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Do you take everything away?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
What tapas catering costs
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- The number of people
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The paellas you choose
- The length of service
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Anything your venue supplies
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- The venue or postcode
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, 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 there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Nearby places to Islington
Other catering in Islington
Receptions and parties in Islington
Islington is about 3 miles north-east of City of Westminster, in Greater London. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Islington and nearby villages. We cook in 764 places in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages.
For guests coming by train, Essex Road station is in Islington itself. Nearby historic houses include Dr Johnson's House (1.6 miles south) and Mansion House (1.9 miles south). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Here we cover the N1, N7, NW1 and EC1V postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Gibson Square, Old Royal Free Square and Cloudesley Square or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. With the B515 and A5203 close by, Islington is easy for us to reach. Nearby, we also cater events in Pentonville (1 mile south), Angel (1 mile south), Barnsbury (1 mile north-west), Clerkenwell (1 mile south) and Lower Holloway (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include London (3 miles south), City of Westminster (3 miles south-west), Kensington (5 miles south-west), Walthamstow (5 miles north-east), Hampstead (3 miles west) and Ruislip (13 miles west).
Nearby you will also find Brunswick Centre (1.3 miles south-west) and Queer Britain (0.8 miles west). Not far away are Barnsbury Wood and Ludgate Hill.
- Schools near Islington include St Mary's CofE Primary School (under half a mile east) and Islington Green School (within half a mile south-east)
- Nearby, you will find The King's Head Public House (less than half a mile east)
- Other local spots include Metropolitan Borough of Islington (within half a mile north-east) and Pilsudski Institute of London (1.4 miles south-west)
The process
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. Sunset in Islington is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- We arrive, set up and finish hot dishes on site.
- Canapés circulate with drinks, or tapas go to the tables.
- Afterwards, our equipment is cleared away.
Preparing for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Tell us where to park and unload
Getting a price
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Perfect for your event in Islington
They work for any size of event.
Whatever you are celebrating in Islington, live paella can be the centrepiece. We often cook for:
- Work receptions
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Engagement drinks
- Evening grazing
Parks such as Barnard Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Comparing caterers
- What happens if it rains
- A clear list of what’s included
- VAT, if it applies
- Travel and parking costs
For event organisers in Islington
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Organising a club, school or community event in Islington? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Is live paella right for your event?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
What you get with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
Take a look at How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
What’s in the pans
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Gambas al ajillo
Prawns sizzled in garlic and olive oil.
- 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