Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in London Docklands, 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 London Docklands.
- Tapas and paella menus
- Table tapas as a starter
- Welcome-drink canapés
Book tapas catering in London Docklands
About our tapas catering in London Docklands
We’ll recommend a tapas selection for your event, whether tapas are a starter or the whole meal. On the menu are Serrano ham, patatas bravas and tortilla española, and we’re frequently booked for engagement drinks and birthday and anniversary parties.
For a London drinks party in London Docklands, canapé tapas are easy to serve in a small space. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: the menu, the staff and any extras.
- Area
- London Docklands (E14, SE16, E22)
- Region
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Catering for every guest
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Allow more variety if tapas are the whole meal
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Hot tapas are finished on site and served right away.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Why choose tapas catering in London Docklands?
Tapas get people talking, because everyone shares.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement drinks
- Welcome-drink canapés
- Table tapas as a starter
Nearby historic houses include Queen's House (1.8 miles south) and Mansion House (3.1 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Questions to ask before booking
- How late numbers can change
- Allergen information for each dish
- Whether travel is included
- The deposit and payment dates
Live paella or other catering?
For food that gets people mingling, tapas work brilliantly. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why book with us
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Events in London Docklands and across Greater London
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.
Where we can cook in London Docklands
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Space for a serving table or station
- Access to unload near the serving area
As a London location, London Docklands 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.
Menu ideas
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
What happens on the day
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. Sunset in London Docklands is around 9:20pm in June, so canapés can go round outdoors on a summer evening.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
How to get a price
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, plus any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, use our quote form.
Planning help
About the dishes
Tortilla española
A thick potato and egg omelette served in wedges or squares.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
London Docklands: venues and local tips
London Docklands is about 2 miles north-west of Greenwich, in Greater London. Events in London Docklands are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. London Docklands is one of 764 places in Greater London where we cook.
Historic buildings near London Docklands frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue. For guests coming by train, London Docklands has its own station, Canary Wharf station.
Anywhere in E14, SE16 and E22, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your event could be at a home on Castor Lane, Cassilis Road and Dockyard Lane. Being close to the A1206 and A1261, London Docklands is simple for us to get to for your event. For events just outside London Docklands, we cover Canary Wharf (1 mile west), Poplar (1 mile north), Heron Quays (1 mile south-west), Coldharbour (1 mile east) and Blackwall (1 mile east). We also cook in nearby towns such as London (3 miles west), City of Westminster (6 miles west), Marylebone (6 miles west), Kensington (8 miles west), St Pancras (5 miles west) and Shoreditch (3 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include Greenwich Castle (2 miles south) and The Pumphouse Educational Museum (0.9 miles west). Open spaces near London Docklands include St. James's Park Lake and Lavender Pond.
- Schools near London Docklands include Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School (less than half a mile north) and Canary Wharf College 3 (0.7 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Ledger Building pub (under half a mile north-west)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Holy Trinity (1.9 miles north-west)
What affects the price in London Docklands
We will give you a clear, itemised quote. The main things that affect it are:
- How many guests are eating
- The paellas you choose
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many courses
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What we need to know
To speed things up, tell us:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- The address or venue name
- Anything your venue supplies
- Which courses you have in mind
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.
Places near London Docklands
More for events in London Docklands
Common questions in London Docklands
We are having a ceremony at St Peter's Church: can you cater afterwards?
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 typically elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Could we have live paella in Sir John McDougall Gardens?
Only if the landowner, usually the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
What does tapas catering cost?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we’ll send a quote.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and we will cook a separate pan.
- 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