West Sussex · England
Tapas Catering in Lyminster
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Lyminster and the surrounding area.
- Tapas before paella
- Evening grazing
- Sharing tapas starters
Planning an event in Lyminster?
Tapas catering in Lyminster, made fresh on the day
We can add sangria and bar staff, for a complete drinks and tapas package. On the menu are croquetas, padrón peppers and Serrano ham, and we’re regularly asked to cater welcome-drink canapés and birthday drinks.
Near Lyminster, tapas and sangria suit a garden or field party. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
- Area
- Lyminster (BN17)
- County
- West Sussex
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Also near Lyminster
Other catering in Lyminster
Before you choose a spot
We will be honest if a space won’t work. The main points are:
- Space on each table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
- Permission from the venue
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Popular choices
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
Planning a tapas spread in Lyminster
Lyminster is about 1 mile north-west of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. We bring tapas catering to gardens, halls and venues around Lyminster and nearby villages. Lyminster is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. Our events stretch from Lyminster to Brighton (18 miles away).
If you are looking at a historic venue around Lyminster, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. After a ceremony at a church such as The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalen, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Lyminster is within about 6 miles of the South Downs National Park, ideal for an outdoor reception. The coast is within about 2 miles, so garlic prawns are popular.
Wherever your event is in BN17, we can bring tapas catering to you. From Arundel Drive, Old Mead Road and Lyminster Road or a nearby road, we can cook there. If your venue is just outside Lyminster, we also cover Wick (1 mile south), Toddington (1 mile south-east), Crossbush (1 mile north-east), Tortington (1 mile west) and Littlehampton (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Worthing (6 miles east), Bognor Regis (7 miles south-west), Chichester (10 miles west), Selsey (12 miles south-west), Shoreham-by-Sea (12 miles east) and Lancing (10 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Arundel and District Hospital (1.9 miles north-west) and Rustington Museum (2.3 miles south-east). Not far away are Highdown Hill and WWT Arundel.
- Nearby schools include The Littlehampton Academy (1.1 miles south-east) and Littlehampton College (1.1 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include The 6 Bells Public House (under half a mile south-east)
How the day works
When we arrive, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. A summer drinks reception in Lyminster has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 4:00pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Leave space around the cooking area
Getting a price
Planning tapas catering in Lyminster? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Why choose tapas catering in Lyminster?
Big or small, tapas work.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Evening sharing boards
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Table tapas as a starter
Nearby historic houses include Ecclesden Manor (3.3 miles east). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is included
- Who provides the crockery
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How long the team stays
Organising for someone else?
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
Organising a club, school or community event in Lyminster? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
Lyminster: your questions answered
Can you cook at venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
We are having a ceremony at The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalen: 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 generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Do you cook inside?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
Can you cook halal paella?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we will cook a separate pan.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Is tapas catering available separately?
Absolutely, for receptions, parties and evening food.
Diets, allergies and planning
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Check diets in advance
- Label vegetarian and allergen-free dishes
- Include staff for canapés
- Add sangria or cava
Dishes are labelled for diets and allergens.
Waiting staff for canapés.
How we price tapas catering
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Travel, parking and access
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many staff you need
- The paellas you choose
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
What to tell us
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- The date and rough timings
- The venue or postcode
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Is live paella right for your event?
Standard canapés can feel samey. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why us?
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- A quote that spells everything out
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Sangria and bar staff available
Take a look at Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
- 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