Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Maypole, Greater London
Planning tapas catering in Maypole? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas and paella menus
Book tapas catering in Maypole
How our tapas catering works in Maypole
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. Canapés go round while guests mingle, or table tapas go out to share. We are often asked to cater work receptions and drinks parties and receptions, with croquetas, Manchego with membrillo and Serrano ham.
For a London drinks party in Maypole, canapé tapas are easy to serve in a small space. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Where
- Maypole (BR6)
- County
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
How the day works
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. A summer drinks reception in Maypole has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We arrive and set up our station.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Before we arrive
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Make sure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
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Towns and villages near Maypole
Also in Maypole
What we need at the venue
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- Venue approval for outside catering
- A spot for our serving station
- Parking near the venue
As a London location, Maypole is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
What we offer
- Tortilla española
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Olives & bread
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
What tapas catering costs
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Whether you need crockery
- Waiting and bar staff
- How many courses
- The number of people
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Details that help
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- A photo of the space, if you can
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- The date and rough timings
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Tell us about your event in Maypole, and we will put together a menu and price.
Why choose live paella in Maypole?
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, which makes them easy to plan around. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why book with us
- Drinks service on request
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- No hidden extras in your quote
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
Planning a tapas spread in Maypole
Maypole is about 3 miles south-east of Orpington, in Greater London. For tapas catering in Maypole, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in all 764 towns and villages in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Maypole to London (about 14 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Lullingstone Castle (2.4 miles east) and Down House (4.1 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Knockholt station, about 0.7 miles south-west. Maypole is within about 3 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
We cover events in every part of BR6. That could mean an event in a garden on Jubilee Road, Hollybush Lane and Maypole Road or the roads around them. For events just outside Maypole, we cover Bopeep (1 mile south), Well Hill (1 mile east), Chelsfield (1 mile north-west), Badgers Mount (1 mile south) and Goddington (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include London (14 miles north-west), Shoreditch (15 miles north-west), Whitechapel (14 miles north-west), Stockwell (14 miles north-west), Orpington (3 miles north-west) and Plaistow (13 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Lullingstone Castle (2.4 miles east) and Orpington Hospital (2 miles west). Not far away are The Warren and Summer Hill.
- Local schools include Harris Academy Orpington (1.8 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Bo-Peep pub (less than half a mile south)
For event organisers in Maypole
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Dietary needs and planning tips
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Occasions we cook for in Maypole
They’re easy to eat with a drink in hand.
These are some of the occasions we cater around Maypole:
- Sharing tapas starters
- Evening sharing boards
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Birthday drinks
Parks such as Hewitt's Chalk Bank have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Before booking anyone
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How bad weather is handled
- The deadline for final numbers
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Maypole: your questions answered
Can you cook at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
What’s the nearest station to Maypole for guests?
Knockholt station, about 0.7 miles south-west of the centre.
Can you cater for children?
Children are welcome. Let us know numbers and ages, and we will plan for them.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
What space do you need to cook?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
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.
How do you work out quantities?
That depends on their role in the meal. We’ll suggest quantities for your event.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
- 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