Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Orpington events
Planning tapas catering in Orpington? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Canapés with welcome drinks
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas starters
Tapas catering for Orpington events
Receptions and parties in Orpington
Orpington is about 12 miles south-east of London, in Greater London. From the centre of Orpington to the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cook in 764 places across Greater London. You can also see our page for London, about 12 miles away.
Historic houses near Orpington include Bromley Palace (3.8 miles west) and Down House (4.2 miles south-west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking isn’t allowed. Parks such as Jubilee Country Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Orpington, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors.
This part of Greater London takes in BR5, BR6, BR7 and DA14, so your event can be anywhere in it. We can cater an event on streets such as High Street, Furzehill Square and Station Road. Main roads around Orpington include the A224 and B258, which makes travel to your event easy. If your venue is just outside Orpington, we also cover Poverest (1 mile north), Derry Downs (1 mile east), St Mary Cray (1 mile north), St Paul's Cray (1 mile north) and Goddington (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include London (12 miles north-west), City of Westminster (14 miles north-west), Marylebone (14 miles north-west), Kensington (15 miles north-west), St Pancras (14 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (13 miles north-west).
A little further out are Lullingstone Castle (4.4 miles south-east) and Orpington Hospital (1.5 miles south). The countryside around Orpington includes The Warren and Summer Hill.
- Local schools include Harris Academy Orpington (0.8 miles south-east) and The Priory School (0.8 miles south-east)
- Local pubs include The Royal Albert pub (within half a mile east)
Tapas catering for your event in Orpington
Tapas are sharing food, made for conversation. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. We are often asked to cater tapas starters and tapas before paella, serving padrón peppers, gambas al ajillo and tortilla española.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Orpington, indoors or out. Let us know about parking and loading. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
- Location
- Orpington (BR5, BR6, BR7, DA14)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many staff you need
- Whether you need crockery
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.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Expected numbers
- The date and time of the event
- A picture of the space, if you can
- The address or venue name
Send us the date, your venue or BR5 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and we will reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
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 handles separate pans for each diet.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Places near Orpington
Also in Orpington
Common questions in Orpington
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’ll follow the site rules.
What’s the nearest station to Orpington for guests?
St Mary Cray station, about 0.7 miles north of the centre.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and meat eaters often go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes, plus bar staff for your own drinks.
What happens on the day
Here’s how the day generally runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and it’s served hot from the pan when you are ready to eat. At midsummer, it is light in Orpington until about 9:20pm, ideal for tapas in the garden. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Preparing for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
Paella compared with other options
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before booking.
Why us?
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Diets, allergies and planning
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Collect dietary needs
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Table tapas are set down to share at the start of the meal.
Spanish desserts to finish.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Parking near the venue
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- A spot for our serving station
As a London location, Orpington is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Orpington
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Croquetas
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
Events we cater in Orpington
They suit standing receptions where a full meal doesn’t fit.
These are some of the occasions we cater in Orpington and Greater London:
- Anniversary parties
- Launches and office parties
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Sharing tapas starters
Guests travelling by rail: St Mary Cray station is about 0.7 miles away.
What your quote should include
- Allergen information for each dish
- How bad weather is handled
- Payment terms and deposit
- Who provides the crockery
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
- 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