Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Poplar, Greater London
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Poplar. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Evening sharing boards
- Office parties and launches
- Tapas before paella
Book tapas catering in Poplar
Planning a tapas spread in Poplar
Poplar is about 2 miles south-west of Plaistow, in Greater London. Across the E14 area, we’ll come to your venue or garden. We cater in all 764 towns and villages in Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages.
Parks such as Bartlett Park have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there. After a ceremony at a church such as St Peter's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
This part of Greater London takes in E14, SE16 and E22. Your event could be at a home on Market Way, Castor Lane and Dockyard Lane. Being close to the A102 and A1261, Poplar is easy for us to reach for your event. We also cook at events in London Docklands (1 mile south), Canary Wharf (1 mile south-west), Heron Quays (1 mile south-west), Coldharbour (1 mile south-east) and Blackwall (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include 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).
Other landmarks nearby include Poplar Hospital (0.6 miles north-east) and Surrey Quays Shopping Centre (1.5 miles south-west). Green spaces nearby include Lavender Pond and St. James's Park Lake.
- Schools near Poplar include Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School (less than half a mile north) and Langdon Park Secondary School (0.6 miles north-east)
- Local pubs include The Ledger Building pub (within half a mile west)
- Local facilities include Holy Trinity (1.8 miles north-west)
Tapas catering in Poplar, made fresh on the day
Receptions, parties, office events and weddings all suit tapas. For anniversary parties and canapés with welcome drinks, we can cook gambas al ajillo, Serrano ham and Manchego with membrillo and more.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Poplar, in a home, a venue or an office. Tell us about access and parking. You will know exactly what’s included before booking: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
- Location
- Poplar (E14, SE16, E22)
- County
- Greater London
- Diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 23 October 2026

Poplar questions
Could we have live paella in Bartlett Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
What’s the nearest station to Poplar for guests?
Canary Wharf station, in Poplar itself.
Are the tapas served hot?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold tapas are laid out as guests arrive.
What does tapas catering cost?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we’ll reply with a price.
Do you do desserts?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
Do you cook inside?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Do you have vegetarian tapas?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Live paella or other catering?
A plated starter needs a kitchen and staff. Table tapas are relaxed and sociable. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why book with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Drinks service on request
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
Read Our pricing And The cost guide.
Planning for every diet
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Include staff for canapés
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
Tapas go out to the tables at the start of the meal.
Serving boards and crockery.
Step by step
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Sunset in Poplar is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or E14 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Events we cater in Poplar
Tapas are sociable food.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Engagement celebrations
- Tapas starters
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Birthday drinks
Historic buildings near Poplar often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Before booking anyone
- Whether VAT is included
- A clear list of what’s included
- The wet-weather plan
- How each diet is kept separate
About the dishes
Croquetas
Crisp outside, creamy inside.
Manchego & membrillo
Spanish sheep’s cheese with quince paste.
Also in Poplar
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Events in public spaces, like parks, typically need permission. We’ll provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Before you choose a spot
If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Space on each table
- Room for a tapas table
- A suitable spot to finish hot tapas
Poplar is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Patatas bravas
- Tortilla española
- Padrón peppers
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
DIY paella versus live catering
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
- 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