Portsmouth · England
Tapas Catering in Portsea
We cook Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella across Portsea and Portsmouth, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Table tapas as a starter
- Cocktail parties
- Welcome-drink canapés
Planning an event in Portsea?
Why choose live paella in Portsea?
Sandwich buffets are forgettable. Tapas feel special. Larger events usually cost less per head, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why Portsea hosts choose us
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- No hidden extras in your quote
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Tapas catering in Portsea, made fresh on the day
Tapas are made for sharing and talking over. We serve them in two ways: canapés carried round while guests mingle, or table tapas set down to share. Typical bookings include welcome-drink canapés and engagement drinks, with croquetas, patatas bravas and tortilla española.
In Portsea, tapas work at home or in a local hall. We serve straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
- Location
- Portsea (PO1, PO12, PO5)
- County
- Portsmouth
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Events we cater in Portsea
They’re ideal when a full meal doesn’t fit.
Whatever you are celebrating in Portsea, paella can be the star of the food. We often cook for:
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening grazing
- Birthday drinks
After a ceremony at a church such as St Ann's Church, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos.
What to look for in a quote
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The deposit and payment dates
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Whether VAT is included
Nearby places to Portsea
More for events in Portsea
Catering for every guest
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Staff carry canapés round and keep boards topped up.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
DIY paella versus live catering
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Where we can cook in Portsea
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- Parking near the venue
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Albóndigas
The process
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. A summer drinks reception in Portsea has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, perfect for canapés outdoors. By late September it’s dark around 7:10pm, and in December by about 4:00pm.
- First, we check availability.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
How to get a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Drinks receptions around Portsea
Portsea is about 1 mile south-west of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. For tapas catering in Portsea, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Portsea is one of 19 places in Portsmouth we cover. You can also see our page for Southampton, about 15 miles away.
If you are looking at a historic venue around Portsea, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. Guests travelling by rail: Portsmouth Harbour station is in Portsea itself. With the sea within about 2 miles, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
Here we cover the PO1, PO12 and PO5 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Main Road, Park Road and Scott Road or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. If your venue is just outside Portsea, we also cover Portsmouth Point (1 mile south), Clayhall (2 miles south-west), Haslar (2 miles south-west), Alverstoke (2 miles south-west) and Privett (2 miles west). Within a short drive, we also cover Hilsea (3 miles north-east), Wymering (4 miles north-east), Paulsgrove (4 miles north), Cosham (3 miles north-east), Drayton (4 miles north-east) and Farlington (5 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Tricorn Centre (0.8 miles east) and Southsea Castle (1.6 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Milton Locks and Portsdown Hill.
- Nearby schools include St Jude's CofE Primary School (0.7 miles south-east) and Charter Academy (0.8 miles east)
- Pubs nearby include The Ship & Castle pub (under half a mile west)
- Other local spots include Southsea (1.3 miles south-east)
A closer look at the menu
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Prices and what affects them
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- How many staff you need
- How many courses
- Your choice of paellas
- The length of service
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We will send you a quote.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Where the event is
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Which courses you have in mind
Tell us your date, venue or postcode and roughly how many guests, along with any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Questions from Portsea
How far is Portsea from London?
Roughly 65 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
What about events near the coast?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
What about pudding?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free 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