Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Royal Docks, Greater London
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Royal Docks: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Work receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Birthday drinks
Tapas catering near Royal Docks
Events we cater in Royal Docks
Big or small, tapas work.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Royal Docks and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Tapas and paella menus
- Launches and office parties
- Anniversary parties
- Evening sharing boards
Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like Church of the Ascension.
What to look for in a quote
- Who provides the crockery
- The wet-weather plan
- When payment is due
- How late numbers can change
How our tapas catering works in Royal Docks
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. For engagement drinks and anniversary parties, we can cook gambas al ajillo, croquetas and Manchego with membrillo.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in Royal Docks. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
- Area
- Royal Docks (E16, E6)
- Region
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Royal Docks: venues and local tips
Royal Docks is about 1 mile south-east of Canning Town, in Greater London. For tapas catering in Royal Docks, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Royal Docks. Royal Docks is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we cook. You can also see our page for London, about 6 miles away.
Historic buildings near Royal Docks often have strict catering rules, so ask early if that is your venue. Guests travelling by rail: the nearest station is Custom House station, about 0.7 miles west.
For tapas catering in E16 and E6, we plan around your venue and timings. Streets in the area include Drew Road, Leyes Road and Camel Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Main roads around Royal Docks include the A1020, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Custom House (1 mile west), Silvertown (1 mile south-west), North Woolwich (1 mile south-east), West Silvertown (1 mile west) and Canning Town (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover London (6 miles west), City of Westminster (8 miles west), Marylebone (8 miles west), Kensington (11 miles west), St Pancras (7 miles west) and Shoreditch (5 miles west).
A little further out are Greenwich Castle (2.8 miles south-west) and Gallions Reach Shopping Park (1.6 miles east). Not far away are Gilbert's Pit.
- Local schools include Royal Docks Academy (within half a mile north-west) and The Royal Docks Community School (less than half a mile north-west)
- Local pubs include The Connaught Tavern (less than half a mile north-west)
- Local facilities include East Ham (1.9 miles north)
Planners, venues and businesses
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Common questions in Royal Docks
Which station should guests use for Royal Docks?
The closest is Custom House station, roughly 0.7 miles away.
What about parking in Royal Docks?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We’ll work around it.
Can you do sangria?
We can add sangria and bar staff.
Are your tapas vegetarian-friendly?
Lots. Tortilla, bravas and Manchego are popular vegetarian choices.
Do you do tapas on their own?
Yes, tapas work on their own.
Can you do sangria?
Sangria, yes. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes, and meat eaters frequently go back for seconds. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Do you cook tapas on site?
We finish hot dishes on site; cold ones go out as guests arrive.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Nearby places to Royal Docks
What else we do in Royal Docks
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. Evening receptions in Royal Docks stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
Get a quote
Planning tapas catering in Royal Docks? Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Before you choose a spot
If a space is not suitable, we’ll tell you, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Space to finish hot dishes
- Space on each table
As a London location, Royal Docks is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Patatas bravas
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Padrón peppers
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
What tapas catering costs
These are the factors that matter most:
- Travel, parking and access
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- How many staff you need
- Timings and hours
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Expected numbers
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Where the event is
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can use our quote form.
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Label seafood clearly
- Include staff for canapés
- Add sangria or cava
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Spanish desserts to finish.
The menu, dish by dish
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Gambas al ajillo
A favourite with seafood lovers.
- 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