Brighton and Hove · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Seven Dials, Brighton and Hove
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella turns food into part of your event in Seven Dials.
- Tapas starters
- Work receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
Book tapas catering in Seven Dials
How our tapas catering works in Seven Dials
For standing receptions, canapés work best; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. We cook albóndigas, patatas bravas and tortilla española, and we’re often booked for engagement parties and tapas starters.
For a party in a place like Seven Dials, a tapas spread is easy and sociable. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
- Area
- Seven Dials (BN1, BN3, BN50)
- County
- Brighton and Hove
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Seven Dials questions
We are having a ceremony at St Luke's Church Prestonville: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Which station should guests use for Seven Dials?
Brighton station, in Seven Dials itself.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Canapés work best with staff serving, and we can provide them.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and we will cook a separate pan.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
Do you provide drinks?
Sangria can be added, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Seven Dials.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want food that encourages guests to mingle, tapas are hard to beat. Got a budget? Let us know, and we will suggest a menu to match. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why book with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Drinks service on request
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Read Our prices page And The cost guide.
Receptions and parties in Seven Dials
Seven Dials is about 1 mile west of Brighton, in Brighton and Hove. Anywhere in BN1, we can cook for your guests. We cover all 30 towns and villages across Brighton and Hove.
Guests travelling by rail: Seven Dials has its own station, Brighton station. Canapé tapas suit the drinks after a ceremony at a church like St Luke's Church Prestonville. The South Downs National Park is within about 7 miles of Seven Dials, a lovely setting for a drinks reception outdoors. The coast is within about a mile, so garlic prawns are popular.
Anywhere in BN1, BN3 and BN50, we can bring tapas catering to you. We can cater an event on streets such as Dyke Road, Powis Road and York Avenue or the roads around them. You’ll find Seven Dials on the A2010, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Close by, we cover events in West Hill (1 mile south-east), Prestonville (1 mile north), Brunswick (1 mile south-west), Brighton (1 mile east) and Hanover (1 mile east). Larger places within reach include Hangleton (3 miles north-west), Saltdean (5 miles east), East Saltdean (6 miles east), Roedean (3 miles south-east), Rottingdean (4 miles east) and Ovingdean (3 miles east). Being one of Brighton and Hove’s larger places, Seven Dials has plenty of venues and gardens for events.
Well-known places in the area include Montefiore Hospital (under half a mile west) and Brighton Transport Museum (0.6 miles north). The countryside around Seven Dials includes Newmarket Hill and Whitehawk Hill.
- Nearby schools include Stanford Junior School (under half a mile north) and The Drive Prep School (0.9 miles west)
- Pubs nearby include The Cow pub (under half a mile south)
Space, weather and the venue
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Table space for sharing dishes at seated meals
- Access to unload near the serving area
- Room for a tapas table
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Albóndigas
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Manchego & membrillo
- Serrano ham
- Gambas al ajillo
- Padrón peppers
- Croquetas
- Olives & bread
- Chorizo in red wine
Planning for every diet
Paella is one of the easiest dishes for mixed diets, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Check diets in advance
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Make sure dishes are labelled
- Include staff for canapés
Canapés go round with the drinks as guests arrive.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
DIY paella versus live catering
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Also near Seven Dials
What else we do in Seven Dials
What’s in the pans
Tortilla española
Tortilla is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free when made carefully.
Manchego & membrillo
A simple, classic pairing.
Who books tapas catering in Seven Dials?
Easy to eat with a glass in hand.
In Seven Dials and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Popular bookings include:
- Tapas starters
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Engagement celebrations
- Evening sharing boards
Nearby historic houses include Royal Pavilion (0.7 miles south-east) and Preston Manor & Gardens (0.8 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue.
Comparing caterers
- The deposit and payment dates
- The wet-weather plan
- Space, access and power needs
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
How it works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, and we agree where that is before the day. Sunset in Seven Dials is around 9:15pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Tell 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.
Preparing for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or BN1 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and you will get a menu idea and a price. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Read more
For planners, venues and organisers
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
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.
- 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