Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for South Bank events
Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in South Bank: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests.
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas before paella
- Sharing tapas starters
Live tapas catering in South Bank
Tapas catering for your event in South Bank
We can add sangria and bar staff, so drinks and nibbles come from one booking. For birthday drinks and engagement parties, we’ll put together a menu of gambas al ajillo, Manchego with membrillo and patatas bravas for your guests.
For a London drinks party in South Bank, canapé tapas are easy to serve in a small space. We plan the timings around your day, whether that is speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
- Where
- South Bank (SE1, WC2E, WC2N)
- Region
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Dishes our guests love
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Perfect for your event in South Bank
They cover lots of tastes and diets in one spread.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in South Bank and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Engagement drinks
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Sharing tapas starters
If you are looking at a historic venue around South Bank, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Comparing caterers
- The wet-weather plan
- The deadline for final numbers
- Whether travel is included
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Why choose live paella in South Bank?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Live paella often compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
Why South Bank hosts choose us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Collect dietary needs
- Separate seafood dishes from the rest
- Match tapas with Spanish drinks
Table tapas are set down to share.
Churros or crema catalana to finish.
Working with your venue
Throwing a party at home? Send a photo of the space and tell us about parking, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Receptions and parties in South Bank
South Bank is about 1 mile west of London, in Greater London. Wherever your event is in the SE1 area, we will come to your venue or garden. We cover all 764 towns and villages in Greater London.
Guests travelling by rail: South Bank has its own station, London Waterloo station. Nearby historic houses include Benjamin Franklin House (under half a mile north-west) and Marlborough House (0.8 miles west). For a drinks reception at a historic venue, canapé tapas can work where live cooking is not allowed.
Wherever your event is in SE1, WC2E and WC2N, we can bring tapas catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Streets in the area include York Road, Spur Road and Lower Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. You will find South Bank on the A301 and A302, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. If your venue is just outside South Bank, we also cover Waterloo (1 mile south-east), Adelphi (1 mile north-west), Charing Cross (1 mile north-west), Temple (1 mile north-east) and Aldwych (1 mile north). Larger places within reach include Kensington (4 miles west), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Hampstead (4 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west), Stockwell (3 miles south) and Orpington (13 miles south-east).
Nearby you will also find Baynard's Castle (0.9 miles north-east) and Royal Waterloo Hospital for Children and Women (within half a mile north-east). Green spaces nearby include Barnsbury Wood and St. James's Park Lake.
- Local schools include London Nautical School (less than half a mile north-east) and St Andrew's and St John's Church of England Primary School (less than half a mile east)
- Pubs nearby include The Hole In The Wall pub (less than half a mile east)
- Other local spots include The BFI Reuben Library (less than half a mile north-east) and Liberty of the Savoy (within half a mile north)
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.
Also near South Bank
More for events in South Bank
South Bank: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Jubilee Gardens?
Only if the landowner, normally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
We’re having a ceremony at St John's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
How many different paellas?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We’ll help you decide the split.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
What happens if it rains?
Rain does not stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Do you cook inside?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces often work.
Do you provide serving staff?
Staff make canapés work, which we can supply.
Are the tapas fresh?
Hot tapas are finished on site.
What happens on the day
Here’s how the day usually runs: we arrive, set up and start cooking, your guests watch the rice cook, and it’s served hot from the pan at the agreed time. At midsummer, it’s light in South Bank 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.
- Tell us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish hot tapas on site.
- We serve canapés or table tapas.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Give us a contact for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Get a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in South Bank, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Planning help
Before you choose a spot
We’ll be honest if a space will not work, and suggest an alternative. The main points are:
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
- Access to unload near the serving area
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
As a London location, South Bank is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before you book.
Menu ideas
- Albóndigas
- Croquetas
- Serrano ham
- Chorizo in red wine
- Tortilla española
- Manchego & membrillo
- Olives & bread
- Gambas al ajillo
- Patatas bravas
- Padrón peppers
- 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