Greater London · England
Tapas Catering in South Hampstead
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella for events in South Hampstead.
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Launches and office parties
- Engagement celebrations
Planning an event in South Hampstead?
Tapas catering in South Hampstead, cooked live
For standing receptions, canapés work best; for seated meals, table tapas. Many events have both. On the menu are croquetas, Serrano ham and padrón peppers, and we are often booked for work receptions and drinks reception canapés.
Canapé tapas suit smaller London spaces in South Hampstead. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
- Where
- South Hampstead (NW3, NW8, NW6)
- Region
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, churros, sangria, crockery
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Organising for someone else?
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Towns and villages near South Hampstead
What else we do in South Hampstead
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Space for a serving table or station
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Parking near the venue
South Hampstead is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about permits, bays or off-street parking.
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in South Hampstead
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Manchego & membrillo
- Chorizo in red wine
- Padrón peppers
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
Dietary needs and planning tips
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Label seafood clearly
- Check diets in advance
Afterwards, we clear away.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
South Hampstead questions
Which station should guests use for South Hampstead?
South Hampstead station, in South Hampstead itself.
What about parking in South Hampstead?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We’ll work around it.
Do you do desserts?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices.
Do we need staff for canapés?
Canapés work best with staff serving, which we can supply.
What happens if it rains?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Why choose tapas catering in South Hampstead?
They’re ideal when a full meal does not fit.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in South Hampstead and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Evening sharing boards
- Sharing tapas starters
- Tapas before paella
- Engagement celebrations
Parks such as Primrose Hill have their own rules for catering, so check before planning a party there.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether VAT is included
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The venue requirements
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Tapas can be a starter, a reception or the whole meal, so they fit most plans. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in South Hampstead
- We cover South Hampstead and the whole of Greater London
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- A quote that spells everything out
- Served hot, straight from the pan
See Our pricing Or The cost guide.
A closer look at the menu
Patatas bravas
A tapas classic.
Manchego & membrillo
Easy and classic.
What happens on the day
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it’s still served fresh. At midsummer, it is light in South Hampstead until about 9:20pm, perfect for canapés outdoors. In late September, sunset is about 7:05pm; winter receptions, dark by 3:55pm, are better indoors.
- We check your date.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- We serve the spread.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
How to get a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
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.
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.
Planning a tapas spread in South Hampstead
South Hampstead is about 1 mile south of Hampstead, in Greater London. For tapas catering in South Hampstead, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. South Hampstead is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London we cover.
Historic houses near South Hampstead include Winfield House (0.9 miles south-east) and Keats House (0.9 miles north). Where a historic venue does not allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, South Hampstead has its own station, South Hampstead station.
Wherever your event is in NW3, NW8 and NW6, we can cook for your guests. Whether your event is on Avenue Road, Acacia Road and Harben Road or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Swiss Cottage (1 mile north), St John's Wood (1 mile south), Haverstock (1 mile east), Belsize Park (1 mile east) and Primrose Hill (1 mile east). Further out, we also cater in London (4 miles south-east), Kensington (3 miles south-west), St Pancras (3 miles south-east), Shoreditch (4 miles east), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east) and Hoxton (4 miles east).
A little further out are Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth (0.7 miles south) and Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead (0.7 miles north-east). Open spaces near South Hampstead include Adelaide Nature Reserve and The Long Water.
- Schools near South Hampstead include Holy Trinity CofE Primary School (under half a mile north-west) and St. Mary's Town and Country School (under half a mile north-east)
- Pubs nearby include Cafe Med pub (under half a mile south-west)
- Local facilities include Cecil Sharp House (1.1 miles east)
- 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