Greater London · England
Tapas & canapé catering in Southend, Greater London
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Southend and the surrounding area.
- Anniversary parties
- Engagement drinks
- Work receptions
Tapas catering near Southend
The process
Once the rice is in, we do not stir it. That is what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. Your guests will smell it before they see it. A summer drinks reception in Southend has daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer, ideal for tapas in the garden. By late September it is dark around 7:05pm, and in December by about 3:55pm.
- You tell us the date, venue, numbers and how you’d like the tapas served.
- We put together a tapas selection and a quote.
- On the day we arrive, set up and finish the hot tapas on site.
- Canapés go round with the drinks, or table tapas go out to share.
- We pack down when service ends.
Before we arrive
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
Getting a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. You can send us your details through our quote form.
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Tapas catering in Southend, made fresh on the day
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they work on their own too. Whether it is sharing boards for evening guests and birthday and anniversary parties, we can cook Manchego with membrillo, gambas al ajillo and tortilla española for your guests.
In Southend, tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties and work events, in a home, a venue or an office. Tell us about access and parking. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
- Location
- Southend (SE6, SE26, SE23)
- County
- Greater London
- Dietary options
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Add-ons
- Canapés, desserts, sangria and staff
- Quotes
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 23 October 2026
Southend questions
Could we have live paella in Forster Memorial Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
What about parking in Southend?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We will work around it.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. Children frequently love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Do you do desserts?
We can add a dessert. Tell us what you have in mind in your enquiry.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, on request. Let us know your halal numbers, and we will cook a separate pan.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Who clears up?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
For planners, venues and organisers
Throwing a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
Booking for a company? Tell us what your finance team needs, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
Paella compared with other options
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. Tell us your budget and we will suggest a menu.
Why choose Love Paella in Southend
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- We cover Southend and the whole of Greater London
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
Take a look at Our pricing And The cost guide.
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Decide whether tapas are a starter, canapés or the whole meal
- Include staff for canapés
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Plan more dishes if tapas are the meal
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Sangria and bar staff.
Planning the cooking area
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Parking near the venue
- The venue’s agreement to outside caterers
- Room on tables for sharing dishes
As a London location, Southend 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 picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
On the menu in Southend
- Manchego & membrillo
- Albóndigas
- Chorizo in red wine
- Croquetas
- Padrón peppers
- Serrano ham
- Olives & bread
- Patatas bravas
- Gambas al ajillo
- Tortilla española
Why choose tapas catering in Southend?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Southend book us for events such as:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas and paella menus
- Sharing tapas starters
- Canapés with welcome drinks
If you are looking at a historic venue around Southend, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Questions to ask before booking
- VAT, if it applies
- How bad weather is handled
- How late numbers can change
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
A closer look at the menu
Manchego & membrillo
Manchego with sweet quince.
Patatas bravas
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce, often with alioli.
Tapas for events in Southend
Southend is about 2 miles north of Beckenham, in Greater London. Events in Southend are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. We cook in 764 places across Greater London, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Southend to London (6 miles away).
After a ceremony at a church such as St Dunstan, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. A picnic in Forster Memorial Park? Check the park’s rules first; a garden or hired venue is often easier for catering.
Anywhere in SE6, SE26 and SE23, we can bring tapas catering to you. Streets in the area include Oslac Road, Orford Road and Aitken Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. You’ll find Southend on the A2218, so it’s easy for us to reach with the van and pans. For events just outside Southend, we cover Bellingham (1 mile north), Bell Green (1 mile west), Catford (1 mile north-east), Perry Vale (1 mile west) and Sydenham (1 mile west). Within a short drive, we also cover London (6 miles north-west), City of Westminster (8 miles north-west), Marylebone (8 miles north-west), Kensington (9 miles north-west), St Pancras (8 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (7 miles north).
Nearby you’ll also find University Hospital Lewisham (1.6 miles north) and Municipal Borough of Bromley (2.8 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Downham Woodland Walk and Knight's Hill.
- Local schools include Sedgehill School (0.6 miles south) and Allenby Tutorial Trust (1.3 miles north-west)
- Pubs nearby include Fellowship Inn (under half a mile north-east)
Also near Southend
Other catering in Southend
- 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