Portsmouth · England
Tapas Catering in Southsea
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Southsea and the surrounding area.
- Office parties and launches
- Table tapas as a starter
- Anniversary parties
Book tapas catering in Southsea
How our tapas catering works in Southsea
Tapas and paella go hand in hand, as a starter while the rice cooks, but they’re great on their own. Typical bookings include tapas and paella menus and drinks reception canapés, with gambas al ajillo, croquetas and Manchego with membrillo.
In Southsea, tapas and paella together make a complete menu. Timings are planned around your event, whether that’s speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
- Location
- Southsea (PO5, PO4, PO1)
- County
- Portsmouth
- Dietary options
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Last updated
- 23 October 2026
Is live paella right for your event?
A sandwich buffet is easy but forgettable. Tapas feel special. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What you get with us
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Events in Southsea and across Portsmouth
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
Read How we price Or The cost guide.
Diets, allergies and planning
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Include staff for canapés
- Let us know if tapas are a starter or the main event
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
- Pair tapas with sangria, cava or sherry
Staff keep the canapés coming.
Sangria and bar staff.
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- Waiting and bar staff
- How long we’re needed on site
- The paellas you choose
- The number of people
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We will send you a quote.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
Every event is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, fill in our quote form.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Organising for someone else?
Organising a club, school or community event in Southsea? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we’ll suggest a menu.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Your questions about tapas catering in Southsea
Is Southsea close to London?
Roughly 65 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
What’s the nearest station to Southsea for guests?
The closest is Fratton station, roughly 0.8 miles away.
Can we have tapas without paella?
Of course. Tapas can be booked without paella.
Where do you cater?
We cover London and the South East, including Portsmouth. See all areas.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
How do you work out quantities?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so contact us early.
Can you provide dessert?
Yes, Spanish desserts can be added. Tell us what you have in mind when you ask for a quote.
Before you choose a spot
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- An area to prepare hot tapas
- Unloading access
- Space on each table
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
- Serrano ham
- Albóndigas
- Olives & bread
- Manchego & membrillo
- Patatas bravas
- Croquetas
- Tortilla española
Towns and villages near Southsea
Other catering in Southsea
What happens on the day
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Evening receptions in Southsea stay light until about 8:55pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- First, we check availability.
- You pick the style.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- Afterwards, we clear up.
Getting ready for the day
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Ask for a quote
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Read more
A closer look at the menu
Tortilla española
A vegetarian favourite.
Gambas al ajillo
Popular with prawn fans.
Receptions and parties in Southsea
Southsea is about 2 miles south of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth. Whether your event is in the middle of Southsea or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Southsea is one of 19 towns and villages in Portsmouth where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Southsea to Southampton (17 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Fratton station, about 0.8 miles north. If you are looking at a historic venue around Southsea, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking. With the sea within about a mile, seafood tapas such as gambas al ajillo are a natural choice.
For tapas catering in PO5, PO4 and PO1, we plan around your venue and your guests. That could mean an event in a garden on Bath Road, Liss Road and Beach Road or the roads around them. If your venue is just outside Southsea, we also cover Milton (1 mile north-east), Fratton (1 mile north), Kingston (1 mile north), Landport (1 mile north-west) and Baffins (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Hilsea (3 miles north), Wymering (4 miles north), Paulsgrove (5 miles north), Cosham (4 miles north), Drayton (4 miles north) and Farlington (5 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include St. Mary's Hospital (1 mile north) and Southsea Castle (1 mile south-west). Not far away are Milton Locks.
- Local schools include Mayville High School (0.5 miles west) and St Edmund's Catholic School (1.2 miles north-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Festing pub (under half a mile north)
- 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