Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for Southwark events
Love Paella cooks Spanish tapas and canapé catering, on its own or alongside a paella in Southwark and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Engagement celebrations
- Sharing boards for evening guests
- Tapas starters
Planning an event in Southwark?
What happens on the day
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Evening receptions in Southwark stay light until about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- Send us the date, venue and numbers.
- We suggest a selection and a quote.
- We set up and finish the hot dishes.
- Canapés go round or tapas go to the tables.
- We clear our equipment afterwards.
How to prepare
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Make sure we can park close by to unload
Getting a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Southwark, and we will put together a menu and price.
Related guides
How our tapas catering works in Southwark
Tapas suit drinks receptions, evening parties, office events and weddings. Typical bookings include evening sharing boards and work receptions, with croquetas, patatas bravas and padrón peppers.
Tapas work well for receptions and parties in Southwark, indoors or out. Tell us about access and parking. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
- Area
- Southwark (SE1, SE11)
- County
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal
- Add-ons
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Ask us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
Diets, allergies and planning
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:
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Tell us what role tapas play
- Ask for labels on each dish
- Widen the selection for a tapas-only menu
Hot tapas are finished on site and served straight away.
Add a live paella main.
Places near Southwark
What else we do in Southwark
About the dishes
Gambas al ajillo
Garlic prawns with a little chilli.
Croquetas
Always among the first to go.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s 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. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Why choose live paella in Southwark?
Generic canapés all look the same. Spanish tapas bring colour and flavour. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why us?
- Events in Southwark and across Greater London
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- A quote that spells everything out
- Real theatre, not just catering
Read Our pricing Or What paella catering costs.
How we price tapas catering
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Your choice of paellas
- Waiting and bar staff
- How many guests are eating
- Whether you need crockery
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
Details that help
For a quote, it helps to have:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Roughly how many adults and children
- The address or venue name
- The date and time of the event
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll confirm whether we’re available that day.
Organising for someone else?
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Drinks receptions around Southwark
Southwark is about 0 miles north-west of London, in Greater London. Tell us where your event in Southwark will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up before the day. Southwark is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we cook.
Nearby historic houses include Mansion House (0.9 miles north) and Dr Johnson's House (1.1 miles north-west). Where a historic venue doesn’t allow live cooking, canapé tapas may still be possible; ask the venue. For guests coming by train, Elephant & Castle station is about 0.5 miles away.
We cook at events all over SE1 and SE11 and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as Borough Square, Trinity Church Square and Merrick Square or the roads around them. With the A300 and B240 close by, Southwark is simple for us to get to with everything for your event. If your venue is just outside Southwark, we also cover Tower Hill (1 mile north-east), City of London (1 mile north), Aldgate (1 mile north-east), Bishopsgate (1 mile north-east) and Barbican Estate (1 mile north). Further out, we also cater in City of Westminster (3 miles west), Kensington (5 miles west), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Hampstead (5 miles north-west), Ruislip (14 miles west) and Brompton (3 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include County of London (1.1 miles north) and Baynard's Castle (0.8 miles north). Open spaces near Southwark include Ludgate Hill and Bellenden Road Nature Garden.
- Local schools include London School of Musical Theatre (less than half a mile south-west) and Ark Globe Academy (less than half a mile south-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Gladstone Arms (under half a mile north-east)
- Local facilities include The BFI Reuben Library (0.9 miles north-west)
FAQs for Southwark
What about parking in Southwark?
It can be, so tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway. We’ll work around it.
Can you cook in Little Dorrit's Playground?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
How do you work out quantities?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Which areas do you serve?
We cover London and the South East, including Greater London. Find your area.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in a separate pan.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, on request. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables can be added to your booking.
Do you come to Southwark?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Southwark is within our area. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
Can you do sangria?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Who books tapas catering in Southwark?
Tapas are sociable food.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Southwark book us for events such as:
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Anniversary parties
- Tapas with a paella main course
- Welcome-drink canapés
Historic buildings near Southwark frequently have strict catering rules, so ask early if that’s your venue.
Before you book anyone
- How late numbers can change
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Payment terms and deposit
- 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