Greater London · England
Tapas Catering for West Dulwich events
Planning tapas catering in West Dulwich? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Evening grazing
- Drinks parties and receptions
- Tapas with a paella main course
Book tapas catering in West Dulwich
What tapas catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Whether you need crockery
- The paellas you choose
- How long we’re needed on site
- How many guests are eating
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What we need to know
Good planning starts with a few facts. Please include:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- The address or venue name
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Tapas catering for your event in West Dulwich
Plenty of tapas are vegetarian, such as tortilla, bravas and padrón peppers, and some can be gluten-free. On the menu are padrón peppers, croquetas and Manchego with membrillo, and typical bookings are for evening sharing boards and table tapas as a starter.
For a London drinks party in West Dulwich, canapé tapas are easy to serve in a small space. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan.
- Area
- West Dulwich (SE21, SE27, SE19)
- Region
- Greater London
- Diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Also available
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
The process
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. Sunset in West Dulwich is around 9:20pm in June, which suits an outdoor reception.
- We check your date.
- You choose canapés, table tapas or both.
- We set up on arrival.
- Hot and cold tapas are served.
- We clear away at the end.
Before we arrive
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Getting a price
Not sure what you need yet? No problem: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. To start, use our quote form.
Planning help
Why choose live paella in West Dulwich?
Crisps and nibbles fill a gap. Tapas are a real course. Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. We’ll send you a quote.
Why choose Love Paella in West Dulwich
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- A clear, itemised quote
Take a look at How we price Or The cost guide.
Diets, allergies and planning
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Canapés need staff to serve
- Keep seafood and meat dishes clearly separate
- Add sangria or cava
- Ask guests about diets and allergies
Hot dishes are finished on site.
Follow tapas with a live paella.
Planning the cooking area
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Space on each table
- Parking near the venue
- Space for a serving table or station
West Dulwich 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 are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
On the menu in West Dulwich
- Manchego & membrillo
- Tortilla española
- Patatas bravas
- Olives & bread
- Serrano ham
- Croquetas
- Albóndigas
- Padrón peppers
- Chorizo in red wine
- Gambas al ajillo
West Dulwich: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Long Meadow?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Which station should guests use for West Dulwich?
West Dulwich has its own station: Sydenham Hill station.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Are there vegetarian tapas?
Many tapas are naturally vegetarian, like tortilla and padrón peppers. Each dish is labelled.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Can you serve drinks?
We can make sangria, and provide bar staff to serve drinks you supply.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. Each is cooked separately, with its own stock and utensils.
Should I cook it myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Who books tapas catering in West Dulwich?
They’re the classic starter before paella.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Birthday and anniversary parties
- Office parties and launches
- Receptions and drinks parties
- Sharing boards for evening guests
If you’re looking at a historic venue around West Dulwich, check its catering rules early, as many limit cooking.
Comparing caterers
- What happens if it rains
- Who provides the crockery
- A clear list of what’s included
- Any travel, parking or access charges
Places near West Dulwich
Other catering in West Dulwich
Drinks receptions around West Dulwich
West Dulwich is about 1 mile north-east of West Norwood, in Greater London. Events in West Dulwich are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, agreed timings and paella cooked live on the day. West Dulwich is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we cook.
After a ceremony at a church such as Church of St Stephen, canapé tapas with the drinks keep guests happy during photos. Guests travelling by rail: West Dulwich has its own station, Sydenham Hill station.
Anywhere in SE21, SE27 and SE19, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Your event could be at a home on Berry Lane, Clive Road and Myton Road. You’ll find West Dulwich on the A2199, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Other places close to West Dulwich for tapas catering include Sydenham Hill (1 mile east), West Norwood (1 mile south-west), Gipsy Hill (1 mile south), Dulwich (1 mile north) and Upper Norwood (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in London (5 miles north), City of Westminster (6 miles north-west), Marylebone (6 miles north-west), Kensington (7 miles north-west), St Pancras (7 miles north) and Shoreditch (6 miles north).
Nearby you’ll also find St Christopher's Hospice (1.3 miles south-east) and Greenwich Castle (4.7 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Battersea Park Lake and Dulwich Upper Wood.
- Schools near West Dulwich include Kingsdale Foundation School (under half a mile south-west) and Dulwich Prep & Senior (within half a mile north-west)
- Nearby, you will find The Wood House (0.5 miles east)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include Streatham Hill (1.8 miles west)
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
- 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