Where to get tapas in London as the weather heats up

The perfect cuisine for Spring weather (Picture: Supplied)

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Check your passports — turns out you didn’t need to fly to Spain this week.

At 26 degrees, London hit hotter temperatures than Barcelona yesterday.

While the sun may not be sticking around all week, it has handed us the perfect excuse to eat like we’re somewhere Mediterranean while we dream of the sunny days still to come.

And nothing suits a rare London heatwave quite like grazing on tapas (Spanish small plates) and petiscos (the Portuguese equivalent, pronounced pe-tea-sh-co). We’ve tracked down the best of both for you, including sleek riverside spot Bar Douro.

We’re also trying out two newbies on the London food scene: tiny tasting-menu-only space from chef Victor Garvey MATER1A, and Indonesian restaurant Le Nusa. Then, we try Med Salleh with a brand new location in Kentish Town and ‘heavenly soft beef’. 

Things to do this week in London

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 10 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.

1. Dine at reopened British institution Simpson’s in the Strand

This restaurant truly blew our minds (Credits: Tolga Yilmaz)

By Sophie Laughton

Chef Victor Garvey is known as something of a maverick – and his new sixteen-seater, based on raw materials and inspired by his time in Japanese kitchens, is his ultimate passion project. The door slides back to reveal the dining room: laden with Deathly Hallows-esque symbols, it’s like stepping into an alchemist’s lair – but a really stylish one, in Tokyo, soundtracked by a live DJ. The wax-sealed menu contains cryptic clues at what’s to come. ‘March in five bites’ is a selection of fishy morsels, each more revelatory than the last. A scallop concoction brings a tear to my eye.

More deliciousness follows – a gorgeous prawn dumpling punctuated by bright pops of pearlescent salmon roe, a ridiculously elevated Joselito ham stew with crisp croutons and a fragrant hit of truffle, succulent slices of A5 wagyu – all plated with aplomb by staff who genuinely delight in the magic they’re creating. You get to meet the ingredients in their pure forms as they’re rolled to your table via trolley – winter tomatoes from Sicily, the world’s most perfect strawberry from Japan, so round and red it looks plucked from a cartoon. It’s served skewered on ice before being metamorphosed by some culinary wizardry into a trio of sorbets, mousses and jellies. A child’s dream dessert, as prepared by a Michelin-starred chef.

Garvey’s Soho debut SOLA served up my meal of 2025, and Mater1a is going to be tough to beat just three months into 2026. I can’t quite fathom how £175pp felt like good value – but considering I left hopping up and down in glee on the pavement outside, it’s worth it.

Tasting menu £175pp. 115 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, W2 4UP. Book here.

2. Try Indonesian-French fusion at new opening Le Nusa

‘They had me at the signature Nasi Goreng Le Nusa’ (Picture: Koray Firat)

By Patrycja Zaras

Le Nusa, an Indonesian-French affair already in Paris and Jakarta, has checked into London. With Indonesian celebrity couple Raffi Ahmad and Nagita Slavina behind it, no expense has been spared in creating a polished high-end escape. Set squarely between the West End and the City, it transports you from the noise of the pub-lined Strand into a calm, cocooned space, where only soft Javanese instrumentals can be heard. 

They had me at the signature Nasi Goreng Le Nusa, smoked Kupang-style beef brisket with fried rice, sambal luat and prawn crackers. Subtle and lightly sweet, with heavenly soft beef, it’s one I’d happily return for. Still, the desserts are the main event. I go for the sweet and chewy Dadar Gulung and Biscoff Klepon and, nearly a month on, my mouth still waters at the thought of them.

Starters from £10, mains from £12.50, sides from £4. 227-228 Strand, Temple, WC2R 1BE. Book here.

3. Graze on some of London’s best tapas and petiscos in the sun

From croquetas to tortilla (Picture: Supplied)

Lírica at The Cumberland Hotel

Best for: bold dishes with daring twists

Spanish restaurant Lírica is the newest addition to The Cumberland Hotel. Coming from a Spanish household, I was especially keen to see how it measured up. Skip the large plates – you can get at many restaurants – and go for the tapas for a true Spanish affair. The tortilla is my standout, achieving that elusive balance between runny and firm – an impressive feat and a true marker of authentic Iberian cooking. The ham and manchego croquetas depart from the traditional béchamel-based filling – and while I still favour the smoother and less overpowering classic, it makes for an interesting twist. To finish, the Basque cheesecake is a must: rich, creamy and authentic. While the atmosphere unfortunately falls short with stark walls and little natural light, the food definitely delivers.

By Maicey Navarro Griffiths.

Sides and tapas plates from £6.50, large plates from £14.50. The Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch. Book here.

Bar Douro

Best for: seafood done right 

Portuguese food is so much more than chicken peri-peri, and Bar Douro is the place to try it. Nestled under the railway arches in London Bridge’s Flat Iron Square, the small restaurant serves authentic Portuguese small plates from an open kitchen. Seafood dishes stand out here, from the delicate octopus salad to the hearty bacalhau à Brás, a salt cod hash that you’ll wish was served as a larger portion. There’s also a lengthy wine list, with that all important Vinho Verde. If you can make it for lunchtime, Bar Douro has also just launched a new lunch deal, where you can get a bifana sandwich, which includes thinly sliced pork shoulder in a freshly baked roll, and a Super Bock beer from just £10, Thursday to Sunday.

By Kristina Beanland.

Tapas from £5. London Bridge and City. Book here.

Brindisa Tapas

Best for: feeling like you’re abroad

There are five Brindisa Tapas locations in London, but the terrace in the Battersea branch is located in the perfect spot for maximum sunshine and it’s buzzy with friendly, quick service. You’re in the right place for all the classics: croquetas, olives, and an impressive selection of seafood. But the tortilla, with generous thin layers of potato and a moreish alioli steals my heart. There are bigger plates on the menu too, like the Pollo Con Hinojo  succulent chicken with a wild garlic sauce. My biggest mistake is not leaving room for dessert. The chocolate & orange tart and churros are on my list for next time. 

By Lola Christina Alao.

Classics from £8, seasonal dishes from £12.50, sides from £4.50. Battersea, London Bridge, Soho and more. Book here. 

4. Try Malaysian food at new opening Med Salleh

By Jessica Aureli

First, a lesson: roti canai (aka paratha or prata) is a type of flatbread. It’s flaky, often served with curry sauce, and if I could live on it alone, I would. For complicated family heritage reasons that I won’t go into, I have eaten much roti canai in my life — and Med Salleh’s is the best I’ve had in London.

Inspired by the flavours of Malaysia’s Ipoh and Penang, this cosy 30-seater in Kentish Town is the fourth location from Med Pang and Koi Lee. It’s physically impossible to order badly here, so just follow your heart, but if I had one recommendation (aside from the roti), it’s the Ipoh hor fun soup. The broth is a blend of chicken stock and a hot oil simmered with prawn shells and heads, and it’s so good, I would have faceplanted in it if I weren’t worried about embarrassing my dining partner. Important: when your server suggests adding soy sauce and fresh chilli, listen to them. 

Street snacks from £7.90. Kamparian Claypot Special, £16.90. Rice/Nasi from £14.90. 320 Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, NW5 2TH. Call to book.

5. Get free SushiDog at their new Stratford location

We’re big fans at the slice! (Picture: Supplied)

A brand new SushiDog comes to Westfield Stratford this week! And to celebrate, they’re giving the first 100 customers through the door on 11 April a FREE SushiDog from the Signature menu. After that, you can enjoy 50% off from 11–12 April. Over the weekend, you can also look forward to a SushiDog spin-the-wheel for the chance to win exclusive prizes and a limited number of Stratford-exclusive tote bags filled with goodies.

6. Try Zula’s new special burger… with a twist

A one of a kind burger comes to Zula this month, as part of their brand new chef series: ZULA AROUND THE WORLD. Rahel Stephanie (aka @eatwithsp00ns) kicks off the series with her Mi Goreng Cheeseburger. Ever had noodles in a burger? Nope, us neither… but there’s a first time for everything! It’s also made with crispy fried shallots, acar (pickled vegetables), a fried egg and sambal chilli sauce. Running 13 April-11 May, with 20 burgers available daily. Book here. 

7. Look forward to another new Honey & Co location

Honey & Co. is launching a new space on Great Portland Street. By day, stop by for some simple yet satisfying bites; and by night, look forward to a Med-led wine list, flame grilled skewers and more. 

8. Try some new fiery dishes as Morley’s meets Roti King

Morley’s meets Roti King in one of the coolest collaborations of the year. They’re teaming up for a four-day pop-up in Brixton Village (9-12 April). The short run menu includes fiery dishes like nasi goreng topped with Morley’s wings, sambal and a fried egg. 

9. Munch on some hearty salads at PYO

A brand new City-based salad spot is here and they’re all about quality, sustainability and organic produce. At PYO (PICK.YOUR.OWN), choose between salads like Avo & Chips, with big hunks of potato and a green herb salsa, and Salmon Pintxos with chilli-crusted salmon and smoky paprika olives. And they do breakfast too. 

10. Go Matcha crazy with Forest Feast

In celebration of their new snack Matcha Chocolate Almonds, Forest Feast has a treat for matcha lovers. On 9 April, they open their new Forest Feast Nail Bar where you can book a FREE appointment for a ‘Matcha Glazed’ almond-shaped manicure. They’re even throwing in an iced matcha (naturally) and snacks. Plus, a live DJ will be on the decks all day. Get your tickets here. 

11. See Summerfolk at the National Theatre

A major new musical arrived at Southwark Playhouse Borough on 3 April: an intimate love story starring Poppy Gilbert (Sherwood, The Catch) and Stuart Thompson (Spring Awakening, BBC’s SAS: Rogue Heroes). Developed at the National Theatre in 2025, the production is directed and co-created by Adam Lenson. It follows the relationship between an engineer named Daniel and a documentary filmmaker named Emily, exploring Daniel’s disappearance into space and shifting time periods, exploring Daniel and Emily’s passionate relationship as well as Emily’s struggle to define herself. 

Southwark Playhouse Borough. Tickets from £28. Until 16 May. Book here. 

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