For a tapas lover like me, Boqueria in Battersea is a hidden gem that I know I’ll be frequenting for 2025 and beyond. Seeking a break from London’s icy winter, I was ready to find a slice of sunny Spain close to home – and South West London tapas restaurant Boqueria delivered.
Just a stone’s throw from Battersea Park, this cosy yet airy spot has been serving the local area for the past ten years – and now you can count us as amongst the faithful regulars of Battersea’s first tapas restaurant. Inspired by the famous Barcelona market of the same name, Boqueria serves traditional dishes with a refined twist.
Homely wooden accents and a cosy outdoor terrace make this the kind of place to settle in, glass in hand, and let the hours pass by over great food and company.
The Spanish inspired cocktails are the perfect way to settle in for an evening of tapas and tipples. You can’t go wrong with a red or white wine sangria here – though on this occasion, I opted for a mango margarita – a treat that evidently goes down well with the restaurant’s classic salted Galician padron peppers.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist ordering an ample small plate spread – there’s no other way to enjoy a menu like this, after all.
We can’t get enough of the croquetas at Boqueria
The Lubina en adobo – a whole seabass marinated and lightly battered – proved a showstopper, perfectly crisp and aromatic, while the Tartar de atún y aguacate, with its fresh tuna, creamy avocado, and crispy totopos, offered a refreshing contrast that felt both light and indulgent.
Lubina en adobo is a showstopper
The Tacos de cochinillo (two suckling pig tacos) were richly flavourful, and the cheese croquetas were melt-in-your-mouth moreish perfection.
Boquerones, marinated fresh anchovies, make a perfect sangria accompaniment
Meanwhile, the Boquerones, fresh anchovies marinated generously in vinegar, garlic and parsley, make for the ultimate bar bite, and the Berenjena frita con miel, fried aubergine drizzled with spiced honey is a must-try that has lingered on our minds long after visiting. Each dish here is beautifully plated, and crafted with a clear focus on authentic Spanish flavours.
You can’t visit Boqueria without trying the Berenjena frita con miel, fried aubergine drizzled with spiced honey
The ambiance is a well-balanced mix of liveliness and high end locale, just as perfect for special date nights and casual catch ups, adding to the warm, convivial feel of the place – exactly what we want from an upscale tapas bar.
Boqueria captures the flavours of a Barcelona food market in a luxe Battersea setting, full of flavour and lacking fuss. It’s a must-visit for tapas lovers and anyone with a taste for quality dining close to home. When London’s winter chill creeps in, a table at Boqueria is all the passport you need to bask in sunny Spanish flavours – no plane ticket required.
Visit: Boqueria Tapas, 278 Queenstown Rd, Nine Elms, London SW8 4LT. Reservations: boqueriatapas.com
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Diwali in London – but few taste as good as this. While fireworks light up the sky this Diwali, a sparkle for the senses is coming from Namaste Village in Islington, where vegetarian dining gets the kind of glow-up that could convert even the most committed carnivores. Tucked…
Stop the presses. Cancel your dinner plans. And put the Negroni down. I come to you with huge London news: after many nights of painstaking “research” (you’re welcome), I’ve found it – the most exciting new restaurant in Soho. Nessa is about to become your new favourite. Led by executive chef Tom Cenci, Nessa is…
Sometimes it’s a restaurant’s menu that grabs me. Other times, it’s a viral TikTok or a rave review from a pal. But Noodle & Beer had me before I even saw a single dish – for this Chinatown outpost, the name alone was enough. Because honestly, if there’s a better combination in the world than…
The Luxe Review 
For a tapas lover like me, Boqueria in Battersea is a hidden gem that I know I’ll be frequenting for 2025 and beyond. Seeking a break from London’s icy winter, I was ready to find a slice of sunny Spain close to home – and South West London tapas restaurant Boqueria delivered.
Just a stone’s throw from Battersea Park, this cosy yet airy spot has been serving the local area for the past ten years – and now you can count us as amongst the faithful regulars of Battersea’s first tapas restaurant. Inspired by the famous Barcelona market of the same name, Boqueria serves traditional dishes with a refined twist.
Homely wooden accents and a cosy outdoor terrace make this the kind of place to settle in, glass in hand, and let the hours pass by over great food and company.
The Spanish inspired cocktails are the perfect way to settle in for an evening of tapas and tipples. You can’t go wrong with a red or white wine sangria here – though on this occasion, I opted for a mango margarita – a treat that evidently goes down well with the restaurant’s classic salted Galician padron peppers.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist ordering an ample small plate spread – there’s no other way to enjoy a menu like this, after all.
The Lubina en adobo – a whole seabass marinated and lightly battered – proved a showstopper, perfectly crisp and aromatic, while the Tartar de atún y aguacate, with its fresh tuna, creamy avocado, and crispy totopos, offered a refreshing contrast that felt both light and indulgent.
The Tacos de cochinillo (two suckling pig tacos) were richly flavourful, and the cheese croquetas were melt-in-your-mouth moreish perfection.
Meanwhile, the Boquerones, fresh anchovies marinated generously in vinegar, garlic and parsley, make for the ultimate bar bite, and the Berenjena frita con miel, fried aubergine drizzled with spiced honey is a must-try that has lingered on our minds long after visiting. Each dish here is beautifully plated, and crafted with a clear focus on authentic Spanish flavours.
The ambiance is a well-balanced mix of liveliness and high end locale, just as perfect for special date nights and casual catch ups, adding to the warm, convivial feel of the place – exactly what we want from an upscale tapas bar.
Boqueria captures the flavours of a Barcelona food market in a luxe Battersea setting, full of flavour and lacking fuss. It’s a must-visit for tapas lovers and anyone with a taste for quality dining close to home. When London’s winter chill creeps in, a table at Boqueria is all the passport you need to bask in sunny Spanish flavours – no plane ticket required.
Visit: Boqueria Tapas, 278 Queenstown Rd, Nine Elms, London SW8 4LT. Reservations: boqueriatapas.com
Namaste Village review: London’s hidden gem for vegetarian Indian dining – and the perfect spot to celebrate Diwali
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Diwali in London – but few taste as good as this. While fireworks light up the sky this Diwali, a sparkle for the senses is coming from Namaste Village in Islington, where vegetarian dining gets the kind of glow-up that could convert even the most committed carnivores. Tucked…
Nessa review: Soho’s most exciting new restaurant is about to become your favourite
Stop the presses. Cancel your dinner plans. And put the Negroni down. I come to you with huge London news: after many nights of painstaking “research” (you’re welcome), I’ve found it – the most exciting new restaurant in Soho. Nessa is about to become your new favourite. Led by executive chef Tom Cenci, Nessa is…
Noodle & Beer review: Big spice and bigger flavours at the London Chinatown restaurant everyone’s talking about
Sometimes it’s a restaurant’s menu that grabs me. Other times, it’s a viral TikTok or a rave review from a pal. But Noodle & Beer had me before I even saw a single dish – for this Chinatown outpost, the name alone was enough. Because honestly, if there’s a better combination in the world than…
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