Barrafina Dean Street

Spanish, Tapas·
££££
·
Gold Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Barrafina Dean Street

Gold Award

London’s first Barrafina has sparked three offshoots with their own distinct personality (Drury Lane, Adelaide Street, Coal Drops Yard), but the Soho original is the one that corresponds most closely to many people’s idea of the perfect tapas bar – chorizo and chipirones, gambas al ajillo and grilled sardines, all washed down with cava and sherry, Albariño and Tempranillo.

The Hart brothers’ “unbeatable template” shows in the venue’s marble surfaces, open kitchen, red-leather bar stools and mirrors, while the food is “endlessly fascinating and endlessly enjoyable”. As a fail-safe, the Barrafina classics beg to be ordered. A trio of prawns, pale and pink, arrives fresh from a sizzle on the plancha scattered with thick slices of crunchy fried garlic. There’s more garlic in the puréed tomato dripping off a slice of toasted sourdough. Made-to-order tortilla – plain for preference, prawn and piquillo for a change – leaks egg yolk at the gentlest prod of a fork.

But don’t ignore the daily specials chalked up on the blackboard. Deep-fried artichoke flowers, prickly as sea urchins, or crisp nuggets of battered cod with a gazpacho-like salmorejo sauce are far classier than your average tapas. And save space for a slice of Santiago tart, as sweetly almondy as a glass of Amaretto.

Downsides? There’s only one. Unless you arrive before 6pm, you can forget about getting a stool at the marble bar in under an hour, though ever-charming staff are on hand to feed the queue with oozing ham croquetas and glasses of their “sublime” own-label Manzanilla (“a perfect partner for the entire menu”, as it happens). Our advice? Pop in for an off-peak lunch and plan a siesta afterwards.   

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Spanish, Tapas
Ambience
Cool, Fun, Lively, Romantic, Traditional
Food Occasions
Dinner, Late night dining, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating
Special Features
Counter dining, Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Dates, Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

FAQs

Does Barrafina Dean Street have a Michelin star?

Barrafina Dean Street has one Michelin star.

Helpful? 0

Location

26-27 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D 3LL
Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-15:00
Tue 12:00-15:00
Wed 12:00-15:00
Thu 12:00-15:00
Fri 12:00-15:00
Sat 12:00-15:00
Sun 12:00-15:00
Dinner
Mon 17:00-22:00
Tue 17:00-23:00
Wed 17:00-23:00
Thu 17:00-23:00
Fri 17:00-23:00
Sat 17:00-23:00
Sun 17:00-22:00

Reviews

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30 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Sid M

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Matthew G

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Amazing, amazing, amazing !!!

Shyanika B

26 July 2019  
Beautiful food, incredible service.

Susan P

08 July 2019  
Fresh, exciting, delicious food and the theatre of cooking right in front of you as you perch at the bar with a chilled glass of fino.

Sean C

08 July 2019  
This has never been out of my top 3 since I first went 5 years ago (and it was on Frith St) with fresh, big flavours only equalled in San Sebastien itself.

Ben M

17 June 2019  
Great.

Roger A

03 August 2018  
Best and freshest authentic Spanish tapas in London, excellent ambiance. Customers always excited to get in!

Jayne R

31 July 2018  
Always varied interesting dishes with delicious sherries.

Kate O

31 July 2018  
Atmosphere, food, service, wines etc. Etc. Are all worth the line to wait!!

Daniel W

10 July 2018  
Unique.
Bookings not required

Reservations are not required at Barrafina Dean Street.

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