This lively Spanish restaurant in the centre of Southampton serves up flavour-packed tapas sharing plates and a European wine list in a rustic and relaxed setting. Located a short walk from both the city centre and Southampton’s docks, this lively restaurant is perfect for all types of occasions, from dates to birthdays to family celebrations.
Spanning two spacious floors, with an impressive mezzanine overlooking the ground floor dining room below, it’s well suited to both small and large groups. Interiors take inspiration from a rustic Spanish restaurant with dark wooden furnishings, blue Spanish tiles and chalkboard menus. Not so traditional is the giant, fairy light-embalmed palm tree which towers over the main dining space.
The menu revolves largely around tapas plates and main courses, while a concise list of rotating specials keeps things fresh. Kicks things off with a selection of small plates to share, such as tuna salad with potatoes, carrots, peas and mayonnaise, fresh grilled sardines, fried squid with aioli and spicy chorizo sausage. Tapas plates are separated into fish, meat and vegetable options, with three to four dishes recommended per person. Examples of main dishes, meanwhile, might include vegetable paella, whole grilled sea bream with sauteed potatoes, and Iberian pork shoulder in a red wine jus. Do note that its main course list is constantly changing, so do ask if there’s a particular dish you fancy that isn't on the board.
Drinks revolve primarily around wine, gin and cocktails. The wine list features a varied selection of European and Spanish bottles, spanning red, white, rose, Cava and Champagne. The cocktail menu includes all the classics, with its house Sangria available by the glass or jug, or there’s a decent gin list if you’re partial to a G&T.