Barrafina Dean Street | Exceptional Tapas in Soho
Let us give thanks to Spain, which has gifted the world Pablo Picasso, Don Quixote, The Alliance of Civilisations and – most importantly – Barrafina.
At least, in a roundabout way. Because Barrafina – which now runs not one but several of London’s best Spanish restaurants – actually comes from two English brothers, Sam and Eddie Hart, who were inspired to launch their first one by the famous Cal Pep tapas restaurant in Barcelona. And considering Barrafina’s current significance in the London restaurant scene, it seems eminently possible that someone, one day, many years from now, may ask you what it was like to dine there…
And so we’ve prepared a sample response for you:
“Imagine walking into a scleral-white, cosy eatery packed with stainless steel, marble and mirrors, and sitting down at an open kitchen bar where arguably London’s most prestigious Spanish tapas chefs are plating up a colourful mixture of both contemporary and traditional Mallorcan and Catalan tapas dishes. You peruse the menu, while watching those same chefs gracefully slicing wafer-thin, rose-pink cured meats from whole legs hanging on proud display above the bed of iced, fresh seafood behind the bar. And sometimes you’ll chat to them while they work, and they’ll recommend you the perfect red, white or sherry pairings to accompany the dishes they’re plating up for you”.
Or alternatively you could go and see for yourself…
…and if you’d like to do that there are now FIVE branches of Barrafina in London, each of which serve that legendary tapas menu, bolstered by a few characteristic specials (with all of them accepting online reservations except for Barrafina Dean Street).
NOTE: You can make online reservations to go to any of the Barrafina restaurants, except for Barrafina Dean Street. They also take bookings for groups of 8 and above in their private dining rooms at Barrafina Adelaide Street, Barrafina Drury Lane and Barrafina King’s Cross. You can find out more on the Barrafina website.
Barrafina Dean Street | 26-27 Dean Street, London W1D 3LL
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