Pizarro | Bermondsey Street Tapas Restaurant
Combine NYC’s Lower East Side – the exposed brickwork, the intimate glow emanating from industrial light fittings, the dark wood and the naked concrete – with the warm buzz of large communal tables, sharing plates and the best in seasonal Spanish fare.
El resultado: Pizarro.
Launched by the team behind perennially jam-packed tapas bar José (just up the road on Bermondsey Street), Pizarro thankfully doesn’t share its policy of accepting no reservations.
Because you would need a battering ram to get in. The reason? Well, there are several…
The bar and open kitchen are found behind a long L-shaped, white marble counter set atop some rather attractive Spanish-flavoured tiling. There you can perch on a stool to combine your meal with front row tickets to a cooking lesson from Team José, as well as a perfectly poured G&T.
Should you prefer a table, there are lots of those too.
In contrast to the nibbly tapas served at José, Pizarro serves real starters like cherry gazpacho with almonds & Jamon Iberico; or sautéed prawns with chilli & orange sauce. Then there are the mains, which have the absolute standout: Presa Ibérica. It’s 100% acorn fed Ibérico pork that melts in your mouth, and really needs to be tasted to be believed.
While tapas is out, its sociable spirit remains within shared bar space, two large communal dining tables and plenty of sharing plates: perfect for those vagrants who enjoy pinching food from their friends.
You know, everyone.
NOTE: Pizarro is open daily 12-10.45pm (9.45pm Sundays). You can check out the menu, make a booking, and find out more at their website HERE.
Pizarro | 194 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
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