Jose Tapas Bar

JOSÉ TAPAS BAR,  104 BERMONDSEY STREET, LONDON, SE1 3UB

Jose says this:

José Tapas Bar was my first solo venture: a tapas and sherry bar on Bermondsey Street in London. It’s small and cosy, inspired by the bustling tapas bars around La Boquería market in Barcelona and the traditional tapas bars in the hot, dusty towns and villages of Andalucía. The daily menu depends on what looks good at the market on the day. You’ll see a mix of new dishes as well as old favourites. We maintain a diverse wine and sherry list from both established and small producers of Spain. You will find wines and sherries here that you won’t see anywhere else. Come on down and have a pincho!

Of note:

  • No Booking
  • Free Wifi
  • Quite a few window seats, bar seats also nice
  • Come close to 12 at lunch, to be sure of a seat, fills up 12.30 to 1pm
  • Super friendly staff from my experience

How good is it? It's my favourite of his restaurants because it has such character and the walk-in nature of it gives a different vibe, a touch of the market. The cooking is not super flash, but the sourced ingredients are super great, which feels spot on for tapas.  Many years ago, Jose was at Brindisa, which still has a tapas place near Borough Market - but that's more frenetic. This tapas bar is still cosy, but it's a slower pace here and the people going up and down Bermondsey St. make for compelling people watching, great to let your mind wander creatively. The damage is below:

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Portobello Pizza East

Portobello Pizza East  310 PORTOBELLO ROAD, LONDON W10 5TA, +44 (0)20 8969 4500

PE says: "Pizza East Portobello is spread over two floors of a restored Georgian pub in the middle of Portobello Market. It serves wood oven pizzas, antipasti and daily specials in buzzing, modern surroundings.  Upstairs, a laid-back dining room and terrace provide a little green haven." Of note:

  • Asking for the terrace in the summer can be lovely and cosy
  • Unless super busy they generally have a spare walk in table and singletons and couples can sit at the bar area. In winter, the bar near the ovens are toasty.
  • Has Free wi-fi
  • Part of the Soho House empire, if you are a local and regular you could qualify for the special keychain.
  • Nice touches on many of the dishes, like the burnt lemon condiment; the aioli is top touch and is worth asking for.
  • Staff generally super friendly even while very busy.
  • Used to be the Fat Badger gastropub in its last incarnation.

How good is it?  The children always eat the pizzas. O loves the croquettes. The pork belly is a very generous portion, always. We come back regularly. The damage is below: