By Sunny Andrea
There’s something rather special about discovering a restaurant that manages to transport you somewhere else without having to leave London. That was certainly the feeling I had when I visited Brindisa in South Kensington for a lovely Spanish meal.
Located in South Kensington, London, Brindisa Tapas is literally a stone’s throw from South Kensington tube station, making it an incredibly convenient spot for a meal before or after exploring the museums and everything else this part of London has to offer. The area is buzzing with many different restaurants and people everywhere, the vibe is absolutely amazing.
From the moment we arrived, the staff were absolutely amazing. Friendly, attentive and genuinely welcoming, they made us feel at ease from the very start. There’s something lovely about being greeted by a team who clearly care about the experience they’re creating, and the service throughout our visit was fantastic including the lovely managerial team.
We couldn’t begin our Spanish feast without sampling a couple of the drinks. We started with one of Brindisa’s seasonal cocktails, the Mango and Chilli Mai Tai, which was a delicious combination of tropical sweetness with a subtle chilli kick. It was a wonderfully refreshing way to begin the meal, with just enough heat to make it interesting.
We also tried the Filthy Perello Margarita, made with tequila, triple citrus, lime juice, Gordal olives and agave. This was a real treat for the taste buds — zesty, refreshing and with a delicious savoury note from the Gordal olives. It was certainly not your everyday Margarita, and the combination worked surprisingly well.
With drinks in hand, we moved on to the food.
To start, we shared the delicious Pan Con Tomate, a wonderfully simple Spanish classic that really allows the ingredients to speak for themselves. We also enjoyed some lovely hand-stuffed olives, which were full of flavour and made for the perfect accompaniment.
Then came the mains, and this was where Brindisa really impressed us. There was quite a lovely selection on the menu to choose from and something for all taste buds.
The Gambas Al Ajillo were an absolute highlight. We were served six succulent king prawns, cooked beautifully and bursting with flavour. They were incredibly tasty, and each prawn was wonderfully juicy. It’s one of those dishes where you find yourself wishing there were just a few more on the plate! There was the right level of taste and spice and certainly the highlight dish, very authentic.
We also had the Pollo Con Hinojo, which was very tasty and packed with flavour and good size chicken thighs. Alongside it, we ordered a portion of Patatas Bravas, served with a spicy tomato sauce. The potatoes were wonderfully moreish, with that lovely contrast between the crisp exterior and softer centre, while the spicy tomato sauce added just the right amount of heat.
We also enjoyed the Cornish Hake, another beautifully prepared dish that brought some lovely seafood flavours to the table. The batter was very light but a lovely crisp to it and the aioli dipping sauce added some extra joy.
What really stood out throughout our meal was how tasty and authentic the food was. There was a wonderful sense of traditional Spanish cooking running through the dishes, while the quality of the ingredients was evident in every bite. It felt like food designed to be shared, enjoyed slowly and accompanied by plenty of conversation.
And then came dessert — because, naturally, we weren’t going to leave without something sweet!
We shared the La Maritxu Tarta de Queso, a beautifully creamy cheesecake finished with lemon and lime zest. It was indulgent without feeling too heavy, and the citrus zest added a lovely freshness to every mouthful. It was the perfect way to finish what had been a thoroughly enjoyable meal.
Overall, our visit to Brindisa Tapas, South Kensington was a fantastic dining experience. The food was delicious and genuinely authentic, the cocktails were inventive and enjoyable, and the staff were exceptional — warm, attentive and incredibly friendly throughout.
Its location is hard to beat too. Being just a stone’s throw from South Kensington tube station makes it an easy choice whether you’re meeting friends for dinner, enjoying a meal after visiting one of the nearby museums, or simply looking for somewhere to enjoy some excellent Spanish food in London.
From the Mango and Chilli Mai Tai and Filthy Perello Margarita to the succulent Gambas Al Ajillo, comforting Patatas Bravas and that gorgeous citrus-finished cheesecake, Brindisa gave us a wonderful taste of Spain right in the heart of South Kensington.
I absolutely love this restaurant and can’t wait to return! There’s plenty more on the menu I’d love to try — and I’d happily order those Gambas Al Ajillo again!
Brindisa was a delicious little Spanish escape in the middle of London, and one we thoroughly enjoyed. It is the perfect restaurant for families, couples, a business lunch or quick bite.
For more on this wonderful restaurant and their menu, do checkout their website at www.brindisatapas.com