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Summary
“The best Spain has to offer in the UK” – Nieves Barragan’s “genius” dishes are “packed with so much flavour” at her and José Etura’s incredibly “buzzy and popular” destination, off Regent Street. “The tapas counter is one of London’s top places to eat (the only problem is getting a seat) to enjoy stunningly fresh fare, straight from the chef”. “Service is fantastic and the buzz in the room is palpable”: this is one of the vanishingly small number of restaurants ever to have been awarded a 5,5,5. Note: whereas the counter, bar, and revamped outdoor terrace are saved for walk-ins, you can book upstairs for El Asador dining room and also for parties up to 10 at the large ‘La Mesa’ table on the ground floor. Top Menu Tips – lots of dishes come highly recommended in reports: “the immaculate Suckling Pig always stands out”; “The Cuttlefish Pappardelle & Manchego Pesto is wonderful”; “Monkfish tempura is exceptional”; and the “Goat’s Cheese Ice Cream & Liquorice Sauce” also rates mention.
Summary
“Just wonderful: fresh… lively… exciting and always interesting!” – that’s this year’s worst (!) report of many lauding Nieves Barragan and José Etura’s phenomenal slice of Spain, just off Regent Street. “A seat at the counter, if you can snag one (get there early, or be prepared to queue – it’s well worth it) transports one to Andalucia or Castile, and the assured food is as good as it is there”. Or “eat upstairs at the El Asador dining room” (which is bookable nowadays). “Seating can be a little cramped but it all adds to the atmosphere”. Top Menu Tip – “crisp piglet never disappoints”.
Summary
“A little bit of San Sebastián in the heart of the West End” – “grab a seat at the counter and watch the magic unfold in front of you” at Nieves Barragan and José Etura’s tapas bar (ground floor) and ‘Asador’ (first floor), an “all-time-favourite” which – despite the travails of the era – “just goes from strength to strength as one of the strongest Spanish restaurants in London”. “Top-notch Iberian food is served with élan” – “heart and soul-filling, happy and warm, tear-inducing dishes” – and service is “so lovely and welcoming”. “Limited bookings mean that there is always a queue to get in from when the doors open at lunch” and “the queue can be long”. But “it’s pleasing to hear that there are now bookable small tables upstairs”, as many feel that “the Asador has got better now they have replaced the sharing benches with a proper arrangement”. Top Tip – Asador means BBQ of a complete animal, and “if you crave suckling pig, this is the place!”
Summary
“Seats at the bar provide both theatre and delicious bites” at Nieves Barragan and José Etura’s smash hit, tucked off Regent Street, which is now four years old. You can also eat on communal tables upstairs in the ‘El Asador’ dining room. The “superb, modern tapas” (“focussed on seafood, with some Spanish-sourced specialities”) are “heavenly”, it’s well-known for its suckling pig, and the “atmosphere is energetic and warm”. (A shout-out also to their Dine At Home nationwide delivery: “the most innovative during lockdown” for numerous reporters.)
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Sabor?
35 Heddon St, London, W1B 4BP
Restaurant details
Sabor Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Tempted to drop a point somewhere just to be difficult, but we couldn't. I wish i had been more often."
"A good experience but to be honest our suckling pig was nowhere near as tasty as our average Sunday pork joint. I so wanted it to be the very essence of what roast pork is all about but it wasn’t. Maybe cooked over a wood fire might make the difference. "
"best tapas in London"
"The suckling pig is simply fantastic - ostentatious and decadent. The octopus melts like butter. Some of the best Spanish food you will find anywhere. However the most surprising gem was the goats cheese ice cream and liquorice sauce, a genius flavour combination."
"Great Spanish food. Nice place. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
35 Heddon St, London, W1B 4BP
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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