South Kensington, Spanish Restaurant Guide

“The quality never waivers” at Abel Lusa’s “fun and buzzy” tapas bar in South Kensington, a spinoff from his famous Cambio de Tercio – and some even reckon “the food is better than in its more expensive big brother over the road”. Top Menu Tips – “patatas bravas a must, as well as the jamon”.

Rioja-bred Abel Lusa “has been serving top-quality Spanish food since 1995 – long before Hispanic restaurants became fashionable in London” at his South Kensington flagship. He “deserves a medal for consistency at least” as it’s “hard to have a bad meal” here, and yet it’s “surprising how rarely it is mentioned in foodie circles”. The same cannot be said of its renown down at the All England Club: both Nadal and Alcaraz are regulars during Wimbledon fortnight (although often it’s for delivery-only) and Lusa now serves food at major tournaments around the globe.

“Enjoyed sitting at the bar in Borough Kitchen…”; “a great place near the South Kensington Museums…”; “a great site on the banks of the Thames in Richmond” – it’s often the handy situation, “casual atmosphere” and affordable prices of this Hispanic group that generates interest amongst diners. “The food is of a reasonable standard”, but considering they are run by the UK’s premier Spanish food importers, performance is notably “chain like”, with “nothing spectacular” food-wise and “average service” often the end-product.