Business Details
11 Years
experience
Authentic Spanish Tapas in Tooting, London
The Little Taperia was founded by Hikmat Antippa and Madeleine Lim, inspired by London's modern Spanish dining scene. Our concept combines innovative tapas with premium ingredients in a stylish setting, reflecting our deep connection to Tooting where we both reside. Madeleine's background as a former Food and Drink Editor at The Independent Magazine and Hikmat's experience in hospitality, including ownership of award-winning Meza, inform our approach to quality and service. We focus on authentic Spanish flavours with dishes like morcilla scotch eggs, grilled octopus, and Iberico ham, complemented by an extensive wine list and creative cocktails.Our intimate venue features a marble-topped bar for quick bites and a back room with an open kitchen, creating a vibrant yet welcoming atmosphere. With recognition from Time Out and Hot Dinners as one of London's top tapas spots, we maintain a commitment to excellence through carefully curated menus, seasonal ingredients, and attentive hospitality. Our team's collective expertise ensures every guest experiences the warmth and conviviality of Spanish dining culture.
Services
Tapas Menu
Cocktail Bar
Private Hire
Wine Selection
Outdoor Dining
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer Michelin-recommended quality tapas in a relaxed setting
- Our chefs bring decades of experience from top London restaurants
- We source authentic Spanish ingredients directly from Iberian producers
- We maintain a 4.8/5 rating across major review platforms
- Our wine list features over 20 Spanish varietals by the glass
What people say
Incredible marinated octopus
Friendly staff
Authentic Spanish flavours
Vibrant atmosphere
Creative cocktails
Services
Tapas Menu
Our tapas menu features 30+ Spanish small plates crafted with seasonal ingredients. Signature dishes include morcilla scotch eggs with piquillo peppers, grilled octopus with aji amarillo, and Iberico ham board. Each dish is designed for sharing, with prices ranging from 4.50 to 18, allowing guests to create personalized tasting experiences.
Cocktail Bar
The bar offers creative Spanish-inspired cocktails alongside classic negronis and gins. Featured drinks include the Tooting Mule with cucumber and tonic, and El Chamuquito with mezcal and passionfruit. Our cocktail list changes seasonally to reflect fresh produce and traditional Spanish flavours.
Private Hire
The restaurant accommodates private events for 10-30 guests across two distinct spaces. The front bar suits casual gatherings while the back room with open kitchen provides immersive dining experiences. Full buyouts available for exclusive events with customized menus and dedicated service.
Wine Selection
We curate over 50 Spanish wines by the bottle and 20 by the glass, featuring rare Albarino and Priorat varietals. Our sommeliers design wine pairings for tasting menus and offer educational insights about regional producers, ensuring perfect matches for every tapas selection.
Outdoor Dining
Seasonal terrace seating available for pre-booked groups. The heated outdoor area accommodates 20 guests with views of Tooting High Street. Ideal for casual meetups and extended dining hours, with full menu access and dedicated service during operational hours.
People
Hikmat Antippa
Co-Founder
Hospitality entrepreneur with 15+ years experience, previously owner of award-winning Meza restaurant. Brought expertise in Middle Eastern cuisine to Spanish dining concept. Manages operations and supplier relationships.
Madeleine Lim
Co-Founder
Former Food and Drink Editor at The Independent Magazine with seven years' experience. Developed culinary vision and design concept. Oversees menu development and media relations for the restaurant.
Questions
What type of cuisine do you serve?
We specialize in modern Spanish tapas with traditional techniques, featuring dishes from across Spain's regions.
Do you offer vegetarian options?
Yes, our menu includes multiple vegetarian tapas like baked aubergine, spinach Catalana, and seasonal vegetable dishes.
Can I book a table?
Reservations available via our website for indoor dining. Email for outdoor table bookings.
Are group menus available?
We offer tasting menus for groups of six or more with advance notice.
Do you have wine pairings?
Our sommeliers provide expert wine pairings matching Spanish varietals with tapas courses.
What are your service charges?
A 12.5% discretionary service charge is added to all bills.
Reviews (7)
Neil Campbell
Jan 21, 2022
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Not been for ages, but still the same consistent quality of food. The menu doesn't change much, but what's there is great quality and the drink selection is decent. Nice to have a few non-alcoholic choices on the list for when you're trying to be good. Lots of fish dishes on offer, but plenty to keep vegetarians and meat lovers happy too
Arkadiusz Chabrowski
Dec 19, 2021
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Really good place when it comes to food. Flavours are quite close to the original spanish dishes - I think the chef or the owner must be spanish. Ambience is quite nice and staff is polite. It is quite pricey if you want to make a dinner out of it. Perfect for tapas and drinks with friends. I feel in the summer it is more appealing as sitting outside with friends seems more like the tapas experience while in the winter it seems more so that people are coming to dine. Definitely worth visiting.
Rowen Elmes
Oct 27, 2021
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Was wondering around Tooting after a few post works drinks looking for a place to grab a bite to eat. A friend had suggested this place. I walked in and they ushered me to a table. I wanted to sit at the bar - after all its Tapas right!. Staff were super cool and made the request happen. Browsed the wine list and the chirpy waiter was quick to suggest a chunky red. After a bit of banter, I took up the challenge and I must say - good value for money red - see label. I ordered the stereotypical Tapas selection - Potato Bravas, Garlic Prawns etc etc - all the safe options one orders at a first time
Mario Marset
Sep 30, 2021
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Really really good. Authentic cooking and preparation, the ideal size for the tapas. Price is mostly reasonable considering similar establishments. Most dishes were very very authentic. So far the most original Spanish tapas place.
Julian Sadler
Aug 29, 2021
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This is a six star review! We had a fantastic evening. Good atmosphere, amazing food, great service. Thanks to Janis. Food really exceeded my expectations!
M.
Jul 26, 2021
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What a little gem! The food is gorgeous and the service was espetacular! Highly recommend the baby chorizo in red wine sauce and the chocolate pot it's to die for. Will be coming back for sure.
Hannah Randolph
Jul 25, 2021
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Great authentic Spanish food. Cooked beautifully. Forgot to take photos at the beginning. The croquettes were amazing! The prawns, the churros, all yummy!
