Barrafina has long been a staple of London’s Spanish dining scene, and its Borough Yards outpost continues the tradition of high-quality, meticulously prepared tapas served in an intimate counter-dining setting. Nestled within a restored Victorian railway arch, the venue has an industrial yet welcoming aesthetic, featuring a long marble bar lined with fixed stools, allowing diners to watch the chefs in action.
A cheeky pitstop at Bar Daskal – a cosy Spanish wine and cocktail bar
Adjacent to Barrafina, Bar Daskal takes its name from the Hart brothers’ grandfather, the artist Vladimir Daskaloff. The venue serves as a homage to Spanish wine culture, offering an exclusively Spanish selection of wines, sherries, and cocktails, paired with a thoughtful menu of light tapas. It’s the perfect stop before a meal and so we parked ourselves an hour before dinner.
The drinks (and there were many)
The bar exudes a Mediterranean ambiance with whitewashed walls, warm lighting, and bold artworks, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The wine list is carefully curated, featuring lesser-known Spanish varietals alongside classics like Albariño and Tempranillo. There’s also a strong focus on sherry, a nod to Spain’s rich winemaking traditions. If wine isn’t your thing, the bar offers Spanish-inspired cocktails, which is what we went decided to go for and thank god we did because it definitely set us up to enjoying our meal even more.
I tried the Agua de Valencia which was Gin, Fresh Orange, Cadiz Fizz Asados – kind of like a Spritz but Spanish of course. My friend Holly tried the Uno Mas which had Planteray Rum Blend, Sour Cherry, Spiced Lime which and was 1) very unlike Holly because she’s not a rum girly 2) it does slide of the tongue so eventually made sense. We then tried the Asados which was Tequila, Roasted Red Pepper, Campari, Grapefruit Soda – absolutely sensational and definitely a bit of me.
Spanish vermouth – served on the rocks with a slice of orange in hand, we finally made our way to dinner.
The menu
Barrafina’s menu is a celebration of Spanish cuisine, featuring an array of para picar (nibbles), seafood, meat, vegetables, and desserts. A couple drinks down, we were pretty much ready to feast and this is what we ordered:
To start with, we got the croquetas which are a golden, crispy delight with a smooth, creamy filling. These bite-sized wonders typically feature a béchamel base, enriched with ham (jamón), cheese, or seafood, giving them a luxurious texture and deep flavour. The contrast between the crispy breadcrumb coating and the silky interior makes them utterly irresistible.
A staple of Galician tapas, Padron peppers – these small, mild green peppers are blistered on a hot pan, sprinkled with coarse sea salt, and served simply to let their natural flavour shine. While most Padrón peppers are sweet and slightly smoky, the occasional one is fiery, adding an element of surprise to every nibble.
Barrafina’s Tortilla Española is one of their signature dishes, prepared with slow-cooked onions and thinly sliced potatoes, giving it an incredibly soft, custard-like texture. Unlike some firmer tortillas, theirs is slightly runny in the centre, allowing the rich egg mixture to meld beautifully with the sweet onions and potatoes. A true masterpiece of Spanish cooking.
A simple yet essential Catalan classic, Pan con Tomate features crusty toasted bread rubbed with ripe, juicy tomatoes, garlic, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The result is fresh, vibrant, and deeply flavourful, making it an ideal pairing with jamón Ibérico or cheese.
Barrafina’s take on Patatas Bravas features perfectly crispy, golden-brown potatoes, fried to achieve a crunchy exterior and fluffy interior. The potatoes are topped with a punchy, slightly spicy bravas sauce, made with smoked paprika, tomato, and vinegar, giving it a bold depth of flavour. A generous dollop of aïoli balances the heat, making this one of the most satisfying tapas on the menu.
The Beetroot and Ajo Blanco is a beautifully balanced dish that combines earthy, sweet beetroot with the silky richness of Ajo Blanco—a chilled Andalusian almond and garlic soup. It is elegantly plated, with the roasted or pickled beetroot adding a vibrant contrast to the creamy, nutty base. Often garnished with toasted almonds or grapes, this dish offers both freshness and depth, making it a sophisticated vegetarian option.
The Lagarto Ibérico, a tender cut of Ibérico pork, known for its intense marbling and rich flavour – was my absolute favourite. As someone who doesn’t indulge in meat that much – it was absolutely delicious. The pork is grilled to perfection, keeping it juicy and succulent, and is finished with Mojo Rojo, a deeply flavoured Canarian sauce made with smoked paprika, garlic, olive oil, and red peppers. The sauce adds warm, smoky, and slightly spicy notes, enhancing the natural sweetness of the Ibérico pork.
All of this accompanied by a gorgeous glass of Orange wine. We left tipsy, stuffed, our craving satiated – ready to go to bed and reminisce the next day.
The atmosphere at Barrafina is always lively and convivial, making it a great spot for both casual dining and special occasions. The service is warm and attentive, with staff eager to offer recommendations or explain dishes to those less familiar with Spanish cuisine. The only catch? It can get quite busy – so be prepared to book in advance, though the food is well worth the effort.
You can book Barrafina Borough Yards here.