If you are visiting Borough Market, or on the South Bank around Tower Bridge, then there is a tapas restaurant that definitely needs visiting: José Tapas.
However, you do not need to be visiting Borough Market: the food here was so good that it merits a dedicated trip.
José Pizarro has five restaurants in London, and if the other four can deliver this level of deliciousness, then they need further exploration. Another project for 2024.
Back to Bermondsey. I was lunching with a friend on a Monday, you cannot make reservations at José, so with it opening at noon, we aimed to arrive at 12.30-ish. It was already fairly full, with only a couple of tables remaining: arrive close to noon. I believe there is often a queue that moves fairly quickly.
The menu changes daily, and the image above shows the options on this outing. We were peckish, so covered a fair amount of ground: Jamon Iberico, Chorizo al Vino, Padron Peppers, Prawn Fritters, Asparagus, Sirloin, and some cheese to finish. The star of the show were the Prawn Fritters - really, really delicious.
The wine list was superbly selected with a total of 35 sparkling, whites, rosés, and reds on the list with 22 of these being available by the glass: lots of options to enjoy with an array of different tapas.
There is an excellent Albariño, perhaps the best I have ever tasted: Pazo de San Mauro - apricots and peaches on the nose with a distinctly lean acidity that is matched with an aromatic body creating a perfect balance. No idea who brings this into the UK, but I'm searching.
For the red, we chose Lopéz de Heredia's Viña Tondonia Reserva 2010 that was drinking well with a rich elegance and complexity from 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, and 5% of Graciano and Mazuelo. This wine just sits on the palate with an extended length that is highly polished and refined.
Ask for the team's advice on wine selection and they will guide you through the list. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and charming.
Borough Market Pit-Stop
There is an excellent wine bar in Borough Market that is a good meeting place if you are exploring this amazing food emporium, or as a pre-lunch sharpener ahead of some tapas: Bedale's.
I would recommend the Hondarrabi Zuri made from the Txakoli grape. It is rather like a very upmarket Muscadet with more body and structure. Perfect if you were eating here with some fish dishes. Bedale's also have a few tables inside the market arena so that you can watch the world moving around the stalls and the traders selling their produce.
José Tapas Bar, 104 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB
Bedales, 5 Bedale Street, London SE1 9AL