...Small Plates to Share
“Nothing bonds man like the communal breaking of (pitta) bread.”
Sharing small plates adds an informality and an intimacy to dining making it ideal for dates, but it also allows for foodies (and indecisive types) to experience different dishes and get the most out of a restaurant visit.
Spanish Tapas is of course the most obvious choice for small sharing plates. Barrafina is a favourite with a permanent queue at the door, and award winning The Salt Yard near Goodge Street is such a hit that the team behind it have now also opened The Opera Tavern in Covent Garden – perfect for pre-theatre dining.
Italian Tapas (known as cicchetti or spuntino) is also a popular choice with those wanting to add intimacy to the occasion. The best is found at old Mayfair favourite Cecconni's, Soho go-to Boca di Lupo, as well as at Polpo and its baby sister, Polpetto. And Negozio Classica on Westbourne Grove is an Italian wine bar that offers beautiful charcuterie boards of cheese and meats to share over candlelight.
The renowned Providores on Marylebone High Street offers fabulous plates to share in relaxed but chic surroundings, and in addition to its killer brunch, Caravan serves consistently delicious small plates ideal for sharing. Also perfectly suited to group-sharing is Eastern-inspired Baltic, where diners are encouraged to order a selection of dishes before washing them down with shots of vodka.
Rustic and lively PIX, on Westbourne Grove, offers a buffet-style array of small dishes to choose from, making it perfect for everyone regardless of appetite-size, as does Gordon's Wine Bar which is a permanent hotspot for after-work drinkers.
Get the Look
Public Kick off your Christmas party with a bang. 'Tis the season to be bright and bold.
Barrafina
"This tapas bar always delivers great food and service - a great date place."
54 Frith Street, London W1D 4SL
- Deals offered
Salt Yard
"With delicious charcuterie, tapas, wine and snacks on offer, The Salt Yard is worthy of its awards."
54 Goodge Street, London W1T 4NA
- Deals offered
Opera Tavern
"Fear not; there is no need to sing for your supper at this tapas bar and restaurant in Covent Garden."
23 Catherine Street, London WC2B 515
Cecconi’s
"Cecconi's will see you through from a business breakfast to a dashing dinner date."
5A Burlington Gardens, London W1S 3EP
Bocca di Lupo
"Relaxed, refined and with regional cuisine, you'll go loopy for Bocca di Lupo."
12 Archer Street, London W1D 7BB
Polpo & The Campari Bar
"You can't book ahead but there's a reason why people are prepared to queue."
41 Beak Street, London W1F 9SB
Polpetto
"Small, perfectly-formed and Italian? It sounds like most men's perfect date, but it's Polpetto - a perfect date-destination."
Upstairs at The French House, 49 Dean Street, London W1D 5BG
Negozio Classica
"A great date place, Negozia Classica is charming, relaxed and alluring, serving incredible wine and authentic Italian food in an..."
283 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2QA
The Providores and Tapa Room
"Wonderfully located on chic Marylebone High Street, The Providores and Tapa Room serves what many believe to be the best coffee in..."
109 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4RX
- Deals offered
Caravan
"For easy-going rustic charm and friendly service, look no further than Caravan."
11-13 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QD
- Deals offered
- Online booking
Baltic
"As is the Eastern European custom, it is strongly advised to follow every course with at least one shot of vodka. I know - it's such..."
74 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA
PIX
"Offering spanish-inspired finger-food, a buzzy atmosphere and Cava by the case-load, a visit here could leave your vision..."
175 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SB
Gordon's Wine Bar
"The intimate, charming, rustic and candle-lit Gordon's is a hot for dates with city-types. "
47 Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NE