El Parador

Restaurants

Restaurants and cafés

North West London

Mid-range

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Time Out says

Thu Jun 14 2012

Don’t be deceived by the size of the diminutive, yellow dining room at El Parador, there’s a basement room too – albeit a little gloomy. Locals come back time and again for this long-established restaurant’s eclectic tapas selection and welcoming atmosphere.

Among the 30-odd dishes, tortilla, sumptuously soft in the middle, always makes a sound choice, as do the hot chorizo with butter beans and the El Parador-style fried hake.

You’ll find a few more unusual options too (such as chicken livers with Japanese shimeji mushrooms), and no shortage of non-meat tapas. Particular favourites are the chargrilled padrón peppers with flaky salt, the roasted butternut squash with feta, and the garlicky broad bean dip (puré de habas).

A word of warning about the seasoning: it’s a little hit and miss. Ordering anything with chilli or harissa in it can be rather like a game of Russian roulette. Take advantage of the ‘two for one tapas’ offer at lunchtime and be sure to bag yourself a garden seat in the summer, and maybe a glass or two of sherry.

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Venue location

Address:
El Parador 245 Eversholt Street
Camden
London
NW1 1BA

Phone:
020 7387 2789
Website:
www.elparadorlondon.com
Opening hours:
Tapas served noon-3pm, 6-11pm Mon-Thur; noon-3pm, 6-11.30pm Fri; 6-11.30pm Sat; 6.30-9.30pm Sun
Transport:
Tube: Mornington Crescent tube
Price:
Tapas £4.20-£8.20
Map
1. El Parador
  - 245 Eversholt Street
    Camden
    London
    NW1 1BA
  - 020 7387 2789
  - www.elparadorlondon.com
  - 51.533823,-0.138214

Categories:
Food and drink
Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. On-site dining. Restaurant and bar facilities. Take away. Reservations required. Vegetarian dishes. General facilities. Private rooms. Outdoor facilities. Tables outdoors
Occasions:
Drinks. Wine buffs. Going in a group. Late night. Eating out. Creative cooking
Type of event:
Parties

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Comments & ratings

(8 ratings)

Gosh, what a lovely treat it was to stumble upon this place a couple of weeks ago. Fantastic food, with plenty of dishes to choose from so hopefully everyone will be catered for. Our personal favourites had to be the delicious baby squid with chilli or the succulent (and decadent) belly of pork. The waitress recommended an excellent bottle of house rioja which complemented the meal perfectly. We found eight dishes between the three of us to be just the right amount, whilst still leaving us tempted enough to look at the dessert list (try the house made cheesecake!). The service was very friendly and fast, despite the place (deservedly!) being very busy, and the atmosphere was great. I can't wait to go back again!

Paul Mon Apr 8
Rated as: 5/5
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Not happy. I think they have be reassured a little too much by their positive ratings. Service was awful, food was average. We wont be going back. Honestly, try Sangria on Upper Street as an alternative.

Ed Sat Mar 9
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Not happy. I think they have be reassured a little too much by their positive ratings. Service was awful, food was average. We wont be going back. Honestly, try Sangria on Upper Street as an alternative.

Ed Sat Mar 9
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Absolutely excellent. This is the best tapas in London and very reasonably priced. I feel like I'm on holiday dining here.

Amy Fri Sep 21 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Fantastic restaurant- delicious food, lovely staff and sweet surroundings. I don't agree with Timeout's review- spice roulette! You can tell the staff exactly how you want your food done, spicy or not, and they will pass it on to the kitchen! I love this place and will keep coming back again and again!

lucy Tue Aug 28 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Better tapas than in Spain. It is consistently good and we go on a regular basis with clients for business. Can get busy but always worth dropping in.

CT Wed Jul 18 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Absolutely excellent food, all of it. Rather nice little sherry to start. Very noisy and hot though (November,) so if you find that hard - try to go at a quieter time because the food is quite excellent.

AbeC Mon Nov 28 2011
Rated as: 4/5
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I am shocked at timeout's review.. I love this place, I have been coming for years and would never describe the food as bland or lacking flavour! Great, inventive tapas, lovely staff and simple surroundings. Can't go wrong! Guess the reviews not all bad, maybe it will put some people off, so i have more of a chance of getting a table!

sarah h. Mon Nov 7 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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Sunday night. Busy but service and food excellent. Great value for money. Simple surroundings but itsbworth it.

Alan McNeill Sun Oct 16 2011
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this place is brilliant... I have been coming here for years and love the great food, lack of pretension and friendly, easy-going staff. its so nice to go to a restaurant that serves amazing food, but doesn't have snooty staff! simple and homely decor which suits the understated menu. the only thing is, it's getting too popular! you often have no chance of eating there unless you book in advance...

Sarah Mon Apr 4 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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