Log in to My Time Out for your personalised guide to what's on in London. It's fast, easy and FREE!
Follow José to receive updates on special offers here.
What is 'following'?Restaurants & cafés: Spanish
You might also like...
Latest features
-
What's on in London in 2012
Time Out's guide to the best events, films, gigs and festivals happening in London in 2012.
-
The best gyms in London
Find gyms in north, south, east, west and central london with this definitive guide to London gyms.
-
The 100 best London songs
Read which songs about London made Time Out's definitive list.
-
Tricia de Courcy Ling
Time Out says 10 Users say Rate it
Looking for the more recent branch, Pizarro? Click here.
The review below refers the smaller tapas bar.
José is its own worst enemy. This tiny, mostly standing-room-only tapas bar is the first independent project from acclaimed chef José Pizarro (previously of the hugely successful Brindisa group), but is so popular it's annoying.
The no-bookings policy means you have to take your chances on finding a space to stand (let alone sit), especially if you visit during peak hours, and securing the attention of staff can be equally fraught. Visit off-peak, and José's appeal is more obvious. The chef and his crew are doing a great job at turning out top-quality Spanish food from a kitchen the size of a caravan's galley.
From the day's specials board, razor clams were served piping hot from the grill; 'caramelised' chicory was also grilled to order, served with shards of walnut and a sharp picos de europa blue cheese. The flavour combinations worked well, particularly with glasses of sapid manzanilla and fino sherries. Lamb meatballs in tomato sauce were also a cut above the norm, and head-on sardines were as fresh as if they'd just come off the boat.
José details
Follow José to receive updates on special offers here.
What is 'following'?020 7403 4902
Tapas served noon-10.30pm daily
Tapas £3.50-£5
Credit cards AmEx, DC, MC, V
Facilities
Babies and children admitted, Bookings not accepted, Disabled ( toilet )José map
Restaurants & cafés near José
See all restaurants near JoséComments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 10 ratings)
went on a quiet bank holiday night, so actually got to sit down, with 3 other people. food was absolutely SPOT ON, from the amazing olives and tempranillo, to our favourites - the pork belly fillet, mackerel escabeche and prawns with peppers. we ordered about 10 dishes in total, and were well fed, though not overly stuffed :) which is easy to do with the quality of food here, but the kitchen was closed! very friendly service, one of the most pleasant meals, and at around 35pph with wine + service, was very very well worth it. i hope it's always good as this, because i plan to go back, A LOT.
Best tapas in town if you can get in (and that's a big if!). I've eaten here several times since it opened and as I work nearby, it's not a big deal to stroll up at lunchtime or just after work, but if I had taken the trouble to travel across London to try it out, I'd be very disappointed not to get in. I cannot fault any of the dishes and enjoy the buzz of the venue and friendliness of the staff. Like the touch of free sparkling water too. Tried the sister restaurant, Pizarro out for the first time today and I much prefer Jose.
Been eating and drinking in here since it first opened, and have no fault with the food, drink and general service. Today, however was an eye-opener - had an irate, reactionary customer run after me - after I brushed passed him (impossible not to in a space so small) thinking I'd taken his wallet from his back pocket (when he'd put it elsewhere) No defence from the staff, whatsoever. Stuff like this leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
So, to end - great food, great drink, but be careful not to brush past anyone, lest you be treated like a criminal.
They simply can't cope, waiters don't write down the order so you get dishes you didn't order and you don't get dishes you did and they add them to the the bill anyway. The bill was a work of fiction. Certainly not cheap and seriously uncomfortable. If your idea of fun is eating and drinking in the equivalent of a railway carriage then you will enjoy but it's not for me.
Loved it! a wee bit pricey but in terms of quality you really get what you pay for!
Place was busy so it was standing room and there was an art to getting and holding onto your space but the the food and Manzanilla were well worth it and the atmos was great.
Brilliant, was there last night, great food and atmosphere!
It's a little cramped, and most people were standing, but it adds to the casual, relaxed feel.
Food was wonderful, friendly staff and great interior.
Time Out guides and magazines
Useful links
Things to do in London
- London restaurants
- London events
- London theatre
- London bars and pubs
- London clubs
- Film listings
- London tickets and offers
- Alternative London
- London museums
- London music
- London art
- London shopping
- London Olympics
- Gay and lesbian London
- London cabaret
- London comedy
- London for kids
- Books and poetry
- Dance in London
- Festivals
- London hotels
- Classical music in London
London by area
- Brixton guide
- Borough guide
- Bermondsey guide
- City of London guide
- Dalston guide
- Mayfair guide
- Camden guide
- Clapham guide
- Covent Garden guide
- Greenwich guide
- Stoke Newington guide
- Hammersmith guide
- Hampstead guide
- Highgate guide
- Holborn guide
- King's Cross guide
- Islington guide
- West End guide
- Hackney guide
- Marylebone guide
- London Bridge guide
- Little Venice guide
- Richmond guide
- Shoreditch guide
- Soho guide
- South Bank guide
- Wimbledon guide
- Notting Hill guide
Time Out Worldwide
Get our weekly newsletter
Share your thoughts