Barrafina

This small, Spanish tapas bar — a perfect place for a light meal or lunch — has long been considered one of the best in London. Tall bar stools and tables face an open kitchen, where chefs prepare fresh tortillas and stack seasonal seafood on ice. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cal Pep, the famous Barcelona tapas bar frequented exclusively by locals who loud discuss the latest news. 

We recommend: a cold meat appetizer and glass of red wine; tuna tartare, spinach and ham tortillas, sardines a la plancha, octopus with capers. Order the crèma catalane for dessert.

Cuisine: contemporary Spanish

Atmosphere: creative

The crowd: locals, lovers of Spanish cuisine, journalists and bloggers

Key info: They don't accept reservations, but a glass of wine and friendly waiters make waiting for a table less painful than it could be. In summer, you can sit on the street, although there are few tables there. Snobs and holier-than-thou types will fare poorly here; a smile and a sense of humor will go a long way in this relaxed locale.

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