Jose in Southwark

WOW! I've written a few reviews about tapas because we love the food and have eaten at quite a few places but José's has just blown all the others out of the water. Prawns with chili and garlic were absolutely delicious as was the pork on toast ..... and we even got to chat with José himself..... a very nice man who does superb food!

José Tapas Bar delivers an authentic and vibrant experience that truly captures the spirit of Spanish tapas. Every dish bursts with flavor—from freshly sliced jamón ibérico to incredible gambas al ajillo. The atmosphere is warm and lively, perfect for sharing good times with a glass of fino in hand. A must-visit spot on Bermondsey Street.

Good food. Good drinks. Gets crowded during peak hours to the point that there's a queue outside. But it's worth the wait, I guess.

Avoid. Found a long plastic string in my pan tomato (hidden under the tomato pulp) and the only thing the Manager did was to remove it from the bill. This is clearly issue and cross contamination happening in the kitchen. They should have checked the tomato pulp and stopped to serve pan tomato to other guests instead of carry on as nothing happened. Obviously the place is busy and money is more important vs guest safety. Otherwise service is non existent here. No one checks on you after you are seated and have ordered. Hard to even ask for something else. The situation is very chaotic in the restaurant. If you are looking for a place which is very loud, chaotic,no service (still charged anyway), pay premium price for the name (Jose), this is for you. Food: quality of material used is there, you can taste it in pluma Iberica and prawn in chillies. However, the rest is a disappointment. Tortillas is served stone cold.

We lucked out and happened to be outside the doors as they opened up on a Tuesday lunchtime and within minutes it was mobbed !! The staff were friendly and helpful and attentive . The food was good and I particularly liked the padron peppers here , it's not as good as El Cortador in Folkestone ...and its a lot more expensive but I would come again

Location is easy to find, nice side street 10 mins walk from London Bridge. Hospitality top notch, attentive, we didn't feel rushed to order, warm energy from the front of house, and food and drinks were served timely. Seating is cozy in a sense that it did feel like being back in a Spanish tapas bar, just enough room for the food and drinks but still comfortable enough to chat and hear each other without having to yell. High chairs at the bar was a great spot to watch the food being made fresh, the amazing bread being toasted- I enjoyed watching the back of the house whip out dish after dish like clockwork. Food was balanced, rounded, well made, seasoned to perfection, and there was intent at every bite. It might have just urged me to visit Spain sooner than planned. We had pluma, pork iberico on toast, cod fritters, patron peppers, shrimp dish, bread with lovely fuity and fresh house olive oil with balsamin, and, of course, jamon iberico. Drinks- we had vermouth and juice- fairly priced and complementary to the food we had. Price was fairly decent for a Bermondsey tapas bar and for the quality + service that I honestly could not fault. Wasn't able to try their cocktails but they had classics with a Spanish twist. We tried the rosemary cheesecake which was surprisingly wonderful and light. Ate it so fast that I forgot to take a photo. I would definitely go again and would be happy to try the other offerings as they change their menu seasonally. Also, when I'm missing Spain, this would be a place to relive Spanish tapas scene, delicacies, and hospitality.

My favourite spanish place in London, what a products, place where you feel like in spain, head chef juandi and foor staff gave us the best experience of the year to me and my friend!

A bit faffy, good wine selection but REAL cozy. The tapas are expensive for the portions, not much diversity in the dietary choices, same old patatas bravas and Padron peppers for the vegetarians.

The best of the best of London 8 years living here and it is the most authentic Spanish I have eaten by far. Service and attention of 10, product and cuisine of 11!! Juan Diego is a crack! Recommended 100%

Great food, but not relaxing at all. The vibe is super rushed and frenetic.

The food and drink here are very good. The croquette was so amazing that we have to order another one!

The atmosphere was nice - although very small restaurant and the door remained open which is okay - but it’s also March and it wasn’t super hot out so we were a bit chilly. The service was okay but the waitress seemed to have a panic when allergies were mentioned and didn’t quite know what to do. The food was exceptionally basic - it felt like an elaborate prank, where they see how much they can get people to spend for minimal effort. Like the patatas bravas, they just dolloped sauces in the middle of the potatos…just edgy just lazy, the rest was mainly cheese crackers olives and hams which I get is Spanish but also super overpriced, as well as the wines - the cheapest bottle was nearly £40. The best thing was probably the croquettes as it felt like the only dish that required effort to make - rather than just cooking a meat / fish and adding some peppers or something to it. I couldn’t call any of it flavourful - I was very disappointing. Don’t waste your money here

Great atmosphere and food was delicious! Lined up in the queue and got a table quick. Busy please but the staff is lovely and the tapas recommendations were just the right amount! We ordered pan con tomate, jamon and padron peppers to start with and followed by prawns with chilli and garlic, pluma iberica (to die for) cod salsa verde. Can’t recommend Jose tapas enough and can’t wait to go back!

Amazing resturant Gorgeous food Beautiful company Great location and even better.. unreal chefs😍 Can’t wait to have these courses again

Worst service I’ve ever experienced on a weekday. Haven’t even tried the food yet, but have decided to leave a 1* as we have been clearly ignored for a good part of 20 minutes. We were initially seated inside, completely ignored for an unreasonable amount of time and when a table freed up outside, we asked if we can sit outside. We were told that a group of people were already to be seated there, understandable and we saw another table freed up. However the staff member we asked “in charge” of seating outside, completely forgot about us or our request. Easily one of the worst experiences I’ve had in the area and do not recommend at all.

You can tell this place is run by experts in Spanish food. Attention to detail and service is another level. We got the octopus and the artichoke, honestly there's something for every flavour and palate, whether you eat meat or not. You can see the passion in the management. Highly recommend José and the entire chain for an outstanding dining experience, a tiny piece of Spain in central London.

Very rude attitude. No service at all but charges 13.5% service fee. I have to say it was disrespect to customers. The food is alright. But does not worth queuing. We ordered the tomato toast but received very little tomato topping compared to others. The Jamón and shrimp were impressing. The octopus, pork shoulder and Croquetas were okay. I do not recommend for queuing if you do not mind how others treat you. There are many other better options.

Terrible servicio. Allí se sentó y levantó las manos durante casi 20 minutos cuando todos están siendo servidos. Nos ignoró y nos miró ferozmente cuando pedimos hacer el pedido. La comida era genial, así que definitivamente recomiendo, pero solicito optar por no pagar el cargo por el servicio 👍😊

This restaurant has a casual, countertop feeling, yet it can feel elevated and boutique if you're celebrating a special occasion. Worth the wait if there's a queue. All of the plates are hearty but thoughtfully prepared. I never have a bad time at José.

Muy corporativo americano, especialmente su sistema de reservas. Si reservas, espera que te inunden los mensajes que te piden que reserves de nuevo y para siempre. La comida está bien, pero caro. Carece de autenticidad general. No volveré a ir allí sin importar cuántos correos electrónicos me envíen

Great place for atmosphere and tasty authentic food. Packed on a March Tuesday! Crowded! Small tables.90 minutes to eat!

Attentive service and lovely food (infinitely close to what I had in Spain). I will definitely be back in the future!

The quantity of dishes was disgraceful, the price was exorbitant for the quantity that came in them, to be Spanish it had nothing to do with what is considered a tapa and/or ration

Super tapas experience. Great choice and regular changing menu

Haven't been to this place in years but it has not disappointed. Such a great relaxed atmosphere, great recommendations on food and wines. I won't leave it so long to return next time. 🥰

Embarrassingly didn't know where we were, we were in the area, did a quick Google for tapas, joined the queue, were in within 10 minutes and it was amazing! We are now the envy of family and friends - would highly recommend and will be back!

Tasty tapas served quickly in an authentic restaurant. All very casual & informal with stool seating & no reservations. Wouldn’t go for a special occasion but it’s perfect for a nicer casual meal. The boqueronas & tortilla particularly good.

Food was average, service was rude and condescending. Kept rushing us to leave even though they had other empty tables and we had just gotten another bottle of wine - save yourself the headache and go to Pedro’s Wine bar in the same area that actually has amazing tapas and an extensive wine list - but most importantly they know how to treat their customers, unlike this place.

Can’t sit comfortably, self proclaimed spanish with nothing close to the Spanish culture or hospitality.

Horrible service, felt completely unwelcomed.

Felt quite rushed from the staff I know you have to turn tables to make money but but if a table keeps ordering shouldn’t be rushed to leave.

This is one of my favourite spots in London. Set on the sophisticated Bermondsey Street it has a casual atmosphere with great food, great service, and great value. It’s easy to walk as a 2 and if you see a queue it moves quick. They are also dog friendly so no problems bringing the whole family. It can be a tight squeeze though.

Amazing food and atmosphere as always.

I recently visited José Tapas Bar on Bermondsey Street and had an exceptional experience. The atmosphere was vibrant and authentically Spanish, making me feel as though I’d been transported to a cozy tapas bar in Spain. The menu, displayed on blackboards, featured a delightful array of dishes. The acorn-fed Jamón Ibérico was a standout, offering rich and savory flavors that were truly memorable. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall dining experience. For anyone seeking genuine Spanish tapas in London, José Tapas Bar is a must-visit.

Would give it 4.5* if I could. Lovely little restaurant, and I was lucky when I visited as I didn’t have to queue. Was impressed by nearly everything we ordered (there were 4 of us). And as a vegetarian, the selection was relatively good - 9 tapas dishes. We felt that desserts were not as good as the rest of the food, and were not fans of the goats cheese and honey dish.

En general creo que José es genial para tapas y jerez. Sin embargo, a diferencia de las maravillosas anchoas en Pizarro, las anchoas en José eran ridículamente caras y muy saladas, lo que es una decepción.

Great food, very good service. My Spanish Hugo was a. bit of a let down, a bit too carbonated. And it's very small so you may end up bumping shoulders at some point.

love this little restaurant - was able to get in without queuing just after Christmas it is always a treat

A small and lovely Spanish restaurant. I visited for a late lunch, and although I went without a reservation, I was able to sit at the bar right away. The staff were friendly and the food was all delicious.

I have been coming to Jose since I moved into the area 12 years ago, it used to be my favorite place, we go there some times twice a week for dinner, I even had a 10 years anniversary pin, that’s how much I love Jose! it was always fun and authentic. However, the last two times we were there has been a huge disappointment, it honestly breaks my heart to write this review and sadly we won’t be returning. Other than your croquette are still consistent and tasty, your signature dishes has gone downhill, the pluma Iberca no longer browns and grilled properly outside, the fried goat cheese is not cooked properly, the cheese was still cold and hard inside and when I ask the cheese to be cooked through, your staff look at me as if I were crazy, he said this is fried cheese! 😡 also this tapas was supposed to come out last, so the sweetness nicely transition to dessert. You had explained this to me before and now your staff doesn’t care, tapas just come out as whenever they are ready. What has come to the final straw is the confit artichokes, it was blend and not cooked through, we had to spit out the first two we ate and didn’t bother with the rest. The cooking with love and authenticity has sadly disappeared from Jose, this is just another tapas bar here to make money.

Gran bar de tapas al igual que los vascos. Comida auténtica. Gran personal amable. Buen servicio. La mejor tortilla de la historia. Deliciosos pimientos padron. Este lugar es mucho mejor que el restaurante Pizarros, ( mismo propietario ) que es una experiencia de cliente completamente diferente.

All the food was very salty, other than that it’s good

If you enjoy spicy food in the Spanish style, you'll like it here.

Went for birthday supper. Best things were service - attentive but not overly and atmosphere. Food was great (padron peppers, fish balls, patatas bravas, pan con tomate, croquetas), disappointed on value for money - tapas plate sizes for 1 not really sized for 6 of us. Possibly recommend for 2 - no more, but question prices anyway - some tapas over £15 and beer £6.50 for half pint. Would not return as is.

Foodhallen was ok, thought they'd be tasty dishes. Wouldn't go back. Expensive and avoid the dim sum stall, undercooked dumplings and overcooked chicken but still kinda raw inside, run by 3 young girls

Very deliscious - everything we got, we loved. The patatas bravas are really good! My friend and I have been here already 3 times, it's a nice spot to go back to and try new little dishes.

amazing amazing food, especially recomend the chorizo lentils and croquetas were delicious , great accommodating and quick service, very busy and could be a long wait to get in as it’s quite small but well worth the wait, sat outside even in winter but plenty warm enough with heaters

Perhaps my favourite tapas spot in London. It's small and cosy, staff are friendly and the food is delicious.

We recently dined at Jose on a busy Saturday evening and were fortunate to snag a table without much of a wait. We ordered seven dishes to share amongst the four of us (two adults and two teenagers) and were thoroughly impressed by the quality and variety. The ambiance at Jose was lively and inviting, making for a truly enjoyable dining experience. We highly recommend checking out Jose if you have the opportunity and see if you can find an open table.

Visit on a weekday for dinner. Lovely tapas, very cozy and lovely vibe. This place is very small, the food is served quite quickly. The Iberica is absolutely amazing, really stand out. Everything else are quite nice. We have Padro pepper, tortilla, croquettes, polpo, pan con tomato. Pan con tomato is quite amazing. Would definitely visit again.

Everything was decent and cozy, but boy does it hurt to pay so much for something that you got for quarter if the price in Spain...

Very high service charge 13% and food is a little bit too salty for me. Food are okay, but poor value imo. Service wise we get a sense of getting rushed because it's a popular place.

We had dinner on Sunday night and we were sat quite quickly. Overall the food is good, extremely overpriced and they served really tiny portions. I’m giving two stars mainly because of the staff and the service, we got sat at 20.30 and they were really pushy with the timings and constantly reminding that they were closing at 22. We got forced to eat in a hurry as they were cleaning the kitchen and tables and walking around the place with the card machine in hand(they even asked us twice to pay when we already did). We finished dinner by 21.25 and they were forcing our way out making us feel quite uncomfortable. We’ve been in Pizarro and the experience was amazing

Very good food, impeccable service and a very warm atmosphere! Optimal

Great place. Friendly staff. We were three people. Hadn't reserved, but it all was no big deal. We tried a lot of dishes. Worth going for the Catalina Anchovies. You will not be disappointed.

Our party arrived an hour before close for some after dinner drinks and snacks and were met with a very welcoming staff, delicious snacks of croquetas and squid, and well curated wine list. The sherry selection is a must. Definitely recommend and will be back

You can never go wrong with eating at José and we have been going there for years. The food is delicious and the restaurant is cozy. The staff are kind and helpful. The Jamon Ibèrico, shrimp and pluma are delicious & a must have.

One of the best places on the street. Really good wine, really friendly staff I would recommend it va 100%

Must go! Every dish was amazing and lovely to eat in such an intimate venue by the kitchen

Excellent authentic tapas, short walk from London Bridge station if you’re heading through and after dinner. So glad I found this spot! Service was super excellent and friendly- it’s a tiny restaurant and we had a short wait on a Wednesday evening but we were well cared for during and it was for sure worth it. It’s popular - very loud and tight inside but this wasn’t a problem for us

Came on a Thursday afternoon, although not full the service was nothing to shout about. We asked for vermouth and was given the most expensive option, same with bottled water without giving us choice. Two drinks and small plates came to £50! Some of the other dishes looked good, but it's definitely not worth it if you have to wait for a seat

Amazing meal. The medium rare pork was literally like butter you could cut it with a fork. Hands down the best piece of meat I’ve ever eaten! The chicken was served to us quite raw in the middle by accident but they quickly resolved this - suppose these things happen. However, would really really recommend. Plus the queue was quite big but went down so quickly probably waited 5-10 mins max!!

So simple. So good Some places mess about adding too much of this or that. Jose don't. This is my third visit to one of Jose Pizarro's restaurants, and the original little tapas bar didn't disappoint. Great range of tapas and some slightly larger dishes if you're hungry. Complement that with a range of Sherry, wine and beer and you're on to a winner. Perfect for any time of the day. Will be back to try other dishes on the menu. When the cured meat, cheese, olives and seafood is so good, it's a

Most beautiful staff asked for a sweet drink and they went out of their way to make me one from outside the menu. Such lovely people Daniel Vanessa were so welcoming 💖💖

Tuvimos un excelente y auténtico almuerzo de tapas en este pequeño restaurante español en Bermondsey. Los vinos y cerezas eran muy sabrosos. El servicio era agradable también. Los asientos son estrechos, principalmente en los mostradores, y no se aceptan reservas.

Foods are flavourful. Attentive service. Often with queues. They don't accept reservations, 1st come 1st serve basis.

The food was amazing and the stuff it was very lovely and I tried the new cocktail sherry sour Definitely, I recommended this place ☺️☺️

Good food, a bit pricey but not overly so, good service and great outside seating.

This was my second visit to Jose, and it was just as enjoyable as the first. We were lucky to walk in and get a spot at the bar, where the atmosphere was lively yet relaxed—not too noisy, so you can actually have a conversation while sipping on a glass of red Spanish wine. We started with the salchichón ibérico plate and the croquettes, both of which were delicious, though next time, I think I'll go for the jamón. Watching it freshly sliced right in front of you is quite a display! For mains, we tried the octopus and the cod. Both were perfectly cooked; the octopus tender and smoky and the cod flaky with a distinct garlic flavour that paired beautifully with the wine. I wish I could have stayed longer to try more of these hearty dishes, but our table was only booked for an hour and a half. If you’re planning a visit, I recommend making the most of your time and sampling as many plates as possible. José is definitely worth a visit for a taste of authentic Spanish tapas in a friendly, unpretentious setting.

Lovely place… good tapas, best wine list on the street

Sooooooo disappointed after wanting to eat here for ages! Bar Tozino 200 yards away is half the price and twice as good.Food was OK,service was poor.Was expecting so much more unfortunately.

Great tapas! Recommend the pluma Iberica, octopus, sirloin, and padron peppers. Walk-ins only. Can be rather crowded and hard to talk indoors.

No where near as good as it used to be... what a shame! Last time I visited was about 5/6 years ago and it was much better.... now they give you 1.5 hours and then push you out, wine selection not that great and the food was hurried... probably a money making place now. Thank god the company was good...

Had the prawns, pardon peppers, bruschetta iberico and butter beans with mussels. It's a nice casual dining experience with a lively atmosphere. Staff were attentive and everything was lovely and I would happily go again.

Great corner restaurant that’s worth the wait. Arrived at 7pm and waited 20 minutes in line. The octopus, steak and croquettes were our favourites!

We came here for a late lunch after visiting the nearby Fashion and Textile Museum. Food was delicious and there was a good selection of wine. Mid afternoon and it was no longer crowded. We sat inside and had a lovely time.

Worth the reviews and queues. Great spot for tapas around Bermondsey. 20minute wait for a seat (I went solo) though the line went down quickly. Small inside, you are seated close to others. Great menu, quick service, friendly staff. Recommend highly.

Our meal was genuinely 10/10. The food and drinks are fantastic. Service was ok - the restaurant was full in fairness though. It is quite cramped and the tables pushed together, but in my opinion it’s completely worth it for how good the food is. Will definitely be returning

Gran bar de tapas. Tuvimos suerte de entrar y conseguir asientos de inmediato. La comida era fabulosa, cada plato era más o menos perfecto. Definitivamente me gustaría volver

Delicious meal, beautifully cooked & presented. Varied menu. We had other dishes not itemised here including Cod & Pork. We would definitely return to this place. It’s a great spot on the corner of a buzzy street. Very enjoyable!

Disappointing. Squid was very chewy and “prawn” croquettas were prawnless.

Amazing food, from the iron side to the way it is cooked! Quick service, despite the busy restaurant, yet you don't feel pressured. Fresh and authentic. There are some vegetarian options, albeit limited.

Very good experience. First time here but I will be back

A great selection of wine and the tapas were tasty! This is only a walk in so there will always be queue on busy days such as weekends!

Delicious food and great service! Def recommend, proper Spanish food, it was lovely

The food was very good. Restaurant is a tapa style place. The tables are small, but they work with you so you can have a good experience.

Delicious Jamon Iberico and Octopus with Potato Cream I ever had! Found this place from Bib Gourmand Michelin. There was a queue when we arrived but as I came only with one other person, they gave us a high chair quickly and you simply see the food menu written on the kitchen board. Will definitely recommend this place to anyone loves Spanish food!

We came to José after it was recommended for us. It is a small restaurant located about 10-15 minutes away from the London bridge. There was a que when we arrived but we were seated on a small table in about 30 mins but was located in front of the restaurant. The staff were attentive and kind and gave suggestions for items on the menu. The food was very good with the highlights being the croquettes, cod and the pork! And it coming out quickly as well. All in all a very good experience I would recommend José to anyone looking for Spanish tapas food in the area!

I went there at lunchtime today (Monday / day off work). The food was superb and among the best tapas I’ve ever had. Started with some Patatas Bravas which were nice and crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, nice tomatoey sauce and mayo on top of it. Croquetas were with a hake filling and were delicious. Both washed down with a nice chilled glass of Manzanilla sherry. Then I had prawns with chilli and garlic which had a nice kick and another good seafood dish of clams with garlic and parsley. I had a glass of Albariño which again went really well with the seafood dishes. I would highly recommend this place as the service, quality of ingredients and execution of it was excellent. As this was my first time at Jose Tapas I can now honestly say that this place has a well-deserved reputation. Well done guys!

Amazing food, wonderful summer evening plan

One of the best potato omelettes I've ever tried, highly recommended place 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

Fantastic food. Very small indoor seating area, but they do have tables outside.

José Tapas Bar in Bermondsey is hands down the best tapas spot in town! The food is authentic, bursting with flavor, and each dish feels like a culinary trip to Spain. The front of house team adds to the experience—charming, welcoming, and always on point with recommendations. Whether you're a tapas lover or new to the scene, this place will win you over. A must-visit for anyone craving top-notch tapas in London!

Really nice tapas spot with a good selection of food and wine. The location is quite small so there's often a wait to get a table and some of the tables are uncomfortably small/cramped (the window seats).

Excellent food, atmosphere and service.

High quality tapas with seats outside, and inside along the bar and a few tables. Very cramped and chaotic but that adds to the atmosphere. Not cheap, but fresh and tasty like grilled sardines.

With outdoor seating going past his latest restaurant (Lolo) Jose is an amazing spot for al fresco lunch with a couple of glasses of cava and a smattering of tapas dish recommendations the clams oh wow the sauce hmmmm

don’t let it put you off because it moves quick and well worth the wait. Lovely service and impeccable food! Overall, great dining experience

Great food and variety of dishes. The staff are pretty good at recommending and the atmosphere is nice. The place is not very big and expect to queue to sit, but overall it was worth it!

Empecemos con lo bueno. Sabrosos platos de tapas, especialmente las almejas, pero salta el pulpo con puré. Caro y duro. Personal eficiente pero muy ocupado por lo que falta el toque personal. No venga aquí para una comida relajante, pero si le gusta ver la cocina frenética y el servicio, disfrutará de la experiencia.