Meson Don Felipe in Lambeth - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

What has happened to Meson Del Felipe? Under new management? Very disappointing. This used to be a genuinely authentic tapas place, with excellent freshly made food. A little gem. But this visit was very underwhelming. The dishes were very very average, compared to what I've eaten there in the past. Service was good, otherwise the experience was poor. Sadly (as it used to be a favourite restaurant), I won't be going again.

Our visit was such a disappointment. We had a lovely Al fresco table and service was good but thats where the good stuff ended. The food was just really poor pretty much across the board. Maybe it was just a bad night for them but definitely not a place we will risk ever again.

This food was shockingly bad. The chicken croquettes were inedible. The aubergine was a deep fried disaster and was unrecognisable as aubergine. The prawns and calamari sad and tasteless. This is by far one of the worst meals we have ever had. We are foodies but are happy with cheap and cheerful if it’s decent. You pay for what you get. But to be honest, we’d have rather gone to Costa over the road! Extortionate price for terrible food. The service was lovely and the waitress we spoke to looked sympathetic, like she’d heard the complaints a hundred times!

Nice spot outside seating on The Cut but the Seaford Paella was really not worth it very dry, hard and not fresh. Seemed like a microwave Paella.

Excellent! Delicious Spanish food although we did order too much, but it's hard to know with tapas. The paella and chips are big portions, be aware. But the food was great tasting and lovely quality. No wonder it is so popular, it was rammed!

I was really excited to go as the reviews looked great, was I disappointed! I was expecting it to be do good but alas no. The calamares were the frozen kind, the croquetas tasted frozen too. The whitebait was in batter snd of poor quality, the tortilla was dry, the jamon was dry too, the only good thing was the manchego which to be fair is hard to get wrong. This place is such a poor representation of good spanish tapas. Such a shame.

Food was not good, paella all crusty as if it had been sitting for a while, tortilla was really dry. Meat was really fatty. Over priced No atmosphere as we were sat in the side street table. The waitress did not want to be there so miserable and the look I got when I asked for clean plates due to our olive pips as there was no where else to put them!! Only reason I gave 2 stars for service was the young man who brought our drinks was very nice. Would not go back… ever!!

Nice location and staff, but the food is not good, low quality ingredients and not much flavour.. it’s a shame

Great place to eat. Booked last minute for a table of 8. Price was very fair, and good food. Our waiter was lovely and brought blankets outside when it started to get a little chilly.

It was OK although check the wine ordering as we were charged for a bottle when we thought the price was cheaper but turned out to be the carafe that we had looked at for price. Expensive mistake

Good service, pleasant, comfortable surroundings and reasonable house wine by carafe. Bit disappointed in the food. It was cooked fine, but lacked the variety I was hoping for on the menu. We were there at a quiet time, I'm sure the place gets really buzzy.

Slightly noisy, but the delicious food definitely made up for it

Honestly shocking now, used to be the best Spanish food in London. Now, reheated Tesco specials!

Really excellent tapas, reminded me of the dishes I used to order when I lived in Spain for a couple of years. One piece of advice, book a table! The place was very popular and we were there at 5pm

Quality of the food was poor..the paella felt like Tesco’s..so the rest of the dishes. One young lady from the staff instead of looking after customers was hanging out with friends..good for her..but come on..so unprofessional. Not even cheap. Never again

A very authentic tapas bar, honestly feels like you could be in Spain. All the classics on the menu, perfectly executed, as well as a few changing specials. Obviously not as cheap as tapas in Spain but well priced for tapas in London. The tables are close and it gets crowded, but that just adds to the authenticity in my opinion. They have a few outside tables too in summer. Recommended!

Poor service unfortunately. Items we ordered were missed and then finally arrived (after prompting) an hour after we had sat down, when we had to leave to go to the theatre. Despite saying we needed to leave urgently, the bill took another 15 minutes to arrive. Felt very unprofessional.

Great service - very accommodating to a spontaneous large group on Monday evening. Good food; the kind of place you remember to go back to.

Lovely tapas and sangria sat out on the pavement on a lovely summer evening

It wasn't bad. Everything was very edible. Wine was good. Pretty generic. Probably won't come again.

The food is not so fresh. My family had a terrible experience.

Their seafood paella is very fresh. I will recommend take away.

I find the food so so. The pork meatballs are not bad if you’re tomato sauce lover but nothing special and the pork is gamey. The seafood paella is disappointing as it’s quite fishy and the taste wasn’t nice. They had shrimps and many are pregnant w eggs. They are small and hard. Calarmari is average. Avoid ordering the sangria which taste like cordial mostly. They added only 1 small slices of orange and lemon each which hardly makes a proper sangria Perhaps this place is for more for performance but skip it if you want food

This is a really good tapas place. Simple food, done well. Friendly staff and a great atmosphere makes for a good evening. Excellent wine list too

Meson Don Felipe is a regular go to for me & my partner - it really feels like you're experiencing times when you wander into a gem of a family run tapas bar in Spain. The atmosphere is just wonderful - always very vibrant & buzzy! The staff are friendly and incredibly efficient & attentive - which should be highlighted considering the area is so busy! The food is consistently great, serving simply tasty authentic Spanish dishes. Look forward to returning again soon ☺️🍤🥘🥗🥂

Hadn’t been to this old favourite for a few years. The food was pretty good and the white Rioja great! The service was ok. Overall, it felt different and not as Spanish as I remembered. We had a great time though and no problem with having our table for so long.

Oh dear a really bad experience!. The gazpacho was bitty and the tapas was lukewarm, as if it had just been heated in a microwave. The mushrooms were tasteless and patatas bravas soft. To cap it the service was joyless, as if customers were an inconvenient nuisance and there was an intermittent bad drain smell. We have eaten at Meson DF numerous times before over many years. This was terrible in contrast. The fact everthing was poor from all the food to staff attitude is indicative that this is a more a deep routed problem than a bad day.

Been a while since I've been, but did not disappoint.

Food wasn’t amazing - but good price & nice spot

I've been here many times over the years, and have always enjoyed it. My most recent visit was a bit mixed. The food is good value, and generally well prepared. The berenjenas were fantastic, while the tortilla was overcooked and not at all runny. I assume this is to better suit UK diners, but it's not authentic. The service was fairly poor: a lack of friendliness and attention. Overall it felt less authentically Spanish than in years gone by, and I think I'll give it a miss next time I'm out on The Cut.

Sultry waitress- we were not Spanish!! Food tasted stale and bland

Reasonable pricing, good food The calamari and octopus is very good!

Underwhelmed on this return visit. Flabby, chewy calamari romana, mixed olives that tasted like a mix from a tin and anchovies that were far below the quality from a supermarket deli. Add in two beers and not much change from £50.

Great food and staff. Very full and viby

Perfect place for a catchup. Great food, great house wine, great service. Thank you, we’ll be back!

A few years ago I used to go here regularly. On the bank holiday I found myself nearby and returned for dinner. A notice stated it was under refurbishment but I saw no sign of any changes except that the live guitarist on the shelf was no longer in residence. The staff behind the tapas bar were very unfriendly and wanted to talk to their mates rather than serve my wife and I. The food and wine was still adequate but the atmosphere had disappeared completely. I will give it another try but I'm am not hopeful.

We were disappointed this visit. Some of the food was bland and overcooked. Didn't feel it was up to the standard we had here previously. As it got quieter, it was harder to get service.

Bustling tapas restuarant with paving seating, great menu and perfect wine list to accompany it. Situated on The Cut a short walk from Waterloo Station opposite The Young Vic theatre.

Sunny day, sat outside. Waitress delivered drinks and we were left. Hard to catch a waiter when outside. Ordered and then she forgot to put order through, surprised look 45 mins later when we said we’d like our food! Delay again - when it finally arrives food was good but awful service. Was told it was because they were busy. It was mid afternoon and they were so quiet. Have had some wonderful evenings in the past but won’t be going back.

This is a very busy tapas bar in Southwark. It's been here for many years and there's a good reason they have survived so long. The food was very good and the service was warm and friendly even though they were very busy.

Really bad experience. Food lacked of taste and authenticity. We received a Fish Paella with Peawns with eggs and not properly cooked.Service really slow and below the expectations. We waited 45 minutes to be cleaned and the waiter came singing and with the music in the ear to clean not even asking if it was everything ok. Worst experience ever.

I would recommend the pigs cheeks and artichokes.

Excellent food and a great price. Service was slow and we would have ordered more food and drinks had we been paid for attention.

Really nice food and the staff were fantastic..We had a great time there.

Having been to Meson Don Felipe in the past, possibly 12 years ago, our group of friends was looking forward to good dinner after a brilliant theatre matinee. Such a disappointment. Very old fashioned décor, one loo, squashed tables and I'm afraid the food was very poor quality and rushed. Everything at once, presumably microwaved? Bland, scorched in parts and generally not good. We had two portions of the Jamón Ibérico de Cebo to share as starters at £15.35 expecting reasonable sized platters. When they came each was barely enough for one person, never mind four. Don't order that if you're hungry, in fact - go somewhere else. None of us said anything at the time as we assumed everyone else was enjoying it and didn't want to embarrass our booker. Wish we had done, as when we got home and checked the bill properly, we'd been charged mistakenly for two dishes which hadn't arrived. Such a shame, I remember it being very good when I worked on the South Bank. Needs an overhaul.

Good service but disappointing food. Size of tapas dishes were fine but found generally lacking in flavour and authenticity.

The waiter had his pants down that you could see his underwear , a bit o decency please... in my view it's OK if you're going out , it's not in a working environment but hey I guess management is ok with that , other staff also not fit for the role , smashing bottles in the bin making nasty noise . Food was nothing near a Spanish standard , the paella was overcooked , the pulpo was hard , tasteless and definitely not fresh

Excellent Spanish food, good portions & reasonably priced.

We have been coming here for decades and it remains a favourite! We had an early dinner after a Saturday matinee at the Old Vic - the service was excellent and helpful, the food was great, and it was reasonable value.

Really nice place and very kind staff. We took: a liter of sangria, pan tomate, a plate of Jamon Serrano, albondigas, the potato tortilla, the fried calamari, a portion of chips and finally 4 desserts. All good!

This place has been around for c30 years and clearly ownership has changed during that time. It used to be an amazing tapas place with great atmosphere and live music most nights. Then it went down hill food and atmosphere wise. However, I'm glad that last time I went a couple of weeks ago the menu had been improved massively with far less dishes than before and although not as good as yesteryear it was much, much better. We went on a Tuesday and there was no live music but El Meson exceeded my expectations.

It’s very loud and all the tables are very close together. I’m vegan so ate the options that were there. That food tasted nice but no protein options for vegan. Padron peppers weren’t that salted

Have been coming here for 30+ years and the food quality never disappoints. Huge padron peppers, quality jamon, perfect meatballs, fresh and crispy fish and hearty tortilla. The pigs cheeks were outstanding and washed down with flavoursome Fino. A must if you are in Waterloo.

Traditional tapas restaurant with great food and excellent wine list. Good value.

Great selection of dishes and drinks, decent food, good value for money.

Last Friday, following a long workweek, my colleagues and I ventured to Meson Don Felipe for a well-deserved dinner. Nestled in the heart of the city, the restaurant greeted us with a warm ambiance and the promise of exquisite Spanish cuisine. Eager to indulge our palates, we wasted no time in ordering a variety of dishes to share. Our selection included the classic Gambas, the tantalizing Calamares Tinta, and the comforting Tortilla. To accompany our meal, we opted for a carafe of Beronia Crianza, a delightful choice that perfectly complemented the flavors of our meal. Each dish that graced our table was a testament to the culinary prowess of the kitchen. The Gambas, succulent and perfectly seasoned, left us longing for more with each bite. The Calamares Tinta, with its rich flavor and tender texture, proved to be a highlight of the evening. And the Tortilla, a comforting classic, exceeded our expectations with its depth of flavor and impeccable execution. While the food undoubtedly impressed, we couldn't help but notice the bustling atmosphere of the restaurant. The lack of sound absorbers contributed to a noisy environment, detracting slightly from an otherwise enjoyable dining experience. Despite this minor inconvenience, the servers remained attentive and friendly throughout the evening, ensuring that our needs were met with efficiency and warmth. Their hospitality added to the overall charm of the restaurant and left a lasting impression on our group. In terms of value, Meson Don Felipe exceeded our expectations. The price of the food was more than justified by the quality of the ingredients and the skillful execution of each dish. We departed the restaurant with satisfied appetites and fond memories, eager to return for another culinary adventure in the near future.

One of my favourite restaurants

Best tapas outside of Barcelona. Very authentic, very tasty food and generous portion size. Look forward to a return visit!

A real shame the food standard has dropped! We’ve been going her for a while and I really think they’ve taken their eye off the ball and become lazy! The atmosphere is brilliant but they’ve relied on their name and started chucking out cold tasteless food! I’d do some Research and look at other Tapas bars in London that are doing fresh authentic Spanish food in place of pre warmed up ‘eat and go’ food

Sadly was very disappointed - place had been strongly recommended from historical loyalty.. Food was at best average to bland and service functional. I've not sure I've been in a place I'd rather not be in (mainly because the food was not worth going out for) in the last 20 years. Sorry. Wine was fine. Plenty of people there so maybe I'm wrong. Will never return.

I happened to stop by this place with Jasmine on the way to see King's Dormitory. It was so delicious, there were a lot of people, and the atmosphere was better than I expected! Paella and Sangria were both very delicious ~~ Paella was 9.5£

Probably disappointing after friends recommendation. Individual dishes all came more or less at once, rather than 1 or 2 at a time - meant everytjing was a bit rushed instead of being a nice leisurely lunch. The seafood paella was very bland and a bit over priced for what it was.

Good food and good atmosphere 😊

Would rate this place higher as the food itself was very tasty, the atmosphere good and decent service. But, there were small things that brought things down: difficulty catching the wait staff's attention, slow service despite it being quiet, slight lack of finesse in the presentation and some dishes were slightly on the pricey side. That said, enjoyed the experience overall and would go back.

Traditional Spanish food. Good prices share tapas with friends.

Second and last visit. Some dishes were very tasty but half were cold. Felt like the food was thrown at you. It came very quickly and everything at once. The server was very rude when sorting the bill out. It’s also incredibly noisy. Could be so much better with a little effort.

We like visiting here when going to the Young or Old Vic. Good Spanish food in a lively atmosphere. They pack you in as it is fairly small, but it is comfortable and the food is very good.

They fitted us in & were brilliant. Food was lovely-tasty and hot. My friend is in a wheelchair and everyone was excellent. Definitely recommend

One of the oldest and best "real" tapas joints in London.

This should have been a great experience but we left feeling incredibly disappointed. I took clients here expecting a great meal but we encountered terrible service, bland food and a very cramped table. To make it worse the waitress thought it was acceptable to mock me in front of my clients for asking for a popular digestif that was off the menu. Not recommended.

Not recommended. Paella smells and tastes like ash. Calamares taste cheap. Patatas bravas is bland. Hard to comprehend the source of the good reviews.

Had a delicious pre theatre midweek lunch

I had a great time here. It's small and cosy, with a great atmosphere. I thought the food was delicious (especially the vegetarian paella) and the wait staff were fab.

This place never disappoints. Lovely food, gorgeous drinks, friendly service, and lively atmosphere.

Very good choice for a pre-theatre if you are at the Old Vic. Service is super-quick and food is good. Portions (for a tapas place) are very generous, so if you normally do 3 dishes per person for tapas you might find 2 is enough

This restaurant is fantastic! Authentic, delicious Spanish food, good prices for London. Service is always outstanding and the restaurant itself is very pretty inside. Would recommend booking as it's very busy. Allergens included on the menu!

Decent Tapas restaurant. Traditional style seating. Good good. I enjoyed particularly the prawns but found the mushroom in garlic bland. Staff and service was good. I would return

Great food, quick service just a bit empty because weekday lunch time

We took takeaway twice, the staff are lovely, the food is very good, the prices are really fair, there is plenty of choice! To eat there, I think you have to make a reservation and there is a lot of noise. I recommend this place!

Starters and drinks were all good. But mains, Seafood paella rice wasn't cooked fully. Chicken paella was a bit salty. Dessert was really good too

Solid tapas place. The croquettes were not amazing. Everything else was very good.

Excellent restaurant in every way

The atmosphere here was beautiful, and made me feel as though i was back in Spain. The service was very welcoming and very friendly, which made this experience even better. The food was reasonably priced and had a lot of different options. We ordered quite a few items off the menu, and all were delicious, and came in generous portions however one that stood out the most for me was the garlic chicken. The flavour was exquisite and was perfect in every bite. The patatas bravas were very good, however could be improved if the potatoes were crispier and came with garlic mayonnaise aswell as tomato sauce. However my evening here was very enjoyable and i can’t wait to come here again!

Authentic, super tasty , best sangria in London

I’ve been 5 years living in london and this is the very first time that I feel like I’m in Spain since the moment I step into the room. The smell of Spanish food, the delicious wine and the fantastic service was top!! Thanks Antonio and Josh, it was incredible!!! 🇮🇨🇮🇨

Best Spanish restaurant in London. Amazing food! Amazing service! Amazing atmosphere!

The chicken was 10/10, cooked to perfection. However the paella was disappointingly bland. I guess it's likely an economical decision to each night cook one massive portion. I can tell because the dish was brought out in about 10 minutes in a tapas dish and not on a metal paella plate. I understand if every table orders this dish which usually takes 20 minutes to cook, it could affect the turnover of customers which means less profit. I actually don't mind a paella that was cooked a few hours before as long as I could taste all the flavours such as saffron and the prawn flavours from prawn heads. I will come back because other dishes were great, but I won't be ordering the paella.

An absolute diamond of a restaurant. Great food and atmosphere.

Tapas ok mentre la paella era scotta. Tavoli stretti

Came here for lunch seeing the good review, but honestly didn’t see the hype. Quiet and no music in daytime. Food was lukewarm at best. Not much flavour in the seafood paella. Overall not a memorable meal at all and very forgettable.

Good old-school tapas, ideal for a quick pre-show meal. Reasonable prices. Book ahead.

Have been coming to this restaurant for years, as the food and service are excellent. Sadly tonight’s visit was terrible. We were left for ages at the doorway when we arrived. Ignored and when we finally were seated we were greeted with a stern face and unfriendliness. The food wasn’t great- The paella wasn’t cooked and the calamari was fried in so much batter it was so greasy. We asked for mayonnaise and had a bottle of Heinz mayonnaise was chucked at us. When I asked for garlic mayonnaise I was then given butter. Not one waiter smiled, the bar staff were on their phones and it took ages to get their attention. I’m wondering if the management has changed? Sadly will not be returning.

A nice tapas bar. Good location close to Waterloo. Good atmosphere. Tables can be very small. Service on last visit was a tad slow but they were very busy. Will defo be back though.

Went with a foodie from Spain and he was very impressed. Excellent and authentic tapas with a good selection of Spanish drinks that you won’t find elsewhere.

Wonderful food. A bit busy and loud but everything was amazing!!

Great tapas - big portions. Great service and atmosphere. Very good patatas braves. Paella had loads of prawns - but not quite as good as a traditional paella.

Fantastic place - highly recommend.

Been coming here for a long time, but not in the last few years. Unfortunately it has completely changed and not for the better. All the charm has gone, the food was below average and service was OK. Disappointing as it used to be an amazing restaurant.

As a Spaniard, this is one of the only places in London which I would recommend if you want to get amazing food at a decent price.

Very lovely atmosphere and attentive staff! The food was good but nothing particularly special. I was a big fan of the tortilla española and the gambas al ajillo were super juicy!!! I personally wasn’t a fan of the croquetas de jamón ibérico and think I should’ve got the meatballs instead (they smelt and looked amazing)