Best Spanish Restaurants in the UK and Ireland

Immersed in a rich tapestry of flavours, the UK restaurant scene has a resplendent offering of Spanish cuisine, that entrances diners with its seductive melange of bold and rustic flavours. No longer are Spanish restaurants in the UK merely tapas themed taverns, but their spectrum varies from cosy, rustic locales that radiate an adorable intimacy, to luminous, high-end establishments that reek of refined sophistication. To traverse through this gastronomical landscape is to engage in a culinary ballet of varied texture, infused with the distinct zest of traditional Spanish dishes, brimming with an adventurous spirit, leaving diners yearning for more. Take, for example, the critically acclaimed Ametsa with Arzak Instruction. Located in the heart of Belgravia, London, this extraordinary restaurant is a result of collaboration between Elena Arzak - voted World's Best Female Chef in 2012 - and her father, Juan Mari Arzak. This gastronomic duo has perpetually bewitched diners with their innovative dishes under glistening tubes of spices hanging from the ceiling, bringing a slice of San Sebastian to British shores. Equally celebrated is El Pirata in Mayfair, a favourite haunt of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Boasting an impressive collection of Spanish wines and classic tapas dishes, it's little wonder it has secured its standing as one of UK's most revered Spanish restaurants. When discussing high-end Spanish fare within the UK, the Barbary in Neat's Yard is another institution that duly deserves a nod for its exquisite small plates resonating with North African and Spanish influences.