Meson Los Barilles

Offering a garlicky counterblast to the gentrification of Spitalfields Market, this earthy Spaniard is convivial, informal & authentic. Prop against a sherry barrel beneath the bar’s hanging hams, or find a spot in the more comfortable dining room before ordering a beer or something emphatically Spanish from the wine list. The litany of tapas ranges from the down-home simplicity of manchego cheese with quince paste, or freshly grilled sardines, to the peasant-style possibilities of alubias (traditional bean stew with chorizo, serrano ham & vegetables) or pimientos rellenos (peppers stuffed with pork, topped with cheese & tomato sauce). Chops & steaks are thrown on the grill, there’s plenty for vegetarians & nothing much to break the bank.