La Lluna — Restaurant in London

Ah, Friday – that glorious gateway to the weekend! After a week that felt like wrestling an octopus (more on that later), it was time to unwind with good company and, naturally, even better food. Our friends, the wise food whisperers that they are, suggested a little gem called La Lluna for tapas. Off we went, and let me tell you, it was a night of flavor, fun, and a few culinary curveballs.

The Scene: La Lluna greeted us with a warm, well-lit ambience and a bustling vibe. The staff? Attentive, friendly, and clearly in on the secret that tapas = happiness. With tapas, the joy is in sharing, and share we did – to the point where the table resembled a battlefield of empty plates and satisfied sighs.

The Dishes:

Cured Meat Platter: A trio of cured meats with picos. Not bad, not spectacular either – but to be fair, I’ve had the crème de la crème of Spanish bellota, and that sets the bar quite high. This was more of a polite applause than a standing ovation.

Croquetas De Bacalao: Golden balls of salt cod fried to crispy perfection. Pair them with the brava and aioli sauce, and you’re in for a tasty ride. Would I have fought over the last one? Absolutely.

Patatas Fritas (aka Patatas Bravas): A tapas staple, these little fried spuds were delightful. My only wish? The brava and aioli sauces should’ve embraced the potatoes, not stood shyly on the side. Come on, let’s mix and mingle!

Gambas Al Ajillo: Ah, the pièce de résistance. Three succulent prawns lounging luxuriously in a garlicky, olive oil and chilli bath. Not too spicy, just enough heat to get you salivating. Pro tip: get the chargrilled sourdough and use it as a sauce mop. You’ll thank me.

Chargrilled Sourdough Bread: Sure, it came with its own olive oil and chilli dip, but why bother? The gambas sauce is where it’s at. Dunk with enthusiasm, ignore the original pairings – this is what bread dreams are made of.

Pimientos Del Padron: Simple, classic, delicious. Just one critique – a tad more sea salt, and we’d be singing.

Bombas: These deep-fried potato balls stuffed with beef, onion, and herbs were little flavor bombs (pun intended). Gorgeously plated and even better on the palate.

Tortilla Clasica: Sadly, the night’s biggest letdown. First of all, lose the garnish – it added nothing but confusion. And I like my tortilla a bit runnier, but that’s just personal preference. Could it have been better? Yes. Was it tragic? No, but my expectations were higher than the omelette.

Paella De Marisco: A hearty seafood paella that brought the taste of the sea to our table. Generous on the portion, which is good because we were five hungry souls. However, a rogue clam or two had some gritty sand – a bit of a party crasher, but we powered through.

Pulpo A La Gallega: The octopus, tender and beautifully cooked, paired nicely with thyme-marinated baby potatoes and a sprinkle of sweet paprika. Again, what’s with the garnish?

Courgette Flowers: Tempura-battered and stuffed with goat’s cheese, drizzled in honey. I’ll have to trust the look of delight on my friends’ faces here, as I have a longstanding feud with goat’s cheese. But visually, they were stunners.

Churros: Ah, dessert. A plate of golden-brown churros with a decadent chocolate sauce. All seemed perfect until we took a bite. Sadly, a bit undercooked in the middle – a churro faux pas that left us mourning what could have been a glorious end to the meal.

The Space: Don’t be deceived by the modest frontage. La Lluna stretches back further than you’d expect, with an upstairs and even a cozy outdoor area equipped with parasols and heaters. And bonus – they welcome your furry friends.

In conclusion, La Lluna was a delightful escape from the grind, with a few hits and only 2 near-misses. If you go, make sure to bring friends – because tapas are best when shared (and because you’ll need someone to stop you from ordering...

Dinner at La Lluna is an experience that instantly transports you to the heart of Spain, even though you're right in the middle of London. From the moment you step in, the warm and welcoming atmosphere makes you forget the hustle of the British city. The authentic décor, with rustic accents, feels like a traditional Spanish tavern, and the soft traditional music in the background enhances the feeling that you've arrived in a sunny corner of southern Spain.

The menu is a true celebration of Spanish cuisine. We started with a selection of tapas, all impeccably prepared – crispy and spicy patatas bravas, and fresh chipirones ( we are in love with this) with alioli souce. Each bite was an explosion of authentic flavors, just as you would expect in any taberna in Barcelona or Madrid.

For the main course, we opted for a paella de mariscos, and it was an excellent choice. The rice was cooked to perfection, absorbing all the rich flavors of the seafood, with a light crispy layer on the bottom, just as it should be. The seafood was fresh and plentiful, with every bite carrying that distinct taste of the sea. The glass of Spanish Sangria, recommended by the waiter, paired beautifully with the meal.

The service was impeccable – the friendly and attentive staff, fluent in both Spanish and English, were always available to suggest dishes or the perfect wine to complement the food. The vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere makes you feel at home, as if you're on a spontaneous trip to Spain without ever leaving London.

In conclusion, La Lluna is the ideal spot for anyone craving a culinary escape to Spain right in the heart of London. It’s a place where you can indulge in authentic food, enjoy a lively ambiance, and experience the warmth of Spanish hospitality. I can’t...

When here as I had see the recommendations on various sites. When I have had tapes meals in other restaurants it's normally 3 portions for a set fee. Went on my own was a mistake. The first way to wanted me to sit on the stools facing out. I wanted table and chairs. This was fine I hadn't booked but wasn't busy at this time. I checked the menu first thought was the drinks where on the pricey side. I chose the house wine then realise a glass of wine was really a large glass. Checked the food menu. Looked at the vegetarian tapes. I then decided on the salmon as I was hungry order this I was expecting something to start with whether it was olives or slice of bread and butter. Then the fish turned up on a plate very small. I was waiting for salad or potatoes or rice as the fish took only a third of this tray. However that was it I eat it all very tasty. Then Mells save the day she came to check how I was. I said I was still hungry she explained most people come with a lot of people and portions are only started sizes and they share. I asked if I could order something else and she suggested the vegetarian paella. As I was waiting. I got given a tuna portion on house which was good then the paella turned up plenty of rice and very tasty. Mells check to see if I was ok still. So to recap all the portions are very small and you were better of ordering paella with a portion the wine is a large glass no little bits to start with & to go...