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El Pirata of Mayfair — Restaurants in London

El Pirata of Mayfair

RestaurantsLondon

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5(2,033 reviews)

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Quick info

+44 207 491 38 10
5 - 6 Down St, London W1J 7AQ, United Kingdom

About El Pirata of Mayfair

El Pirata of Mayfair is a tapas restaurant on Down Street in London, open since 1994 and serving from a dining room with a subterranean cellar below it. Artwork covers the walls. The menu runs past 50 tapas, with Pulpo Al Pirata and the Mini Bun Chorizo y Huevo among the small plates, and seafood paella for a larger order. A 140-bottle Spanish wine list sits alongside sangria and Tinto de Verano, so the table can pair drinks with the food across the evening. Lunch runs as a set menu, which includes a Saturday lunch menu. The restaurant opens Tuesday to Saturday and closes on Mondays and Sundays. Tables can be reserved online.

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Reviews

4.5/5
2,033 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention seafood paella, iberico pork, chorizo mini buns and padrón peppers.

5★
1,403
4★
371
3★
141
2★
60
1★
58

Customer Review Summary

Reviewers most often single out the seafood paella, praised for rich tomato flavour, generous fresh seafood and perfectly cooked rice. Close behind are the Gambas al Pil-Pil, the octopus, the Iberico pork and the Arroz Negro, with the Mejillones con Chorizo, cod cheek with lemon aioli and chorizo and quail egg mini buns also named. Churros, Crema Catalana and Basque cheesecake close meals, and the Tinto de Verano, sangria and Pisco Rosa get mentions, with one reviewer warning the cocktails are quite strong. Service is described as friendly and attentive, and portions and value for Mayfair come up repeatedly, including the set lunch menu. The atmosphere is called warm, relaxed and lively, with artwork on the walls. One reviewer calls it lively in a slightly chaotic way, with tables packed closely together and fast-paced service, and finds no standout hero plate. Several diners mention a waiter's recommendations, including a wine pairing that suited the dinner.

Featured reviews

  • Lilian W
    “Had a lovely dinner at El Pirata. It has been in Mayfair for over 30 years and still has such a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. We ordered a selection of tapas including padrón peppers, courgette, octopus and Iberico pork. Our waiter also recommended the cod cheek with lemon aioli and the chorizo & quail egg mini buns, which were both great additions. Finished with the Basque cheesecake, which was simple but delicious. Friendly service, generous portions and great value, especially for Mayfair. A really nice place for a relaxed dinner with friends, we’ll definitely be back.”
  • Marco Aurélio Moreira
    “A fantastic experience from start to finish! I made an online reservation for 6 people and the process was super smooth. The service from the entire staff was impeccable, from the reception to the end of dinner — everyone was extremely friendly, polite, and attentive. The staff's recommendations were spot on, both for the main courses and the wine that paired with our dinner. A special shout-out to the Tinto de Verano, which we absolutely loved! A special thanks to Bruce and Felipe for their outstanding service and exceptional warmth toward my family. Top marks across the board! We will definitely be back.”
  • Si Lin
    “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this place! Great outdoor seating, and the interior is stylish with a really artistic feel. We had Pimientos de Padrón, Mejillones con Chorizo, Arroz Negro con Calamares y Allioli de Azafrán, Carrilleras de Bacalao con Alioli de Limón, Mini Bun Chorizo y Huevo, and Crema Catalana. Everything was delicious, especially the Arroz Negro and Mejillones con Chorizo. Crema Catalana was the perfect way to end the meal. The service was warm, friendly, and attentive throughout. Seeing all the recognitions from ZAGAT, SquareMeal, Time Out, and Harden’s over the years, it’s easy to see why this place has such a great reputation. I’ll definitely be back! 🇪🇸🍷”
  • Yuan Cheng
    “Had a lovely lunch at El Pirata. It's impressive to see a restaurant in the heart of Mayfair still thriving after more than 30 years, and it's easy to understand why. The atmosphere was lively, the service was friendly, and the Saturday lunch menu offered great value for the location. A great spot for authentic Spanish food in London. I'd happily come back again.”
  • Professional Eater
    “El Pirata feels like a classic late-night tapas stop rather than a polished dining experience. The atmosphere is lively in a slightly chaotic way, with tables packed closely together and a constant hum of conversation. The menu sticks to familiar Spanish staples, so nothing feels experimental, but it delivers consistency in flavour. I’d say the highlight is how well the simple dishes work with drinks rather than any standout “hero” plate. Service is efficient and quite fast-paced, almost like they expect a steady flow of walk-ins and regulars. It’s the kind of place you go to for energy and mood, not for a quiet or refined meal.”

Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Closed

Good to know

“El Pirata of Mayfair | Authentic Spanish Tapas Restaurant Established in 1994 on Down Street, El Pirata is Mayfair’s iconic Spanish tapas bar and restaurant. For over 30 years, we have brought the authentic warmth and flavour of Madrid to London. Minutes from Green Park station and Shepherd Market, our vibrant dining room and subterranean cellar serve over 50 traditional tapas - from sizzling Gambas al Pil-Pil to Jamón Ibérico and traditional Paellas - alongside a 140-bottle Spanish wine list. Celebrated for genuine Madrileño hospitality and exceptional value, El Pirata is perfect for swift corporate lunches, post-work aperitivos and drinks, or intimate dinners. Join us for an authentic taste of Spain in Mayfair.”

  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating

Amenities

  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
Accessibility· 1
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating

Location

Restaurants near El Pirata of Mayfair

El Pirata of Mayfair
4.52,033

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