Mother’s Ruin and the most favoured tipple by so many, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the exclusive celebration of 20 years of Citadelle Gin meal hosted by the inventive and highly discerning Disappearing Dining Club. I resisted donning my beret and French accoutrements but the emphasis really was on a Gallic slant with ‘l’escargot’ and other delights providing the perfect pairings for Citadelle Gin.
Beyond the average quality 'tasca' in Spain – and I'm Spanish. Fantastic selection of jamones and wine/sherrys. I was extremely surprised by the quality of their tapas too, we loved 'salmorejo'.
Tucked away by railway arches near Tower Bridge is the burgeoning Maltby Street Market and in one of the arches we found this absolute gem of a tapas bar. Now I’ve travelled widely in Spain and had tapas ranging from the brilliant to the awful so, although I don’t claim to be an expert, I know my boquerones from my albondigas. My favourite city for tapas is Alicante, which reckons itself, among other things, to be the home of tapas. I’m not sure if this is entirely accurate but I’m always on the lookout for bars in London serving the quality of dishes that I’ve had over there.
Beneath the red brick arches if Maltby street sits Tozino, a dark ummame scented cave, lit by heat lamps; its music provided by chattering voices that pause sporadically, their owners eyes closing and contemplating the sweet mystery their mouths are contemplating.
After drinks we moved onto the Spanish jamon bar: Bar Tozino. It looks very authentic, but still follows London prices. The friendly staff gave us some sides and sherry for free, so I was more than pleased. Bar Tozino stays open later, and is worth the trip on its own, even when the rest of the market is closed.
Bar Tozino is a stalwart of the Maltby Street market and is very popular – when I visited I had to stand at a part of the restaurant next to the jamon carver as it was so busy. I didn’t mind though, as the atmosphere was lively and it was fascinating to watch the jamon carver at work.
Borough market is commonly known as the best food market that London has to offer. However, not many know that not too far from it is another excellent food market housing many of the vendors that used to sell their produce at Borough market. Ropewalk @ Maltby Street Market St. John’s bakery: Jam doughnut (8/10) St. John’s bakery St. John’s bakery: Custard cream doughnut (7.5/10) Maltby street market is located behind Tower Bridge road, where the different vendors are tucked away in the characteristic railway arches. Maltby street market when several of the vendors at Borough market became fed-up with the high costs of operating at Borough market. They decided to start a competing (predominantly) food market and the market has thrived ever since. Monty’s deli: Special Reuben pastramie sandwich with pickles (8/10) Monty’s deli: Special Reuben pastramie sandwich with pickles (8/10) Monty’s deli Monty’s deli: matzo ball chicken soup (7/10) Monty’s deli: matzo ball chicken soup (7/10
With neither a brioche bun or chashu slice in sight, Bar Tozino has burst onto the Maltby Street scene with huge success.
It is the perfect place to lose an afternoon getting drunk on sherry and eating slivers of porky heaven.
Our friends held their engagement party at Tozino in Maltby Street last year, and we recently returned post-FEAST festival to carry on our excessive food intake with a bottle or two of red wine perched on their high tables.
A traditional Spanish wine bar, the ceilings are lined with jamon legs which are available to buy, or sample slithers off with manchego, olives and...did I mention red wine?
The jamon is melt-in-the-mouth, with different types offering varying levels of saltiness and smokiness. Manchego is served with a moreish sugary fig chutney, and the wine is excellent.
The ideal haunt for a catch up with friends, and also the kind of place where the owner will recognise you after a couple of visits and recommend what to try.
This place specializes in serving delicious small dishes, with their excellent ham being a real standout. They also offer a wide variety of Spanish wines that perfectly complement the food. The decor is rustic and genuinely Spanish, which adds to the overall atmosphere. The staff are always friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.
What a lovely little cubby-hole of a restaurant. A rich selection of Spanish tapas and snacks and an impressive wine list is not what you necessarily expect in an old arch under the railway line. Staff here were ever so friendly and came to remind us when the kitchen would close in case we wanted more.
Lovely restaurant, service was absolutely brilliant! We were struggling to choose a wine and the waitress just give us a taste of both. The ingredients are fresh are stunning. No doubt we'll visit it again. Good price for high quality food in central London as well.
Stumbled across this whilst searching for craft beer but so glad we did! It was quiet but was lunch time but the food was too notch ! Couldn’t fault it
Great tapas bar. Food was excellent as the service. Location is very nice.
Great experience at Bar Tozino! Delicious traditional Spanish tapas. Friendly staff, quick service and memorable night. Great for a date night or dinner with group of friends. The food and wine are truly top-notch! Also the patatas bravas are baked rather then fried and they are scrumptious.
Amazing atmosphere, brilliant staff (they gave us Filipinos biscuits), and the food is brilliant quality—high end ingredients, cooked simply to a great standard. The octopus is great: get more bread for the oil. Ask the staff about the wine if you have questions; they were really helpful and knowledgable.
Even if you don't consider yourself a Spanish gourmet lover - still come here to enjoy great authentic Spanish wines and tapas. Meat seems to be their speciality. It's well aged, for years. They don't have hure selection of wines, but they are great and not usual shop type. Try sherry or vermouth. Very unique place, especially great for tapas.
Cute tapas place. Came for the market and happened upon it. Nice wine and tasty food. I definitely recommend the artichoke, the spicy sobrasada, and the pan con tomate. We also had the octopus which was ok. The service was friendly and the ambiance was nice!
A very nice place in Maltby Street Market with great selection of Spanish wines, cocktails, spiritz, and tapas. They have amazing iberico menus too!
The prices are ok. The staffs were very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was very cozy. The place gives me the sense of some kind of flamingo feeling. 💃
Great place to hangout with colleagues and friends. Even great place for those very connected and easg going couples too.
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