Tollingtons

The story

Tollingtons London: Spanish Seafood and Small Plates in North London

The founders and their vision

Tollingtons sits on Tollington Park in London, bringing a distinctly Spanish approach to seafood and small plates to a neighbourhood known for its pub heritage. The founders developed this concept after extended stays with family in Spain, where they observed how pintxo bars prioritise excellent produce over formal service. They converted a former fish and chip shop into a space that keeps its original stainless steel counters and tiled walls while serving a constantly shifting menu. The front counter remains a standing room where guests gather with glasses of vermouth, while a compact back area holds a handful of bookable tables.

Cooking style and standout dishes

The kitchen blends rustic British catch with Spanish seafood cooking, letting fresh ingredients dictate the daily offerings. Guests regularly order the cult chips bravas, which arrive hot from beef dripping and finish with a sharp garlic aioli. Battered cod cheeks follow a similar comfort food logic, served alongside a warming curry sauce. Larger plates like piri piri John Dory and braised cuttlefish with mash demonstrate how the cooks layer Basque spices over straightforward preparations.

The room and the drinks

National Restaurant Awards recognition often highlights how Tollingtons maintains its informal energy across two distinct zones. The original 1970s tiling and Formica flooring remain untouched, creating a backdrop that feels thoroughly lived in rather than staged. A dedicated wine list runs parallel to heavy taps pouring Estrella beer and carafes of Spanish cider. Glasses of fino sherry and vermouth sit ready at the bar, matching the founders intention to recreate a relaxed drinking culture centred on fresh catches.