Review of Brindisa Tapas at Battersea Power Station

Few things improve a weekend afternoon quite like a pan of Spanish rice, a riverside setting, and the promise of a leisurely lunch. Add a generous helping of sunshine, and you’ve got a pretty compelling reason to head to Brindisa Tapas at Battersea Power Station. Brindisa Tapas was serving up a weekend paella special, with two distinct rice dishes taking turns in the pan on alternate weekends. The offering celebrated two very different sides of Spanish cooking: the traditional, rustic Paella Valenciana and the gloriously seafood-led Arroz Meloso. At £16 a portion, it’s an appealing excuse to put the sandwich-on-the-go routine on hold.

When we visited, it was the turn of the Arroz Meloso and what a dish to arrive at the table. This Spanish rice speciality takes its name from its soft, almost creamy consistency, sitting somewhere between a traditional paella and a risotto, without being quite either. Brindisa’s version pairs rice with Argentinian red prawns, creating a rich, savoury dish where the seafood takes centre stage. The rice absorbed all the delicious prawn flavour, resulting in a glossy finish that felt wonderfully indulgent without being excessively heavy. It’s the sort of dish that compels you to slow down, savour each mouthful and briefly consider whether ordering another portion would be excessive. (It would be. Probably.)

Of course, you don’t have to stop at rice. Brindisa is known for its Spanish tapas, carefully sourced ingredients and convivial approach to dining, with an artisan drinks list to match. We enjoyed a chilled glass of Spanish white wine, a natural companion to the prawn-rich Arroz Meloso, which brought a crisp contrast to the dish’s savoury depth. My dining partner had the alcohol-free, gazpacho-style virgin option, a fresh, tomato-led alternative to sip alongside her lunch.

The interiors strike a lovely balance between contemporary style and Spanish warmth, with dark-stained wood, oak surfaces and flashes of terracotta, red and yellow bringing the space to life. Inspired by the relaxed feel of a traditional Spanish terraza, the design feels inviting rather than overly polished, with an open kitchen adding a little theatre to proceedings. There’s also a subtle nod to the Art Deco heritage of Battersea Power Station, while the riverside terrace is the place to be when the sun appears. It’s the sort of setting that encourages you to order another plate of tapas, pour another glass and let lunch take as long as it likes.

The setting is also rather fitting. Brindisa takes its name from brindis, the Spanish word for a toast, and the spirit of the place is all about good food, good company and making time to enjoy both. Whether you’re settling in for lunch with friends or taking your paella down to the park, it’s an invitation to slow the pace and savour the weekend.

For more information and to book a table click here

Address: Brindisa Tapas, 25 Circus Road West, SW11 8EZ.

Written By: Stacey Reeves

Photography courtesy of: Brindisa Tapas