escocesa

In Stoke Newington, escocesa channels a vibrant Spanish spirit while championing outstanding Scottish seafood. The kitchen cooks with the seasons, drawing daily inspiration from the cold waters off the Scottish coast and finishing with Mediterranean finesse. It is tapas with a sense of place: confident, sunlit flavours meeting pristine northern produce.

Seafood leads the dance. Think Cumbrae oyster with mojo verde or clams a la malagueña, hand-dived scallops seared until caramel at the edges, and grilled octopus laid over silken white bean purée. For something cool and bright, tuna tartare with avocado keeps things crisp and clean.

The small plates are deeply comforting: pan con tomate to start, jamon croquetas and a tortilla with sobrasada or prawns for the table. Vegetables shine, from roasted aubergine with miso and crispy artichokes to a courgette flower stuffed with goat cheese and honey. Heartier moods meet pluma ibérica with baba ghanoush and sweet potato or slow cooked Iberian pig cheek with apple chutney, before classic sweets like crema catalana or baked cheesecake with blueberry sauce. An excellent sherry and wine list ties it all together.

The mood is warm, convivial and unhurried, with relaxed sophistication that suits date nights as neatly as spirited catch-ups. Book a table, settle in, and let the plates wander the table; a little taste of Spain with a Scottish accent awaits—go on, have a wee tapas adventure.