La Bandera

Often thought to be one of the best Spanish restaurants in the UK, La Bandera always lives up to its faultless reputation.

They're putting a glamorous spin on a cuisine that is often served in rustic, easy-going settings. One can hardly help but fall in love with this new aesthetic that creates a luxurious yet communal vibe thanks to the plush booths and chairs that are the shade of a perfectly prepared paella. Crimson red shades create a gorgeous juxtaposition of colours that reflect the Spanish flag and blend comfort with an element of drama and modern cosmopolitan style elements.

Everyone knows that tapas is the mainstay of Spanish cuisine and brings everyone together around the table in a matter of seconds. At La Bandera, it's no different with the likes of Spanish ratatouille, grilled Canarian cheese, beer-battered cod fillets and garlic king prawns. Pad it out with some traditional Canarian 'wrinkled' potatoes and squidgy baked aubergines in tomato sauce. And you can't go anywhere without trying some crispy croquettes!

Now we get to the paella and they have a whole range of different ones. One sticks to Valencian tradition and scatters the rice with with snails and rabbit, another goes decadent with beef steak and chicken, and another dives in deep with fresh squid, king prawns and squid ink. Who knew there were so many variations?! And after that, if you have any room left over, you'll be happy to hear that there's a banana cheesecake, Canarian mousse and crispy churros to satiate your sweet tooth! That's the Spain we know and love.