Cata la Esencia de España is a Spanish restaurant and wine bar at 30 North West Circus Place in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge. The relaxed format works equally well for a quick coffee and bite, a shared meal or an evening exploring Spanish food and wine.
The kitchen focuses on seasonal pintxos and tapas, giving diners the freedom to build a meal from several small plates. More than seventy dishes are presented across the wider selection, with charcuterie and cheese spreads providing a natural starting point for the table.
Creative pintxos sit alongside recognisable Spanish flavours and ingredients, allowing groups to order broadly and share. The seasonal approach means individual preparations can change, so returning guests may find different combinations while the restaurant retains its Spanish identity.
More than twenty Spanish wines represent a variety of regions and are intended to pair with the food, while coffee makes the venue useful earlier in the day. Guests with allergies should ask the team about the current dishes because small plates can contain gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, fish and shellfish.
Address: 30 North West Circus Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 6TP, Scotland
Cata Menu
Tablas
Tabla de Ibéricos
Jamón serrano, chorizo & salchichón ibérico, lomo Duroc. (GF*)
Tabla de Quesos
Mahón, Manchego, Murcia al vino and Valdeón, with membrillo, picos and nuts. (GF*) (V)
Tabla Mixta
The best of both worlds. Our selection of cheeses and ibéricos on one board, with nuts and pickles. (GF*)
Tabla de Jamón Ibérico
A small board of our hand-carved jamón ibérico. (GF)
Mixed charcuterie and cheeses
Tabla
A mini version of any of our larger boards. Choose charcuterie or cheeses. (GF*) (V*)
Aperitivos
With Jamón serrano
Gordal
Gordal olives marinated in spicy brine. A treat for olive lovers. (GF) (VE)
Ensalada de Encurtidos y Fuet
A bold and savoury mix of fuet sausage, olives, cheese, pickled peppers and crunchy gherkins. NEW
Salsas
Your pick from homemade aioli, mojo verde or mojo rojo. (V)
Patatas Torres (Crisps)
Artisan gourmet Torres crisps. Available in jamón ibérico, truffle & extra virgin olive oil. (GF) (V*)
Gilda de la Casa
The original pintxo from the Basque Country. Big olive, anchovies, guindilla pepper, confit artichoke and a cube of cheese on a long skewer. (GF)
Pan con Tomate
Toasted sourdough, grated tomato, garlic & extra virgin olive oil. (VE)
De la Huerta
Papas Arrugadas
Canary Islands-style baby potatoes, boiled in salt water & served with classic mojo rojo & mojo verde. (V)
Pimientos de Padrón
Small peppers from Padrón, Galicia. Generously sprinkled with Maldon salt. Wouldn’t have them any other way. (GF) (VE)
Ensalada de la Casa
Mixed-leaf salad with a honey-mustard & sherry-vinegar dressing, Manchego shavings, roasted walnuts, croutons, radish and tomato. (V) (GF*)
Timbel de Berenjena con Queso Manchego
Layers of roasted aubergine, courgette and piquillo peppers, with melted Manchego cheese, honey and a mix of nuts. (V) (GF) NEW
Tartar de Tomate Seco
A bold tartare of chopped black olives, sun-dried tomatoes and shallots, marinated with mustard, lime and thyme. (GF) (VE) NEW
Pintxo de Hummus de Remolacha
Creamy beetroot hummus with crispy fried onion & spicy smoked paprika on baguette slices. (GF*) (VE)
Timbal de Berenjena con Queso Manchego
Layers of roasted aubergine, courgette and piquillo peppers, with melted Manchego cheese, honey and a mix of nuts. (V) (GF) (NEW)
De la Granja
Chorizo en su Crema
Spicy chorizo served with its own rich and creamy sauce.
Fabada de la Casa
Hearty white-bean soup with a mix of Iberian meats. Served with a slice of sourdough bread. (GF*)
Pluma Ibérica con Salsa de Higos
Tender, well-marbled Iberian pork pluma, lightly grilled and served with a rich, subtly sweet fig sauce with PX. (GF) NEW
Pintxo de Sobrasada
Mallorcan chorizo spread, cheese, honey & walnuts on bread. (GF*)
Pintxo de Txistorra con Crema de Queso Idiazábal
Traditional Basque txistorra sausage served on bread with creamy Idiazábal cheese spread and blistered Padrón peppers. (GF*) NEW
Morcilla y Queso de Cabra
Black pudding and goat’s cheese, paired with PX vinaigrette reduction and toasted pine nuts. (GF) NEW
Del Mar
Pulpo a la Gallega
Boiled octopus over smashed baby potatoes, Spanish smoked paprika, EVOO, Maldon salt & black-garlic alioli. (GF)
Salpicón de Marisco
Mediterranean seafood salad with octopus and prawns, mixed with red peppers and red onion. (GF) NEW
Pintxo de Sardina
Crispy toasted bread topped with grated tomato and garlic, layered with sardines and finished with vibrant chilli vinaigrette. (GF*)
Atascaburras
A traditional Spanish dish made with mashed potatoes, cod, garlic and olive oil, topped with walnuts and egg. (GF) NEW
With white anchovies
Langostinos
Cantabrian king prawns sautéed in olive oil with garlic & parsley. (GF) NEW
Ensaladilla Rusa
Creamy Spanish potato salad made with tuna, marinated olives, free-range eggs, mayonnaise and EVOO. Served with Spanish crackers. (GF*) (NEW)