El Gato Negro Liverpool is Simon Shaw’s tapas restaurant and bar at 36 Castle Street. The stylish two floor venue became the restaurant’s Liverpool home in 2025 and includes outdoor dining for suitable weather. Advance reservations are encouraged, although walk in diners are also welcomed when tables are available.
The menu combines modern and traditional Spanish flavours through seasonally influenced small plates. Quality Spanish ingredients are used alongside produce sourced closer to Liverpool, allowing familiar tapas ideas to change with availability. Ordering several dishes for the table is the best way to explore contrasts in texture, spice and cooking technique.
A changing main menu is supported by group selections, specials and offers that make it easier to sample several favourites. Larger parties can arrange preordered food, and private hire options range from a dedicated area to the full restaurant. Dietary requirements and allergies can be accommodated with advance discussion and confirmation at the venue.
Spanish wine, beer, sherry and cocktails naturally complement the tapas and relaxed service style. The bar can support a quick drink and a few plates or a longer progression through the menu. El Gato Negro Liverpool balances accomplished cooking with the informal, shared character that makes tapas particularly well suited to groups.
Address: 36 Castle Street, Liverpool L2 0NR, United Kingdom
El Gato Negro Tapas Menu
Aperitivo
PADRON PEPPERS
Padrón peppers with Halen Môn sea salt
PEACH, PINEAPPLE AND PADRON MARGARITA
MIXED OLIVES
Our own-recipe marinated olives with chilli, lemon, garlic and rosemary
RED SANGRIA
CATALAN BREAD
Catalan bread with olive oil, garlic and fresh tomato
SPRITZ
Aperol / Hugo / Limoncello / Campari
SOURDOUGH BREAD
Solo bread bakery with olive oil and Pedro Ximénez balsamic
BIKINI
Toasted sandwich with Jamón Serrano, Manchego & truffle butter
CHICHARRÓNES
Marinated pork belly
CATALAN BREAD WITH SERRANO HAM
Catalan bread with olive oil, garlic, fresh tomato and jamón serrano
Charcuterie
JAMÓN SERRANO
Jamón Serrano 50g with celeriac rémoulade
CHORIZO IBERICO
Chorizo Iberico Bellota served with cornichons
LA PERAL BLUE CHEESE
La Peral cheese with orange blossom honey and crystal bread
IBERICO JAMÓN
36 months aged
CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Choose from 2 meats and 2 cheeses from the selection above, served with olive torta, quince jelly, orange blossom honey and cornichons. £5 supplement for Jamón Iberica
CHARCUTERIE BOARD
Jamón Serrrano, Manchego, chorizo, blue cheese
AGED MANCHEGO
Aged Manchego served with bittersweet figs with olive torta
Vegetables
TOMATO SALAD
Heritage tomato salad served with burratina
TORTILLA
Traditional tortilla, served with alioli (prepared fresh: please allow 15 mins)
PATATAS BRAVAS
Patatas bravas with spiced tomato fritada sauce and alioli
TENDERSTEM BROCCOLI
Tenderstem broccoli with romesco sauce and chilli oil
CAULIFLOWER
Chargrilled cauliflower florets with ajo blanco, almond and caper gremolata
Croquettes (2 Units)
JAMÓN IBERICO CROQUETAS
Our signature croquetas
PAYOYO CROQUETAS
Served with olive tapenade and parmesan tuille
TRUFFLE AND MUSHROOM CROQUETAS
Served with black garlic alioli
Meat
MEATBALLS
Homemade meatballs in tomato fritada sauce
CATALAN CHORIZO
Mini Catalan chorizo in a cider reduction
CHICKEN THIGH
Chargrilled harissa chicken thighs with Salsa de Almendras (roasted almond and chilli sauce)
SIRLOIN STEAK
Chargrilled sirloin steak served with chimmichurri (served pink)
Para Compartir
LAMB CHOPS
In a red wine and Pedro Ximénez jus with cauliflower purée
SHORT RIB
Beef short rib with ginger glaze and sweet potato purée
WHOLE SEA BREAM
With harissa and preserved lemon butter (may contain small bones)
Fish & Shellfish
CRISPY FRIED BABY SQUID
Calamares fritos with black garlic alioli
OCTOPUS
Skewered with potatoes, served with mojo verde
GAMBAS PIL PIL
Tiger prawns with chilli and garlic oil served with sourdough bread
Desserts
TORRIJAS
Bite size pieces of torrija – Spanish take on French toast with dulce de leche sauce
CHOCOLATE TART
Chocolate tart served with raspberry sorbet, raspberry coulis and freeze dried raspberries
SELECTION OF ICE CREAMS
Selection of ice creams from Cheshire farm ice cream. Ask server for today’s flavours
TARTA SANTIAGO
Almond tart served with Seville orange chantilly cream and summer berry compot
CRÈME CATALAN
A traditional take on crème brûlée
VANILLA BASQUE CHEESECAKE
Traditional baked cheesecake served with milk chocolate sauce