El Pirata of Mayfair is a longstanding Spanish tapas restaurant on Down Street. For more than three decades it has welcomed local professionals, regular guests and visitors into an informal dining room whose warm atmosphere takes inspiration from the traditional restaurants of Madrid.
More than sixty tapas dishes provide a broad introduction to Spanish cooking. Hand carved acorn fed Ibérico ham, Padrón peppers, patatas bravas, Spanish omelette, grilled artichokes and gambas cooked with garlic and chilli are among the familiar choices prepared fresh to order.
Paella adds a substantial centrepiece for sharing, with Valenciana and seafood Marinera versions representing different Spanish traditions. Meat, fish, shellfish and vegetable plates allow each table to combine small dishes according to appetite and preference.
Spanish wine is an important part of the experience, supported by cava, cocktails and drinks from the bar. Express lunches, later evening menus, outside tables and the private Secret Cellar make El Pirata suitable for quick meals, celebrations and long shared dinners in Mayfair.
Address: 5–6 Down Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7AQ, United Kingdom
El Pirata of Mayfair Menu
SALADS
Ensalada de boniato asado con queso de cabra
chargrilled sweet potato salad with goat’s cheese
Ensalada de rucola, espinacas, manchego y piñones
wild roquette salad, baby spinach, pine kernel, toasted bread & manchego cheese shavings
Ensalada de tomates con espuma de Idiazabal y albahaca
Heritage tomato salad with Idiazabal cheese foam & basil
LITE BITES
Pan con tomate y ajo
toasted bread topped with fresh tomato, extra virgin olive oil & garlic
Aceitunas marinadas
marinated mixed olives
Boquerones en vinagre
anchovies in vinegar
Pimientos de Padrón
small green peppers from Galicia
Croquetas de jamón Ibérico
Iberian ham croquettes
Pan con alioli
traditional bread with alioli
Mini bun Chorizo y huevo
Chorizo & quail egg mini bun
FISH & SEAFOOD
Pescado del día con encebollado de pimientos
Fish of the day with sautéed peppers & onions
Pulpo al pirata
octopus with potatoes & paprika
Calamares a la romana
deep-fried squid
Carrilleras de bacalao con alioli de limón
marinated cod cheeks, lemon alioli
Arroz negro con calamares y alioli de azafrán
black creamy rice, squid & saffron alioli
Gambas al pil-pil
prawns in olive oil, garlic, dried hot chilli peppers
Mejillones con chorizo
mussels & chorizo
Huevos rotos especiales
broken fried eggs, potatoes, chorizo, prawns & chilli peppers
MEAT
Albóndigas en salsa de tomate con parmentier de patata
meatballs in tomato sauce with potato purée
Solomillo de cordero con puré de apionabo
lamb fillet with celeriac purée
Chorizo a la sidra
Spanish sausage cooked in cider with onions
Pollo al ajillo
pan-fried chicken with white wine, garlic & chilli
Ribeye con rúcula y Manchego
ribeye steak with rocket & Manchego cheese
Pluma ibérica con patata panadera
Iberian pork with confit potatoes
IBERIAN HAM & CHEESE
Jamón Ibérico 100%
5j, bellota
Tabla de embutidos Ibéricos y picos
a selection of cured Iberian meats (chorizo, salchichon, lomo) & picos
Tabla de quesos españoles con membrillo y pan
a selection of Spanish cheeses, served with quince jelly & toasted bread
VEGETARIAN
Tortilla española
Spanish omelette with potatoes & caramelised onion
Berenjena frita con miel y queso azul
fried aubergine with honey & blue cheese
Champiñones al ajillo
mix mushrooms with garlic, chilli & breadcrumbs
Espárragos trigueros a la plancha
grilled asparagus, Manchego sauce & roasted almonds
Patatas bravas
triple-cooked potatoes with brava sauce & garlic alioli
Coliflor asada con romesco y avellanas
roasted cauliflower with romesco & hazelnuts
Alcachofas a la plancha
grilled artichokes & alioli
DESSERTS
Churros con chocolate caliente
churros with hot chocolate
Crema Catalana
Catalan crème brûlée
Sorbete de frambuesa
raspberry sorbet
Tarta de queso vasca
Basque cheesecake
Selección de helados
Mövenpick ice cream selection: vanilla, strawberry & chocolate
Torrija caramelizada con helado de yuzu
Spanish style French toast with yuzu ice cream
PAELLA
Paella Valenciana
classic Spanish rice with chicken
Paella Marinera
classic Spanish rice with seafood & shellfish
EXPRESS LUNCH
£16.5pp Includes two tapas + bread + soft drink. Available from 12-4pm, Tuesday-Friday. Add Churros con chocolate caliente for just £7.5 pp.
Chorizo a la sidra
Spanish sausage cooked in cider with onions
Padron
Small green peppers from Galicia
Tortilla española
Spanish omelette with potatoes & caramelised onion
Champiñones al ajillo
mix mushrooms with garlic, chilli & breadcrumbs
Patatas bravas
Triple-cooked potatoes with brava sauce & garlic aioli
Gambas al pil-pil
prawns in olive oil, garlic & dried hot chilli peppers
Albóndigas en salsa de tomate con parmentier de patata
Meatballs in tomato sauce with potato purée
Pollo al ajillo
Pan-fried chicken with white wine, garlic & chilli
Coliflor asada con romesco y almendras
Roasted cauliflower with romesco & hazelnuts
Croquetas de jamón Ibérico
Iberian ham croquettes
Boquerones en vinagre
Anchovies in vinegar
Mini bun Chorizo y huevo
Chorizo & quail egg mini bun
Berenjena frita con miel y queso azul
fried aubergine with honey & blue cheese
SATURDAY LUNCH MENU
Available Saturdays 12pm – 4pm. £37 per person (minimum 2 people to share). Choose 4 tapas, choose 1 to share, and choose 1 dessert to share.
Pan con tomate
Toasted bread topped with fresh tomato, olive oli & garlic
Carrilleras de bacalao con alioli de limón
Marinated cod cheeks, lemon alioli
Arroz negro con calamares y alioli de azafrán
Black creamy rice, squid & saffron alioli
Tortilla española
Spanish omelette with potatoes & caramelised onion
Pimientos de Padrón
Small green peppers from Galicia
Pollo al ajillo
Pan-fried chicken, white wine, garlic, chilli & olive oil
Gambas al pil-pil
Prawns olive oil, garlic, dried hot chilli peppers
Croquetas de jamón Ibérico
Iberian ham croquettes
Paella Valenciana
Classic Spanish dish of rice & chicken for two
Paella Marinera
Classic spanish dish of rice, shellfish & seafood for two
Crema Catalana
Crème brûlée with crunchy caramelised top
Churros con chocolate caliente
Churros with hot chocolate
Boquerones en vinagre
Anchovies in vinegar
Ensalada de rucola, espinacas, manchego y piñones
Wild roquette salad, baby spinach, pine kernel, toasted bread & manchego cheese shavings
BRUNCH MENU
Available Saturdays 12 – 3pm. £57pp (Minimum 2 people). Bottomless Sangria brunch offer.
Pan con tomate
Toasted bread topped with fresh tomato, olive oli & garlic
Carrilleras de bacalao
Marinated cod cheeks
Buñuelos de gambas
Prawn fritters with garlic alioli
Pollo al ajillo
Pan-fried chicken, white wine, garlic, chilli & olive oil
Mini bun Chorizo y huevo
Chorizo & quail egg mini bun
Patatas bravas
Deep-fried potatoes in chili & garlic sauce
Ensalada de broccolini y col rizada
Broccolini & kale salad, with flaked almonds & black garlic alioli
SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
£15.50
Gin ‘Mare’tini
An ice cold, dry gin martini with a savoury Spanish twist Gin Mare, Dolin Dry and Olive
Señor Reyes
Our spicy margarita. Herbaceous with notes of poblano green chilli, honey and coriander Jimador Reposado, Cazcabel Honey, Ancho Reyes Verde, Lime
Pisco Rosa
A fruity and tart take on a classic pisco sour with notes of rose petal and red fruits Pisco, Cocchi Rosa, Raspberry, Lemon, Peychaud bitters, Egg white
El Toro
A boozy, rich and Spanish inspired Old Fashioned with notes of sweet popcorn, dried fruit, coffee and baking spices Wild Turkey Bourbon, Duque de Alba, Pedro Ximenez, Licor 43, Angostura and Orange bitters
La Tormenta
A blend of gold rum with a hint of apricot brandy and luscious passion fruit crowned with Wray Overproof rum for a fiery kick Apricot brandy, golden rum, Carta Negra and lime juice
Favola
A refreshing and balanced cocktail with botanical and citrusy flavours Haymans London’s dry gin, italicus, limoncello, and lemon juice
CLASSIC COCKTAILS
£13.50-£15.50
Mojito
Havana Club 3yo, fresh lime juice, mint, splash of soda
Negroni
Gordons, Campari, Martini Rosso
Amaretto Sour
Amaretto, fresh lemon, fresh lime juice
Caipirinha
Cachaça, fresh lime juice, sugar
Coconut Margarita
Jose Cuervo Silver, Cointreau, coconut cream, fresh lime juice
Pornstar Martini
Smirnoff vanilla, passoa, puree pasión fruit, fresh lime juice, Cava
Sidecar
Remy Martin VSOP, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice
NON-ALCOHOLIC COCKTAILS
£7.50
Cherry Bomb
A blend of cherry, pineapple and passionfruit juice, lime, and coconut cream
La Perla
Peach, passionfruit and blood orange
Jungle Mint
Ginger ale, pineapple juice, fresh lime and fresh mint