El Rincon Latino (Clapham)

My fiance and I relocated to London from the United States a couple of months ago based on my intra-company transfer. Before relocating, we heard a variety of rumors about how difficult it is to find 'decent food' in London. Based on our experiences so far, that is very far from the truth. In the spirit of enjoying our time here to the fullest, we've dined out multiple times per week since arriving, and all over the city. I won't pretend that we're 'experts' yet (and let's face it - it's only been a couple of months), but we've dined everywhere from Gauchos to the White Swan Tavern. And neither of us would hesitate to say that El Rincon Latino in Clapham is our favorite place to dine out so far.

We stumbled upon El Rincon Latino by accident after dining earlier that evening at Belgo in Clapham, which was recommended by a co-worker. We saw the sign for El Rincon on a side street and figured we would stop in for a drink before returning home. We were very pleasantly surprised and are very fortunate to have stopped in that night.

El RIncon is a family-run establishment, and that is evident as soon as you walk in because the staff works very hard and is eager to make sure that you are satisfied. In short, the service is top notch. In addition, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and we even enjoy sitting at the bar for the duration of our evenings there.

The authentic tapas are delicious, and everything from the calamari to the meatballs is worth a try. But our favorite part is, without a doubt, their sangria. THIS SANGRIA IS THE BEST WE'VE EVER HAD. We've sampled sangria at a number of places in London already, and no other place even comes close to the sangria at El RIncon Latino. The only Sangria that comes close is the sangria at Pio Pio in New York City, and even theirs is not quite as good.

In summary, if you want to enjoy an authentic Spanish meal, coupled with the best Sangria around, and at the same time receive exemplary service, then El RIncon Latino in Clapham is where you need to go.
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Kyle
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 17, 2011

Really bad food- anyone who has been to Spain and eaten tapas there before will know this is 100 % not authentic tapas. It all tastes microwaved and bland/ If you want good spanish food in Clapham go to Carmen bar de tapas instead. I literally have nothing positive to say about this place!
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Sophie
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

What you pay for is what you get!. Cheap and basic food. Yes it is noisy and yes they have been playing the same annoying 80s disco tape for ever and yes the sound quality is only slightly better than the annoying guy next to you on the tube with the cheap earphones.

Its changed since they expanded. They have now joined the throng aiming for large groups who are often well oiled (the men normally who think they are sooo cool and and get louder as the night goes on). If you are out with your mates and want somewhere cheap its the place for you. Couples and those with their parents will be heading for Metro which purposely limits groups size to 6 or will bag the table tor 6 in the window as its a little out of the throng.

Its true that prestaurants do indeed have very large groups. But then the Spanish dont think binge drinking is a social past time with any merit.

The Spanish guests have long since decamped. Those in search of authentic food have moved onto the Portugese cafes around Stockwell/Brixton where the food is cheaper and authentic (as is the atmosphere with TV sport on 24 /7).

Staff are great, friendly, charming and attentive. They glide between tables, when others faced with the deluge invariably run and make everyone stressed. Atmosphere is better than the 'sheds' on the high street.

However with only two waiters there simply arent enough of them. Every time our waiter tried to cross to the room he was ambushed by every table. 15 minutes to get the bill, now that is Spanish!

Additional points for not charging 12.5% service. House wine is cheap and then a bit of a jump to £21.50. Very drinkable which cant be said for the house wine in the Portugese restaurants in Vauxhall.

Their Patatas bravas is still poor, pre cooked and soft with little taste to the sauce. For this signature dish they should be ashamed, so I can sympathise with our Asturian reviewer.

My partner actually likes it that way and he similarly likes the battered aubergine which was soft, when it should have been fresh and the batter crispy. Whitebait is a good choice, the granny specials are tasty and better than the other tapas. For the money its better than you might expect.

Its packed so pre-booking is required at the week ends. The skylight makes it popular at the week ends when famillies and 'parents down the for the day' descend

El Rincon totters at the abys. It can still very profitable as a familly run business, with good music, food and atmosphere. Its still like this midweek. At the weekend its heading down town and down market very quickly!
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Derek
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Sunday, May 24, 2009

As a Spaniard and an Asturian I feel utterly dissapointed after going to el rincon latino. The reviews were so good that I decided to go despite having decided years ago I wouldn't bother going to another Spanish restaurant in London.This is not what Asturian/Spanish cuisine is about and I can't believe this is a "family run business" because it doesn't look like it and it doesn't feel like it.

If this restaurant was in Asturias, trust me when i say it wouldn't be popular. You feel cramped, it's too noisy and the tapas are average to say the least. Asturian cuisine is so rich and varied!!! I can't believe they've reduced it to this.

On a positive note I must say the waitress was very nice and the sangria very good.
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M
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, May 17, 2009

I have found my favourite restaurant in London! Gorgeous food, friendly staff, excellent service and great atmosphere - this place ticks all boxes. Will most definitely be back and recommend it to everyone!
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Julia
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 15, 2009