Flamenco Dancing, Tapas and Sangria

- The Spanish cuisine has descended on the historic Lanes area of Brighton. Ole Ole Tapas Bar & Restaurant is a lively spot complete with Flamenco dancers, live bands and delicious Spanish cuisine. Relish in the finest Sangria, tapas and true Spanish ambiance, featuring an authentic floor show of Flamenco music and dance. Travel to Spain with Ole Ole and join us for an "Evening in Andalusia". Ole Ole is about honest food of the earth, natural and real.

Spanish Tapas Recipes

In the Mediterranean diet it is typical to begin the food with succulent starters to open up the appetite. Either in complete portions or in half rations - the famous ‘tapas’ – appetizers are usually served before the food. Of the endless variety of starters that is possible to find - there is not town that doesn't have his own - we introduce a selection that we believe you will really enjoy.

Discover our brand-new Tapas recipe Site! We've created a new site dedicated only to Tapas. Find out all about Tapas by clicking

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Foie Toast with Jamon Ibérico "Tapas brighton": This extraordinary and Special Ham deserves its own space. The Iberian Acorn Ham it's exclusive from Spain. Iberian hogs are born, fed and raised in the south and northwest of Spain

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Shrimp Fritters - Tortillitas de Camarones "Tapas brighton": I have eaten these crisp, delicious shrimp fritters only in Andalusia, where deep-frying reigns supreme. They are at their best when made with chickpea flour, but regular flour is just OK.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Spicy Sausage and Cheese Tortilla "Tapas brighton": This substantial tortilla is delicious hot or cold. Cut it into chunky wedges and serve for supper or a light lunch with a fresh tomato and basil salad. The addition of spicy chorizo and tangy cheese gives it a wonderful, rich flavor.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Barbecued Mini Ribs "Tapas brighton": These tasty ribs are known as Costillas in Spain. They are delicious cooked on a barbecue and almost as good when cooked under a hot grill. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice instead of the sweet sherry.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Fried Black Pudding (Morcilla Frita) "Tapas brighton": Spanish morcilla - black pudding - is the first sausage to be made from the freshly killed pig and is very popular throughout Spain. It is flavored with spices and herbs, usually including garlic and oregano, and has a wonderfully rich, spicy taste.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Ceviche "Tapas brighton": You can use almost any firm-fleshed fish for this Spanish influenced dish, provided that it is perfectly fresh. The fish is 'cooked' by the action of the acidic lime juice. Adjust the amount of chilli according to your taste.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Spiced Clams "Tapas brighton": Spanish clams, specially in the North, are much larger than clams found elsewhere, and have more succulent bodies. This modern recipe uses Arab spicing to make a hot dip or sauce. Serve with plenty of fresh bread to mop up the delicious juices!

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Stuffed Tomatoes tapas "Tapas brighton": This one is a simple recipe, very handy when preparing a barbeque or a picnic party. Tomatoes here are used as a container for a delicious Spanish stuffing.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Salt Cod Fritters with Allioli "Tapas brighton": Bacalao - salt cod - is one of the great Spanish delights, adding flavor to bland ingredients such as potatoes. If you are unfamiliar with it, then this is a delightful way to try it out. Bitesize fish cakes, dipped into rich, creamy, garlicky allioli, are irresistible as a tapas dish or appetizer.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Artichoke rice cakes with manchego "Tapas brighton": These unusual little croquetas contain artichoke in the rice mixture, and they break open to reveal a melting cheese centre. Manchego is made from sheep's milk and has a tart flavor that goes wonderfully with the delicate taste of the rice cakes.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Prawn croquettes "Tapas brighton": Croquetas are ubiquitous in Spain, although they most likely originate from the French 'croquettes'. Their beauty lies in the bechamel base which is then mixed with your particular ingredient of choice to give it a characteristic flavor. The possibilities are almost endless - here we have used prawns.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Prawn and Bacon Brochettes "Tapas brighton": The Spanish love bacon, which we cure and air-dry in the same way as our famous jamon. This combination of prawns and bacon is inspired and very popular, and can be found at most Tapas bar, as well as in many banquets and receptions. It is an ideal treat for your guests when having a party at home!

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Gildas "Tapas brighton": Gilda means lollipop, and the classic Gilda is a simple assembly of a guindilla (Spanish chile pepper), an anchovy and an olive. The combination of good-quality pinkish anchovies, smallish, crisp, unwrinkled chillies and a freshly pitted olive produce a sophisticated mélange.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Smoked Fish and Fruit Pintxos "Tapas brighton": Smoked fish and fresh fruit make a perfect match when combined in this recipe and served as an appetizer. Smoked salmon is now ubiquitous in Spain, particularly in the cities. Less evidence is traditional bacalao (salt cod), for which smoked mackerel is a substitute here.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Artichokes with clams "Tapas brighton": Artichokes are a popular vegetable in Spain, especially fresh from the market. They are often served sautéed with ham or stuffed with white sauce and ham or meat, etc. Sometimes served cold, they combine well with anchovies and piquillo peppers, or with salmon and capers, or tuna fish with a good olive oil.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Patatas bravas "Tapas brighton": A classic! Spicy and hot fried potatoes, with a Brava sauce to match!

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Stuffed Mussels (Tigres): In Bilbao, these stuffed mussels are called Tigres because of their fieriness.  I fondly remember the crowded little bars in the old part of Bilbao, where orders of tigres would emerge by the dozens from the tiny kitchens.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Empanadas "Tapas brighton": Empanadas, bread pies stuffed with shellfish, fish or meats, are iconic of Galician cuisine. The crusts and fillings vary from place to place, and nearly every Galician family, restaurant, and tavern claims to have the secret formula for making the best version. Of the many empanadas I have tasted in this beautiful northwestern region, these ones are my favorites - their crust is consistently delicate and delicious.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Bread with Mushrooms and Alioli "Tapas brighton": This tapa recipe comes from a bar in Madrid. I used to jog around the Retiro and then eat these tostadas washed down with a nice cold caña! When I serve this recipe at a party, it is always the first to go!

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Mussels Vinaigrette "Tapas brighton": Steamed mussels are dressed with a flavorful vinaigrette in this colorful tapa. It is an ideal treat for a party or any event with lots of people attending.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Pa amb oli "Tapas brighton": Pa amb oli means "bread with olive oil" in Majorcan, and it is as commonly eaten in the Balearic Islands as pa amb tomàquet is in Catalonia.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Pulpo a Feira (Galician Octopus) "Tapas brighton": Though it originated in Galicia or the neighboring region of Leon, pulpo a feira, as it is known in Galician, or pulpo a la gallega, as it is called in Spanish, is now popular throughout Spain. It is usually served on wooden plates with cachelos, potatoes that have been boiled or roasted in embers with their skins on.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Pimientos rellenos (Rice-stuffed peppers) "Tapas brighton": The rice to fill these stuffed peppers, which are typical of the mountain towns of Alcoy and Bocairent, cooks in the sweet juices from the tomato and pepper.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Gambas a la plancha (Pan-grilled shrimp) "Tapas brighton": Spaniards love to eat grilled shrimp at the counter of a good tapas bar while sipping a glass of chilled fino sherry or cold beer. The bars are often crowded, leaving little or no space for proper eating, and I find it fascinating to watch the locals skillfully manage to eat shrimp with one hand while holding a drink in the other.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Ensaladilla Rusa (Spanish Potato Salad) "Tapas brighton": This is a popular tapa recipe, made of vegetables and mayonnaise... It is served free in most bars in Spain, along with a beer or a glass of wine.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Spanish Ham Croquettes "Tapas brighton": Croquetas are a common sight on bar counters and in homes across Spain, served as a tapa, light lunch, or a dinner along with a salad. The jamon serrano in this recipe could be replaced with chopped hard-boiled eggs, shredded salt cod, minced shrimp, chopped chorizo, cheese, or just about any vegetable.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Spanish omelette "Tapas brighton": This is THE tapa! There is nothing more typical than a Spanish omelette! Learn how to prepare the real one!

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Piperada "Tapas brighton": Piperada is a filling egg dish, which makes a delicious brunch, and it can also be served as a tapa. A popular variation of this recipe serves the piperada on toasted bread rounds dripping with butter. Either way, this simple egg dish is sure to become a part of your culinary repertoire.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Green Aparaguses with Salmon "Tapas brighton": This innovative tapa recipe puts together traditional Spanish ingredients with northern salmon... Try this new classic tapa!

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Catalan Style Beans "Tapas brighton": Habas are a traditional type of Spanish bean, that Catalan chefs (after their grandmother's cookbook!) have turn into one of the greatest tapas nowadays!

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Meatballs in tomato sauce "Tapas brighton": found in most tapas bars, this traditional dish tastes best when served piping hot straight from the pan. Provide plenty of fresh bread to mop up the juicy tomato sauce.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Tuna and goat cheese empanadillas "Tapas brighton": Empanadillas, the smaller, pocket-size versions of empanadas, are generally served as tapas, and, because no silverware is required to eat them, make perfect party food.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Garlic-marinated Black Olives "Tapas brighton": Attesting to the simplicity of tapas, a handful of marinated olives is often ample accompaniment to a glass of chilled sherry in most Spanish tapas bars. Marinated to piquant perfection, these olives are far from ordinary.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Apple and Walnut Salad "Tapas brighton": This refreshing, crisp summer salad provides the perfect accompaniment to a glass (or two) of chilled Spanish sherry. For a tangier version, add a dash of lemon juice to the mayonnaise before mixing it into the salad.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Champiñones al ajillo "Tapas brighton": Few tapas taste more Spanish than champiñones al ajillo (ajillo mushrooms), dripping with olive oil, garlic and dry Spanish Sherry.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Red Onion and Orange Salad "Tapas brighton": This popular and colorful salad lends a festive note to any tapas table, and is featured in many tapas bar throughout Spain.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Asparagus Omelette "Tapas brighton": Although this unique omelette is usually served from the skillet, it is also delicious served cold or at room temperature. Indeed, cooled leftovers of this delectable dish with a glass of amontillado sherry make for a perfect picnic lunch.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Pinchitos Morunos "Tapas brighton": Small Spicy Moorish Kebabs Europe's first kebabs were brought by the Arabs from Africa. Pinchitos morunos are eaten everywhere in Spain as a tapa, though nowadays they are made of pork, rather than lamb. Spices for them are sold ready-mixed in the south. I have used curry powder as part of my mixture as it contains cumin and very similar herbs.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Riñones al Jerez - Sherry Kidneys "Tapas brighton": Most tapas bars in Spain serve Riñones al Jerez, though at home it can be served with rice or pasta as a main meal. You can add sliced mushrooms to increase the number of portions.

Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Brighton

• Boquerones en Escabeche "Tapas brighton":  Moorish Pickled Anchovies This is an old, old way of preserving small fish which has survived into modern times because it is so delicious. The coast round Nerja is known for its shoals of fresh anchovies. In Malaga the fish are pressed together into a little fan, four tails together, for frying, but this is not essential to the recipe.