Meson Don Felipe

4.4

2021 Reviews

£25 and under

Spanish

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 26 times today

Neighborhood gem
Lively
Charming

Established in 1987, Meson Don Felipe was the first Tapas Bar in London and we are still an independent, family-run business. You can expect great tapas and some amazing, well-priced Spanish wines, served in an authentic, relaxed atmosphere.
We have an outside terrace with heaters and umbrellas but of course, we can't promise the weather! If you book outside we can't guarantee a table inside if the weather changes.
For those unable to eat-in, we offer our famous Paellas for takeaway at lunchtime Monday-Friday.
Thank you for all your support and we look forward to welcoming you soon to this little bit of Spain in Waterloo.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates, Traditional Spanish
Hours of operation
Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
020 7928 3237
Website
http://www.mesondonfelipe.com/index.html
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
53 The Cut, London, SE1 8LF
Neighborhood
Waterloo
Cross street
Corner of Short Street and The Cut, opposite the Young Vic
Parking details
None
Public transit
We are halfway along The Cut, the busy thoroughfare that links Waterloo Road to Blackfriars Road, just five minutes walk from Waterloo main line and Northern line underground stations (Take Old Vic exit from Waterloo Station). We are also near Southwark station, Jubilee line. The Young Vic theatre is opposite us and The Old Vic just along the road.
Additional
Beer, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Aceitunas£5.50
A medley of Spanish olives
Pan con Aceite£3.50
Sourdough bread rolls with olive oil
Pan con Tomate£4.75
Toasted sourdough with fresh tomato & oil
Alioli£2.15
Olive oil garlic mayonnaise
Queso Manchego£8.75
Sheep's milk Manchego cheese with Quince jelly and grapes
Tabla de Quesos£10.30
Three superb Spanish cheeses

From the Sea

Pulpo a Feira£14.25
Octopus with olive oil, sea salt & paprika
Gambas al Ajillo£10.95
Prawns cooked in olive oil with garlic
Calamares a la Romana£10.95
Deep fried rings of squid
Boquerones en Vinagre£8.25
Marinated fresh fillets of anchovies
Sardinas Fritas£10.50
Fresh fried sardines
Croquetas de Atún£7.75
Tuna fish croquettes
Calamares en su Tinta£9.85
Baby squid in ink and white wine sauce
Puntillas y Guindillas£10.95
Fried baby squids and mild chilli peppers with Anchovy Alioli
Paella de Mariscos£9.50
Our famous rice dish, with seafood and Mediterranean vegetables

From the Garden

Champiňones y Setas£7.15
Mixed mushrooms in olive oil with garlic
Espinacas con Piňones£8.55
Spinach with pine nuts and raisins
Escalivada£8.55
Baked peppers, aubergine, tomato and onions served hot or cold
Judias Verdes con Alemendras£9.35
Fine green beans with toasted almonds
Tortilla Espaňola£7.55
Classic Spanish omelette, potato & onion
Patatas Bravas£6.75
Fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce
Pimientos de Padrón£7.95
Baby green peppers in olive oil & sea salt
Berenjenas Fritas£7.15
Deep fried aubergine slices
Patatas Fritas£5.50
Chips!
Paella Vegetariana£8.50
Our famous rice, packed with Mediterranean vegetables

Salads

Our dressing contains egg and mustard, please say if you have an allergy to either & we can serve without the dressing

Ensalada Mixta£6.25
Mixed seasonal salad
Ensalada de Calabacín y Rúcula£7.25
Salad of rocket with sliced courgette and shaved Manchego cheese, chopped basil & mint dressed with olive oil
Ensalada Especial£7.95
Mixed salad leaves with artichokes, tomato, cucumber and egg topped with tuna fish

From the Farm

Jamón Ibérico de Cebo£15.35
This delicious cured shoulder ham is derived from pigs that have been fed on wild acorns on free range farms. The texture and flavour are quite unique and must rank as one of life's great pleasures! Served with toasted sourdough and fresh tomato
Croquetas de Jamón Ibérico£9.50
Back by popular demand delicious croquettes made with the finest cured ham
Albóndigas£8.50
Pork meatballs in a slightly spicy tomato sauce
Chorizo Castellano£8.25
Hot, spicy Spanish paprika sausage
Pollo al Ajillo£8.25
Chicken cooked in olive oil with garlic
Higaditos al Jerez£8.50
Chicken livers in amontillado sherry sauce
Paella de Pollo£8.50
Chicken and Mediterranean vegetables cooked with rice
Habas con Jamón£8.80
Broad beans with cured ham & mint
Croquetas de Pollo£7.95
Chicken croquettes
Jamón Serrano£10.90
Cured Spanish mountain ham with toasted sourdough and fresh tomato
Jamón y Queso£10.90
Cured Serrano ham with Manchego cheese, quince jelly & grapes
Berenjena Rellena£9.65
Aubergine stuffed with minced pork and mushrooms

What 2,021 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.3Service
4.3Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

London
Spanish

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Meson Don Felipe is a beloved tapas bar offering "great food, friendly staff, and lively atmosphere." Known for its authentic Spanish cuisine and excellent wine selection, this long-standing gem near The Young Vic is perfect for pre-theatre dining. While the setting can be "bustling," it adds to the charm and vibrant experience.

2,021 Reviews

P
Paul
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Meson Don Felipe is clearly living on its laurels. The waitresses seemed unhappy and certainly did not have any of that Spanish snap we are used to in Spain. The boys behind the bar area were the laziest bunch of hombres I have ever had the misfortune to experience. Even when the restaurant was pretty much empty the service was pedestrian at best. The food was adequate but clearly most of it came from microwave to table. Certainly no longer authentic, in the true sense of the word..There are far better Spanish restaurants in London, and far better value. Such a shame that the first Spanish tapas/ restaurant I ever went to in London is now so formulaic and staffed by people who either don’t give a damn or simply would rather be somewhere else. Going through the motions but frankly sh*t😎
Is this helpful?
D
David
VIP
London
67 reviews
5.0
67 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
MdF is an oasis of delight; the food is always delicious, the wines great value and the ambiance is perfect for a great night out with a close friend. The service was exceptional with David, a charming, smiling and efficient chap who made absolutely sure we were going to be looked after. Thank you to him and the whole team. It was a joy from start to finish. See you again very soon!
Is this helpful?
S
Sarah
Birmingham
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A lovely meal. Good selection of tasty tapas. Great wine choices. Friendly service
Is this helpful?
I
Igor
VIP
London
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Buzzy, no fuss, good vibe… just what it says on the tin! Consistently good Spanish experience!
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A
Alan
VIP
London
143 reviews
4.0
143 reviews
Dined on February 5, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Cosy comfortable local tapas restaurant. Really good menu choice, super albondigas and patatas bravas. Haven’t been for several years but will be back. Very good lunch
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J
Jayson
London
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very enjoyable, good service, food was great! Needed more table space… I do miss the guitar player purched near the ceiling,
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D
David
VIP
London
67 reviews
5.0
67 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Thank you as always for looking after us! It is always a lovely time with you; great food, excellent wine and a warm welcome and atmosphere See you again and thank you David
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G
Gerard
London
26 reviews
4.0
26 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The food was very very good but the service was poor. Despite being near two theatres it’s a hard place to go pre-theatre as service is very slow.
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K
Kim
London
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A lively traditional tapas bar with efficient service
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V
Vicky
VIP
Aberdeen
12 reviews
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 1
Lovely food as always with a friendly very nice staff. The mouse was unbearable- we had to talk very loudly just to make ourselves heard and i left with a sore throat. It was also very expensive £46 each fir 5 dishes and two non- alcoholic drinks.
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FAQs

Meson Don Felipe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at 020 7928 3237.

Meson Don Felipe is rated 4.4 stars by 2021 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 26 times today

Order delivery or takeout

53 The Cut, London, SE1 8LF

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Corner of Short Street and The Cut, opposite the Young Vic
Neighborhood
Waterloo
Hours of operation
Mon–Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates, Traditional Spanish
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Public transit
We are halfway along The Cut, the busy thoroughfare that links Waterloo Road to Blackfriars Road, just five minutes walk from Waterloo main line and Northern line underground stations (Take Old Vic exit from Waterloo Station). We are also near Southwark station, Jubilee line. The Young Vic theatre is opposite us and The Old Vic just along the road.
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.mesondonfelipe.com/index.html
Phone number
020 7928 3237

Meson Don Felipe

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Paella de Pollo

Patatas Bravas

Patatas Fritas

Nibbles

Aceitunas£5.50

Pan con Aceite£3.50

Pan con Tomate£4.75

Alioli£2.15

Queso Manchego£8.75

Tabla de Quesos£10.30

From the Sea

Pulpo a Feira£14.25

Gambas al Ajillo£10.95

Calamares a la Romana£10.95

Boquerones en Vinagre£8.25

Sardinas Fritas£10.50

Croquetas de Atún£7.75

Calamares en su Tinta£9.85

Puntillas y Guindillas£10.95

Paella de Mariscos£9.50

From the Garden

Champiňones y Setas£7.15

Espinacas con Piňones£8.55

Escalivada£8.55

Judias Verdes con Alemendras£9.35

Tortilla Espaňola£7.55

Patatas Bravas£6.75

Pimientos de Padrón£7.95

Berenjenas Fritas£7.15

Patatas Fritas£5.50

Paella Vegetariana£8.50

Salads

Ensalada Mixta£6.25

Ensalada de Calabacín y Rúcula£7.25

Ensalada Especial£7.95

From the Farm

Jamón Ibérico de Cebo£15.35

Croquetas de Jamón Ibérico£9.50

Albóndigas£8.50

Chorizo Castellano£8.25

Pollo al Ajillo£8.25

Higaditos al Jerez£8.50

Paella de Pollo£8.50

Habas con Jamón£8.80

Croquetas de Pollo£7.95

Jamón Serrano£10.90

Jamón y Queso£10.90

Berenjena Rellena£9.65

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Meson Don Felipe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Meson Don Felipe restaurant rated?

Is Meson Don Felipe currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information