Why We Love Tapas Style Small Plates Dining
The UK’s culinary scene has seen a significant shift in recent years. Small plates dining, possibly inspired by traditional tapas, is becoming a lot more popular.
The appeal of small plates lies in their ability to offer variety, encourage sharing, and create a more social dining experience. Here’s why small plates dining has captured the hearts of UK diners and why it’s no longer just about Spanish food.
People Love Variety
One of the key attractions of small plates dining is the opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of flavours and dishes in a single meal.
Unlike the traditional three-course structure, where diners are limited to one starter, one main, and one dessert, small plates dining allows for a broader culinary experience.
Whether it’s trying new dishes or enjoying a selection of old favourites, you get the chance to sample a variety of tastes and textures without committing to a single large portion.
Restaurants offering small plates often draw from a wide array of global cuisines, meaning that diners can enjoy everything from Mediterranean mezze and Asian dim sum to British classics, all in one sitting.
Social Dining at its Best
Small plates dining naturally encourages sharing, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a more social and interactive meal.
The act of sharing food brings people together, fostering conversation and creating a communal atmosphere that is often missing from more traditional dining formats.
In restaurants, small plates are often served as they are made, allowing for a more relaxed and informal dining experience. This eliminates the rigid structure of courses and encourages diners to savour each dish as it arrives.
The communal nature of small plates dining also means that everyone at the table can contribute to the creation of the meal, making it a more inclusive and engaging experience.
Beyond Spanish Tapas
While the concept of small plates is rooted in the tradition of Spanish tapas, it has evolved far beyond its origins. Today, it can be found in restaurants of all types, from Italian and Middle Eastern to modern British and beyond.
This expansion reflects the versatility of the small plates format, which can be adapted to suit almost any cuisine.
For example, Italian restaurants may offer small plates of bruschetta, arancini, and meatballs, while a modern British restaurant could serve mini portions of scotch eggs, pork belly, and smoked salmon.
The flexibility of this dining style allows chefs to experiment with new dishes and ingredients, often leading to innovative and exciting menus that keep diners coming back for more.
Small plates dining also aligns well with modern lifestyles, where people increasingly prefer flexibility and customisation in their meals. The ability to order multiple dishes, adjust portion sizes and tailor a meal to individual preferences makes small plates an attractive option for a wide range of diners, from those with specific dietary needs to those simply looking for a lighter meal.
The rise of small plates coincides with a growing awareness of food waste and the desire to make more sustainable choices. By allowing diners to order only what they want to eat, small plates dining reduces the likelihood of leftover food, making it a more environmentally conscious option.
A Trend That’s Here to Stay?
The popularity of small plates dining in the UK shows no signs of waning. Its combination of variety, social interaction, and culinary innovation makes it a favourite among both diners and restaurateurs.
As more restaurants embrace this format and continue to push the boundaries, small plates dining is likely to remain a prominent feature of the UK’s dining landscape.