El Norte: New high-end Spanish restaurant opens in Mayfair, London

El Norte, the exciting new venture from entrepreneurs Arian and Alberto Zandi, has opened its doors on Mayfair’s upmarket Dover Street.

The swanky eatery is perhaps the most ambitious endeavour so far from the acclaimed Spanish brothers, who co-founded Emerald Hospitality Group, which include in their portfolio the modern Latin American restaurant, Zuaya, and more recently their acclaimed Italian restaurant, Como Garden. Known for fusing excellent food with striking design, El Norte will follow in the same vein.

food at El Norte — El Norte celebrates Spain’s rich culinary history with modern flair and pioneering design

A first for London’s Spanish restaurant scene, El Norte will take its cues from the country’s rich culinary regions, offering a sharing style menu of traditional Spanish dishes with a modern and luxury twist. Arian and Alberto, who were born in Madrid, will bring Londoners a taste of their motherland with dishes exemplifying the brothers’ bold approach to flavours and textures. 

The El Norte team works closely with several Spanish suppliers to source the finest ingredients. For example, the steak is from Spanish cows (Rubia Gallega) that are over eight years old and from Galicia in northwestern Spain, whilst the olives and olive oil are procured from Córdoba, and the ripest tomatoes derived from Andalucía in southern Spain.

fish dish at El Norte — El Norte, part of Emerald Group, opens on November 6th at Dover Street, Mayfair, and undoubtedly looks poised to become a new star in London’s dining scene

The menu is split into sections and features para picar (nibbles), ensaladas and crudos (salads and raw dishes), vegetales de temporada (seasonal vegetables), carnes (meat and poultry), pescados y mariscos (fish and seafood), and para acompañar (sides).

Highlights from the menu include tortilla de trufa (Spanish potato omelette with black truffle, extra-virgin olive oil, and poached red onion); alcachofas rehogadas con jamón (baby artichokes with 5J Iberico ham); albondigas de rabo de toro (Rioja red wine oxtail meatballs); vaca rubia gallega (grilled Galician steak with vegetables), lubina salvage a la riojana (wild sea bass with sweet tomato and piquillo pepper sauce), cangrejo real a la parrilla (imperial king crab with extra-virgin olive oil and garlic), and of course the best 5J Iberico jamon (5J Iberic hand-cut ham).

cocktail at El Norte — A glamorous drinking and dining destination, El Norte will have chic and sophisticated interiors reminiscent of its sister sites and will feature a focal-point bar with a 1.30am license

A glamorous drinking and dining destination, El Norte will have chic and sophisticated interiors reminiscent of its sister sites and will feature a focal-point bar with a 1.30am license. The cocktail lists feature adventurous takes on classic serves alongside several house-made specials including amongst others The El Norte (Tio Pepe liquor, raspberry vodka, wild berry jam, basil, Prosecco) and Agua De Valencia (gin, vodka, orange juice, Prosecco).

A dedicated Sangria menu has also been lovingly crafted and comprises the revered Spanish beverage in its traditional form, alongside unique interpretations including Lavender Sangria.

El Norte, part of Emerald Group, opens on November 6th at Dover Street, Mayfair, and undoubtedly looks poised to become a new star in London’s dining scene.