Not sure how many plates to order? A solid rule of thumb is 3 to 4 tapas per person when tapas are the whole meal and the table’s sharing. The exact figure shifts depending on appetite, portion sizes, and how many other courses are involved, but this guide breaks it down so you can order with confidence next time you’re at a small plates restaurant in London. Since tapas are meant for sharing, portions run smaller than a standard main. Here’s a simple starting point based on appetite:
Light appetite: 2 to 3 dishes per person.
Average appetite: 3 to 4 dishes per person.
Big appetite: 4 to 5 dishes per person
This is based on a mix of small and medium plates shared across the table, not individual portions. In this guide, we’ll cover exactly how to figure out the right number for your table when dining out in Notting Hill, starting with a group-size breakdown, then the factors that can shift that number up or down, tips for balancing your order, and a few pointers for special situations like celebrations, lunch versus dinner, and dietary needs.
How Many Tapas Should You Order? (Group Size Table)
Why Group Size Isn’t a Simple Multiplication
For bigger groups, it’s not just “multiply by the number of guests”; larger tables usually need slightly fewer dishes per head, since more variety is spread across the table.
Ordering for a Small Table (1 to 4 People)
Smaller groups need a little more care when planning, since fewer people are sharing. For 1 to 2 guests, aim for 6 to 8 dishes total to get a proper mix of flavours without overordering. For 3 to 4 guests, that climbs to roughly 10 to 14 dishes, enough to fit in a couple of each type (cold, hot, seafood, meat) without too many repeats. At this size, it’s worth thinking about who’s ordering too: two people can share almost the whole table happily, while four guests might want a slightly wider spread so everyone gets a fair taste. This is also the easiest table size to adjust as you go; if something’s a hit, just order another round instead of committing to a big quantity upfront.
A simple way to picture it:
1 to 2 guests → 6 to 8 dishes → light mix
3 to 4 guests → 10 to 14 dishes → room for one of each category
Ordering for a Medium Table (5 to 6 People)
At this size, dishes don’t need to scale at the same rate per guest, since a wider spread already covers more people. For 5 to 6 guests, 16 to 20 dishes is usually enough, and it’s a good point to bring in a shared paella or larger main to anchor the table. This is the sweet spot for tapas dining: big enough for a real variety, but small enough that everyone can reach and try most dishes without anything getting stranded at the far end. It’s also a good size to split the order into two rounds, so the kitchen isn’t sending everything at once and the table doesn’t get swamped with plates.
The flow at this table size usually looks like:
Small plates → 16 to 20 dishes across the group
Anchor dish → shared paella or larger main to tie it together
Ordering for a Large Group (7+ People)
Past 7 guests, ordering dish by dish can get chaotic and slow the kitchen down. A set or tasting menu is often the easier route here, built to feed bigger parties without the guesswork. Larger groups also tend to bring a wider mix of appetites and tastes, so a set menu removes the pressure of pleasing everyone dish by dish. It also makes the evening run more smoothly on the service side, since the kitchen can prep and time bigger batches ahead, meaning shorter waits and a more relaxed pace overall.
At this scale, it’s less about counting dishes and more about structure:
Set menu → pre-planned variety, no guesswork
Kitchen pacing → smoother service, less waiting
Quick Reference Table for Ordering Tapas per Person
Here’s a simple breakdown by group size so you can plan your order at a glance:
| Group Size | Recommended Dishes | Notes |
| 1 to 2 people | 6 to 8 dishes | Mix of small and larger plates |
| 3 to 4 people | 10 to 14 dishes | Add 1 to 2 dishes per extra guest |
| 5 to 6 people | 16 to 20 dishes | Include a shared paella or main |
| 7+ people | Set/tasting menu recommended | Easier pacing for the kitchen |
Types of Tapas to Balance Your Order
A good tapas order isn’t just about quantity; it’s about variety, too. Try to work in a mix of:
- Cold tapas: jamón, olives, or cheese boards.
- Hot tapas: croquetas or patatas bravas
- Seafood: grilled prawns, calamari, or octopus.
- Meat dishes: chorizo, meatballs, or slow-cooked options.
- Vegetarian options: grilled vegetables, Padrón peppers, or tortilla. Bread and cheese to round out the table
Key Factors to Consider Before Ordering Tapas in London
Appetite Level
A table of light eaters might be perfectly content with 2 to 3 dishes each, while hungrier guests may want closer to 5.
Dish Size
Not all tapas are equal: pinchos and small bites are just a bite or two, while raciones (larger sharing plates) go further and effectively count for more per person.
Whether You’re Adding a Main or Paella: If a paella or another shared main is joining the tapas order, you can comfortably cut 1 to 2 tapas per person.
Lunch vs. Dinner
Ordering tends to differ depending on time of day. Lunch tapas are usually lighter and fewer in number since it’s often a quicker sitting, while dinner naturally invites more dishes as guests linger, order in rounds, and pair food with drinks.
Celebrations vs Casual Catch-Ups
A birthday dinner or special occasion is a great excuse to widen the spread and try dishes you’d normally pass on. A casual catch-up over drinks, on the other hand, usually works fine with something smaller and simpler.
Avoiding Leftovers
It’s easy to get carried away with a tempting menu. A good rule is to order in two rounds instead of everything at once: start with roughly 70% of what you think you’ll need, then top up based on how full the table looks. This keeps portions sensible and avoids unnecessary waste.
Tables with Children
If kids are part of the group, they typically eat less than adults and tend to stick to familiar dishes like patatas bravas or croquetas. Usually, 1 to 2 extra dishes per table is enough, rather than a full adult portion per child.
Tips for Ordering Tapas Like a Local
- Order in rounds rather than all at once, so nothing goes cold
- Balance fried dishes with grilled or fresh options
- Leave room for dessert; don’t over-order the mains
- Ask your server for pacing advice; most tapas restaurants in Notting Hill are happy to guide you
- Share the ordering across the table; let everyone pick at least one dish they’re excited about
- Don’t be afraid to repeat a dish that was a hit, rather than always chasing something new
- Keep an eye on portions as you go, and add a round only once the table has thinned out
- Pair your dishes with a good Spanish wine or sangria to round out the experience
A Place That Gets It Right: Frame Notting Hill
Once you’ve decided how many dishes to order, the next step is picking the right ones. Frame Notting Hill is widely regarded as the best restaurant in Notting Hill, serving authentic, Spanish-inspired tapas made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Its tapas menu pairs naturally with a curated wine list of Spanish whites, reds and sherries. For bigger groups or special occasions, the restaurant’s private dining spaces, including the Indoor Garden and The Cellar, are designed for exactly the kind of slow, shared tapas dining this tradition was built around.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there’s no single “correct” number of tapas per person; it comes down to appetite, group size, and the occasion. Use 3 to 4 dishes per person as your starting point, adjust based on who’s at the table, and don’t be afraid to order in rounds rather than all at once. Get that right, and the rest of the evening takes care of itself.
Plan Your Visit
Frame Notting Hill is located in the heart of Notting Hill, one of London’s most charming neighbourhoods, making it an easy addition to a day spent exploring Portobello Road or the surrounding streets. Whether you’re planning a spontaneous dinner or booking ahead for a special occasion, it’s best to reserve a table in advance, given its popularity with locals and visitors from across London.
Booking a table at Frame Notting Hill is a solid way to have the team guide you through a perfectly balanced spread of Spanish tapas, from classic patatas bravas to seasonal specials.
Website: Frame Notting Hill
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+44) 203 375 2678
Address: 39 Hereford Rd, London W2 4AB, United Kingdom
For Private Dining and Reservations Enquiries, Please Contact: [email protected]
