The home of Rioja is comprised of many towns, each with their own distinct charm. Tapas bars line the streets each offering their own specialities. Three such bars will be cooking their famed delights in London.

Additionally, London’s vibrant collection of Spanish restaurants, known to many across the capital for their varied menus and the best authentic cuisine outside of Spain will go back to their roots this weekend and serve an impressive collection of modern and traditional tapas.

So relax, take your time as you sample the delights - do it like the Spanish do and go Pincho hopping! A taste of Rioja, one tapa, move on to the next…

Barcelona Tapas Bar, established over 18 years ago, have three restaurants in the city and one in Dulwich. All their restaurants offer a wealth of mouth-watering tapas along with rare Spanish wines to invigorate the palate. Winner of Imbibe Magazine’s ‘Best Rioja wine list’ in December 2007, they offer a large range of Riojas with many being sold by the glass.

Brindisa Tapas Kitchens serves tapas and Spanish dishes at three London venues. They have been sourcing the finest Spanish foods for the last 21 years, so their tapas kitchens combine this heritage of great producers and ingredients with the creative flair of head chef José Pizarro and his team.

Camino is an authentic Spanish bar and restaurant in King’s Cross, providing a real taste of Spain whatever the weather. Breakfast with Churros Con Chocolate – fried dough strips with chocolate – or equally healthy Spanish omelettes. Lunch and dinner offer tapas – washed down with Jamón Ibérico and Manchego cheese with a glass of fino – or full meals, featuring perfectly cooked steaks and daily line caught fish, enjoyed with a side of Sarten de Patatas (egg and potatoes) and a red or white from a good Spanish selection. Awarded best bar in Britain 2008 (Observer) and Time Out Guide 5 stars.

Dehesa is a charcuterie and tapas bar inspired by the cuisines of Spain and Italy. A beautiful corner site with large bay windows it is a lovely spot to enjoy seasonal, fresh and inventive tapas. Named one of the Top 50 restaurants in London by Time Out and recently awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide.

Set up by three friends with a passion for Spanish cuisine, El Faro brings the gastronomic delights of Spain to the picturesque waterside of London’s docklands. Head chef Javier Capella is renowned for his creative re-invention of Spanish classics and the restaurant has been highly praised by food critics across the board.

Iberica boasts formal and casual dining in central London. So if you’re after a gastronomic experience, Iberica is the best choice for fifty cold and hot ‘pinchos’ or ‘tapas’.

Lola Rojo is ‘a little crazy’ and ‘a little modern’ but authentically Spanish and loved by food critics. Originally opened in Clapham, a sister restaurant has now popped up in the heart of Fulham.

Moro restaurant lies at the heart of Exmouth market and is known for its award winning cuisine, which is influenced by Spanish & Muslim Mediterranean cuisine. Recently voted Best restaurant in the Observer Food Awards 2009.

The Pinchito philosophy is authenticity, with a genuine respect for the innate quality of seasonal ingredients, a passion for the culinary arts and desire to impress our guests. Located just a short walk from Old Street tube, Pinchito tapas is a modern yet relaxed tapas bar.

An independent, award winning neighbourhood Tapas Bar based in the heart of Brighton, individual in style - authentic and cheeky in character. We have a genuine respect for the innate quality of seasonal ingredients with a true passion for the culinary arts and desire to impress our guests.

En Ascuas is a true family business, run by Carlos Bermejo, his wife Olga Galilea and daughter Cristina in Logroño, the capital of the Rioja region. It is famed not only for the quality of its local lamb chops grilled on the embers or ascuas (a real wood fire) but also for the breadth of its wine list which includes white, rosé and red wines from all over the Rioja region.

La Gota de Vino (or ‘A Drop of Wine’) opened in 2004, inspired by the reforms to Logroño’s museum and the opening of a new cultural centre called ‘La Gota de Leche’ or ‘A Drop of Milk’ in a nearby street. The tapas they will be preparing includes a bruschetta style toast topped with warm roasted pepper piperada, veal stuffed roasted pepper and lomo adobado or marinated pork fillet.

Winner of the ‘Best Tapas Bar in Spain’ on more than one occasion, the pintxos (tapas in the local Basque language) at this bar run by Senen Gonzalez e Iñaki Rodaballo in Vitoria, Alava, are miniature works of art. They will be presenting their 2009 croqueta collection – potato croquettes with ham, blue cheese or salt cod rolled in unusual rice krispie, potato flake and cornflake coatings.