Originally from a beautiful, rural village near Cáceres, Extremadura, José has lived in London for more than 25 years, and is often described as The Godfather of Spanish cuisine in the UK.
2011 saw the opening of his first restaurant José on Bermondsey Street — the neighbourhood we consider to be home and a community we’re hugely proud to be part of.
Pizarro restaurant followed further along the same street just a few months later. With restaurants now also at The Royal Academy, in Esher, Surrey, and as of 2023, Abu Dhabi, the family has grown over the years but the very same heart remains.
José believes in fresh, seasonal, quality ingredients and keeping dishes simple, rooted in the idea that great tapas is for all.
José’s story