Part of the wider Camino family, this fresh new branch retains the warm, convivial essence of founder Richard Bigg’s original vision – as such, it’s a celebration of Spain’s diverse and deeply flavourful food and wine scene. Inspired by his road trips across the Iberian Peninsula, Camino Victoria delivers all the vibrancy of a Madrid tapas bar – minus the Ryanair boarding pass.
The Vibe
By day, Camino Victoria feels like a sun-dappled square in Barcelona – bright, buzzy, with indoor-outdoor flow thanks to alfresco tables spilling into the piazza. Downstairs, you’ll find a buzzy bar – the perfect spot for a jug of sangria – but venture up the stairs and you’ll discover the restaurant proper where the mood shifts: the atmosphere is sizzlingly heady, the room buzzing with bare bulb lighting and rising chatter, while the scents wafting from the kitchen are deeply encouraging. It is, in short, exactly what you want from a Friday night. The crowd is a mix of already-in-the-know city folk in the mood to linger, and couples sharing plates over low conversation and high-calibre albariño.
The design yokes together modern polish with an urban-rustic aesthetic: think textural touches and vintage posters that warm up the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that enable the light to pour in on a spring night. There’s also a private dining room tucked upstairs – a perfect setting for that aforementioned birthday bash.
The Food
The menu is a parade of greatest hits from across Spain, complete with seasonal twists. As with all tapas, the menu is built for sharing, and we kick off with a classic: the pan con tomate (a must), its garlicky base layered with crushed tomatoes and good olive oil, and the croquetas de jamón: crisp, creamy, just the right side of decadent. Our daughter stakes her claim over the patatas bravas – thick-cut, crisp, drizzled with both aioli and spicy tomato sauce – and thus we are not allowed to wrestle a single of the crispy delights that she pronounces excellent. Ah well; we instead turn our attentions upon a medley of exceptionally good meat and seafood: smoky chorizo has just the right amount of kick, while the braised ox cheek is beautifully tender and the calamares transports us straight to the glistening Anadlusian coast. Mains-wise, the grilled fillet steak is the undisputed star: a beautifully marbled cut, blushing pink. Serious food heaven territory.
Vegetarians aren’t left behind either: the roasted aubergine with sesame and mandarin zest is a standout, and the pan-fried padron peppers are a simple but satisfying touch of green.
We are tempted by the gorgeous-sounding baked Basque cheesecake but, defeated, we opt to share a dark chocolate cigar with almond crumble and Oloroso dulce de leche cream – it is rich, decadent and the perfect end to our sublime Spanish repast.
The Drink
The drinks list is a love letter to Spain’s vineyards and bodegas. There’s a stellar selection of regional wines (many available by the glass), alongside vermouths, craft beers, and an inventive cocktail list. We kick off with a couple of refreshing, mood-setting glasses of Albarino, which is light and bright – and the perfect pairing for the seafood tapas that we hungrily devour. Next, we are guided by Diego, our brilliant and attentive waiter, towards the Rioja Reserva, Beronia Edición De Autor, which proves a stellar choice: it is rich, elegantly spiced and offers hints of cocoa – the perfect complex but structured accompaniment to the smorgasbord of flavours.
Sherry fans will, meanwhile, find a true haven here. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a cautious first-timer, the staff will steer you towards the right pour – from bone-dry fino to rich, raisin-laced Pedro Ximénez.
The Service
The service strikes a rare balance: relaxed, intuitive, and thoroughly on-the-ball. Staff move with easy charm and clear knowledge – whether it’s pacing your courses to perfection or nudging you toward a knockout Rioja.
Final Word
Camino Victoria oozes authenticity. Whether you're popping in post-theatre, catching up over cava, or marking an occasion with small plates and, er, large reds, Camino delivers the relaxed and convivial joy of good food designed to be shared.
How Much
Tapas ranges from £4.50 to £24 per plate.
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