La Cantina

Stockport is not Salamanca but that doesn’t stop the wooden barrel tables outside La Cantina on Heaton Moor’s busy Shaw Road being a very attractive proposition. It’s a tapas bar so in true Spanish style that means wine, beer and gin – particularly gin – are just as important as food. After all, tapas are drinking food, just more refined than a 2am kebab.

The gin and tonics are excellent with some lovely Spanish numbers like Vones and there is a good selection of wines and beers. The outside space is really rather nice and there is always a good atmosphere with dishes coming and going and kids running around. Squint in the Stockport sunshine and you could almost be sat in some Plaza Mayor somewhere. Almost.

The food is simple but that’s what tapas is all about. There may not be much time spent on prep, but all the effort has gone in to sourcing the best ingredients like salted Valencian almonds and superb manchego cheese.

Expect dishes like quality anchovies, pan Catalan, Spanish meatballs, crisp calamari with alioli, Padron peppers and patatas bravas but every single one is done well.

The perfect accompaniment to life well-lived. What could be better than a glass of wine in one hand and a bite of bread and serrano ham in the other, with the promise of more to come?

Want to be the first to receive all the latest news, tips, articles, guides and updates from Confidential Guides? Sign up here.