Don Diego

Absolutely delightful dining experience. Came early evening with the kids and was warmly welcomed. Had 3 dishes each, all of which were tasty and well presented.
Prawns, pork, chorizo… Plus mushrooms and potato bravas. Really good range and we had a great evening out.
Busy and buzzing but not at all cramped and the décor is spot on.

I am going to be very honest with you. I have been to several Spanish tapas bars and restaurants before but Don Diego is one of the most authentic ones. It really reach my expectations.
Living in Sutton since June, I still didn’t explore the area properly but the reputation for its excellent restaurants, plus a 3^rd Wedding Anniversary celebration in September, made my husband and I book a table at this popular place.
My first impression was that Don Diego is a very quiet place for a Friday evening. Which didn’t bothered me at all because I could have a good look around before taking in some nice Spanish tapas. The décor is
This typical «cantina española» has opened in 2012 for the couple Alfonso and Emma Yufera-​Ruiz. After having a quick chat with who I presume was Emma, the owner, I understood why this restaurant receives such good reviews. There is A LOT OF passion in what is served there.
I followed the recommendations of the menu and choose more than 2 different types of tapas as starter. Not per head but share with my husband. I can’t resist some tortillas and I was very curious about the croquettas. But I confess that the Spanish bread and cheese board was pure greed. And yes, everything was delicious.
While the starter was going down quite easy, some glasses of Rioja was the best choice to start a night of celebration. It is a pity that I didn’t choose the bottle of Juan de Alzate (£19.95) instead of SEVERAL glasses of this gorgeous wine (that cost me £5.25 each). Ouch!
I love how diversified the menu is at Don Diego. And by the time we were ready to pick our main, the restaurant was already packed with families, friends, couples and I believe some office people that popped around for a drink or two. The atmosphere is nice. Some Latin music and a very warm staff made me feel really comfortable there.
I also like the colourful décor in the place. Plenty of pictures on the wall that reminds how Spain is caliente. And some many large wooden tables that are inviting for big groups of people.
For main course we both decided different kinds of meat. I was so keen on trying the Duck Leg confitado, Seville Orange compot (£7.75) that I avoid have a proper look at the entire menu. I’m sure I made the right decision. But I like the way menu at Don Diego is diversified with a range of options from «Del Mar» (seafood), «De la Tierra» (From the Land) to «From the Ground» (vegetarian). It’s a very creative way of showing the costumer how diversified a menu at a tapas restaurant can be. It’s a very tempting menu so I do admit I had a quick check online before visiting Don Diego.
My husband had a delicious Iberico Pork Cheek cooked in Red Wine. Olive Oil Mash (£6.75). And it was spotted on. Even skipping the puddings I think it’s one of the best restaurants of Brimingham and I do recommend it. Especially if you want a fully Spanish tapas experience.

In a moment of impulse my girlfriend and I headed to Don Diego for an evening of Tapas to chase away the winter blues. Despite it being a Sunday the restaurant was heaving with at least two birthday parties and several other smaller groups taking up the tables. We looked forlorn enough for the waiters to sort out an extra table just for us.
Tapas dishes are 3 for a tenner and the menu consists of about 20 or so choices. We opted for stuffed peppers, potatoes, meat balls, chicken kebabs, chorizo in red wine and pork cheeks. Despite the restaurant being at capacity we quickly started receiving our dishes. Dishes were presented in small rustic looking bowls and not everything matched, adding to the rustic feel. The tastes were loaded with red wine, paprika and chilli but were never overpowering. Although we were desperate to try yet more items from the menu, for the two of us 6 dishes was more than enough.
Décor is café style with wooden chairs and large wooden tables, with traditional (or clichéd) Spanish pictures hanging on the walls. Toilets are labelled with pictures and the men’s picture is a little frightening, it looks like a cross between the picture of Dorian Gray and Disney’s Captain Hook.
Staff are attentive but never intrusive and at three dishes for a tenner the bill at the end of the evening is refreshingly low. The meal was so nice we headed back a couple of weeks later to find an all new menu with about 40% crossover from the old one and we enjoyed a meal that consisted in only two of our previous dishes! The waiter also informed us that all of the ingredients are sourced from Spain, either a joy to traditionalists or cause for concern to those concerned about food miles, it doesn’t change the good value and great flavours on offer.

I’m a regular here now. Either just to sit at the bar for a caña and some olives, or for a big weekend late lunch. I love Spanish food, and the chef at Don Diego is no slouch. The simple things like lentils are very tasty. The paella is the best I’ve had outside Spain (and better than some in Spain). You need to order it in advance though. We also had sea bass in salt. Cooked to perfection. Good wines, excellent food, friendly service. Best restaurant in Sutton?

Rather like Spanish football’s tika-​taka — the act of moving the ball quickly with short passes — tapas comes to you in short bursts, always hitting the spot, with nothing misplaced. At least that’s the theory. The problem with tapas can be that, like tika-​taka, it sounds so simple but not everyone is able to get it right. Don Diego’s little dishes do get it right; Xavi and Iniesta connecting on tables right in the heart of town. Olé.
The staff are lovely and the price is lovely too — check the status of offers before you go, but £5 for two dishes was the norm from the restaurant’s launch during afternoons and one evening a week. The recommended six dishes per two diners, then, will set a couple back just £15. Wash it down with an exceptionally cold bottle of Cruz Campo beer.
The soundtrack of Spanish music could possibly grate in some venues, but the restaurant is decorated so authentically, anything else would seem amiss. But it doesn’t want to earnestly scream ‘Spain’ at you, instead it simply lets itself be. To continue the football metaphor, everything adds up to a match-​winning performance. It’s one of the best venues in town.