Morito is a tapas & mezze bar next door to sister restaurant Moro on Exmouth Market. Founded by Sam & Sam Clark in 2011, Morito is small but perfectly formed; a vibrant and funky sort of place serving some of the best tapas outside of Spain.
Inside, it’s a casual tapas bar offering the chance to try lots of different sidhes, all just as well sourced and prepared, and zingily spiced, as in the main restaurant, for a good price.
The room is simply but artfully decorated, stools line the bright orange bar and everything is effortlessly cool with fabulous 1970s styling whilst Nick Drake plays in the background— and works well despite being packed, though it’s not meant to be a place to linger after you’ve eaten. It’s rare to be in a restaurant where everybody is so obviously enjoying themselves. 
Unfortunately, they do not take bookings so it’s a case of first come, first served and waiting around for a table to be freed up, but it’s well worth the wait.
The food is fantastic. Morito draws inspiration from Spanish and North African influences, cuisine which can be found predominantly in Southern parts of Spain in cities such as
Granada and Cordoba, where the Moors invaded and inhabited. The 40-stong list is filled with little delights that you can share and pick at. You can make a whole meal of these nibbles, if you want, or just, as the hobbits say, “fill in the corners” to keep you going. Everything we tried was superb, from the very simple (tomato toast, lip-tingling pádron peppers) to old faves (patatas bravas topped with a thick, spicy tomato sauce and dollop of mayo) and regional specialities (grilled Galician tetilla cheese, with membrillo and walnut halves, and sizzling Palamós prawns with allioli) and don’t miss the beetroot and yoghurt borani with feta and walnuts or the lamb chops with cumin and paprika.
Desserts include a first-rate crema catalana (large enough for two), but the rich, boozy baklava ice-cream floating in a pool of Pedro Ximénez – the result of a happy kitchen accident, apparently – takes some beating. To drink, there are cocktails, sherries and an all-Spanish wine list, available by the glass, 375ml carafe or bottle. Perfect.
The staff are really welcoming and knowledgeable, and even though this place gets jam-packed, they are friendly and relaxed.
| 32 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE | Transport: Angel tube or Farringdon tube/rail or bus 19, 38, 341 |
| Telephone: +44 020 7278 7007 | Opening Hours: Tapas served 12:00-16:00, 17:00-23:00 Mon-Sat; 12:00-16:00 Sun |
| Price: Tapas £1-£8.50. Meal for two with wine and service: around £60 | Website |
