Tapas at the 202

Prawns with garlic, coriander and chilli

I don’t know about you, fellow students, but when I occasionally decide to assault my finances by splurging on a meal, I want it to be good. Not just to my taste buds – they’ve had their fair share of trials – but good in every sense of the word. Authentic, recently cooked, made from fresh produce – and really tasty.

The 202 Bar on Archway Road does just that. The newly opened, sparsely decorated but cosy tapas bar on the outskirts of Highgate serves pungent tapas inspired by the traditions of northern Spanish cuisine.

Fresh from scratch

Plump prawns in garlic and chilli, aromatic chorizo sausages in red wine sauce and marinated Manchego cheese in tarragon and peppercorn marinade are some of the delicious and wallet-friendly dishes that the welcoming owners cook from scratch. I drank the sauce after I’d eaten the chorizo, because I couldn’t get enough of the taste. I hope no one was loooking.

Because all dishes on the menu are made with fresh ingredients, the menu at 202 is small. As co-owner Helen explains, you can only offer so much if you want to stay away from the path of ready-made, micro-waved meals. There is a bit for everyone, though, including tortillas and salads, and a soup of the day.

How to do it

Some people avoid tapas bars because they are not sure what do – how much do you order, how much do you get and – crucially – will it give you that full, satisfied feeling? Understandable questions if you have never ventured into the world of Spanish nibbles. Servings obviously vary from place to place, but three tapas should make for a filling meal. Tapas are great for sharing, so if you are out with a couple of friends, you can taste a bit of everything. At the 202 Bar, the tapas come with bread and usually some olives and nuts on the house.

The 202 Bar is ideal for a date or a meal with friends

The tapas at 202 go well with a glass of deep, oaky Spanish Rioja which, incidentally, happens to be the house wine.

Prices

All this “fresh from scratch talk” must mean hefty prices, right? As it turns out, a visit to the 202 bar won’t dig too deep into your wallet. The tapas range from £2 to £4.50. A glass of wine costs between £3 and £4. The 202 Bar also offers a handful of main courses, depending on the season and the stock. At £6.95, the mussels with chips are a bargain and a tasty alternative to the tapas.

To get there, take the Northern Line to Archway, cross Highgate Hill and walk up Archway Road till you reach number 202. Buses 134 and 43 take you even closer – get off at Langdon Park Road and you’re less than a minute away from the mouthwatering tapas tastiness!

If you fancy having dinner at the 202 Bar and you’re low on dough, why not enter our competition to win a meal for two? We’ll be launching our very special Valentine’s Day competition in the next day or two so watch this space!