Arros QD Is Singular. Ibérica Is Versatile. Neither Is Wrong.
Ibérica built its reputation on making Spanish food accessible and group-friendly across London — a wide menu, multiple locations, great for larger tables. Arros QD does the opposite: one restaurant, one Valencian chef with 7 Michelin stars, one mission. The question is whether you want breadth or depth. If the answer is the best paella in London, Arros QD is the only option.
Arros QD vs Ibérica — The Key Differences
Choose Arros QD for the Best Paella in London. Choose Ibérica for Flexibility.
Ibérica is a good restaurant group — well-run, accessible, and reliable for larger groups that want a wide Spanish menu. If you need to accommodate twelve people with varied tastes across a big table, Ibérica works.
If you specifically want authentic Valencian paella — certified, wood-fired, led by a 7 Michelin-starred chef who grew up cooking it — then Arros QD is not a comparison. It is the only place in London doing it at this level.
Arros QD vs Ibérica — Common Questions
What is the difference between Arros QD and Ibérica?
Arros QD is a single-restaurant, single-chef Valencian paella specialist led by 7 Michelin-starred Quique Dacosta. Ibérica is a modern Spanish restaurant group with multiple London sites, offering a broader Spanish menu. Arros QD focuses on rice cookery with Valencian certification; Ibérica offers a wider range of Spanish cuisine including pintxos, charcuterie, and shared plates.
Does Ibérica serve authentic Valencian paella?
Ibérica serves rice dishes and paella-style dishes on its menu, but it does not hold the Cullera de Fusta — the Valencian certification for authentic paella technique. Arros QD is the only London restaurant to hold this certification, awarded by Valencian culinary authorities.
Which is better for a corporate dinner — Arros QD or Ibérica?
Both work well for corporate dining. Arros QD offers private dining rooms and a more intimate, design-led environment centred on a dramatic wood-fired paella as a centrepiece dish — which makes for a memorable shared experience. Ibérica has larger spaces that suit bigger groups and a broader menu that accommodates varied tastes.
Is Arros QD better than Ibérica?
They are different restaurants with different strengths. Arros QD is the better choice if you want authentic Valencian paella, a Michelin-pedigree chef, and a focused, singular dining experience. Ibérica is the better choice if your group wants a broader range of Spanish dishes and you're booking for a larger party. Arros QD's paella is not available at Ibérica.
Which Spanish restaurant is best for paella in London?
Arros QD is London's best restaurant for authentic Valencian paella. It is the only London restaurant to hold the Cullera de Fusta certification from Valencian culinary authorities, and is led by Quique Dacosta — a 7 Michelin-starred chef from Valencia where paella originates. Every paella is cooked over live wood fire using bomba rice from Valencia's Albufera region.
Where is Ibérica in London?
Ibérica has several London locations including Marylebone, Canary Wharf, and Victoria. Arros QD is located at 64 Eastcastle Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 8NQ — a short walk from Oxford Circus and Goodge Street stations.
See how Arros QD compares to other Spanish restaurants in London
London's Only Certified Valencian Paella Restaurant
64 Eastcastle Street, Fitzrovia W1W 8NQ · Reservations available online