El Pulpo is a Spanish restaurant and tapas bar in Witham, built around a menu of small plates that can be mixed and matched across meat, fish and vegetable dishes.

Overview

El Pulpo opened in September 2016 and describes itself as an authentic Spanish restaurant and tapas bar in Witham. The kitchen’s approach is centred on food cooked to order, with a menu that is laid out in clear sections so you can build a meal in the traditional tapas style or choose a smaller selection with drinks. The menu also includes an “Off Sales” section that lists Spanish ingredients and gift vouchers, which suggests the venue also offers a way to take a taste of Spain home in product form. Not stated is any formal tasting menu, set menu outside of the named promotions, or a separate children’s menu.

What You Can Expect

The menu reads like a balance between classic tapas staples and larger, more substantial plates that still fit the small-plate format. You will see familiar starters that suit sharing, followed by distinct categories for meat, fish and vegetables, plus a dedicated cured meats and cheese section. The way the menu is structured encourages ordering across categories rather than sticking to one type of dish. Not stated is the exact portion size for each plate, although the pricing and category layout indicate a tapas-led experience.

A useful practical detail is that dietary markers are included next to many dishes, including gluten-free and dairy-free, with a fish indicator also used on seafood items. This makes it easier to scan the menu if you are planning around allergens or preferences, even before you choose what to order.

What to Order

If you like to begin with nibbles while you decide, the appetisers section includes Spanish olives and smoked almonds, both clearly marked for gluten-free and dairy-free suitability. There are also white anchovies, and a black pudding scotch egg served with house ketchup, which gives an early signal that the menu includes both Spanish classics and dishes with a twist.

From the meat section, there is a mixture of homely Spanish bar favourites and longer-cooked plates. You can pick traditional comfort dishes such as meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, or go for croquettes filled with ham and cheese. For something richer, the menu lists slow-braised ox cheeks served with claphot and braised savoy cabbage, and an eight-hour pork belly dish paired with chorizo and a five-bean stew. There are also confit chicken thighs served with romesco sauce and picado, and spicy chorizo cooked with Rioja, which is a simple, classic way of serving cured sausage in Spanish cooking.

The fish section provides a similarly broad spread, including both fried options and more delicate plates. Calamares a la Romana are served with house alioli, while gambas al pil pil brings king prawns cooked in extra virgin olive oil with garlic and chilli. If you prefer grilled seafood, the menu includes a grilled salt cod loin served with pea purée and tartar, as well as pan-seared scallops with cauliflower purée and curry oil. One of the signature-sounding plates is the octopus dish, served with saffron mayo, black risotto and pickled dulse. There is also a “loaded dirty seafood potatoes” option that combines squid, prawns, potatoes, alioli and spicy tomato sauce, which looks designed for those who want something bold and hearty.

Vegetable plates are well represented, which is useful if you want to keep your order lighter or build a mainly plant-based spread. Patatas bravas appear in a traditional format with homemade spicy tomato sauce. There are padrón peppers, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, a Spanish omelette, and sautéed garlic mushrooms. Two plates that stand out for flavour pairings are cauliflower bang bang and a stuffed aubergine with feta and pomegranate. There is also a house salad listed, which can provide balance alongside richer meat or fried dishes.

For groups that enjoy charcuterie and cheese, the cured meats and cheese section includes hand-cut acorn-fed Iberian ham, ham paired with Manchego, a selection of Spanish meats, a selection of Spanish cheeses, and a mixed board combining both. These options are well suited to ordering early and sharing while the rest of the meal develops, and they also work as a simpler meal with drinks if you prefer to keep things informal.

Paella is included, with an important operational note that it is available by 24-hour pre-order only. The menu lists a Valencian paella for two, and notes that it can serve two as a main or four as a tapas-style dish. Not stated is whether other paella styles are available beyond what is listed, although the promotions mention Paella Tuesdays as a specific offer.

Dessert options keep the Spanish theme and finish the menu neatly. Crèma catalana is listed as gluten-free, and there is also a Catalan cheesecake marked gluten-free. Other desserts include an almond cake, a double chocolate brownie, a selection of ice creams, and a blood orange sorbet that is marked gluten-free and dairy-free. This gives a clear route to finishing the meal even if you are avoiding gluten or dairy, although not every dessert is marked for those needs.

Dietary Options

The menu labelling shows gluten-free and dairy-free items across multiple sections, rather than restricting them to a single category. You can see marked options among appetisers, meat, fish, vegetables and desserts, which helps if you are ordering for the table and want to include everyone. Not stated is a separate allergen guide, cross-contamination policy, or whether there are dedicated preparation areas, so anyone with severe allergies should confirm details directly with the venue.

Location and Area Guide

El Pulpo is located at 33 Newland Street in Witham, Essex. The venue describes itself as being on Witham High Street, which aligns with the central positioning of Newland Street for local dining and evening plans. Not stated is parking guidance or nearest public transport details within the provided sources, so the most reliable approach is to navigate directly to the Newland Street address.

Who It’s Best For

El Pulpo works well for diners who enjoy sharing plates and building a meal gradually, because the menu has enough variety to mix seafood, meat, vegetable dishes and boards without repetition. It also suits groups with mixed dietary needs thanks to the clear menu marking for gluten-free and dairy-free items, plus multiple vegetable-led choices. It is a strong fit for people who want Spanish flavours that range from familiar classics like patatas bravas and croquettes to more involved plates such as octopus with black risotto or braised ox cheeks. Not stated is whether the venue positions itself as family-focused, although the tapas format can be flexible for different appetites.

Final Thoughts

El Pulpo’s menu is a good example of a tapas bar that offers both quick, snackable dishes and plates that feel more substantial, without losing the shareable format. From simple appetisers and traditional Spanish staples through to longer-cooked meats, grilled seafood, vegetable plates and Spanish-style desserts, the structure makes it easy to tailor a meal to your preferences. If you enjoy ordering a spread for the table, or you want a Spanish menu with clear dietary labelling and a paella option available with advance notice, El Pulpo provides a focused, clearly organised set of choices.

- Food Types: Restaurant, Bar
- Dining Type: Dine In
- Area: Not stated, Witham