Iberico & Co’s cavernous setting styled with concrete, iron detailing and touches of turquoise and red make for the perfect España experience along Soho’s main strip. With a fully-stocked bar and higher tables towards the front that lead to intimate dining tables towards the back, the restaurant allows for a dining experience that can be either energetic and vibrant, or one that may lend itself more to romance. The detailed tile flooring and industrial light fixtures add to the ambience of relaxed Spanish dining and everything down to the napkins and silverware are a perfect fit for this restaurant’s casual cool style. 

With quite an extensive menu and drinks list, one is definitely not left without choice when it comes to tapas and cocktails. If you’re looking for some casual Spanish nibbles in a relaxed environment, Iberico & Co. could definitely be the spot. With a truly Spanish vibe, the restaurant serves up decently authentic tapas such as cured cuts (which feature serrano, lomo, salchichon and chorizo), shrimps tossed in garlic butter, tortilla with spicy tomato chutney and pan-fried spicy chorizo with duck egg. Definite highlights of the meal included the crispy cider roasted pork belly served apples and garlic, as well as the spicy chorizo and chicken paella, which are served up in very generous portions. Other restaurant specials that we didn’t have an opportunity to try are the spicy peri-peri chicken and the 1kg bone-in grilled prime beef rip with chimichanga sauce, both of which take an extra 20-30 minutes after ordering to prepare. The restaurant also offers an excellent selection of seafood and vegetarian-focused dishes which include beetroot carpaccio served with spring herbs, grilled paprika spiced sardines and marinated octopus with parsley, chilli, lemon and olive oil. To end our meal, we decided on the churros with 72 percent cocoa chocolate sauce. The chocolate sauce was delicate with just the right amount of bitterness, but the churros lacked in flavour and were merely rolled in sugar instead of the usual cinnamon sugar. Despite ending on a rather seasonless note, the food was well-prepared and the España experience we so desired was fulfilled. 

There is an extensive wine and drinks list at Iberico & Co. The main stars of the drinks menu include their variety of sangrias and inventive Spanish-inspired cocktails. A few favourites were the passion fruit sangria as well as the marsala and apple cider cocktail. Both were fruity and refreshing, with just the right touch of alcohol and fizz. Happy hour runs until 8pm so we made sure to get there in time to try a few of their unique cocktails. Prices range from about HK$60 to HK$100 for cocktails and wines by the glass. If you’re looking for a nice bottle of wine, a reasonable selection is on hand to match your tapas perfectly.

The staff were attentive at times, but it became increasingly difficult to get their attention as the night progressed and the venue became busier. Despite the lack of attention towards the end of our meal, the waiters were never overbearing and were always extremely friendly. They were also able to rectify one incorrect drink order almost immediately and were extremely gracious while doing so.

A filling meal for two, including cocktails or wine comes to around HK$700. With some excellent tapas and a vibrant setting, Iberico & Co. turns out to be a great value for money hotspot with a prime central location.