El Gatito, a new laid-back evolution of Simon Shaw’s award-winning El Gato Negro Tapas, is set to open at MediaCity this November.
Mills Hill Development Limited (MHDL), which also operates Canto and Black Cat Club, are set to launch the new concept on Fri 6 Nov. Guests can expect Spanish-inspired small plates, generously loaded focaccias, charcuterie made for sharing and a drinks list packed with wine, beer, cocktails and plenty of sangria.
Lunchtimes at El Gatito will centre around a selection of generously loaded focaccias, served Monday to Friday from 11am – 4pm, alongside a menu of Spanish-inspired small plates.
Available to eat in or take away, the focaccia lineup includes the signature ‘Iberico Club’, layering jamon serrano, salchichon, chorizo, manchego, roasted peppers, tomato, lettuce and salsa verde. A vegetarian option will also be available, featuring a twist on a traditional Spanish classic: a Spanish tortilla filled with tomato, rocket, crispy onions and aioli.
By evening, El Gatito will switch focus to tapas, sharing plates and drinks, shaped by comforting flavours from Spain and across the Mediterranean. Highlights include melt-in-the-mouth slow-cooked Beef Short Rib and smoky Catalan Chorizo, sizzling Gambas Pil Pil, Manchego Churros and generous boards of Spanish charcuterie. Selected dishes will also feature as part of El Gatito’s 3 for £15 offer. Drinks will range from wines, ice-cold beers, refreshing spritzes, signature cocktails and sangria.
Interiors will be kept purposely relaxed, with green booth seating, open-plan areas and bifold doors which open directly onto a dedicated terrace.
Lucy Silcock, Operations Director at MHDL, said: “We’re really excited to finally share El Gatito with everyone. We’ve taken some of the things we love most about El Gato Negro and given them a more relaxed, easy-going feel that we think is perfect for the MediaCity neighbourhood.
“We wanted to create somewhere people can use in different ways throughout the day – whether that’s grabbing a focaccia at lunchtime, sharing a few plates with colleagues after work or opening a bottle of wine with friends and staying for the evening.
“We’ve had a lot of fun bringing El Gatito to life and we can’t wait to open the doors, meet our new neighbours and, most importantly, see people make the space their own.”
Alice Webb, CEO of MediaCity, said: “El Gatito is going to make a statement at MediaCity. It’s a bold, characterful concept from a group with a proven track record, and it brings something genuinely different. It’s a glimpse of what’s to come at MediaCity, with ambitious plans to bring more new offerings and experiences to the campus.”
The restaurant will have a selection of special offers available following launch, with Happy Hour taking place between 4pm – 6pm every day, with £5 pints and £5 Sangria and a 3 for £15 offer across select dishes between 12pm – 4pm Mon – Fri, and all day Sunday.
The team has also announced a special pop-up set to take place outside the El Gatito site on Thu 29 Oct, giving away coffees and bocatas between 11:30am – 2pm and a selection of para picar and sangrias between 2pm – 5pm. Items will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can find out more here.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Wed 28 Oct 2026
