Discovering tapas, atmosphere and a little taste of the Mediterranean at The Candlemaker, Ripley
We had heard so many good things about the Candlemaker in Ripley that we just had to call in and see what all the fuss was about. Open since May, this stylish new venue occupies a fascinating historic building which originally served as the town’s candlemaker factory back in the 1830s.
When we discovered that The Candlemaker had also introduced a tapas and evening food menu, we knew it was time to pay a visit.
On arrival, we were shown to our candlelit table by Rowan, a lovely and attentive member of the team, and handed the drinks and tapas menus. The interior is stylish and sophisticated while retaining plenty of the building’s original character, creating a wonderfully atmospheric setting for an evening.
There was an impressive choice of drinks, particularly the wine selection, alongside a tempting cocktail list. I opted for a Victoria Málaga Spanish lager to enjoy with our tapas.
And what a menu! With so much choice, including a specials board, deciding what to order wasn’t easy. We settled on six dishes to share: Deep Fried Goat’s Cheese with Tomato Chutney, Traditional Meatballs, Patatas Bravas, Basque Short Ribs, Padrón Peppers and Honey Roasted Chorizo.
The dishes arrived beautifully presented in traditional tapas-style serving dishes, making them perfect for sharing. Every plate was packed with flavour and freshness.
The Basque Short Ribs were exceptional – slow roasted for an incredible 10 hours and served in a rich plum porter liquor. The meat was beautifully tender and simply fell apart.
One of my personal favourites was a dish I wasn’t sure I would even like – the Deep Fried Goat’s Cheese with Tomato Chutney. This is exactly why I love tapas; it gives you the chance to try something different. Golden and crispy on the outside, the goat’s cheese was served with garden salad and a homemade spicy tomato chutney. It was absolutely delicious.
The Honey Roasted Chorizo was another standout, coated in a delicious smoky honey liquor, while the traditional meatballs, Patatas Bravas and Padrón peppers completed what was a fantastic selection of dishes.
Throughout our meal, Rowan was attentive without being intrusive and was more than happy to talk us through the dishes. We discovered that he is currently completing a Level 3 Supervisor Apprenticeship, and his enthusiasm and knowledge certainly made an impression. He is a real asset to the front-of-house team.
There is a sleek and sophisticated atmosphere at The Candlemaker during the evening, with the lights dimmed to create a relaxed and intimate setting. Tapas is served Sunday to Thursday from 4pm until 8pm.
It’s not just an evening destination, either. During the day, there is a new lunch menu served from 10.30am until 3pm, featuring morning classics, toast and teacakes, delicious sandwiches and even a tempting charcuterie board – so there really is something for everyone.
Outside, the beautiful courtyard provides a lovely space to sit and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine. But the real hidden gem is the Kitchen Garden, which has been growing alongside The Candlemaker from the very beginning. Filled with herbs, fruits, vegetables and edible flowers, the kitchen team can quite literally pick ingredients from the garden and bring them straight to your plate. It’s a little taste of the Mediterranean right in the heart of Ripley, and perhaps one of the reasons everything tastes so wonderfully fresh.
The Candlemaker also hosts popular wine tasting evenings once a month. These are ticket-only events and prove extremely popular, so booking early is definitely advisable.
The Candlemaker is a wonderful addition to Ripley, combining history, atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and outstanding food. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and, having discovered so many dishes we loved, we’ll certainly be making a return visit.
