A new tapas bar has opened for business just off Winchester High Street.

Bar Lento is an independent restaurant on Southgate Street that prides itself on high quality Spanish ingredients.

The bar serves small dishes and tapas, and doubles up as a café during the day.

Owner Sarah Strangeway has put together a reasonably priced wine list from a wide range of vineyards to compliment the food.

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The interior of Lento (Image: Sarah Strangeway)

She is an ex food and wines wholesaler and has spent years working with Spanish cuisine.

Sarah said she had spent two years looking for the ‘perfect spot’ in Winchester and hopes that the local community and businesses will love the space.

She said: “We want everyone to feel welcome and enjoy just a glass of wine or cocktail or our full tapas menu.

“We are open from early every morning through to late every night which feels in keeping with traditional tapas bars where great coffee starts the day and great wine and food ends it.”

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Sarah has tried to make Bar Lento’s atmosphere as warm and welcoming as possible in the hope it will feel like a bar “where everybody knows your name”.

There is also a secret garden which serves as a sun trap by day and a spot for drinks and more through the evening.

Bar Lento is open all day, serving early morning coffees, chilled out lunches and evening meals situated opposite The Exchange pub.