If you’re on the hunt for downright delicious tapas in Leeds, look no further than these tried-and-tested favourites.
Tortilla, patatas bravas, olives and calamari… need we go on? These dishes may be little but, boy, are they big on flavour and nowhere knows that better than Leeds. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to indulge in a feast of epic proportions at the best tapas restaurants in Leeds – check them out.
Viva Cuba
We can’t get enough of Viva Cuba. Housed in a massive former bank, it’s one of our favourite restaurants to get tapas at in Leeds, not just for the quality of the food, but for the decor and the service… let’s not forget the sangria, too. The menu here is huge, so let’s get to business.
The portions are massive – we’ve left each time feeling absolutely stuffed. You can treat yourself to the likes of jalapeño peppers filled with cream cheese, succulent slow-cooked pork ribs and a sweet-yet-spicy lamb stew. Our visit saw us seated in the private upstairs dining room, which was a real treat, but you’ll feel at home anywhere in the restaurant.
Viva Cuba, 342 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2DS.
Ambiente
Housed in a Grade II-listed warehouse, a trip to Ambiente is perfect for every occasion, be it a fancy celebration or a last-minute meal. Inside it’s all exposed brickwork and original floorboards, whereas a trip outside will treat you to a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the River Aire.
It’s a given that you’ll need a jug of sangria and a bowl of olives whilst choosing what to order, but what will you go for? The beef and pork meatballs are smoky, the baked chilli and honey feta perfect for dipping and the calamari’s perfectly crispy. They even have a dedicated plant-based section, so vegans can tuck into a delightful ‘sham-bas’ gambas veganas.
Ambiente Tapas, 36-38 The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7EW.
El Bareto
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Small, intimate and rustic, Spanish tapas restaurant El Bareto sits pretty in much-loved Leeds suburb Chapel Allerton. Candlelit tables create the perfect atmosphere, making you feel a million miles away from the city centre, but just wait until you try the food.
The dishes are entirely unpretentious and you can really taste the love in them, which is our favourite thing about El Bareto. A selection of Ibéricos is the perfect way to kick off the affair, followed up with jalapeño croquettes, garlic king prawns and, if you’re feeling really adventurous, chicken livers. If you’ve still got room in your belly after all that, the churros are sure to call your name.
El Bareto, 120 Gledhow Valley Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 6LX.
La Taberna
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Walk past and you may have missed it, but York Place’s La Taberna is where you’ll find some of the best tapas in Leeds. Tucked away amongst office buildings, the underground eatery was established by husband and wife duo Andres and Vivi who wanted to showcase their love of Spanish food.
There’s a limited number of tables and the menu’s relatively small, but in our opinion, that’s how you know you’ve found a good restaurant. Queso manchego with homemade jam, patatas bravas and chorizo al vino are just a taste of the delights on offer, but if you really want to push the boat out, plump for the chargrilled flat iron steak.
La Taberna, Britannia House, 16 York Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2EU.
Kasa Rosa
Morley’s answer to the Mediterranean, Kasa Rosa offers a taste of the whole of southern Europe, but it’s the Spanish tapas that keeps us coming back. The restaurant itself is simple, with a no-frills approach to decor – it’s clear that the main focus here is the food.
And boy, is the food good. All the classics are present and correct, from fried new potatoes with aioli to slow-roasted Mediterranean vegetables, but we like to look past them and go for something more adventurous. Ever had deep-fried crab claws? How about black pudding in a pepper sauce? If not, you can try all this and more at Kasa Rosa.
Kasa Rosa, Middleton Road, Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 8AQ.
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