Best Restaurants for Tapas Leeds – Spanish tapas conjures up holiday memories of times spent in Mediterranean bars enjoying delicious local delicacies along with your Pina Colada. But where did tapas originate?
Interesting fact – Tapa in Spanish means to ” cover” or ” lid” and a popular tale describing the origin of tapas is that it is the result of bar keepers using of bread or some meat and cheese to cover customers’ glasses to keep out debris and flies. Another story goes back many years to the time of King Alfonso X ‘The Wise’ . He is said to have enjoyed small plates of food to offset the effects of the large amounts of wine he drank while he was unwell and bedridden. When he recovered, he declared the small bites and wine combination mandatory to his people. However it originated, we can all agree its delicious. So, lets check out the 5 Best Tapas Restaurants Leeds.
Iberica
Hepper House, 17A East Parade Leeds LS1 2BH
Sophisticated Spanish dining at it absolute finest – Ibérica Leeds was “painstakingly built within the historic Hepper House, which is a Grade-Two-listed former cloth merchants. Within the decorated stone exterior of this magnificent 19th Century building, you’ll find a light and airy restaurant, with high ceilings and stunning chandeliers. In the daytime, the skylight running the entire length of the main dining room floods the restaurant with natural light. Our basement wine bar La Bodega (Spanish for winery) serves a selection of over 70 carefully sourced Spanish wines, as well as delicious tapas, Spanish cheeses, and serrano and Ibérico hams. Join us for a tapas lunch or after-work drinks, a night out with friends or a romantic meal for two.” Below are just a few of the delights available on the menu.
Artisan cheese selection
~San Simón, Massimo Rey Silo, Manchego Reserva, Peralzola and organic Sujaira~
Jambon Iberico
~jamón Ibérico that is made from 100% pure-breed, black Iberian pig. These pigs mature slowly; freely-roaming the Spanish countryside, grazing in fields and acorn woods~
Hake with cider
~Hake cooked in an Asturian cider sauce with mussels and potatoes~
Seafood paella (for two)
~with prawns, squid and langoustines~
Twice Cooked Lamb
~with marinated cherry tomatoes & red peppers from León~
Ambiente Tapas Leeds
36 – 38 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7EW
Ambiente Tapas Leeds is a super stylish restaurant, inspired by Spain’s tabancos and traditional dishes, also offering a modern take on some of Spain’s classics. A peek into the kitchen will reveal talented chefs cooking tapas to order and mastering the barbecue Josper oven. Some of the stand out dishes on the menu are listed below.
Wheel of Tapas
~A platter of white & brown anchovy fillets, Idiazabal cheese & Serrano ham all served on bread & arranged
around a small bowl of olives~
Empanada de ternera
~Slow braised spiced beef, wrapped in pastry & deep fried served with homemade sweet chilli sauce~
Gambas al tempura
~Tiger prawns deep fried in lightly spiced tempura batter & served with aïoli~
Queso de cabra e hinoji
~Soft, mild goats cheese lightly battered & drizzled with honey, served with braised fennel & beetroot crisps~
Mejillones a la marinera
~Mussels steamed in white wine & garlic cream~
La Casita Leeds
Arch U Granary Wharf, Dark Neville Street, LS1 4BR
At La Casita you can expect to enjoy contemporary Spanish tapas & an excellent selection of drinks with indoor and outdoor seating, all situated within a renovated space under a train station. They offer a mouth watering menu, some of the stand out dishes are listed below.
Lomo
~Made from the eye of the pork loin, rubbed in salt, paprika and dry cured for 4-6 weeks. This Lomo De Cerdo is soft and mild with savoury and woody notes. Served with tomato salsa, pickled chillies and garlic croutons~
Montbru Garrotxa
~A goat’s cheese, with an intense, fresh and slightly citric flavour and a buttery texture with an intense aroma. Served with PX marmalade, quince and crackers~
Villadiego Manchego
~A raw ewe’s milk cheese, with pocket holes showing notes of dry pasture and toasted pistachios with lots of creaminess. Served with PX marmalade, quince and crackers~
El Gato Negro Leeds
35 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JL
El Gato Negro Leeds is located in a Yorkshire stone-clad former bank on the corner of Park Row and Bond Street. The elegant and sophisticated premises house both restaurant and bar, offering a range of award-winning tapas options. Some of the most mouth watering options on the menu are listed below.
~Charcuterie board: jamón serrano; salchichón ibérico; olive torta; aged Manchego with orange blossom honey; Monte Enebro goats cheese, quince jelly~
~Salt cod croquetas, piquillo pepper purée and aioli~
~Chargrilled lamb skewers with butter bean hummus & harissa yoghurt ~
~Catalan bread with olive oil, garlic and fresh tomato~
~Griddled sea bream with butterbean hummus, fennel, orange and basil~
Dos Amigos
68-70 Abbey Road, Leeds, LS5 3JG
Dos Amigos is a family run restaurant located just outside Leeds City Centre. They are well known for specializing in freshly made Spanish and Italian food and offer many traditional dishes using home made recipes. They use the best ingredients available to ensure delicious and authentic tasting food. Some of their yummy dishes are listed below.
ALBONDIGAS
~Pork & beef homemade meatballs in a tomato sauce~
GUISADO DE JABALI
~Diced wild boar haunch braised in molasses, prunes, apricots, & almond~
FAGIOLATA TOSCANA
~Mixed beans casserole with red peppers, tomato sauce & coriander~
PAELLA VALENCIANA
~Prawns, shellfish, chicken & chicken livers all cooked in saffron bomba rice & smoked paprika ~
COSTOLE
~Meaty pork belly ribs in our own sweet & sour sticky sauce~
Also look at our main post of the best restaurants in Leeds.