There are some great perks to being a blogger. One of them is getting to try out the latest hot and happening restaurants before anyone else and this is exactly what we did a few days ago at Iberica Leeds.
This converted Grade II listed building houses Leeds’ latest gastronomic offering – an authentic Spanish restaurant serving tapas, cured meats and classics like their signature paella – washed down with lots of wine and native beers.
Located on East Parade, a short walk from the train station and the city’s landmark museum and town hall, Iberica is like a high end city smart restaurant at the main entrance and a laid back, hidden ‘drinks after work’ type trendy den at the rear, where the nestled doorway, decor and lighting are inviting and as you enter you get the feeling of walking into a real ‘find’.
The bar and deli area is on the lower ground floor and somehow manages to be stripped back and luxe at the same time, plus I love how they have stayed sympathetic to the original building – even creating a retail shop display out of the former lift shaft!
We dined in the more elegant ‘banquette and chandelier’ part of the restaurant and were waited on by Andreu – something of a celebrity at Iberica!
His knowledge and passion for the food, the restaurant and the culture was impressive and contagious and we found ourselves taking many of his suggestions about which tapas to order. His recommendation of croquettes went down particularly well – my teenager loved them so much we put in an order for a second helping!
Some of the dishes sampled were the Iberica fish & chips; grilled Iberico pork head of loin; tortilla (Spanish omelette) and Iberica’s croquettes.
The prices are from £2.50 for a starter of bread and between £4 – £9.50 per plate for tapas (they advise 3 plates per person is typical but you can have what you want!) Paella is from £9 per person (minimum 2 people) so it is at the average High Street restaurant price range and well worth it for the quality and experience. As we ate my husband and I remarked how Iberica had got the authenticity right. The meal took us back to our holiday in the Costa Brava last year where we enjoyed tapas in the heart of Girona.
Iberica import their quality ingredients from carefully chosen Spanish producers to get that Catalan experience in Leeds and our overall verdict was that we’d definitely go back. We have to… After our meal we were so stuffed that we declined a look at the pudding menu and I’m not normally one to turn down a dessert!
Manager Fabio showed us round after our meal and told me that they are planning to run a series of masterclasses, as the other Iberica restaurants do – from ham carvings to sherry tastings, sharing the secrets and passions of their Spanish brands.
Iberica Leeds is now open at Hepper House, 17a East Parade, Leeds, LS1 2BH.
Telephone 0113 4037 007. www.ibericarestaurants.com
Thank you to Iberica for inviting us to the soft launch of your stunning restaurant and hosting our meal for the purpose of this review.
I am now rather hungry after reading this and looking at the photos of the yummy looking food. The restaurant looks beautiful and clearly the service is good too
It was an excellent night all round!
What a treat it looks a lovely restaurant with a farm at the sphere I love the high ceilings and feeling of space in there. Always a good sign when you don’t have space for desert truly a sign of good portions.
Yes, it was definitely good portions! We really enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting.
The food looks amazing and great service always makes it for me. Hoping to get to Leeds to visit famiy soon
That’s great Kara – let me know if you do – would be great to meet for coffee if you can squeeze in time!
The food looks amazing! How lovely to be able to eat authentic Catalan food right in the heart of Leeds.
I know, right?! It was gorgeous and we will definitely go back.
What an interesting building and the food looks delicious – I could dig into that right now!
Oh how lovely. I am a big fan of tapas as are my boys. Yummy
What a gorgeous place! The food looks so good too x
Oooh that looks delicious! I’m drooling at your photos x
Great Restaurant
What a lovely place to dine at.I often visit Leeds so will book mark this place for our next visit.
This sounds just my sort of place – When we finally get to meet up in Leeds, we should eat here! x
It’s a deal! They are looking to do blogger masterclasses soon too, and I told the manager I know some great food bloggers in Yorkshire to come with! xx