La Fiesta, Leeds – Restaurant Review
By Steve Crabtree, September 2025
Playfully, I’m a bit of a Spanish foodie snob. I love tapas… it’s one of my favourite things to eat, and while I’m no genuine connoisseur, treating myself to meals in the local haunts in and around Barcelona and Madrid over the years – as well as tapas tours in the Spanish capital – have spoiled me a little.
From the most surprisingly incredible mushroom dishes and garlic prawns that are perhaps the best prawns I’ve ever tasted, to little plates in those traditional restaurants that hum with atmosphere – that’s the benchmark in my head.
So, when I walk into Spanish restaurants in the UK, I do so with a smile but with expectations tempered. It’s not that I’m wary, but I know to expect a difference. Which is why La Fiesta, newly opened in the Merrion Centre, Leeds really impressed.
“Fresh flavours of the Med”
It was a Thursday evening, and my friend Dan and I arrived to find La Fiesta looking big, clean, shiny and distinctly Mediterranean. Inside, it was already buzzing. It was launch night, and conversations and laughter were bouncing around the room. We had a nice, busy restaurant which felt energetic before we’d even sat down.
Exactly the kind of atmosphere you want from a place that calls itself La Fiesta. What a great start!
After being shown to our table, our waiter explained how the set up works, and pointed out the salad bar. We’d already clocked it on the way in, it’s that impressive on the eye and a clever way to ease into the night. A chance to get a few fresh flavours of the Med in before the hot plates start landing.
Did we go crazy? Perhaps…we helped ourselves to bruschettas, creamy hummus, cheeses and plates of Spanish meats, all of which were spot on and nicely presented. A good opener that was far from a filler.
La Fiesta runs an all-you-can-eat tapas concept, but it isn’t just a free-for-all. The tablet system breaks it down – three dishes each to start, two more each after thirty minutes, and then another two every twenty minutes if you’ve still got room. It paces the evening nicely, stopping you from over-ordering but keeping the food coming steadily.
I’ll admit, I thought the tablet system might feel gimmicky, but it doesn’t. The staff make sure of that. They’re on hand to explain the dishes, keep an eye on drinks, and check in without hovering. You get the efficiency of technology without losing the personal touch.
“A tapas night out”
Our first round arrived quickly. The Spanish tortilla was exactly what you want it to be – soft, eggy and filling, with just enough onion running through to give it flavour without overpowering. Simple, but really well done.
The seafood and chicken paella came in decent-sized bowls. Rich with taste, the chicken tender, and the seafood added that little lift of freshness. It was satisfying, not too heavy, and both of us agreed it was one of the stronger dishes of the night.
Chicken croquettes were crisp on the outside, and smooth and creamy on the inside, the kind of snack you can’t help but keep going back to. In contrast, the mussels felt a bit of a let-down – only two in the bowl, tasty enough, but nothing to shout about.
Because the ordering is staggered, the table never felt crowded. Dishes came in waves, which gave us chance to enjoy each one before the next arrived. It worked really well, and kept the evening flowing at a relaxed pace.
Looking around, the room had that proper fiesta feel. Couples laughing, groups of friends swapping plates, and staff keeping the energy upbeat with smiles and quick service. It felt welcoming, lively and unpretentious – exactly what you want from a tapas night out.
“A night out on the tapas”
More food came, and the calamari was spot on. Light batter, cooked just right, and a good hit of flavour when paired with the aioli. We went for the meatballs again because they were delicious and I couldn’t live with myself if I’d left having only one of them. The chorizo frito was a special dish too. That came with that smoky, paprika punch you hope for, the oil running into the sausage and making each bite burst with flavour.
And then, of course, the patatas bravas. Golden, fluffy inside, crunchy outside, and covered with just enough alioli to keep you picking at them long after you said you’d had enough.
Three meatballs between two of us caused a bit of debate. One and a half each? No señor! Dan won that round by taking a brace. But that’s the joy of tapas – some sharing, some compromise, and a little bit of bargaining along the way. Absolutely fantastic by the way – you might order these twice…
Because the ordering throughout the night is staggered, the table never felt crowded. Dishes came in waves, which gave us chance to enjoy each one before the next arrived. It worked really well, and kept the evening flowing at a relaxed pace.
Looking around, the room had that proper fiesta feel. Couples leaning in, groups of friends swapping plates, and staff keeping the energy upbeat with smiles and quick service. It felt welcoming, lively and unpretentious – exactly what you want from a night out on the tapas.
“Fun, flavours and value”
I had my eye on the included-in-price churros station from the moment we arrived. But I was beaten. By the time the last plate was cleared, I was far too full to even think about dessert. Dan was too – and we decided to call it a day, and head home to our respective casas happy.
We left very full, we’d been nicely taken care of, and we’d had a great time. I know I’ll head back here, as La Fiesta had delivered on food, atmosphere and service – all three working together to make it a place I’d recommend to anyone without hesitation. For fun, flavours and value, it’s one of the liveliest dining options in Leeds right now.
La Fiesta, 4B Merrion Way, Leeds, LS2 8BT
Open daily – 12pm – 11pm
lafiestaleeds.co.uk
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
