emba — Restaurant in Leeds

Just eaten at this new restaurant. It's amazing. Go soon before you can't get in.

Head Chef Liz Cottam already has a track record for great food in great spaces and, based on what we've just had, that record is set to continue.

We started with a cocktail - a spicy margherita with mango - an unusual but perfect aperitif. I so want the recipe.

We then moved on to small plates of fascinating food to be talked about and shared. There are main courses too if you're really hungry and just want what's yours.

We shared kaffir crab souffle, tomatoes, beef tartare, garlic potatoes, pea and asparagus. Every dish was sensational. The pea and asparagus though was standout. An explosion of fresh, English flavours with a amazing dressing. The kaffir crab souffle was also fantastic.

Service was excellent with attentive and chatty people.

Emba feels like more than simply a restaurant. The food is creative but with a fluidity about it. That, coupled with the friendly, relaxed atmosphere makes it feel almost like a secret food club - Add the picturesque location on the canal in Leeds, Emba is an exciting new restaurant which I can't wait to visit again.

Anyway gotta go - I'm not a dessert person so I ordered another Mango Margherita which has just arrived and the sun is just coming around to the...

Had an amazing time here recently for my brother’s wedding! Food was exceptional (still thinking about the tomato and whipped feta salad, omg). Location is so lovely, right on the canal. But most of all, the care they took of my son who is anaphylactic to eggs and dairy was second to none. The chef actually spoke to me personally to discuss all his needs and explain how they had addressed them, preparing a lovely three course meal for him while ensuring no cross contamination.

It’s rare that a restaurant goes to this much effort (nor do I expect them to as I know it’s a big ask with everything else they have going on) and it really put my mind at ease, meaning I could enjoy the wedding and gorgeous meal without having to worry.

Could not recommend Emba...

We booked Emba on the back of a few recommendations from friends, so we arrived with pretty high expectations and somehow it still completely blew our minds.

We shared a few small plates to start, the scallop was the absolute standout, cooked perfectly with this spicy butter sauce we could genuinely have drunk by the glass.

For mains I had the fish and my partner had the steak. The steak was easily the best either of us have ever tasted and the fish came with a sauce that was creamy and delicate, yet still packed massive flavour.

We mixed it up with cocktails and wine too and you can tell both are thought through with just as much care as the food. Clearly great ingredients in the hands of a skilled team. Worth...