La Mesa in Warwick

Well, what can I say? Possibly the best restaurant I've partaken at and I've eaten at some amazing European Restaurants in my time including in Milan which takes some beating. Gerald welcomed me and immediately offered wine - I asked for a Pinot G. and he said no, have a glass of Flores De Catalina - which I had, and from on, I just did what I was told, lol. Fab wine - great learning curve. Bettina who was assisting came onto the scene in this small, elegant, friendly, and down-to-earth restaurant that in my opinion outranked all the restaurants I tried in Warwick. It's a set menu and you have what you are given (of course they ask about allergies). Six courses as follows on this particular evening: 1. Heritage tomatoes with pine nuts and crunchy stuff - how can toms taske so wonderful - OMG - and they did 2. Peruvian tuna sushi style - my tastbuds did an overture on this dish - wow! 3. Crazy Meatball with Mascarpone sauce, smoked cheese and hummus - gorgeous dish. 4. Crevettes to die for - prepared to get in a mess but you get little sachets of wipes. 5. Can't quite read my description notes on this but something like: Lamb shoulder, goats cheese and buttery truffle - which basically Gerald said was equivalent to a posh shepherds pie - posh? You bet - it was orgasmic. 6. Dessert - lemon posset with limoncello and lemon shortbread - wow. I'm not really into sweet things but this was an exeption. Along the way had several more glasses of the excellent wine. Chatted with Gerald and Bettina and have to say they made my solo visit to their restaurant extremely enjoyable. Wear loose clothing and prepare to diet. PS - The proprietor was kind enough to thank me via text for this review. He had my number I texted the restaurant the booking. And 'thank you' shows how good this restaurant is.

A completely different eating experience on every level !! Absolutely love it, totally crazy, no idea what you’re going to eat or drink, no idea of the price and after 5mins you won’t really care…..!!

I lost my heart to Gerald’s poached pears great host quirky dinning experience. Can’t wait to come back.

We visited this restaurant 4 years ago and it was amazing. When the opportunity came to visit Warwick recently we decided to go back and see if it was still as good and we weren’t disappointed. The food is so tasty, even simple dishes like Onion and spinach soup are really memorable and the prawns are fantastic.

Excellent as always, enjoy coming and not knowing what we are having. All staff friendly and Excellent as always, fantastic food and one of the best restaurants I have been too. Love Gerald even though he is a Liverpool fan.

Just perfect. Excellent quality food, no menu, just served & presented with love & attention to detail. An evening that will stay in the memory for a long time, rarely does a restaurant achieve this, we were really impressed. Thank you.

One word - SUPERB If you find yourself in Warwick, this is a terrific dining experience. Treat Yourself

This is the hands down best restaurant I have ever been too on all levels, service, food, atmosphere… perfection

Hands down the best meal I have ever had, the experience is exceptional, the atmosphere divine, the service out of this world! What a stunning evening!

This is easily one of the best meals I have ever had. This restaurant is an absolute gem of a find and one that I will definitely be returning to. There is no menu as such, but instead you are offered a taster of six courses. This is a brilliant concept from a sustainability / reduced waste perspective. Admittedly, not every course might be to everyone’s taste, but you are told what is going to be offered when you sit down to start with and of course, you are asked if you have any dietary requirements, so there is the option to opt out or have something else. The courses we were offered were a tomato salad (which is quite possibly the best tomato salad I have ever eaten, and by far my favourite course). A melon and ham course, a meatball and cheese course, king prawns with garlic, a lamb cutlet with truffle mash, followed by a tiramisu. How this restaurant doesn’t have a Michelin star yet is baffling! Thanks Gerald for a great night!

Great food. Exquisite fresh fragrant flavours. Meals were presented beautifully. Each course complimented the next perfectly. It was an amazing dining experience. Felt very special attending in such an intimate setting. But as it was such a small venue, my only small negative was that it was very loud!

The chef at La Mesa overflows his talent in unmatched dishes, the surprise catches you, makes you travel through an unknown world, it is an almost spiritual experience. Its decoration and music are part of the menu. As the main course is Gerald, the creator, the artist. Only for the brave and fearful in good company. The service provided by Bettina is at the level that the place deserves. A stream of life. Go!

The food was excellent and the service was extraordinary. Perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked. FIRST CLASS!

Wonderfully atmospheric, cosy, intimate, with absolutely delicious food. Go hungry, there were 6 courses on our surprise set menu, plus bread and all main food groups covered, vegetarian, meat, fish and dessert. Not one for the fussy eater or those with allergies, but an absolute joy for those of us who’ll try anything. Oh, and make sure you book in advance.

Amazing place! A must visit if in Warwick for dinner! We were on a trip from Milton Keynes. Lovely ambience and brilliant food. Great host Gerald and actually really great not knowing the menu just be surprised and wined & dined! Loved it :)

We were in the area visiting family, and on their recommendation, we tried La Mesa. The set menu exceeded our expectations. We had just returned from a trip to San Sebastián, where we dined at "Arzak” Michelin 3*. While the experience there was enjoyable, it didn't justify the £600 price difference. Gerald and his team have something special going on in Warwick!

I just love this concept, no menus to worry about, amazing, produce, paired wines, pure hospitality. We enjoyed a six course experience that was honestly stunning, the food is so fresh and I loved how everyone was eating the same, we were chatting to the next table about how great the food was and the atmosphere was vibrant with all of the guests in full conversation. George who is the restaurant manager is a real charachter, you can tell he loves his job, he was totally on top of the service accross all of the tables and the raport with all of the guests was plane to see, a lovely team of people who are obviously foodies. It just works... Thank you! Steve & Sarah

Just had a wonderful experience at La Mesa. The food was exceptional and the service was thoughtful, generous and kind. Gerald and his staff were congenial and humorous, creating the perfect environment for enjoyment. I plan to come again as often as I can, even though it’s over an hour from where I live.

We walked in without a booking and received a warm and friendly welcome. The most amazing food followed, each course was outstanding.

Booked after reading other reviews and didn't disappoint. Light, appetising 6 courses, suited to the hot weather - nothing stodgy or over filling - just subtle flavours and interesting mix of ingredients. Wouldn't have thought meatballs on hummus would work - but it did! Thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful plus a fab Rioja. One of us is coeliac and needs gluten free food and this was catered for easily.

Lovely little restaurant in the heart of Warwick. The experience is a little bit different compared to your normal restaurant. You don't know what you will eat before you get there ! Every dish is a surprise! A bit stressful when you have dietary requirements, but they are very flexible and will adapt the menu for you if they can. ( ideally call them in advance to let them know ) The food was really good , the service fun and personal. It felt like good quality/value for what we paid. I recommend 👌

Interesting concept of the restaurant to blindbox the dishes of the day. We went for a six-course food adventure and we enjoyed the surprise and the relaxing ambience. However, the dishes are Spanish tapas inspired rather than authentic Spanish ones. In my opinion, the dishes were a bit rushed when putting together. The flavor is not well-rounded and seafood is a bit overlooked in my opinion.

Chose La Mesa to catch up with some dear old friends and so glad we did! From the lovely warm welcome to the absolutely stunning food and wine, we all had a fantastic time. Thank you chef!

Anniversary meal, booked solely on TripAdvisor reviews. And what an absolute surprise and delight it was. No menu, 6 courses, white rioja, sherry to finish. Note the courses are more substantial than typical "tasting menu" portions. Delightful Spanish music plus the owner Gerald combine to create a lovely ambience. Do give it a try.

Passing through Warwick we thought we would try it out and as luck had it there was a table for 2 available, and our timing was spot on. We didn’t realise that the food wasn’t from a menu, it was served as a series of dishes, one after the other with short gaps. All the food was absolutely delicious, with lots of smaller dishes preferred to one big one. Wine selection was nice, and it was a nice friendly atmosphere to enjoy the evening. We would definitely recommend but also add that it is better you go hungry as there is plenty of food! One of our best meals of our trip away, well done to the team at La Mesa.

Absolutely AMAZING meal at this gem of a place! I came from London on my sister's recommendation and from the warm and friendly waiter and owner, to the best meal I've had in ages! Will definitely be back and recommend to friends and family.

Restaurant perfection. Do away with a menu. Don’t make me choose. Just bring 6 amazing courses of wonderful food. All with relaxed, fun service and great ambiance. Faultless. Cannot praise highly enough.

This was an amazing food experience. Taster menu best we have had for a while . We can’t fault anything 💯 will definitely go again when in the area . The staff were very attentive & the chef certainly knew his onions. Amazing

Still my favourite restaurant in Warwickshire

Stunning food. We had a 6 course tasting menu and I remember every detail and the flavours of each one. We'll definitely visit again.

Always love it here, will definitely be back again and again. Service is always excellent and the food is amazing.

It was our anniversary. We hadn’t booked so took the last table for two . It was incredible a taster menu 6 courses . Each course gave us a taste sensation. Would definitely return if in this area . Service was top notch very intimate experience.

Would highly recommend this excellent restaurant. A totally different experience.

Six superb, surprising, scrumptious, sociable, servings, Effortlessly eliciting eye-popping extensive epicurean ecstasy.

Best food I've had in a long time. Not fussy just fabulous ingredients cooked perfectly. Service and atmosphere was gorgeous. Can't wait to go back!

I cannot say how amazing this restaurant is. From the food, wine, atmosphere to the chef which is the most lovely person ! I totally recommend it . I am sad not leaving closer to be able to come at least every week

3 times to date and every time is better than the last one. If you're looking for an original Spanish experience and the funnest of service look no further.

Just Stunning. That is it!. Great people, super food.

Absolutely stunning place, food is amazing!

Incredible as always. La Mesa serves the most delicious food. Every time we come there is new, beautiful food to try. It is our favourite restaurant and dining experience. Absolutely love the blind menu aspect, the food truly is incredible. If I could only go to one restaurant for the rest of my life, this would be it!

Amazing food, and hospitality. Miss this place and you will regret it. I simply can't fault it, my only regret is I can only give 5 stars. +++++ each plus goes behind each star. You don't get a menu, as they serve you what they are doing.

Very enjoyable evening here. Six course tasting menu, the outstanding ones for us were deliciously intense mushroom and mustard soup ;fabulous fresh, citrussy tuna ceviche on lip smacking garlic and chilli guacamole ; superb gambas on paella with belly pork. Accompanied by smooth and easy drinking Rioja, also offering white or rose, Estrella for beer drinkers. All the diners around us appeared to be having an equally good time. Very reasonable value for such high quality.

This was our first visit and it surpassed all expectations... I would highly recommend it and will certainly be visiting again!

This is a place to be reserved for very special occasions.

Query little place but the food was absolutely beautiful. Catered for a table of 4 with 2 pescatarians! Great atmosphere. House wine wasn't bad either (we had 3 bottles, just to make sure!)

Such a great night at this restaurant, staff were superb, attentive and friendly. It’s a set menu so you have no choice though there were alternatives for vegetarians/vegans but the food was absolutely delicious and we will definitely return next time we’re in Warwick

Brilliant food, great staff and chef.. Everything 10 out of 10 bar the pudding... Giving that 8 out of 10...it was nice just not at the same level as the amazing food.. I don't eat puddings anyway but the missus gave that verdict, can't wait to go back

Incredible experience and great find. The service, food, creativity and quality was superb.

Wow - what a superb dinning experience! We were very apprehensive about the whole concept - no set menu with complete trust of the chef and currently available seasonable ingredients at £50 a head. However we need not have worried - all the reviews are correct. We had 5 courses and each one was excellent. My normally fussy family all loved every single course and the owner/waiter was absolutely charming. Thoroughly recommended - so good I want to go again next time I am in town.

Was absolutely lovely, fantastic food , high recommend

We went to La Mesa last night and all I can say is WOW!! The food was delicious- five courses with the most exquisite flavour combinations, the wine was fab as recommended by our lovely waitress Sarah Jayne and the ambiance was unique created by the unique chef patron Gerald. All in all a great meal and experience- can’t recommend it enough. Go!!

An amazing night , with amazing food and the service was was exceptional The place is sooo friendly , it actually blew us away The taps was perfection and we will most definitely be going back the price was ridiculously cheap for what you get

Ok great concept but to be honest the food does not live up to the hype.

Phenomenal little gem! Wondered on the place completely by accident. Spanish family that have created a unique traditional Spanish and British fusion taster menu. Very reasonable price and excellent quality.

Excellent service and food. We will be back whenever we're in Warwick.

Easy to describe, soooo good. From the welcome to the aperitif at the end.

Great evening spent with friends enjoying beautiful food. Loved that you eat what the chef decides will be cooked that day. A brief explanation of each taster dish is given, served with wine or beer. Will definitely be back.

The six-course set menu was very delicious, but the portion was so big that my stomach almost exploded. The chef, waiters and cooks are all very friendly. The friendly chef has lived in Valencia for 35 years and can speak Spanish!

Super food... Great experience... thank you

A divine taste sensation, from start to finish.

What a wonderful place. Great food, great service, a place you will enjoy

After reading the reviews, I was very excited to go to La Mesa. I loved the concept and imagined the food would be a beautiful experience. The atmosphere was lovely and very cosy. The food was well cooked. However, it lacked flavour and seasoning. Some of the elements in the dishes did not really come together. The wine was average. Tipping appears to be an expectation and staff could be overheard complaining about guests that chose not to tip.

Outstanding service and food. Accommodated us when partner restaurant had an issue with our reservation and served us the most spectacular food on a whim. Can’t recommend enough

It was a surprise to find this place, we were passing through Warwick on Christmas Day and we had nowhere to have lunch, since all the restaurants had reservations, upon asking Gerald he kindly invited us to his restaurant and it was a wonderful experience, the food was delightful , the warmth of the very familiar place and the very friendly people, the excellent wine and the best thing is that we felt at home, thank you very much Gerald for your kindness, sympathy, for your Spanish and for allowing us to enjoy the culinary art that you presented to us, an unforgettable experience

Such a little gem, food is amazing and service and atmosphere is fabulous

Wife booked this as a surprise after seeing the reviews. Cosy little restuarant but with a big personality. Very welcoming and attentive service. Chef also made the effort to check on us. The 6 course tasting meal was fantastic. We will definitely be back. One of the best meals I've had in a long time.

We made a visit to La Mesa in July for my birthday. This was our second time dining at this beautiful and truly unique restaurant. We were welcomed back with the warmest of greetings that felt like those from old friends. The food was out of this world and every course felt like a flavour sensation and left us wondering what was to come next. Gerald (the chef and owner) was very experimental this time and we tried dishes that we couldn't ever imagine would work. Pears, cheese sauce with a balsamic dressing... yeah I didn't think it was for me either but omg did it work or what. Absolutely fabulous. I would love to write in great depth about every course we had but we would be here forever and we both would be extremely hungry after it. Every course we had was left with empty plates (yes, all 7 of them) and happy tums all round. I know for sure we will be back again to enjoy Gerald's beautiful cooking and the amazing hospitality of his staff. So we hope to see you soon La mesa!

If you are a food oriented person who must live in a small or midsize town. You would never dream that a place like La Mesa would exist. This man came here to care for his Mother. And this has benefited so, so many...just excellent... excellent food.

Wonderful food and a welcoming host in a small welcoming environment. This was our first visit but certainly won't be our last.

Fantastic, quality food and service. Each dish was rich in flavour and left us curious and excited about what was coming next.

It was such a great experience to eat in this place! The chef is cooking closed to the tables providing a very cozy environment. We had about 5 different plates and they were all delicious. The main course was my favorite (see picture) Looking forward to come back

Here's some great food and wine, no choice eat and drink what you are given, put the phone away talk to the people you came with. Here the food is the star not you. Go with a broad mind return with a broad tummy, fussy eaters need not apply

Different dining experience, intimate atmosphere and the food was very good.

Very nice restaurant. Very friendly and attentive service. The food was super delicious. I'm looking forward to next time.

We’ve been to this hidden gem tucked away pleasant corner of Warwick on more than one occasion now, with every visit a different experience ...... none of which were less than excellent, filled with one of humorous hospitality , superb food ending in a most satisfying dining experience The above written 3 years ago Do you know what ............this Covid lark (AKA Novid) has a lot more to answer for that just all the damage its caused to the world as I've just realised it had stopped me visiting La Mesa. My wife and I have slowly been dipping our toes back into dining out and We'd forgotten just how bloody good this restaurant, its staff and owners are . Had another fab dining experience last night ............Thank you everyone and we'll be discovering Bonoto's , the recent aquistion of the same owners and just a few doors away

Genuinely the best place i've eaten locally. Unique experience with great service.

Why I haven't been here before while living so close is beyond me! Went for the first time last night and was absolutely blown away. Fabulous 7 course taster experience, brilliant service and a lovely friendly atmosphere. Every single course was beautiful, they seemed to get better as they came and I loved the fact that there's no menu to see and you don't know what's coming next. Great wine too and fantastic value for money. I will be back regularly!

The whole experience was simply stunning. The food was beautiful and tasty. The hosts were excellent. This place is underrated and feels extremely exclusive. I know my food and every flavour and every texture was spot on. When the bill came I was astounded it could easily be 20 more pounds a head!

Food was excellent and affordable, would definitely dine there again in the future.

Delicious food and great service 👍

Superb food and great experience.

We were so lucky to get a table at this beautiful restaurant. Not knowing warwick at all we called in on the off chance. Lucky for us they had had a rare cancellation. No menu and no beer, just delicious wine 😋 The taster menu was simply amazing 👍 Staff were friendly and informative. So glad we got to try this amazing place.

Very good for trying something different, nice experience. As we both are chefs it wasn't so fantastic, just good, but for someone who doesn't know how to cook it will be amazing. It's not overpriced (meal £40 per person) and the atmosphere is good.

Great place! Food is absolutely amazing and tasty. Set menu and each dish was a wonder of its own. And then the bill was surprisingly low....

Food is absolutely amazing! Would definitely recommend a visit for those looking for great Spanish food in a small welcoming restaurant.

After one year living in Warwick, finally found a good place. Amazing food, very welcoming and lovely staff. The chef joined us at the end of the service and we talked a bit and had a lot of laughs. It's a good example for everyone who works in hospitality. Will definitely come back. ✌️

Excellent food & atmosphere, couldn't ask for more.

Absolutely wonderful. We had a birthday dinner here on a weekend visit to Warwick and couldn't have been more impressed. Every single course was so delicious and often very creative and inventive. The food here knocks the spots off many London restaurants. The staff are super friendly and attentive with even the chef popping out to see how you are enjoying your food and to make you laugh! The cosy atmosphere, fun staff, amazing dishes & great music all combine to make relaxed and very memorable evening.

Always have the best time here and the food is excellent. We come as often as we can and consider ourselves very lucky to have this amazing place just around the corner. Thanks Gerald for being the best! :)

Amazing food and ambience. Gerald the chef is great! Do not understand how this place doesn't have a Michelin star as yet!

很特别的西班牙餐厅，低调的门饰，温馨的就餐环境，热情友好的主厨和服务员。餐厅最大的特点就是没有菜单，全程享用的都是私房菜，无需费脑点餐。每道菜都很精致，新鲜的食材和别具匠心的烹饪手法让人意犹未尽。优质的服务，精致的菜品，合理的价格让这家餐厅处处生辉！定会再访！

We were on our mini moon in Warwick after getting married on the Monday… on the Friday it was my wife’s birthday and we turned up, without having booked, at around 6pm after visiting the castle. The owner, Gerald, welcomed us even though they were not open and fortunately for us shuffled things around to squeeze us in. We nipped off for a quick drink at a near by pub whilst they set things up. When we returned the restaurant was already bustling and we were offered any seats at tables that weren’t already taken. We didn’t know what to expect, what was going to be served or how much the evening would cost.. through out the night our glasses weren’t left empty and we ate the most amazing dishes each individually served, gazpacho, giant garlic prawns, lamb, seafood salad, chorizo and a chocolate dessert. Everything was rich in flavour and cooked with various wines, spirits and ingredients … a complete taste sensation we’d never experienced in a tapas before. All the couples we spoke to were from different areas of the country, us from Folkestone, and we enjoyed everybody’s friendly company. It was like being at a dinner party in your own living room surrounded by friends. At the end of the evening we were presented with the bill, which to our amazement was only £110. After paying and all other couples had left, Gerald invited us into the kitchen area were we met his family and friends that had been working behind the scenes that night.. they cracked open a couple of bottles of outstanding Sancerre and we shared our story with them and enjoyed their company for a good hour. That wasn’t the end though.. afterwards Gerald invited us to his bar, which was 2 restaurants away, where he got out his guitar and, along with some friends, serenaded us.. it was honestly the most random but best night (except our wedding) that we’ve ever had together and it just topped off our mini moon making it so memorable…Gerald and his family are so honest, funny and amazing entertainers as well as cooks, I would highly recommend booking an evening here and go there with the idea that you just don’t know what you’ll get or what you’d expect.., I guarantee you’ll have an absolutely amazing time as well as outstanding food and wine.

Another amazing night at La Mesa, never fails to impress. Amazing Food. Great atmosphere, great host. Gerald and staff always welcoming. Would definitely recommend xxx

Delicious food. Great relaxed atmosphere. Thank you Gerald for a great evening. Couples from all over the UK. Lovely wine 🍷

We visited after it being highly recommended and we were not disappointed. The whole evening was wonderful from the moment we walked through the door. We received a warm welcome from the start and within minutes were chatting away with Gerald and looking around the kitchen where the magic happens. The food was absolutely delicious and I would honestly give it 10/10 my husband said it was the best lamb he had ever had! This restaurant is not just about the food it is the whole package. Gerald makes this restaurant what it is and the host could not do enough for us. We loved every minute of our dining experience and the chat and laughter, oh and the shot of ouzo thrown in on the house we ended our evening feeling like we had just dined with friends. Keep doing what you are doing it is a priceless dining experience! We will definitely be frequenting La Mesa from now on

Absolutely AMAZING 👏 felt like dining with friends. Staff AMAZING food AMAZING. Will be my new monthly restaurant 😋

We booked this restaurant on the basis of so many positive reviews and local recommendations for my parents’ Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Before booking, I messaged to ask whether Gerald would be able to cater for us as we have some unusual allergies and one of the group was pregnant. I was told ‘no problem’. But on arrival it transpired none of this had been planned for and the waitress and kitchen staff were dismayed we had ‘dared’ to arrive at a Spanish restaurant with such allergies - in fact Gerald said ‘oh yes I saw but didn’t make a note of it’ and proceeded to tell me to ‘calm down’ when I politely reminded him we had mentioned it in advance. This arrogant disregard for anyone’s preference or requirement other than his own was sadly the most memorable part of the evening. He told the pregnant guest that he didn’t serve ‘kiddy drinks’ when she asked for something soft and made pointed remarks about how ‘difficult’ it was cooking for us throughout the evening. The food was tasty - amazing prawns in particular - and the waitress did her best to keep the atmosphere friendly - but it was very cobbled together at short notice, only four small courses - not the six or so promised - and he couldn’t even be bothered to serve coffee at the end. He did discount the food (thought at no point were we told what the menu cost would normally be until the bill arrived) as we had so little but made no apology for his rude manner or acknowledgement that as a chef and restauranteur he really does need to pay attention to allergies - he might not want to change his menu for people’s preferences, but allergies are not a matter to be taken so casually. It makes it a very anxious dining experience not knowing whether your allergies have been taken into account and whether what you are eating might actually make you very ill. And being made to feel that you’ve made their evening difficult by turning up is not how you want to feel when dining out. This is not at all what we’ve experienced before at other similarly priced high end restaurants that have bent over backwards to cater for our requirements and even used it as an opportunity to be more creative with their cooking.A huge disappointment and a real shame that Gerald’s ego and dogmatism ruins what could be a unique and lovely restaurant.

Wow where do I start, pre booking is a must. This small but perfectly set out restaurant was everything and more we expected.Gerald and his team couldn't do enough to make us feel more welcome. Every plate of delicious food brought to our table and explained. The menu changes daily but I cant imagine anybody not enjoying whatever Gerald has in store on any particular evening. This truly was one of best meals myself and my fiancee have ever tasted, fabulous from start to finish, cannot recommend highly enough.

This is a small restaurant, c.20 covers, run by Gerald a larger than life character who is passionate about good food and wine. There is no menu, what you get is what Gerald has seen in the market that day, and Gerald has an extensive wine collection to compliment any dish. We enjoyed a sumptuous 6 course dining experience and Gerald's company, and exceptional value for money. This establishment thoroughly deserves its number one ranking.

Superb food with creative menus and great wines. In the top three best meals I have ever had!