Lavanta Meze Bar & Grill in Leeds

Where to even start , this place is an absolute gold mine. The food was absolutely incredible, it was all cooked to perfection and I left no food on the plate. The atmosphere was very pleasant with a live pianist which made it very special. Just want to say a massive thank you to our waiter Jamie who was incredible all night and really put his neck out to make sure we had a very enjoyable experience. Might I also mention how good he looked when he greeted us at the door, will definitely be returning, hopefully to have Jamie again

Lovely experience at Lavanta! Food was delicious and service was great. Would recommend 10/10

This Turkish restaurant excels not only in flavor but also in service. From the moment you walk in, the staff greets you with genuine warmth and attentiveness, making you feel right at home. They’re knowledgeable about the menu and eager to offer recommendations, ensuring you have the best possible experience. The pace of the meal is just right, and you never feel rushed, yet your needs are always met with a smile. The excellent service truly enhances the overall dining experience, making it a place you’ll want to return to again and again.

Fantastic food, good choices and great service - will definitely be back

The food was absolutely excellent and the staff were very friendly. The chef came out afterwards to chat to everyone, which was nice. Would definitely recommend, especially the braised lamb!

Food was really good and exceeded our expectations. Customer service was also excellent.

I was in Leeds for a work thing and went to Lavanta on a recommendation. It was delish! The service and the food were amazing! I had the stuffed grape leaves and then the tandoori sea bass. You should definitely give them a try!

Really good food. Large glass of Merlot £10 so I would think twice about that another time.

What a great find. Staff were brilliant and very helpful with allergies. Food was really tasty and good size portions as well. Really impressed.

Had a lovely family celebration here for our son's 18th birthday. The food was delicious and the staff were very friendly and efficient. Would definitely recommend the vegetable pasta which was very tasty and piping hot. Thanks for making our son's birthday special.

Visited on a sunny Sunday afternoon as a group of six. Everyone had a fantastic alfresco meal.

Absolutely stunning food, we ordered a number of starters and a main, food was beautifully cooked. Coffee is perfect and they sell it to take home. Outdoor seating lovely, lighting so chilled.

Food outstanding. The host who served us was a good human, you could tell he worked hard.

Great food and friendly chef who came out to chat

Just had a delicious meal.Surprised at reasonable cost.Good atmosphere and great service.

Book for my wife's 60th birthday had a great time the staff were very welcoming and very friendly, we will be going again. My 2 year old grandson loved it too.

Delicious food and friendly service. We particularly enjoyed the tandoori sea bass fillets, stuffed grilled chicken, lamb kebab, penne chorizo Lavanta burger. Would definitely recommend 👍

Exquisite food served professionally Service second to none Easy parking

Lovely meal with my gorgeous wife

Best restaurant in Leeds! We’ve been 3/4 times and never fails! Would recommend to anyone

Without doubt, the best Turkish restaurant I've ever been to. The quality of food is top class!

The best Turkish restaurants I ever been to. Excellent food excellent service.

Food is absolutely out of this world, head chef is brilliant. Best Turkish food I have ever had.

Best food I’ve eaten possibly in the whole of Leeds. Absolutely exquisite - from the way the vegetables are prepared, to the colours, to the dips!! Unbelievable. So fresh, full of flavour and vibrancy. Will be back.

Our new favorite restaurant, we have been twice in the last few weeks and didn’t disappoint at all, such tasty fresh food.

Good quality food. Nice presentation and I loved the aromatic herbs used to garnish the dish. The lamb and beef dishes were good. Houmous was delicious and the bread was amazing! We tried the baklava for dessert and it is heavenly 😋

A very high quality evening meal here. First time I visited and we were greeted very friendly. The food was amazing, delicious, presented so beautifully - amazing Chef! Would highly recommend and will be return again. One of the best restaurants in Leeds for sure!

Would highly recommend this restaurant for anyone who loves meditarranean cuisine. I was fortunate to be staying close by last night and chanced upon it. I'm glad I did! I had the lamb shish and it was one of the best I've tasted outside of Turkey. The Greek salad side was also very tasty, as was the Turkish bread. As well as great food, the service was faultless and the restaurant itself is a cosy spot.

What can I say except this is my favorite restaurant in Leeds by a good way. I've dined here many times now and can honestly say I have never had a bad mouthful let alone a bad meal! I could not recommend this enough (and even have done frequently enough to my friends that it has become a running joke of where I'll suggest for every meal out 😅). The chef, Orhan, is an absolute culinary master of his trade, the ingredients are clearly quality and are cooked to such perfection they're a flavour sensation, while his son Jamie keeps the front of house running smoothly and always with a smile. My only regret is that in writing this review others might find out how great it is such that I can't get a table in the future as once you try it you're bound to want to be back (I know I am)!

I think I have visited every eatery in and around Headingley and North Leeds and I have to say that Lavanta easily takes the number one position. The meals are exceptional. The food is of the best quality with generous portions and wonderful presentation. The service is perfectly efficient with attentive and pleasant staff. This place is an absolute must.

Lovely food great service 😋... thanks ....…..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

A very pleasant evening with excellent service, delicious food and a lovely atmosphere.

Excellent authentic Greek food and great service. The wine list is strong too.

Lovely, great food and a good coffee. Updated April 2024 - another great visit, all the food was fresh & tasted delicious. Attentive and friendly staff helped contribute to making it a very pleasant experience.

This family run business is so beautiful it’s a true Hidden gem! Delicious food, lovely atmosphere great staff who work hard. The owner clearly loves to cook and his consistent happy staff are always welcoming.. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely beautiful food. I'd wholeheartedly recommend it.

Lovely place, had a selection of starters with fresh bread and very fresh olives. Clean and nice atmosphere would recommend. (Staff are very nice too)

Our first time but not our last! Great food great people. They deserve every success. We will be back!

Been meaning to try Lavanta for the last couple of years, and tonight we finally did it! Massively impressed, meze platter for 2 was amazing!! Mains also very tasty and great portions. Service was brilliant with server taking time to explain what was on our plates and the chef checking in on us a couple of times. Would highly recommend, and we will be back in the near future. Thanks for a great dining experience 😊

Superb food. The gold standard for braised lamb!

This place is absolute gem. The food is fantastic, the chef and staff are really friendly. One of the best restaurants in Leeds

Incredible food, we had the lamb tagine and lamb kofta Just fell apart as it should and fantastic flavours. Great timely service too. Will be back!

Absolutely amazing food. What a lovely restaurant. One which i shall definitely be recommending to friends and family. A must visit when in the area. I had lamb koftas to start followed by Pollo Porcini which was Chicken breast cooked in porcini mushroom and cream sauce served with rice. The food was freshly cooked and full of flavour. Portions plentiful. You won’t go hungry when you dine here. Well done to all the staff. Excellent service all round.

I can honestly say that it's a pleasant surprise to be a virgin customer to some where that ticked all the boxes . My food was exceptional, the service spot on and the venue was great too. I can recommend the lamb kofta and the burger. Delicious. It filled me up and left no room for dessert. Gutted when I saw the desserts others had. I will definitely be calling again hopefully before the year is out

10/10 would definitely come back again! From food to service me and my friends throughly enjoyed our first time experience here. A special thanks to our waiter!(young man) xxx

The staff were very welcoming and courteous. Food was delicious and varied. The two course option was great value. Would recommend and return again.

Went for a date night with my partner and wow, I could have ordered anything and everything off the menu. Went for a mixed grill and partner had chicken tagine. So tasty. The chef came out to see everyone as well!

Three of us had a booking for dinner. We were shown to our choice of table. It didn’t set off well, no Peroni to drink and no meatballs for starters but I guess these things happen. We settled on Tomato and basil soup, with unexpected pomegranate bits, Stuffed vine leaves and the Smoked Salmon for starters, followed by the Lamb shank with chips, Polllo Porcini and the Spring fruity lamb. It was very good if a little salty. Good atmosphere and very friendly staff. £90.44 for the three of us including the tip is good value.

We went as a large group this evening for a work social and a colleagues leaving do! Great food. Amazing deal getting two courses for £16.95! Portions were amazing and we ended up having to take some home with us. Delicious wines too! Definitely going to go back! Thanks guys!

The staff were pleasant and helpful, and the food nice. Sadly the restaurant was cold, there was little choice in red wine and no burgers available.

Service was great and the food was even better defo recommend and be coming back again!! Really nice atmosphere.

Visited yesterday evening - we did the £16.95 2 course meal offer. Wow, the food was amazing, great quality and portions! It was a shame to see it so empty - go and support your local restaurants, you won't be disappointed!

I went here with me and my friends. It was comfortable to be around and the service was brilliant. The food was amazing and was very different to other restaurants as it gave us an option of new dishes to try. Staff was very nice definitely recommend

The food is amazing. The braised lamb melts in your mouth, and the kebob platter is a joyful variety of rich flavors. Low key place well worth a regular visit. Service wasn't perfect (young staff) but no bother, it worked out just fine.

Very nice food lovely staff good value.

Went for a birthday lunch with the family and we had the 2 course special offer which was fantastic value, there was a lot of food and it was excellent quality. Hidden gem of a restaurant with a really diverse menu, some of the Greek/Turkish classic dishes and some really interesting ones I'd not heard of before, regional specialties maybe so something for everyone. Great to try new dishes, will definitely be back!

Fantastic food and exceptional service! Orhan is a fabulous chef, the lamb shank was cooked to perfection, Orhan cooks it in a stone oven for over 4 hours. His son, Jamie looked after us and was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. All in all an fantastic dining experience and we will be back, next time brining friends and family!

Booked a table in online system and everything seemed OK. However, they only bothered to send a message they are closed 15 minutes before the start of the reservation time! Pathetic communication, ruined all evening plans.

Booked with them today. They show as OPEN. We got ready and went out, then received a message halfway saying ‘sorry we’re closed today’. Terrible service and customer treatment.

I booked a table for dinner after we had been to the Ashes Test at Headingley. We were staying at the Weetwood Hall so we walked up from the cricket ground and it was then only a few minutes walk back to the hotel from here. We ordered main courses which took a long time to arrive (nearly an hour) but the food was really lovely and worth the wait. My husband had the chicken kebabs and I had the lamb shank and our friend had braised lamb, and it was all absolutely delicious and the lamb was very tender. We ordered dessert which was also very nice. The thing that let this place down is the service. There was one young lady on her own and another young chap who seemed to be flitting between clearing tables and in the kitchen. They did their best, but honestly, concentrate on the people you have in the restaurant rather than laying more tables at nearly 10pm (we were in there for nearly two and a half hours, there were already several tables laid ready but she continued setting places at more empty tables.... there were no apologies as to the length of time it took for our food or perhaps we would like another drink while we were waiting). We had to try and attract her attention to ask for more drinks and we sat for ages after our main course waiting to be offered a dessert. In the end we managed to attact the attention of the young man to ask for the dessert menu. It wasn't as though they were closing and wanted us gone as another couple came in to dine at about 9.30. The staff need to be more attentive and keep an eye on the customers they have. I don't like waitresses hovering over you constantly, but keep an eye open for empty glasses in case you can sell them more drinks, and when you clear dirty dinner plates from the table perhaps ask if anybody would like to see a dessert menu? And then when you clear dessert plates ask if they would like coffee or maybe an after-dinner liquer? (We didn't have either). There is a percentage service charge added to the bill.... so think about it! The more you sell the more you will earn in service charge!! Upselling in a restaurant is very simple! You could have sold us another round of drinks and perhaps three coffees! The young lady was very pleasant but just not attentive. The party of 6 on the table by us were getting quite frustrated trying to get the bill while the waitress messed around with napkins and wine glasses at emptytables. It's a shame as the food is gorgeous, but they need more waiting staff, or those staff to be more attentive.

First time, was seated straight away by a very warm and friendly server. Atmosphere was lovely, nice music, a few people talking. Very clean and spacious. Food was unreal, I had lamb meatballs for started and they were the best meatballs I've ever tasted! My partner had lamb koftas, they were also delicious! We both had mixed grill starters and they were both gorgeous, tender meat, beautiful rice, flavoursome sides! Will 100% be returning and would definitely recommend.

We arrived here because of its rating on G maps, we have to agree it's worth the 4.5 to 5-star rating. We enjoyed it immensely. Flavor-packed food, good service, nice environment even though our table was a bit cramped.

Great food, good value, decent sized portion. Small and friendly.

We came back again to lavanta to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary and it was a lovely choice for food and atmosphere.and service..Fantastic evening . Thanks your hard work..

For the 2nd time of visiting they got the meal wrong again. My side dish of vegetables came out as I was halfway through my meal Very disappointed, will not be returning

Delicious food. We had two kids foods and two adults and we all loved it. The service was friendly and efficient. I would definitely come back here if I was in the ares again

We returned to repeat our excellent experience from last time and we weren't disappointed. Lovely food, reasonably priced and lovely service

The food is amazing. The ambiance is sophisticated and friendly. The decor is chic and on trend. Everything on the well planned menu was so tempting I was grateful of the mixed Meze starter so we could have a taste of each. Its a very popular and trendy restaurant with a fine well deserved reputation for excellence.

Made a booking and they sent me away

The staff were helpful and welcoming which made a great start to our evening. The food was absolutely out of this world, compliments to the chef! I would highly recommend you give this place a try

Best Turkish Food in Leeds! Orhan is an amazing person and the best Chef!

Had a bad experience. Small portion sizes and very slow service. Would not recommend. Santorini in Headingley is far better

Staying local so fancying trying somewhere other than hotel. Arrived to a lovely restaurant, could pick our table. We had their 2 course mid week offer which was amazing value for money. The food was delicious, great portions and authentic. Chef even popped out to say hello. Service was perfect and I’d 100% recommend.

First visit here and the food did not disappoint. My wife had the lamb kebabs to start, delicious. The chicken stuffed with feta and spinach for main. Also delicious. I had the Babaganoush to start and it was actually some of the best I’ve ever tasted. I opted for the calamari as a main, delicious. We will return.

One of the finest please in Leeds, special ingredients, delicius food everthing handmade as chef i am strongly advice these restaurant.

Calamari for starters and Braised lamb for main . Perfect as well as service . Pictures will speak for themselves...and we shall come back .

Booked in advance so my wife and I could both enjoy a lovely Fillet Steak. Wanted to ensure they had it available! For starters (my favourite) Calamari, with my wife having Tiger Chilli prawns which were well worth the £2 addition. Will have those myself next time as well. The 12oz Fillet steaks were cooked to perfection and the new in Shiriz (Plum & Pepper) was so enjoyable I tracked it down and bought a case the next day! This restaurant is so good, we have always enjoyed coming here. The staff care about the service they give and the food is exceptional and good value. Family owned and run, they do everything right.

The food was good but nothing special, although the prawn starter was the best course. The staff were friendly and the resturant was modern and very clean. I would go back and try more of the menu.

Such a friendly welcoming waiter and delicious food, very reasonably priced if you go at certain times, 2 courses for £17.

Food lovely. Service not good so automatically adding 10% service was not well received. Menu did not include dishes that were on online menu. Dessert choices limited and they had run out of a choice a number of us wanted

Excellent restaurant with a wide choice of food. A lot of vegetarian choices. The sardines for starters were well prepared and very tasty. The mixed grill was well prepared and again very tasty with just the right amount of herbs. Drinks were a reasonable price. The service was very good and not intrusive

The food was literally divine. Fantastic staff & fabulous ambient music playing. It was an excellent choice for our weekend away in Leeds. Would highly recommend this restaurant for its customer service & greeting, food & atmosphere.

I love this restaurant, it's become a regular of mine when working in the area. The menu is varied enough (without being suspicious that they haven't actually prepared anything themselves), the combinations work and I always feel as though I've had a decent, well thought through meal. The mid week fixed price menu is decent value, not cheap (as in nasty), but reasonably priced for the quality. I've always been well looked after even when they've had trainee staff on their first shift. Staff have been there when you need them and not when you don't.

Visited recently after dropping our son at Leeds Uni. Went for the 2 course special on a Sunday. Wife ordered the halloumi starter I went for sardines. Halloumi was fabulous, sardines had not been descaled and were inedible. Fortunately the staff were quick to offer a replacement and we both ended up with halloumi. We had a chicken and a lamb kebab for mains. The helpful friendly service and lovely setting saved the restaurant from a lower score. Everyone else was happy with their food and it was lively and busy for mid afternoon Sunday. Just have a word with the chef to prep the fish properly.

Amazing food, great service, will definitely be coming back.

Had forgotten how amazing the food is here, meze starter unbelievable, the bread was heavenly, needed a break before I could eat my veg tagine with hallumi,my partners lamb shank was excellent, unfortunately no room for the baklava which I know is yummy. What a...

Wow! Amazing food and service. Had the lamb with fruits special and it was delicious! Also has cod fritters starter, aubergine starter and sirloin steak. All dishes were super tasty. We’ve been going to Lavantas for several years and it gets better and better 👍

Amazing food just let down by lack of desserts

Attended a birthday party. Food was excellent and all the guests were happy with the meals. The steak I had was excellent

We had a lovely meal here this evening, celebrating my husbands birthday. Two adults, two young adults, three courses. We did not go for their very reasonably priced set menu (something to try another time), but opted for a la carte. The welcome qas very warm and we had very attentive service. Their starters are very large (for starters), but it set us up for a fabulous main and dessert. Three starters, four mains, extra bread, sides, and a salad, three desserts, two coffees, two beers and several soft drinks cost over £140. But the quality of the food was outstanding. I will dreaming of the lamb, spinach and feta dish and its gravy. It was perfect for a special occasion meal.

We were staying locally at the village hotel. We saw this restaurant on our way back from a day out. The food was brilliant. Great taste. The kebabs were really well cooked. The staff were very attentive and really cheerful. The cook then visited the...

Very good food and good quality price was also good

Really friendly. Excellent food. First rate service. Highly recommended

We went there on a Sunday night and all the tables were full - a great sign. The atmosphere is like a cross between a cafe and restaurant. The food was amazing, especially the cheese pastries, salsa, hummus and the Turkish bread. Wow. Plenty of...

We've just had an incredible dining experience. Excellent, authentic Turkish/ Mediterranean cuisine and great personal service. We thoroughly recommend this family run restaurant!

We've just had an incredible dining experience. Excellent, authentic Turkish/ Mediterranean cuisine and great personal service. We thoroughly recommend this family run restaurant!

The restaurant was bustling and I hadn't booked but being a solo diner the fabulous staff (Burack and Mandy) managed to find me a space. I was guided through the menu and I went with the recommendation of calamari followed by lamb shank. I was...

Simply Devine we shared the chefs special sampler. The portion was generous and very delicious. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The owner chef Oren was passionate to his cooking. Stop be you won’t be disappointed. Larry and Sandi Cohen

A Saturday night for two, turned out great. It was the 1st time we visited, been meaning to come here for a while. a charming discovery. Was looked after by the two front of house staff from entering to leaving so well. Was guided with...

The food is delicious all made from scratch to your liking, happy to accommodate any food requests. Excellent service and very nice staff. Attention to detail, from the lovely chilled wine to the food and presentation. Service is very efficient. Would highly recommend, a lovely...