Sitting in the heart of Leicester, Barceloneta is somewhat of an institution, having been here since 1990 and now a much-loved local for authentic Spanish cuisine. It's here, with its tiled bar, cosy atmosphere and walls of Spanish-themed momentos, that Leicester residents can find a real taste of the Mediterranean with a range of tapas, Spanish specialities, plus expertly sourced wines, liqueurs and aperitifs.
The team say that their cooking is all about generosity - think richly-flavoured dishes, large portions and plenty of advice for those who want it, on which plates to try. For example, Queso Mahon offers a sample of regional cow’s cheese from the island of Minorca, or a house favourite is the Albondigas De Queso De Cabra Fritas, which is a delicious combination goat’s cheese, breadcrumbed and fried, served in a honey dressing and a red onion and chilli marmalade.
The vibe here is informal, bustling and full of fun. Order dishes as and when - there's always the option to have more if you find something you love! The team recommend sharing everything, with three to four dishes per person, looking across the different sections. Meat eaters will love the Costillas Espanolas A a Barbacoa which is BBQ ribs in a smokey honey, soy and Worcester sauce, or perhaps the Canapes De Lomo with flame grilled fillet of beef marinated in lager and fresh chilies served with mango and chili dip.
Spanish cuisine is also very centered on seafood, so you'll find lots of choice for pescatarian diners, too. We like the sound of the Bacalao A La Viscania which is baked cod in viscania sauce and the Croquetas De Gambas Con Ajo with homemade garlic prawns croquettes. As for dessert, enjoy a Spanish classic with churros, or we like the sound of the Banana Barceloneta, which sees a banana wrapped in a flour tortilla, deep fried and topped with maple syrup and cream.