Gaucho Leeds

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Ian Jones

The Leeds branch of Gaucho could pass for a modern day speakeasy. It’s hidden underneath a large stately building with a small sign hinting at its existence. Head down some steps and the actual entrance is pitch black – it can take a few seconds before a cheerful receptionist comes to the rescue. Inside is a whole other world, all glittering lights and sparkling chrome fixtures. And of course, that Gaucho staple, cowhide seat coverings – in case there was any doubt about what kind of food is on offer.

Yes, this Argentine restaurant is all about steaks. As such, the menu is tightly-curated, though not sparse, with half a dozen or so choices for each section.

Gambas Skewers

The starters bring the razzle-dazzle. These are intricately-posed sculptures, all contrasting colours, shapes and angles. The braised beef back ribs defy expectation – a pile of bone-free cubes of beef, glazed with sticky hoisin and chili orange sauce and sprinkled with pickled chillis and sesame seeds. The coating is crisp and the meat moist. This balancing act is mirrored on the tastebuds, producing a finely-tuned mix of sweetness and dark flavours. All too often, ‘ribs’ can mean scraps of meat scorched onto dried-out bones. Those ribs aren’t on the same continent, let alone postcode, as Gaucho’s.

The seafood sampler offers three different types of seafood, each completely at odds with the last. The crayfish causita is a type of compressed salad, featuring chunks of red onion, celery and olive resting in coriander mayonnaise – plus a slightly incongruous slice of boiled egg. It’s a gloriously light option, with a healthy crunch giving way to a pleasing silkiness. The tuna ceviche is made up of fat chunks of purple tuna, piled high on a slab of rich, smooth guacamole. The scallops are sliced impossibly thin, bringing to mind the garlic slicing scene in Goodfellas, and soaked in an eye-popping tangy vinaigrette, topped with slices of fresh avocado.

Tuna Ceviche

These openers provide the glamour, making it the job of the main course to bring us back to earth with a smack and a sizzle. Several steaks, varying in cut, thickness and shape, are displayed on a wooden platter to choose from (you’ll be pleased to know the staff often take these home after their shift). The Churrasco De Lomo is a long spiral cut, coated with parsley, garlic and olive oil. It doesn’t need anything fancy, it’s all about the quality of the cut. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a better quality slab of meat anywhere else in the city. Each bite is intoxicating, delivering a rush of medium-rare luxury to the brain. Be warned, this is an enormous slab of meat, so best not to eat for a few hours – or even days – beforehand.

The salt baked corn fed chicken has a pleasing golden hue, full of lemon and garlic flavours. But really, Gaucho is all about beef and any serious eater should be choosing steaks. Having said that, be sure to get a portion of gambas skewers (four chunky prawns, shell-on and coated with churrasco dressing) on the side. These provide some much-needed lightness in between those heady mouthfuls of beef.

Salt Baked Corn Fed Chicken

When it comes to desserts, the apple and Malbec crumble is a cute twist on a classic but proves slightly heavy after those hefty main courses. The chocolate and praline mousse, dotted with strawberries, has its charms but there’s one clear winner: the banana mess. This sugar-laden treasure chest of honeycomb, coconut cream and slices of banana is light enough, sweet enough and downright calorific enough to provide the perfect finale. Every mouthful feels like a sin worth making.

Banana Mess

The drinks deserve a special mention. Wine buffs will be in heaven, with dozens of excellent vintages on offer (the 2009 Dos Rubios Blend is a fine all-rounder). And forget bread, every restaurant should be judged on the quality of its cocktail menu. Gaucho’s manage the sweet spot between taste and originality. The Cotton Candy Fizz is refreshing and tangy, a blend of Bulldog gin with citrus flavours and cotton candy syrup while the Clover Club is a delicate raspberry-spotted mix of gin, Vermouth, lemon juice and egg white. Both are perfect. The solitary misstep of the evening comes with the Mediterranean Flip – an unusual combination of gin, vanilla custard, egg and sparkling dessert wine, topped off with grated nutmeg. It’s an offbeat mix and unless you have a penchant for fizzy custard and nutmeg, best avoided.

Gaucho isn’t a cheap, casual night out. It’s event dining for those who want quality at any cost. And while some high-end restaurants mistake quality for pomposity, Gaucho is enjoyable and relaxed at every stage, largely thanks to the disarmingly friendly staff who clearly love their job. Well, if free steaks were part of the deal, wouldn’t we all?

21-22 Park RowLeedsLS1 5JF View map
Telephone: 0113 246 1777 Visit Now

Services and Facilities

Restaurant, bar

Opening Hours

  • Monday11:30am - 11:00pm
  • Tuesday11:30am - 11:00pm
  • Wednesday11:30am - 11:00pm
  • Thursday11:30am - 12:00am
  • Friday11:30am - 12:00am
  • Saturday11:00am - 12:00am
  • Sunday11:30am - 11:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Gaucho Leeds

Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Until
ActivityManchester
Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester for a journey through some of the cities best local breweries and artisanal beer serving bars. Discover the personality of Manchester’s beer through a diverse range of pints.

from £35
Until
ActivityManchester
Floating Art Workshops

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

from £24.30
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions

Where to go near Gaucho Leeds

food and drink
Restaurant
Belzan

Belzan is a modern bistro serving delicious food in a relaxed and friendly setting, in an unexpected location.

food and drink
Restaurant
NORD

A Scandi-inspired restaurants that celebrates Northern hospitality, with a seasonal menu made from locally-sourced ingredients.

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
Mahoe Blue

Mahoe Blue is a bar and bistro that serves authentic Jamaican food in a cosy venue in South Liverpool.

music 2
City Centre
Music venue
Rough Trade

The largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop

exhibition
Wirral
Gallery
Hamilton Vault Studios

A disused bank vault now conceals a unique gallery space and filming location, championing local creatives and their vision.

exhibition
Wirral
Gallery
Lake Gallery

Lake Gallery is an artist-run space in West Kirby, showcasing fine art and contemporary craft in regularly changing exhibitions.

literature
Library
Birkenhead Central Library

Birkenhead Central Library provides books and resources, and welcomes everyone to their community hub in a stunning, historic location.

library
Shop
The Reader, Calderstones Park

The Reader brings people together through a shared love of literature and their home is in the beautiful Calderstones Park in Liverpool.

bar
City Centre
Brewery
Ye Cracke

Hidden in the Georgian Quarter, Ye Cracke is a historic Liverpool pub, known for being John Lennon’s local in his student days

record shop
City Centre
Shop
81 Renshaw

81 Renshaw is a record store in Liverpool city centre, selling new and second-hand vinyl from a location with a long musical history

shop
Lark Lane
Shop
Larks

Larks is a vintage clothing and gift emporium in a bright pink shop where you’ll find a bit of everything, sprinkled with glitter.

Culture Guides

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we head into the new year.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.