Ratings are out of 100, with 100 being the highest standard and 0 being the lowest
Quick Summary:
- A Spanish tapas restaurant on Manchester Deansgate
- Really friendly staff and a great atmosphere
- Menu clearly indicates which dishes are gluten-free if you request a gluten free menu
- Location: Manchester, Deansgate
The Menu At La Viña: Each Tick Means Another Gluten Free Dish
La Viña offers many gluten free options, which is particularly important at a tapas restaurant, as most plates are small and encourage selecting multiple dishes. Although the restaurant doesn’t have gluten free bread, there were plenty of other sides to try.
A Vibrant Atmosphere and Friendly Service
With a cosy and pretty interior, we were seated upstairs with a view of the restaurant below. We came on a Friday night, expecting it to be very busy, but there were still some free tables upstairs. The staff seemed very friendly, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant was great.
The waitress did ask if we wanted still or sparkling water and we asked for still. Making the mistake we have commonly made before and not asking for tap water instead (they charged £5.00 for still water). I also ordered a glass of merlot and my partner ordered the Spanish Porn Star Martini, which we both thought was nicer than the traditional cocktail.
We mentioned that we were there for a celebration, and at the end of our meal, the waitress surprised us with two complimentary glasses of cava. It was really thoughtful and a lovely surprise!
A Delicious Mix of Tapas, with Most Being Gluten-Free
Now for the food! As it was tapas, we wanted a mix of meats, carbs and vegetables. We definitely indulged, as the menu offered a wide variety of options. Here’s what we ordered: Jamon Iberico Reserva, Padron Peppers, Gambas al Ajillo (no croutons), Torreznos, Patatas Bravas, and the Canarian Chicken (all gluten free). My partner also ordered the Chorizo a la Riojana and the Montadito de Cerdo for himself (not gluten free).
The Crispy Pork Belly Bites as a Highlight
My favourite dish was the Torreznos – crispy pork belly bites with a perfect balance of sweet and salty. The Canarian Chicken was beautifully cooked and marinated, though the fries on the side didn’t quite match up. They were undercooked and could have had more seasoning.
I also really liked the Padron Peppers. Although when the plate arrived, I was really worried they would be too spicy, but they were actually sweet.
A Bit too Fishy and Messy
My least favourite dish was probably the prawns, but this was mainly because they still had their heads and shell attached, making them messy to eat. The prawns were marinated in a garlicy sauce, but it didn’t quite work well with the other dishes, I think the fishy taste clashed with the heavier and richer flavours of the meats.
Classic Tapas Patatas Bravas
The patatas bravas was cooked with a tomato and garlic sauce and they were delicious. Compared to the fries on the side of the chicken, these were perfectly cooked and very moreish. We both would have liked a few more to have with the portion.
Small Portions and a Big Bill
It is quite common at tapas restaurants to have smaller plates, encouraging guest to select multiple dishes instead of a single large main. I really enjoy this, as it lets you try a selection of dishes with each bite being something different.
However, it can sometimes make the bill more expensive, depending on how many dishes you want to try. I’ve found it adds up more when there are fewer people, as you still want to try lots of dishes, but you have fewer people to share the dishes with.
I don’t think La Viña was particularly overpriced, but the tapas dishes did range from £6 – £17, with the more expensive plates being typically larger.
So a good tip when visiting a tapas restaurant is to just keep track of how much each dish costs and have a rough idea of the total before selecting too many plates.
Would I Recommend La Viña?
Definitely!
La Viña is a fantastic tapas restaurant in Manchester, perfect for a date, or a dinner with friends. It has lots of gluten free options and it doesn’t feel like there is much of a limit to your selection. The food is delicious and the vibe is really nice.