Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<p>Head to the bottom of The Parade in pretty Leamington and you&#8217;ll find <a href="https://www.theterrace.uk">The Terrace</a>, which scooped Best Bar in this year&#8217;s Muddy Awards. It&#8217;s just over the bridge from the historic Pump Rooms, and pretty much directly opposite the imposing All Saints C of E church. But has this relaxed fine dining bar and restaurant stolen the best spot? I think so. Pretty riverside views alongside the heated outdoor seating area, and just far enough back that you can&#8217;t hear all the bustle from the road, but prime seating for some people watching. It&#8217;s in the historic Victoria Terrace building which once stood empty, but now has pride of place in the town following a no-expense-spared renovation. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-1417-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington " class="wp-image-57295" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-1417-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-1417-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-1417-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/06/Untitled-design-1417.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>What a jaw-dropping overhaul this place has had, and I don&#8217;t say that lightly (I remember it being a dingy pub about 20 years ago!). Outdoors there&#8217;s a great soundtrack playing, and tables are nicely spaced out so it&#8217;s busy but you&#8217;re not on top of each other. Prime spot is next to the river and there&#8217;s heat lamps throughout if it gets chilly. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-12-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57373" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-12-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-12.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Indoors is just an Instagrammers paradise. It&#8217;s sophisticated but fun, with Victorian high ceilings, bright, tropical patterns, floral and foliage statement pieces, neon signs, velvet seatings and most excitingly, a blush pink bathroom with gold accents. Trying to convince Mr Muddy we need the same at home but I&#8217;m not quite there yet. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington bathrooms" class="wp-image-57368" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s also an absolutely <em>stunning</em> private dining room for special occasions, perfect for a birthday party or big event. And tell me you wouldn&#8217;t want to celebrate a big bash here?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-15-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington " class="wp-image-57376" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-15-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-15.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>Owner Simran has scoured the globe for some of the best mixologists, and I can hands down say cocktails here are some of the best I&#8217;ve tried. You&#8217;ve got your usual suspects, exciting twists on the classics and an impressive signature menu. I&#8217;ve visited a few times now, and if you&#8217;re a Pina Colada lover then you <em>have</em> to try the Island Colada Symphony which is now my go-to, the foam on top is just divine. Equally as delightful is the mixologist&#8217;s signature cocktail Inca Roca, which I hear was what sealed the deal when he was scouted for the job from his existing bar in Georgia. It&#8217;s inspired, and delicious, mixing Pisco, lime, homemade tarragon syrup, pinecone liqueur and foam with almond orgeat and salty water. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington cocktails" class="wp-image-57367" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The food was equally as impressive, with a relaxed fine dining menu with worldwide influences and plenty of veggie and vegan options. For starters I had the Sichuan Pepper Prawns, tempura battered with a spicy, ketchup style sauce. They were perfectly cooked, but I did have some serious food envy of my partner&#8217;s Thai-inspired Beef Salad, with perfectly seasoned, tender grilled beef slices in Thai dressing, with a fresh salad and topped with roasted peanuts. It was light, mildly spicy, heavy with fragrant Thai herbs and exactly what you want on a sunny day.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-13-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington " class="wp-image-57374" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-13.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For mains I went with the Asparagus Mascarpone Risotto, a stunningly beautiful dish full of summer flavours like freshly grilled asparagus, plump cherry tomatoes and tarragon spiced arborio rice, with a pile of oozy mascarpone cheese on top. Mr Muddy was in the mood for a burger, and if there&#8217;s a choice to have it topped with gold, then why the hell wouldn&#8217;t you? The King Maker burger was a wagyu and brisket patty topped with 24 carat edible gold, caramelised onions, lettuce and tomatoes. The best part though? The pot of creamy cheddar cheese sauce on the side, perfect for dunking those triple cooked chips in. We also shared some truffle and parmesan chips, which I sometimes can find be a bit of a fad addition to the menu, but these were an absolute triumph &#8211; crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, brimming with parmesan and a lovely subtle nod to truffle. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-10-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington risotto" class="wp-image-57371" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-10-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-10-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-10.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We had a little cocktail break (Inca Roca for moi, thank you very much) before ordering pud, which we were both probably too full for. My choice had to the be the Tres Leches cake which was so pretty I didn&#8217;t want to eat it, covered in rose petals and pistachios, swimming in a sea of vanilla sauce. It tasted as good as it looked and despite being a cake was a lovely light option. Mr Muddy had a perfectly-cooked lava cake which oozed chocolate when you cut into it. It was rich, decadent and everything you need a chocolatey pud to be. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington dessert" class="wp-image-57370" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>Pooches are welcome on the terrace but not inside. Take them for a trot around Jephson Gardens afterwards which is just over the road.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>You&#8217;re in Leamington Spa which is one of my favourite towns for a shopping trip with everything you need on The Parade or surrounding streets with indie favourites and Muddy award winners Henderson Hound, Berylune and Sanctuary Eleven. </p>



<p>For walks then there&#8217;s Jephson Gardens and Mill Gardens, why not hire a boat from <a href="https://leamboatcentre.com">Leam Boat Centre</a> and take a float down the River Leam. Just down the road are both <a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com">Warwick</a> and <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/">Kenilworth</a> Castles and there&#8217;s lovely museum and art gallery <a href="https://www.comptonverney.org.uk">Compton Verney</a> along with National Trust property <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/warwickshire/charlecote-park">Charlecote Park</a> too. If you like your fun a little less low-key then there&#8217;s <a href="https://escaperoomadventures.co.uk">escape rooms</a> or if you&#8217;ve got some pent-up aggression there&#8217;s a <a href="https://ragerooms-leamingtonspa.co.uk">Rage Rooms</a> opening soon for a smashing time. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Terrace Leamington " class="wp-image-57369" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>Super fair. Starters cost from £7.95 with mains anywhere from £13 to £25, and £31 for a fillet steak. Cocktails come in at a reasonable £10. </p>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> It&#8217;s a must for date night (me and Mr Muddy are already planning a return trip) and for a catch up with the girls. It&#8217;s family-friendly too, so a pretty good all-rounder. </p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>The music isn&#8217;t the quietest so if you&#8217;re looking for a quieter vibe then maybe look elsewhere.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.theterrace.uk">The Terrace</a>, 2 Victoria Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV31 3AB. Tel: 01926 959009</em></strong></p>


Review: The Terrace, Leamington Spa

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