The Ivy Asia Leeds: what to order and when to go
Pan-Asian sharing plates, blossom and a mirrored ceiling above Vicar Lane, with the oldest pub in Leeds a short walk away for afterwards.
By Only Leeds Editorial
If you want a quiet bowl of noodles and a chat, look elsewhere. The Ivy Asia is a pan-Asian restaurant on Vicar Lane in the Victoria Quarter, and it is built to be looked at. Its own site promises show-stopping cocktails and live music late into the night. It is a big night out rather than a quick tea.
What it is
The Ivy Asia sits above its sister restaurant, The Ivy Victoria Quarter Brasserie, at 55 Vicar Lane, in the City Centre. It opened on 18 October 2022, and Leeds Living reported at the time that it was expected to create 110 jobs. There is a main dining room and a private dining area, and the Victoria Leeds listing says live DJs play house, disco and funk every night of the week.
The room is the main event. Creative Tourist mentions green onyx flooring and cherry blossom trees. The Yorkshire Post describes an emerald glass floor, mirrored ceilings and blossom, and calls it showy, loud and brightly coloured. The Yorkshire Evening Post called it a sensory carnival, with decor that verges on ridiculous but somehow works. Dress code is smart casual.
What to order
The menus are designed for sharing, split into snacks, small plates, sushi and sashimi, large plates, sides and desserts. Prices below come from the restaurant's own menu pages and can change.
- Black Cod Miso, £38.00: Alaskan sablefish, marinated in miso for 48 hours and glazed. The splurge.
- Yellowtail Sashimi, £17.75 or Seared Beef Tataki, £16.00: for something lighter to start.
- Rainbow Roll, £15.75 (snow crab and avocado), Salmon & Avocado Roll, £11.95 or Prawn Tempura Roll, £13.25: the sushi end of the list.
- Spicy Salmon Laab, £15.75.
- Aromatic Duck Spring Rolls: Tripadvisor reviewers single these out as a standout.
- Sides, £7.00 to £9.50: Tenderstem Broccoli, Chilli Noodles and Wok Fried Greens are £7.00, while Roasted Aubergine and Spinach & Mizuna Salad are £9.50.
- Passion fruit and coconut doughnuts with yoghurt dip: the pudding Creative Tourist's reviewer enjoyed.
Also on the menus: Char Siu Pork Bao, Sesame Prawn Toast, Nasi Goreng, Lobster Crisps, Black Pepper Teriyaki Chicken and 30g of caviar with blinis, if the night is going that way.
What it costs
Tripadvisor shows the top price band, and Creative Tourist is blunt: it is not cheap. Some Tripadvisor reviewers say portions are small for the price, so order a few dishes between you and add sides rather than expecting a single plate to fill you.
Set menus are the sensible way in, though they rotate, so check the current list on the Ivy Asia menu page before you plan around one. The Elements set menu has been listed at £23.95 for two courses with a booking required, but it is described as an autumn menu, so do not count on it.
An afternoon tea is listed by afternoontea.co.uk at £29.95 (£39.95 with Champagne), served 3pm to 4.45pm for a minimum of two, with Asian twists such as spicy avocado maki and vanilla and sesame crème brûlée. Confirm it with the restaurant first.
When to go
It depends which Ivy Asia you want. OpenTable suggests an early weekday evening, lunchtime or a Sunday for something quieter. For the party version, go on a Friday or Saturday evening, when there is often a DJ. Tripadvisor reviewers mention loud music and some feeling rushed, so do not book it for a heart to heart.
Opening hours vary between listings. The safe version: open daily from late morning, with late nights to around 1am at the end of the week. Check the website for the day you are going.
Booking
Book through the Ivy Asia website (Find a table) or on OpenTable. Discover Leeds recommends reserving, and Creative Tourist heard that peak times can book out months ahead. Groups and private dining are booked separately through a dedicated page on the Ivy Asia site.
For after: Whitelock's Ale House
After all that blossom, you may want a pub with a bit of age on it. Whitelock's Ale House is on Turk's Head Yard, off Briggate, a short walk across the Victoria Quarter. It is billed as the oldest pub in Leeds, founded in 1715 as The Turk's Head, and its own site says Est.1715. The Whitelock family took it over in the 1880s. The Yorkshire Post says the building dates to around 1700 and that the pub was Grade II listed in 2022.
Go for real ale or cider in a traditional interior, or wine if that is your thing. Seasonal British food and Sunday roasts are on offer too. Opening hours are best checked on the pub's website.
