Leiden has yet again gained a foodie hotspot. Yesterday, Latin American inspired restaurant and cocktail bar Tabú opened its doors in the building that was formerly housing ‘De Grote Beer’. The student bar made way for a colourful trendy and sleek interior with Latin American influences.
The interior
Tabú injects some sexiness into Leiden with flamboyant colours, fun and warm-hearted hospitality. Not the cliché folklore knick knacks but small classy details luster up the modern interior. Think Latin earthenware, a Peruvian blanket, Aztec masks or a cabinet filled with objects or offerings from different spiritual traditions and rituals. The two-storey restaurant is a feast for the eyes and romantically lit at night. With the large window parts you have a magical view on the canal and Witte Singel. The outside waterfront terrace is bound to become a big hit in summer.
The food
The menu at Tabú is a culinary journey through the different Latin American kitchens. It is boasting with Latin inspired dishes and authentic food from South America. Popular dishes and less known foods make it hard to choose. Examples are tacos and quesadillas, roasted padron peppers, red and white quinoa, Argentinian gambas or Uruguayan steak. If you can’t decide you can order sharing platters with a mix of different small dishes like ceviche, handmade empanadas, tostadas, in tequilla marinated butternut squash or nachos with melted cheese and guacemole.
The desserts are fingerlicking good, especially the ‘choco loco’, a chocolate mousse with dulce de leche, crunchy almonds and vanilla ice cream. The grilled pineapple with spices, rum, caramel and white chocolate ice cream is also to die for!
Fresh and sustainable
What I love about the food is that it is super fresh and has that home cooked flair to it. Tabú uses as much sustainable and ecological ingredients as possible. The tortillas are made from bio corn. The beef is from sustainable, grass fed cattle breeding.
More about Tabú
Address : Rembrandtstraat 27, Leiden
Open: Monday to Sunday 10.00-23.00
Website: https://tabu.nl/
Reservations: http://www.tabu.nl/bookings/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/tabu.leiden/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/tabu.nl/
