Bibis Italianissimo
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Bibis Italianissimo
Bibis is a traditional Italian family owned and run restaurant, cafe, cocktail bar and event space located in the heart of Leeds. Having celebrated its' 46th birthday in 2020, Bibis has become an institution amongst guests who have grown up with the popular restaurant and recognise it for its high standards, superb quality and gracious hospitality.

Bibis Showtime brings you the best in live music from tribute bands to Swing, Jazz, Motown and much, much more!
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With an unrivalled reputation built up over four decades, Bibis Italianissimo is the ultimate venue in Leeds when looking for the best Italian cuisine, cocktails and live music entertainment. Bibis Italianissimo was first opened in 1974 and has since become something of an institution in Leeds. In 1988 Bibis relocated to Greek Street from Mill Hill and again in 2004 made another move to Criterion Place where it is still located.
Bibis talented team of chefs work tirelessly to create a range of menus that combine the very best of traditional Italian flavours and Mediterranean heritage to bring customers an authentic taste of Italy. Our menus provide Italian inspired cuisine using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients; all locally sourced where possible.
We have all missed out on far too many bank holiday celebrations which is why we've decided to open our doors especially and welcome this brand new Showtime act! Performing songs from across five decades of the best British pop music, performed by an electrifying live band. With sharp suits, scintillating performance and stunning production to match.
Reviews (27)
Jordan Baldwinson
Jordan Baldwinson
Jan 12, 2022
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I booked this place for my Fiancé’s surprise party! Amazing place food is great and staff are very friendly, would defo recommend going
Carla Beechey
Carla Beechey
Jan 10, 2022
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Half way through eating my spaghetti bol I found a black short hair which was not mine as I have brown hair. Was only offered a free drink! Would not recommend going and paying their prices for that kind of service
Ray
Ray
Jan 08, 2022
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What a brilliant evening we have just had at Bibis. Food was excellent, service was exceptional and the entertainment (Masterpiece)brilliant.
My family and I had such a good time and will definitely be back for more.
Angela Hodgson
Angela Hodgson
Dec 31, 2021
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Beautiful place to celebrate any occasion. The menu has plenty of choice and our food came perfectly presented and superbly cooked. Bibis keeps going from strength to strength.
Chiragi S.
Chiragi S.
Dec 25, 2021
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30 of us went for xmas do with my students from dance classes... we really enjoyed the show. It was too busy and long waits for food and drinks. But overall it was good.
David
David
Dec 13, 2021
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We ordered in advance visa email. The Bibis team acknowledged our emails reach time they were sent very quickly indeed and phones me to confirm. They were very attentive. It was the same at the restaurant also. We felt as though the service was relaxed but efficient, we were unrushed even though they were very busy. The food was good too.
Catherine Howarth
Catherine Howarth
Nov 06, 2021
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Absolutely amazing!
Staff, wonderful.
Food, excellent.
Restaurant, impressive decor and super clean.
Entertainment, outstanding.
A. R. N. O. Q.
A. R. N. O. Q.
Aug 18, 2021
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One of my best Italian food experiences ever!
This should be your go to place if you want an actual authentic Italian dish experience.
Angie Kirby
Angie Kirby
Aug 08, 2021
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VERY POOR SERVICE!! DOESN'T LIVE UP TO THE HYPE.
On arrival just before 7-30pm we were shown to a table and given a menu. The restaurant was very busy. The surroundings/atmosphere were nice but the food is overpriced and nothing special.
The service was appalling!!!! After our initial drink just after 7-30 it was 8-50pm before my husband managed to get the attention of a waiter to ask for another drink, there just weren't any staff about. As we had our meal, nobody came to ask if everything was alright. Eventually we managed to order dessert and my husband ordered a celebration cupcake with sparkler
Tim M.
Tim M.
Oct 04, 2016
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The first thing that struck me was that this place is massive but, whether through good staffing, good luck, good management or a combination of the above, it seems to run very smoothly.
The staff are uber polite and helpful and when a problem occurs they are on it like a venus fly trap. If anything I found the level of attention a little daunting.
The food is well presented and of a reasonably good quality and there is a well stocked bar. On the downside you do pay handsomely for the experience, particularly at the bar.
Dman S.
Dman S.
Oct 15, 2015
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This took me back with its B&W theme. Staff was friendly and attentive. Veal scalopine was perfect although I could have used a bit more of the siding. Strawberries for dessert however was the perfect icing to a tremendous meal.
Matthew N.
Matthew N.
May 18, 2015
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I am a true sucker for Italian food and culture, and found this restaurant pleasant!

very impressive location, if you like this sort of thing. The food is decent and I can imagine it must be hard to deliver good quality when dealing with so many customers. the restaurant area is huge, maybe 300 covers?

great for entertaining guests, or a night out with friends that like to dress up!

will visit again in a while, when the right opportunity comes along.
Rachael D.
Rachael D.
Dec 30, 2013
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I have been going here for years and I have always been a big lover of their delicious menu and great atmosphere. I had the chance to go here last week with family for a christmas eve meal and was greeted by the same lively atmosphere as soon as you walk in.

The bar area was busy yet the service was quick and the staff were friendly. When you arrive you are given a little electronic device by the host and it buzzes when your table is ready. We were enjoying a drink in the bar for around half an hour before our table was ready.

We were seated out of the main dining area as there was a supreme
Joshua W.
Joshua W.
Apr 16, 2012
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I love this place!
I have been to eat here more times than i can remember and the food is always really good!
However, it is a shame they took Gambas Pil Pil from the menu as it was a particular favourite of mine.
The drinks are a shade expensive, but the service is flawless and there is always a great atmosphere!
Qype User Doctor
Qype User Doctor
Jun 20, 2011
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We've been using Bibis for years and had some terrific meals and great nights out there. The Wednesday nights with cabaret used to be excellent, but the acts have gone downhill a bit this year - less often, lower quality and same old same old back time and time again I dont wanna see fake boy bands, i want some musicians and some performers with talent!


Bibis food is however invariably excellent. Lunchtime, quite afternoons or busy evenings, its always served with panache and style and always by surly waiters for some odd reason. Why aren't they very cheerful?


The huge range of
Laura J.
Laura J.
Oct 09, 2010
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I recently visiting Bibi's for a work lunch. I have often passed it and thought it looked a bit like what I envisage for an American cabaret place. (Please note I have never been to America, let alone an American cabaret place so any further observations on this point (which are coming) are gleaned from television and my own very active imagination).

Now. When I finally got inside, I was not disappointed. Aside from the lack of smoke and dim lighting (it was about noon) and the fact that the news was playing, it was just as I had imagined. The main decorative feature was mirrors, many many
Rowena H.
Rowena H.
Jul 08, 2010
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Although I've often wandered past Bibis I've not ever had a decent opportunity to partake of their many offerings, so chance was a fine thing the other week when I was able to pop in for supper. Since it was a week night there wasn't a huge hassle over grabbing a table - my friend and I had a brief wait of fifteen minutes at the bar and poste haste we were whisked away to a table near the huge glass windows.

The waiting staff didn't seem to mind my indecision over their menu, more to the contrary, they were perfectly happy having a bit of fun amongst themselves! We didn&apos
Mark R.
Mark R.
Apr 26, 2010
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We had quite a good meal here. The place was packed and the idea is you get an elecrtonic alert pad that tells you when your table is ready. It worked too and we sat down at the time we'd booked. The waiters were attentive and helpful and our orders came pretty quickly.


My starter of garlic and chilli prawns was excellent - succulent prawns with a bit of crunch and lovely spicy sauce. As the place is Italian I ordered a meatball pizza as a main. The pizza bit was OK but the meatballs were very disappointing and tasted like they'd come out of a cheap tin. I was very surprised that an
Qype User WearyT
Qype User WearyT
Mar 20, 2010
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Super atmosphere, packed out when visited on a Thursday night.


Good service, had pate followed by Steak Diane. First was really good, steak though cooked well was pretty average for the price.


A good overall experience but can't help thinking that you are paying for the overall decor and reputation more than the food.
Li F.
Li F.
Feb 10, 2010
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Bibi's Italianissimo truly is a breathe of fresh air in what can be a quite stale and run of the mill 'authentic' Italian experience. I agree completely with Alek regarding the old school New York Broadway Theatre vibe that Bibi's exudes. It could look really tacky, granted it does look a little out of place on the street where it resides, but it has the backing of the swanky side of town.

The interior mirrors the exterior beautifully, it's artistic, and has been given great attention to detail. It's definitely show stopping and excellent to impress your other half
Alex K.
Alex K.
Sep 08, 2009
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In the classier end of Leeds city centre lies Bibi's, an extravagant Italian eatery which allows you to step out of Leeds and into 1950's New York for an evening. This is due to the elegant Broadway-styled interior which gives the place an definite air of over-the-top decadence.

This might be a problem if the food didn't match the surroundings, but thankfully it does. For starters, I had a 'small' portion (it was still huge) of flawless spaghetti bolognese, followed by a gorgeous chicken breast in mozzarella and parma ham, and topped it off with a fairly indulgent warm
Qype User Janey
Qype User Janey
Nov 19, 2008
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The food in Bibi's is fantastic, a little bit pricey but worth it. The restaurant is very art deco and sparkley, giving a posh atmosphere to this lovely italian. The staff are a little bit snooty sometimes, but they seem to be rushed off their feet so maybe don't have time to smile?!
I always have the garlic mushrooms when I go, you get a whole village of mushrooms, absolutely stacks of them! Worth every penny too, lovely and garlicky and creamy.
The drawbacksyou can't really book a table and there is always a huge queue. The bar area is nice though so if you have time to hang around
Qype User Lisalo
Qype User Lisalo
Nov 17, 2008
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I have never been able to fault the food here, it is expensive but it is seriously yummy.


The faults i do have is the place is hectic, and very loud. No quiet romantic meal for two here on a weekend. You will have to wait for your table and you will feel rushed out of it when they realise you are not spending any more money.


We went for a birthday meal and had 10 of us there, we all had starters and mains and continous drinks through out the time at the table. The problem we had was when they realised we were not wanting dessert, they presented us with the bill and started clearing the table
Charlie M.
Charlie M.
Oct 28, 2008
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Fancy decor but the food doesn't live up to the reputation or the price tag.


A nice evening out, the highlight for us was the authentic Italian bloke on the table next to us with his Eurotrash lady friend an interesting mix of clientele there.
Qype User Beckyl
Qype User Beckyl
Jun 26, 2008
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I really wanted to love this place - the decor is great, all sparkly! But and maybe it was my own fault for not ordering typical Italian - you know 'when in Rome' and all that. But still if they serve it, it should be good and it was just ok and VERY expensive.


The staff where lovely, although (and in some ways it did add to the atmosphere) Italy where playing in the football (which was on the big screens) and all the staff where shouting and cursing almost any time any one from any team touched the ball. It just all fell sour when they lost, including the behaviour of the staff, you
Glen C.
Glen C.
May 18, 2008
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Bibis is a large popular Italian restaurant not far from the station. The style of the building is very much Art Deco and the interior, mirrors and general décor complement it well.


The food and service are both good, they have several menus with typical Italian dishes including calamari, pizza, pasta, ribs, steaks and sword fish. They have some less typical things like Barbary duck roll with mango sauce, prawn cocktail, and Scottish oak-smoked salmon, suckling pig. Puddings include Tiramisu, profiteroles, Zuppa Inglese (not soup - trifle!), fruit salads and ice cream.


The Menu Della Casa
Qype User Filcha
Qype User Filcha
Nov 13, 2007
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Bibi's is a slightly OTT place with lots of mirrors and sparking stuff not far from the station. I had a most amazing steak here wrapped in bacon as I recall, and the service is fairly good. Overpriced for Leeds though. It's pretty massive so you should have no problems getting a table.