time-tested Mediterranean formula of beautiful ingredients kissed by fire, an unrivaled warmth in hospitality, and a ravenous appetite for all manners of flora and fauna. Our dinner menu at Leña features a range of Catalan and Basque inspired dishes created using the freshest ingredients possible, in a simple yet delicious manner. From Pintxos to full plates, our menu is vegetable and seafood forward, but also offers our guests a wide variety of options. Our wine list is exclusively Spanish, offering the best representations of Spain’s various regions and varietals. Our bar team has created a fantastic selection of specialty cocktails, low ABV & alcohol-free drinks.
Leiah Shirley
Went for a birthday dinner on a Wednesday evening; we sat at the bar tables connected to the open kitchen… best seat in the house. We were able to watch the chefs prepare everything and interact with them – they were so lively and personable. Our server gave some excellent recommendations for apps and entrees. We ordered 2 rounds of drinks (fiesta jardin, un fumador, Valencia G&T); then ordered 4 apps plus 2 entrees (blue crab piquillo, pintxo de txampis, brandada de bacalao, achicora, swordfish, alubias blancas). My favorite bite was the braised mushrooms with Brie and quince jam on grilled baguette. Also loved the swordfish with the amazing & tangy mojo Rojo sauce and octopus which was so tender – seasoned to perfection. And how could you not like potatoes bravos. Perfect crisp outside and pillow soft inside. Mouthwatering.
Every bite from appetizer to the larger entrées were delicious. In addition to having excellent food, everyone truly made it a point to acknowledge and look after us for this special occasion. We finished the meal with a 2oz pour of sherry, cheesecake and they brought out the decadent chocolate sorbet with a little birthday candle AND a sample the delicious new vermouth. Hubby declared this his new favorite restaurant.
… moreKimm H
What a beautiful, uniquely, quite, perfectly hidden neighborhood restaurant! First the ambiance and the esthetics of the restaurant and the awesome helpfulness of all the staff. The music was perfect! Just at the perefct level to have any normal coversation. Though I am definitely not a fan by all means of exotic or different foods I would return for drinks staff and the ambiance. Everyone enjoyed our entire visit for Ms. Olivia’s birthday and they loved their entrees. I choose the meatballs and they where delicious, the only thing where I did not give the last star was Though all entrees were set up as shareable. It would ahve been so much more better if there would have expected been able to be able to add a side of those delicious potatoes al la carte or Spanish/white rice possibly as i did not partake in any of the shareables only what I ordered which did not include a side. Other than that everthing else was top notch! ❤️
… moreElizabeth Wityk
We had a work dinner here and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food and service. Our servers, especially Rocio and Jay were fabulous, although when I told them this they gave credit to the entire staff. Shout out to the whole team. I am not exaggerating when I say each and every dish we had was creatively interesting and also so incredibly delicious! Kudos to the chef and kitchen for delivering some of the best food I’ve had in a long time!
… moreYingda Bi
So good! The octopus was the best octopus dish I’ve ever eaten – it was so tender with a slight crisp and so flavorful. I didn’t even get a picture before we dug into it. The pork collar was a great blend of textures and flavors – I got extra bread just to have a delivery vehicle for the peach conserva in this dish. The croquettes were a must too, they packed so much mushroom goodness in them. We got 3 small plates and 4 large plates, which was more than enough for 4 people. Will be coming back again.
… moreCynthia Sohn
If you’re in Detroit and looking for an unforgettable meal, I can’t recommend Lena enough. The food was absolutely excellent from start to finish — the carrots and sweet potatoes were especially memorable (seriously, don’t skip them!). Every dish felt thoughtful, beautifully prepared, and packed with flavor.
The staff is just as wonderful as the food — warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. If you can, try to get a table by the kitchen. It adds such a fun, energetic vibe to the experience. And if you get a chance, say “hi” to Bella!
Already looking forward to my next visit.
… moreximena kohn
An unexpectedly exquisite evening at Leña Detroit.
Nolan and Mike guided the experience with the kind of quiet precision and warmth that make a guest feel both cared for and effortlessly at ease.
The night opened with a beautifully silken brandada de bacalao, a gentle nod to the coast. For the main course, the pulpo arrived perfectly composed—tender, smoky, and balanced with the kind of confidence that only comes from a kitchen that knows exactly what it’s doing. The tarta de queso that followed was a small act of rebellion: airy, indulgent, and impossible to forget.
At 7:00 sharp, a cortadito appeared—bold, clean, and impeccably made. A quiet triumph.
A dinner crafted with intention, served with grace, and enjoyed fully… because I can.
… moreMary Forbes Photography
Beyond disappointing. We tried 4 different items, typical when my boyfriend and I try a new restaurant and we truthfully couldn’t even enjoy one of the items that were given to us. At the fourth item we had to let the server know that the fish was way too salty and we were not interested in anything else that this restaurant could offer us. The salad was so bitter, and at best the meatballs were so average. Trader Joe’s has better.
I was really looking forward to this, as my parents gave us a gift card to come visit this place and many people had positive recommendations, but when we came and tried it, we couldn’t even enjoy one of the four dishes that we were given to us. The people were kind and they tried their best to accommodate us, but honestly, the food was not even close to matching the price. We would not come back again.
… moreBrooke Dexter
Incredible! As lovers of Basque food and drinks, this one’s been on our list for a while and we finally made it out for my partner’s birthday. The kitchen-adjacent high tops are such a fun experience to get a peek into the kitchen, where they put so much care into each dish. Everything was delicious and we can’t wait to come back, especially for that off-menu burger we caught a glimpse of.
… moreLynn Strough
Fresh & fabulous food, wonderful Spanish wines, phenomenal service and warm, cozy atmosphere – what more could you want? Oh, free garage parking next door! My daughter brought me here for a birthday dinner last night, and we had a wonderful time. It was a Thursday night, not crowded, and the service was attentive and friendly; the food varied and flavorful; and we sat at a high top overlooking the kitchen, warmed by the fire. I used to work in the wine business in Napa, and I rate Leña right up there with their all-star restaurants! If you love olives, try theirs to start – they warm them 🙂 And after trying various delicious dishes in between, don’t miss their cheesecake at the end – it’s the perfect texture, not too light or heavy. We both had wine, but it looks like they make great cocktails as well. A great place for a date night, a special occasion, gathering with friends to share some plates, or even treat yourself to dinner alone at the bar! The staff are friendly and welcoming.
… moreJenni Duarte
What a wonderful experience. Came here with my best friend to celebrate my birthday. We felt welcomed right from the beginning. Service and food was top notch, our aperol spritz was great too! Received a complimentary icecream as a birthday treat. Will definitely come back again soon. The lounge is very pretty to sit around. Thank you, Leña.
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