18 years of Tapas
Ambiente Turns 18
Today, 3rd June 2025, marks 18 years since Ambiente first opened its doors. And for us, it’s more than just a birthday. It’s a milestone that calls for reflection, celebration and plenty of gratitude.
These moments for us aren’t just about dates on a calendar. They’re about the people, the places and the serious amount of passion that have shaped our journey. From our very first service in Malton back in 2007, an evening celebrating the Ruby Wedding Anniversary of Zoe's (one of our founders) parents, Ambiente has grown into a family of restaurants across Yorkshire.
Since then, we’ve navigated moves, new restaurant openings, food trends, global challenges, unexpected floods and more than a few rounds of celebratory sherry. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to great food, genuine hospitality and building a team that feels like family.
That team, both past and present, has always been the heart of Ambiente. Their passion, creativity and dedication are what truly define us. And in 2024, we made a proud leap forward by becoming an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This transition means Ambiente is now owned and run for the benefit of the people who make it so special every day: our incredible staff.
But we wouldn’t be here without you: our loyal guests and supporters.
So many of you have become a part of our story, whether through birthday dinners, anniversary toasts, catch-ups with friends, first dates, mate dates or simply those “just because we fancied tapas” kind of nights. Your continued support, feedback and visits, some of you for all 18 years, mean the world to us and we’re genuinely grateful for every single one.
So, as we raise a glass to 18 years, we’re also throwing open the doors to a month of celebrations. From bringing back an old favourite dishes (get voting!), to sharing #AmbienteMemories and taking you through our full history in the timeline below, we hope you’ll join us in looking back and looking forward.
The Great Tapas Revival
Which dish are you bringing back?!
Over the years, we’ve served up some unforgettable dishes and honestly, there are a few we still dream about. So, to celebrate our 18th Birthday, we’re turning back the clock and bringing one iconic dish back for one week only!
We’ve shortlisted 12 of our all-time favourites and throughout June we’re handing the power over to you. Every Tuesday, head to our socials and vote for the dish you'd love to see make a comeback.
Dishes on our Tapas Revival:
Chicken Marrakech
Suppli (v)
Banana Curry (v)
Morcilla
Black Bean Fritters (v)
Whitebait
Coconut Curry Meatballs
Mushrooms in Tarragon (v)
Lamb Calderetta
Mushrooms in Cream Cheese (v)
Frito Misto
Beef Empanadas
Here’s how it works:
Tuesday 3rd June, 10th June & 17th June - Vote for your favourite from each round. We’ve got 4 dishes to choose from in each heat
Tuesday 24th June – Grand Final: Winners of each round go head-to-head
Monday 30th June to Sunday 6th July – The winning dish returns to all our restaurants… at its original price!
Whether it’s one you’ve missed for years or just always wanted to try, it’s your chance to bring a classic back to the table. Get voting and get ready for a serious dose of delicious nostalgia.
Plus, there’s something in it for you...
Vote for your favourite dish in any of our weekly polls and you’ll be entered into a competition to win a meal for two, worth £70, to enjoy the winning dish during its comeback week!
Just one thing to note:
Winners must be available to dine between Monday 30th June and Sunday 6th July 2025. So mark those calendars and get voting!
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to join in!
Terms & Conditions
To enter, vote for your favourite dish in our competition. Winners will receive a complimentary meal up to the value of £70 to enjoy in any Ambiente Tapas Restaurant. Entrants must be avialable to enjoy the meal between Monday 30th June 2025 and Sunday 6th July 2025. Pre-booking required. As part of the meal, winners can enjoy the winning dish. Ambiente reserves the right to amend or withdraw the competition at any time without prior notice.
#AmbienteMemories
What’s your favourite #AmbienteMemory?
Over the past 18 years, Ambiente has been part of so many incredible moments — from first dates and family celebrations to just catching up over a few plates of tapas. Now, we want to hear your memories.
To celebrate our milestone, we’re inviting you to share your favourite Ambiente moments on social media using #AmbienteMemories. Whether it’s a throwback photo, a funny story or a heartfelt memory, we’d love to see it!
As a thank you, everyone who shares their #AmbienteMemories with us will be entered into a competition to win a meal for two at any Ambiente or Tabanco by Ambiente.
Let’s look back, celebrate the good times and raise a glass (of sherry, of course) to all the moments that made us who we are.
T&Cs
To enter tag us @ambientetapas on either instagram or facebook and use #AmbienteMemories. Last day for entries is Friday 27th June 2025. Competition winner will be announced on Sunday 29th June 2025. Prize is a meal for two to enjoy in any Ambiente Tapas or Tabanco by Ambiente restaurant up to the value of £70. Pre-booking required. Prize must be claimed by Thursday 31st July 2025.
Ambiente Through the Years: A Look Back at Our Journey
It’s been a wild ride so far and we’ve absolutely loved the journey! To celebrate our 18 year milestone, we thought we’d take a look back at some of our big tapas moments over the years…
2007
3rd June: Ambiente opens in Malton
2009
Executive Chef, Johnny Cliff, starts at Ambiente
2010
31st October: Ambiente closes it doors in Malton
5th November: Ambiente Goodramgate Opens
2012
1st November: Group General Manager, Rob Scott-South, starts at Ambiente
8th November: Ambiente Leeds Opens
2014
3rd October: Ambiente Fossgate Opens & Jim Barber, our Tabanco by Ambiente Restaurant Manager, starts at Ambiente
2015
2nd May 2015: Ambiente takes part in 1st Fossgate Festival
September: Team trip to Jerez, Spain
22nd September: Ambiente’s first Sherry Dinner
Boxing Day: Boxing Day Floods on Walmgate & Fossgate
2016
Summer: Ambiente on Tour at Trinity Kitchen in Leeds, serving up Huevos Rotos (Spanish broken eggs)
9th March: Team Sleep out for SASH
3rd November: Ambiente Hull Opens
2017
February: Ambiente Fossgate gets a makeover
April: Chef Trip to Vejer, Spain
June: Visit York Awards Finalists
4th July: Staff ‘Copa de Ambiente’ Competition
26th July: ‘Copa de Ambiente’ winners head to Gonzalez Byass’ Vinos Del Vera winery in Somontano, Spain
October: Staff trip to Finca Constancia, Toledo, Spain
City of Culture In Hull
2018
8th February: Guide Dog Puppy, Tio, sponsored by Ambiente!
April: Staff trip to Jerez, Spain
18th May: The Press Kitchen Opens
June: Visit York Awards Finalists
September: Rob passes prestigious Sherry Educator course
2019
January: Chef trip to Josper HQ, Calella, Spain
30th May: Rob becomes an official sherry knight - he’s awarded the Knight of the Order of Solear by Bodegas Barbadillo in Spain
June: Visit York Awards Finalists
October: Staff trip to Jerez, Spain
2020
6th January: Ambiente Awards
20th March - Covid hits and we close our doors
25th June - Tapas Takeaway launches
3rd July - We re-opened for socially distanced dining
August: Eat out to Help out
5th November: Lockdown 2!
2nd December: We re-opened again with socially distanced service & takeaway
31st December: Lockdown 3! Our Dine at Home boxes & takeaway service launched
2021
1st January onwards: Tapas Takeaway & Dine at Home continued
Monday 12th April: Re-opened all our sites for social distanced dining
Monday 12th April: Re-opened the Press Kitchen as Tabanco by Ambiente
2022
16th March: Ambiente Awards Return!
March & April: Staff Trip to Spain after lockdown
May: Our Spanish Experience Tasting Events launched!
2023
16th January: Ambiente Awards
January: our Fossgate restaurant gets a makeover!
July: Staff trip to Brindisa in London
2024
13th January: Ambiente Awards
April: Staff trip to Jerez, Spain & Chef Trip to Josper HQ
14th November: Ambiente Hull wins the Hull wins the REYTA Awards
EOT: Ambiente becomes employee-owned! At the end of 2024, we transitioned to become an Employee Ownership Trust, ensuring that the business is now owned and run for the benefit of its employees.
Thank You
From Malton to Hull, from tapas to events, we also just want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our journey. Whether you've worked with us, dined with us or simply cheered us on from afar, we wouldn't be here without you.
Here’s to 18 years of sharing tapas, sherry and stories. And to many more, of course!
Tim and Zoe, Ambiente Founders