Delish Eats: Savor Spanish Al Fresco Dining and Basque Cuisine at Aire
Restaurant Story
We can’t get enough Spanish food these days! What began as a casual craving turned into a full-blown Spanish affair at Aire, a vibrant Spanish eatery in the heart of Causeway Bay.
Aire is an upscale restaurant at Lee Garden One that blends bold regional flavors with warm Iberian hospitality.
Aire presents a vibrant tapestry of Spanish cuisine, from individual tapas to hearty plato dishes perfect for sharing—with a special focus on premium meats and seafood grilled over the Basque parrilla (the traditional Spanish charcoal grill).
Riding the wave of success from Pica Pica (2018) and BÀRBAR (2022), Epicurean Group has expanded its Spanish culinary footprint, adding Aire and PINTXOS by bàrbar in Wan Chai to their esteemed portfolio this year. They are currently the only restaurant group in Hong Kong to operate a family of four pedigree Spanish restaurants.
Chef’s Story
Heading up the kitchen is Catalonia-native Executive Chef Pere Moreno Germès and Chef Edgard Sanuy Barahona, Head of Spanish Restaurants Division at Epicurean Group.
Chef Pere Moreno and Chef Edgard are passionate about showcasing the full breadth of Spain’s gastronomic soul. While many Spanish eateries lean heavily on familiar tapas and cold cuts, the chefs encourage diners to savor the freshness of expertly prepared seafood and meats, all infused with the distinctive smokiness of traditional open-flame cooking from their homeland.
What’s the Vibe and Venue Like
Located in the sleek Lee Garden One — one floor below Roganic — Aire brings laidback charm and contemporary sophistication to the heart of Causeway Bay.
From the moment you step into Aire, its warm ambience and welcoming vibe feels like a breath of fresh air. Its modern décor, vibrant patterned tiles and playful pops of color make it feel casual yet refined, and on the wall hangs a large, illuminated lobster artwork, giving the room an unforgettable splash of personality.
But the real star is Aire's newly opened al fresco terrace, a sprawling urban oasis perfect for golden hour reverie.
Easily one of the most spacious outdoor dining spaces in town, it's a spot where you won't notice the time slip by, as you enjoy the surrounding leafy greenery and twinkling lights of skyscrapers with a chilled glass of sangria in hand.
Aire even features magic performances on select dates, making it the perfect spot for large-group gatherings or family meals.
How Much Does it Cost?
We felt the pricing was very reasonable. Some of the snacks start at only HK$20 a piece, which is comparable to street food prices.
The starters using vegetables as a main ingredient come in at less than HK$100 and the meat tapas are mostly less than HK$200. We felt it was definitely worth it to splash out and pay more for the WOW factor of the squid ink paella and dishes cooked on Aire’s signature Basque parilla.
What We Tried
We started by sampling from the Para Picar Snack menu. The Iberian Ham croquettes (HK$23/pc) have a crispy exterior, casing the fluffy potato filling and laced with a sliver of freshly sliced ham.
Aire also has an interesting range of vegetarian options. We opted for the Eggplant “escalibada" (HK$67), a cold dish of soft mashed eggplant, topped with crunchy browned almonds and a tangy romesco sauce. This dish was a pleasant surprise; it had no bitterness and a pleasantly refreshing mouthfeel.
The tapas were totally fabulous and we tried dishes we’ve not seen anywhere else in Hong Kong.
Highlights included The Free Cage Broken Egg (HK$115) a rich blend of crispy Agria potato fries, runny yolk crowned with slices of Iberico ham and potato foam, and Deboned Suckling Pig with almonds and pumpkin (HK$210), which was perfectly crisp on the outside and had tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat.
The star of the lunch was the Basque Parilla, the woodfire grill which imbues meats and seafoods with a woodsmoke flavor distinctive of Northern Spanish cuisine.
Meat lovers will beat a path to the Galician cow Dry Aged Sirloin (HK$270), served with juicy piquillo peppers in olive oil. This is a lean cut, served medium rare with a side dish of red peppers that brought the right level of acidity and a tinge of sweetness.
Next up, the Seafood Black Rice with baby squid, ink & all-i-oli (priced HK$245) is a showstopper!
There’s something undeniably dramatic about a wide, flat pan of pitch-black rice with baby squid hiding just below the surface. The squid ink adds depth of color and also gives it a rich and addictive umami flavor that's utterly crave-worthy. And then there’s the socarrat: that glorious, crispy layer of caramelized rice at the bottom, which brought an earthy smokiness that ties it all together.
For dessert we tried the Hot Chocolate Tart (HK$89). This heavenly parcel of rich sweetness is drizzled with Arbequina olive oil and finished with a kiss of sea salt; the pastry case oozed chocolate lava and was the perfect end to a wonderful meal.
The crisp pastry shell gave way to a river of dark molten chocolate, complemented by the tanginess of the passion fruit sorbet, making it a sublime finale to a wonderful meal.
What We Liked
We enjoyed the South China Sea Turbot (priced at HK$435), hot off the grill Basque Parilla and served with garlic oil.
We loved the crispy skin and flavor-packed soft flesh of this flat fish. The fish was tender and easily fell off the bone. Pescatarians will have much to appreciate on this menu, with an irresistible selection of seafood dishes on the tapas menu, snack menu and from the Basque grill!
We are still dreaming about The Free Cage Broken Egg from the Meat Tapas selection; a tasty and sophisticated version of egg and chips. Runny eggs are served at the base of the dish and topped by hand-cut French Fries, which taste phenomenal when mixed together, creating a bowl of instant comfort food.
The Deboned suckling pig from the Meat Tapas selection was a standout, and the neat slices of Suckling Pig are sure to satisfy the palate of many a Hong Kong customer. The skin was crispy (it’s pan fried separately for maximum crunch), and the rich, succulent meat was offset well by slices of pumpkin and a trickle of pumpkin jus.
What We Didn’t Like
While Aire consistently delivered standout flavors and beautifully composed plates, we felt the Eggplant “escalibada” didn’t quite reach the same heights as the other dishes. Despite being very well-executed and visually appealing, it lacked the depth and smokiness we were hoping for — especially when compared to the rustic, layered flavors showcased elsewhere on the menu.
What You Should Order
Dinner at a Spanish restaurant would not be complete without sampling the seafood. Try Galician Octopus served over smoked potato (HK$150) or the Gambas Ajillo (HK$172); garlic prawns prepared in the traditional tapas style. This is great for sharing and wonderful with a piece of Spanish bread to mop up the garlicky juices.
In addition to their signature hits—like the inky, umami-rich squid ink paella and the beautifully cooked Galician cow sirloin—Aire is rolling out a few special-edition plates for Lee Gardens’ Celebrate Every Bite campaign.
Top of the list? The Galician Beef Prime Rib “Txuleta" (HK$1,488), grilled to perfection and bursting with smoky depth, and the Lobster Rice Caldoso (HK$340), a soul-warming dish of tender lobster simmered in a briny, savory broth that clings to every grain of rice.
Another highlight is Chef Edgard's Carabineros “Formentera Style” with sunny side duck eggs and crispy agria potato chips, which is priced at HK$498. Vivid red Mediterranean prawns are served over crispy agria potato crisps and rich duck eggs—a combination that hits all the right textures.
Cap off your experience with a delightful finale—the luscious White Chocolate & Yogurt Ganache (HK$78), crowned with zesty Passion Fruit Glace and a scoop of refreshing Ginger Ice Cream. But don’t wait—these exclusive treats are only available until July 13, 2025, so now’s the perfect time to indulge!
As part of Lee Gardens Celebrate Every Bite Campaign, Aire will be throwing surprise magic performances on select dates during the promotion, and guests who book three days in advance can receive a complimentary 2-meter-tall, personalized crystal balloon.
When you spend HK$1,500 or more at one of the six premier restaurants included in the promo, you’ll receive a HK$200 Lee Gardens One-Six e-Coupon. Spend HK$6,800 in a single dining transaction and get HK$400 Lee Garden One-Six e-Coupons and a Pret A Manger e-Coupon valued at HK$100!
To make reservations at Aire, visit this website.
For more information, visit Aire on their website, Instagram and Facebook. To find out more about the restaurants included in Celebrate Every Bite, visit Lee Gardens on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
Location: Aire, Shop No. 301B-302, 3/F, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
Opening Hours: Mondays to Sundays from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM; 6 PM to 10 PM
Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Delish Eats reviews here.
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