Leeds is home to a variety of the coolest restaurants, each with its own unique vibe and culinary offerings. From Döner Summer’s chic vegan junk food to FINT’s Nordic-inspired cuisine and Bundobust’s Indian street food and craft beer, there is something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated dining experience at Tattu or a hidden gem like The Empire Cafe, Leeds’ coolest restaurants offer a diverse range of flavors and atmospheres that are sure to impress.
What are the coolest restaurants in Leeds?
Leeds’ coolest restaurants offer diverse culinary experiences with unique atmospheres. Highlights include:
- Döner Summer: Vegan junk food with a chic vibe at 10-12 Call Lane.
- FINT: Nordic cuisine in a modern space at 73 Great George Street.
- Bundobust: Indian street food and craft beer at 6 Mill Hill.
- The Swine That Dines: Seasonally changing menu at 58 North Street.
- Eat Your Greens: Organic and European dishes at 42 New York Street.
- Chef Jono at V&V: Creative tasting menus at 68 New Briggate.
- House of Fu: Tokyo and LA styles at 15-19 The Headrow.
- Tattu: Traditional Chinese with a twist at 29 East Parade.
- Issho: Japanese rooftop dining at Victoria Gate, George Street.
- The Empire Cafe: New wave cookery and history at 6 Fish Street.
Leeds boasts a vibrant culinary scene that’s as diverse as it is delicious. From vegan junk food havens to Nordic-inspired kitchens, the city’s coolest restaurants offer something for every palate. Here, we explore some of the top spots where the aesthetics are as impressive as the menus.
Döner Summer
Situated in the heart of Call Lane, Döner Summer stands out as a haven for vegan food lovers. With its chic exposed brick and eclectic mix of furniture, the vibe is effortlessly cool. The menu is a paradise of plant-based delights, featuring “epic kebabs stuffed to the brim” and “bountiful burgers piled high.” It’s a place where indulgence meets innovation, ensuring that even the most carnivorous eaters won’t miss the meat. Find this gem at 10-12 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DN, and prepare for a vegan junk food experience that’s as kind to your taste buds as it is to the planet.
FINT
In the realm of the refined and the elevated, FINT offers a slice of Scandinavia in Leeds. The space is modern, light, and adorned with soothing wood accents, while the menu brings Nordic cuisine to the forefront. Here, guests can expect to encounter “salmon smorrebrod” and “crumpet Benedict” – dishes that are as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the palette. The environment at FINT is far from pretentious, with staff that are as warm as they are helpful. Located at 73 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3BR, FINT is a testament to the cool and the collected.
Bundobust
- Location: 6 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DQ.
- Ambiance: Laid-back with a side of eclectic decor.
- Cuisine: Indian street food paired with craft beer.
For those seeking the fusion of vibrant Indian street food and craft beer, Bundobust ticks all the boxes. The decor is a unique mix of old doors and exposed brick, creating an atmosphere that’s both casual and inviting. The food, served in traditional street food containers and meant for sharing, is “fresh and full of Indian flavor.” Highlights include “crispy okra fries” and “layered Bundo Chaat,” perfect for pairing with one of their house-brewed beers.
The Swine That Dines
The Swine That Dines offers an intimate dining experience where the extraordinary meets the unexpected. Seasonal produce is the star here, with a menu that changes to showcase the freshest ingredients. From “pork belly with chicory and marsala” to “goats cheese souffle,” each dish is meticulously crafted. For those with a sweet tooth, the “peanut butter cheesecake” comes highly recommended. This restaurant is at 58 North Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7PN.
Eat Your Greens
Eat Your Greens presents an organic focus in a delightful European twist. This restaurant, nestled at 42 New York Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DY, has harnessed the power of locally-sourced produce to create dishes like “chicken skewers with emmer grain pilaf” and “Cornish mussels” that come with an onion salsa and flatbread. Vegan options are celebrated here, too, with “sprout bhajis” that sing when dipped in tamarind ketchup.
Chef Jono at V&V
Chef Jono at V&V is where fine dining meets creative flair. The tasting menus, curated by a Masterchef: The Professionals finalist, showcase the best of seasonal and local produce. Located at 68 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6NU, diners can expect “Yorkshire duck, beetroot and chocolate” or “roast courgette with lychee, peanut and coriander.” It’s a place where food becomes more than a meal – it’s an experience.
House of Fu
House of Fu celebrates a harmonious blend of Tokyo and LA influences. With interior designs and art curated by local creatives, the restaurant at 15-19 The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PU, brims with unique charm. The menu offers “delicious ramen,” “weekly gyoza specials,” and “healthy Super Bowls.” Plus, there’s karaoke upstairs for those who want to extend their evening from dining to singing.
Tattu
Tattu is the epitome of a cool dining space, perfect for an enchanting date night. Amid the glow of a purple-lit cherry blossom tree, guests can savor “traditional Chinese dishes with a modern twist.” The menu is a testament to creativity and culinary finesse, featuring plates like “wild mushroom spring rolls” and “wagyu ribeye with truffle sesame soy.” The experience is located at 29 East Parade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5PS.
Issho
Atop the rooftops of Victoria Gate, Issho offers a Japanese dining experience like no other. The restaurant, situated on the 3rd Floor Rooftop at George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7AU, boasts “platters of fresh sushi and sashimi” and hot mains “seared to perfection on the Robata grill.” The “miso black cod” is a showstopper, ensuring that each visit to Issho is as memorable as the last.
The Empire Cafe
The Empire Cafe, a hidden gem at 6 Fish Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DB, is steeped in 180 years of history. It’s a place where “old school values” mesh seamlessly with “new wave cookery.” The rotisserie chicken, with a choice of scrumptious sauces like “Gochujang and ginger,” is a standout. And with a lunch menu that changes daily, every visit promises new delights.
Kino
Kino, a culinary treasure beneath Leeds Grand Theatre at 34 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6NU, inhabits a Grade II-listed building with a storied past as a cinema. The dining room, with its industrial flair, serves up a “lip-smacker” menu curated by a MasterChef semi-finalist, featuring dishes like “celeriac and roast artichoke soup” that lead perfectly into “roast potato terrine.”
Blue Pavilion
Nestled in the Merrion Centre, Blue Pavilion is a restaurant where artistry and heritage unite. The journey into East Asian cuisine begins as you step into the dining room, adorned with marble and cherry blossoms. The culinary offerings, from “wagyu beef dumplings” to “Peking duck and pancakes,” are as rich in flavor as they are in presentation. Located at 90 Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8LW, it’s a feast for the senses.
Stuzzi
For those in pursuit of Italian flair, Stuzzi at Grand Arcade, 7 Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PQ, offers “small plates with big flavors.” The ever-changing menu, inspired by both local and imported ingredients, features dishes like “in-house made pasta” and “crispy arancini,” as well as the show-stopping “bistecca” with ‘nduja roast potatoes.
Wen’s
At Wen’s, a family-run establishment at 72-74 North Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7PN, home-cooked Chinese plates take center stage. The cozy space serves up dishes where “kung po chicken” and “slow-cooked beef brisket in curry sauce” share the spotlight. But the star of the show is undoubtedly the homemade dumplings, crafted lovingly by Mrs. Wen herself.
Northern Market
Northern Market, at 12 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3ED, is more than just a restaurant – it’s a beer hall-cum-food market with an old school vibe. With four food stalls, including the renowned Falafel Guys, and a selection of beer, it’s a place where flavors from around the world converge in one captivating underground space.
In summary, Leeds offers a range of dining experiences, each with its own unique cool factor. From vegan junk food to Nordic delicacies, Indian street food to innovative fine dining, the city’s coolest restaurants provide a melting pot of flavors and atmospheres. Whether it’s the artisanal touch at Döner Summer, the Scandinavian serenity of FINT, or the East Asian artistry at Blue Pavilion, Leeds has a spot for every food enthusiast.
- Leeds is home to a variety of cool restaurants with unique vibes and culinary offerings.
- Some of the coolest restaurants in Leeds include Döner Summer, FINT, Bundobust, The Swine That Dines, and Eat Your Greens.
- Döner Summer offers chic vegan junk food, while FINT serves Nordic-inspired cuisine.
- Bundobust combines Indian street food with craft beer, and The Swine That Dines offers a seasonally changing menu.
- Eat Your Greens specializes in organic and European dishes.