Leeds is home to an impressive collection of the coolest restaurants, each offering a unique dining experience. From Döner Summer’s vegan junk food to the refined Scandinavian dishes at FINT, and the Indian street food and craft beers at Bundobust, there’s something to satisfy every craving in this vibrant city.
What are some of the coolest restaurants to visit in Leeds?
Leeds boasts an eclectic variety of cool restaurants to explore, including:
– Döner Summer: Vegan junk food with a chic ambiance.
– FINT: Scandinavian-inspired dishes in a refined setting.
– Bundobust: Indian street food paired with craft beers.
– Ox Club: Seasonal plates featuring a wood-fired grill.
– Eat Your Greens: Organic, locally-sourced European cuisine.
– Bomba: Authentic Spanish flavors in a rustic atmosphere.
– The Swine That Dines: Seasonal produce with unexpected cuts of meat.
– Chef Jono at V&V: Inventive tasting menu by a culinary master.
– House of Fu: Tokyo-LA fusion with vibrant decor and ramen.
– Tattu: Modern tattoo art inspired ambiance with traditional Chinese cuisine twists.
– Issho: Rooftop Japanese dining with a diverse menu.
– The Empire Cafe: Rotisserie chicken with a historical twist.
– Kino: MasterChef-led dishes beneath the Grand Theatre.
– Blue Pavilion: East Asian specialties in a culturally rich setting.
– Stuzzi: Italian small plates in an arched ceiling space.
– Wen’s: Home-cooked Chinese cuisine with a cozy atmosphere.
– Northern Market: A food market experience with international flavors.
21 December 2023
Leeds is a city that never ceases to surprise with its culinary innovation and diversity. The quest for the perfect dining experience might seem endless, but with the city’s vast array of eateries, you’re never short of options. Whether you’re in the mood for vegan junk food, Scandinavian delicacies, or Indian street fare, Leeds has a restaurant that will satisfy your cravings and then some. Here’s a guide to some of the coolest restaurants you can find in this vibrant city.
Döner Summer
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Call Lane lies Döner Summer, an urban haven for those who indulge in the delectable world of vegan junk food. This restaurant’s interior boasts a chic, effortless vibe with exposed brick walls and lush greenery. The menu is a vegan dream, featuring towering kebabs, bountiful burgers, and loaded fries that defy the usual vegan fare. Diners can savor the likes of chick’n gyros and Korean BBQ tellers, all guaranteed to set taste buds alight.
FINT
On Great George Street, you’ll find FINT, a Scandinavian-inspired restaurant that exudes a unique blend of sophistication and comfort. Light wood accents and muted colors define the space, while the menu offers a taste of Nordic cuisine. The dishes are intriguing and inventive, such as the salmon smorrebrod and crumpet Benedict – familiar yet fresh. FINT combines a cool atmosphere with a friendly staff, making it a top choice for those seeking a refined, yet welcoming dining experience.
Bundobust
Bundobust is where Indian street food meets craft beer, creating an atmosphere that’s both laid-back and trendy. With decor that includes a colorful array of old doors and communal tables, it’s the perfect spot to unwind with friends. The food is served in casual containers, encouraging a shared dining experience that’s both fresh and packed with flavor. The menu features crispy okra fries, the hearty Bundo Chaat, and a succulent tarka dhal that will leave you craving more.
Ox Club
Tucked away in Headrow House is Ox Club, a grill restaurant with a flair for the dramatic. The industrial-chic decor sets the stage for a menu that sings with smoky flavors, thanks to a wood-fired grill. The changing seasonal plates showcase local produce, offering dishes like grilled Cornish pollack and char sui pork belly. At Ox Club, the blend of casual ambiance and high-quality ingredients ensures a dining experience that’s both down-to-earth and extraordinary.
Eat Your Greens
In a cozy corner of the city center, Eat Your Greens stands out with its commitment to organic, locally-sourced produce. Here, European-inspired dishes come to life, such as the chicken skewers with emmer grain pilaf. The vegan sprout bhajis, served with a tangy tamarind ketchup, are a testament to the restaurant’s versatility. The selection of natural wines and the attached greengrocer only add to its cool, earth-conscious appeal.
Bomba
Nestled in the Holbeck Urban Village, Bomba transports diners to a Spanish hideaway. The ambiance evokes a Valencian restaurant, with rustic wooden furnishings and atmospheric lighting. From patatas bravas to an array of paellas, Bomba’s menu is a celebration of Spanish flavors. The authentic decor and tantalizing scents from the kitchen combine for a dining experience that feels like a cultural excursion.
The Swine That Dines
The Swine That Dines may present itself with a modest exterior, but the culinary wonders inside are nothing short of spectacular. This restaurant thrives on using seasonal produce and unexpected cuts of meat to create an ever-changing menu. Dishes such as pork belly with chicory and a divine goats cheese souffle showcase the kitchen’s mastery. And for dessert, the peanut butter cheesecake is a must-try that perfectly encapsulates the innovative spirit of the restaurant.
Chef Jono at V&V
For those who find coolness in culinary craftsmanship, Chef Jono at V&V is a must-visit. This fine-dining establishment, led by a Masterchef: The Professionals finalist, presents a tasting menu that is both inventive and locally rooted. With dishes like Yorkshire duck paired with beetroot and chocolate, and a vegan menu that highlights the beauty of plants, the creativity on display is boundless. Conversations with Chef Jono himself add a personal touch to the exquisite dining experience.
House of Fu
House of Fu is a fusion of Tokyo and LA, a cool Leeds restaurant that thrives on both aesthetics and taste. Creatives from Leeds have contributed to the vibrant decor, which includes neon signs and hand-painted murals by Bobbi Rae. The menu is a celebration of ramen, gyoza, and healthy Super Bowls – a feast that’s as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eyes. And for those who seek entertainment with their meal, the karaoke upstairs provides the perfect post-dining amusement.
Tattu
Tattu offers an ambiance that’s perfect for a memorable date night, complete with a ceiling adorned by a cherry blossom tree. The decor draws inspiration from modern tattoo art, creating a stunning visual backdrop. The menu features traditional Chinese cuisine with innovative twists, such as spring rolls filled with wild mushrooms and sumptuous wagyu ribeye. Tattu’s inventive cocktails complement the dining experience, making it a feast for all the senses.
Issho
Atop Victoria Gate lies Issho, a Japanese rooftop restaurant that offers breathtaking views and a menu that elevates Asian cuisine. The spacious dining room reflects a subtle Far Eastern elegance, complementing the vibrant dishes served. From fresh sushi platters to mains grilled to perfection on the Robata grill, Issho’s offerings are both diverse and delectable. The miso black cod is a house specialty not to be missed.
The Empire Cafe
Hidden down a side street, The Empire Cafe offers a cool dining experience steeped in history. The restaurant combines traditional values with innovative culinary techniques, making it a standout choice in Leeds. Their rotisserie chicken, basted with flavors like Gochujang and ginger, is a highlight, especially when paired with chicken schmaltz potatoes. With a lunch menu that changes daily, The Empire Cafe keeps diners eagerly anticipating each new culinary creation.
Kino
Kino is a culinary gem located beneath Leeds Grand Theatre, once a cinema and now a Grade II-listed building. The dining space is dominated by soaring industrial-style steel supports and extends into the Howard Assembly Room. Led by a MasterChef semi-finalist, the menu boasts an array of tantalizing dishes like roast potato terrine and glazed parsnip. Each dish is a testament to the chef’s knack for creating flavors that linger in the memory long after the meal.
Blue Pavilion
The Blue Pavilion at the Merrion Centre is an extraordinary establishment where culinary art meets cultural heritage. Stepping through the blue tunnel leads diners to an East Asian adventure, surrounded by marble, cherry blossoms, and lanterns. The menu features dishes like wagyu beef dumplings and salt and pepper squid, followed by the show-stopping Peking duck. With its array of East Asian specialties, Blue Pavilion promises a dining experience that’s both visually and gastronomically impressive.
Stuzzi
For Italian cuisine with a cool twist, Stuzzi is the go-to place in Leeds. Specializing in small plates, the menu is inspired by both local and imported ingredients. The restaurant’s arched ceilings and continental decor set the stage for delightful dishes like in-house made pasta and crispy arancini. Stuzzi’s bistecca, a beautifully prepared onglet steak, epitomizes the restaurant’s dedication to quality and flavor.
Wen’s
Wen’s, a family-run restaurant, offers a cozy atmosphere that might deceive you into overlooking its cool factor. However, the menu tells a different story, with home-cooked Chinese dishes that bring together traditional and modern flavors. From kung po chicken to homemade dumplings crafted by Mrs. Wen, the restaurant’s offerings are both comforting and exciting, making it one of the coolest spots for Chinese cuisine in Leeds.
Northern Market
Northern Market adds a unique spin to the dining scene in Leeds. This subterranean locale blends the charm of a beer hall with the variety of a food market. With hand-painted signs and a selection of beers on tap, it’s a place that exudes a cool, old-school vibe. The food stalls provide an array of options, from Middle Eastern delights by The Falafel Guys to smash burgers from Big Buns. It’s a gastronomic journey that captures the essence of Leeds’ diverse food culture.
- Leeds is home to an impressive collection of cool restaurants, each offering a unique dining experience.
- Some of the coolest restaurants in Leeds include Döner Summer, FINT, Bundobust, Ox Club, and Eat Your Greens.
- Döner Summer offers vegan junk food in a chic ambiance, while FINT serves Scandinavian-inspired dishes in a refined setting.
- Bundobust combines Indian street food with craft beers, and Ox Club features seasonal plates cooked on a wood-fired grill.
- Eat Your Greens specializes in organic, locally-sourced European cuisine.