Any occasion is bougie at the best private dining restos in Leeds!
Look, I’m not a poncy fine-diner who swirls their wine and chats about ‘mouthfeel’ 24/7, but sometimes, you need a bit of posh. Date nights, corporate meetings, big birthdays…they call for a place where shouting for the waiter’s attention isn’t required.
Leeds is a massive city, though, so you have to do a bit of restaurant-hopping. You must also consider factors like style, budget, and cuisine, unless you want to end up in a spot you don’t vibe with, or worse, a £30 plate of meh.
But don’t lose hair over that. I’ve done the rounds and know exactly which joints have private dining experiences worth the pounds.
Fourth Floor Brasserie at Harvey Nichols
– From bethmaryclay
Address: Fourth Floor, Café and Bar, 107-111 Briggate Harvey Nichols
Contact Details: 0113 204 8000
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 10 am to 6 pm
- Thu to Sat – 10 am to 10 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 5 pm
If you’re chasing that elegant yet casual ‘city centre’ dining experience, Fourth Floor Brasserie at Harvey Nichols is a mint start. Those gold fittings and premier rooftop views are envy-inducing.
The kitchen is heavy on seasonal bits found around Yorkshire, so yes, it’s upmarket but local. Some recurring favourites are roasted lamb and pan-seared scallops, though you can opt for a plant-based menu as well.
Tip: Be a part of their reward program to earn discounts or specials.
Dakota
– From dakotahotel_lds
Address: 8 Russell St
Contact Details: 0113 322 6261
Dakota offers two ways to let guests indulge in its high-end food and setting. There’s a 10-person capacity private room for corporate dinners and a 6-person setup for more intimate get-togethers.
Food-wise, grass-fed British beef is what the regulars recommend. Cooked over hot coals and lightly seasoned, the steaks’ natural umami and buttery character pop, with the seasoning just on the lighter side.
Tip: Check their specials. You might just score a stay+dine combo for a lower price!
Chef Jono at V&V
– From leedsplussocial
Address: 68 New Briggate
Contact Details: 0113 345 0202
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Sat – 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 3 pm
We’ve always had a liking for Chef Jono at V&V, especially after noshing on the classy private room. It’s mostly an intimate setup, but when needed, it can house up to 35 guests.
The fare is local produce-heavy and huge on creative details. One dish we crave a lot is the inventive ramen that borrows sweet and umami flavours from corn, a slowly simmered broth, and a melting hen’s egg.
Tip: If you want to give their tasting menus a shot, do it on Wednesday and Thursday evenings when they’re cheaper.
Gaucho
– From gaucholeeds
Address: 21-22 Park Row
Contact Details: 0113 246 1777
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 10:45 pm
Sultry and burnt gold tones make Gaucho’s two private rooms a favourite among the loaded. Their 14 to 20-person capacity is another.
However, it’s their 100% Argentinian steaks that make folks shell out top pounds. The cuts are marinated in authentic herbs and spices to back up the natural flavours of Aberdeen Angus cattle, famed for their world-class marbling.
A personal go-to of mine is the leaner and more delicate filet cut. It’s great for sharing and even comes with endless crisps.
Tip: Halal dishes can be requested. Just make sure to ring them 48 hours ahead.
The Restaurant Bar & Grill Leeds
– From restaurantbargrill
Address: The Old Post Office, 3 City Square
Contact Details: 0113 244 9625
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 12 pm to 11 pm
- Thur – 12 pm to 12 am
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 1 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 9 pm
Perched snugly on the idyllic Old Post Office, The Restaurant Bar & Grill Leeds does understated opulence well. The same feel exudes throughout their 26-person private room, a melange of natural light, lush touches, and polished fixings.
On the plate, it’s mostly European and Asian cuisine. Think robust British steaks or Scottish venison and bold Eastern flavours rolled into fried or glazed starters.
If it’s our call, though, you can’t dine here without having the filet steak tartare and crispy duck spring rolls on the table.
Tip: Consider public transport. The restaurant is a short walk from Leeds Train Station.
Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill Leeds
– From fazenda.group
Address: Waterman’s Place, Unit 4-7 Granary Wharf
Contact Details: 0113 400 1183
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 3 pm, 4 pm to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 3 pm, 4 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 3 pm, 4 pm to 9 pm
Fazenda’s decadent spaces for 10 to 60 guests are lush on their own, but those River Aire canal views further boost their appeal. The full-on churrasco experience then tops it off.
Fifteen freshly-grilled cuts, carved on the table, were brought to us. The signature picanha was especially a flavour bomb, thanks to its fat cap oozing with intense buttery and savoury notes, all despite the light seasoning.
Tip: There’s a casual/elegant dress code to follow. Sportswear, tracksuits, beachwear, and flip-flops aren’t allowed.
Tattu
– From tatturestaurant
Address: Minerva, 29 E Parade
Contact Details: 0113 245 1080
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 11:30 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 12:30 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 11:30 pm
Inspired by intricate body art, Tattu’s private rooms are draped in strong reds and golden glints, with a ceiling of cherry blossoms as the centrepiece. It’s the contemporary Asian plates that did it for us, though.
Light and aromatic, the seven-spiced seared tuna was a winner. Truffle aioli infuses the silky meat with earthiness, while caviar amps the fish’s natural saltiness.
We devoured the wagyu dumplings, too. I expected intense savoury flavours, and got it, plus a burst of zest and fire from sriracha and kimchi.
Tip: Book as early as you can. Tattu is often in high demand.
The Ivy Asia
– From theivyasia
Address: 55 Vicar Ln
Contact Details: 0113 531 7990
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 11:30 am to 10:45 pm
- Thu to Sat – 11:30 am to 1 am
- Sun – 11:30 am to 10:45 pm
Ivy Asia’s Buddha Room is a pocket of the opulent East right in Downtown Leeds. Glamorous in gold and full of handpicked Asian accents, mainly antiques, we dined like royalty there.
They didn’t hold back on the pan-Asian flavours either, proven by the hoisin-laced aromatic half duck, part of their a la carte set. A bite packs gamey, rendered fat, followed by that timeless sweet-savoury punch.
Lovers of more powerful flavours should go for the Samurai set, though. Red-hot Thai and Indonesian curries headline the list.
Tip: Wines are typically cheaper on Sundays.
Mumtaz
– From mumtazleeds
Address: 1 & 2, MacKenzie House, Chadwick St
Contact Details: 0113 242 4211
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 4 pm to 11 pm
Overlooking the Leeds Docks, Mumtaz’s sun-bathed private room is meant for larger bashes. Around 80 guests can feast on Kashmiri soups, biryanis, and curries there, all under an extravagant chandelier.
Their lamb karahi gets tons of love as well. If you’re mad about garlic and tomato-heavy dishes, glossed by hot curry and prepared in intense heat, give it a whirl.
Tip: You can drive there, as free parking is part of the deal.
Sous le Nez
– From souslenezrestaurant
Address: Quebecs Hotel, The Basement, Quebec House, 9 Quebec St
Contact Details: 0113 244 0108
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 9:45 pm
Proper comforting and rustic is how we’d describe Sous le Nez’s private dig. It fits 6 to 25 people in a humble, underground room of dark wood, with French dishes doing most of the flexing.
Take, for instance, their French onion soup. I had it twice, and on both occasions, the classic dish’s caramelised, beefy, and subtly nutty tastes satisfied my taste buds.
The wood pigeon pie, encased in salty pastry, also had me hooked. Its gamey side was milder than, say, duck meat, but the prosciutto and pea sauce added deeper flavours.
Tip: If you’re driving, park at the nearby Trinity Leeds Car Park for convenience.
Lost & Found Leeds Club
– From thelostandfoundleedsclub
Address: 3 Albion Pl
Contact Details: 0113 493 1450
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11:30 am to 11 pm
- Sat – 11 am to 12 am
- Sun – 11:30 am to 11 pm
If this list were ranked based on variety, the Victorian-style Lost & Found would’ve topped it. They have four private dining options: The Secret Bar (80 guests), The Boardroom (50 guests), The Lounge (30 guests), and The Parlour (8 guests).
As for the nosh, it’s chiefly British and Euro pub fare jazzed by welcome twists. Examples are fish and chips featuring masala or seaweed, sticky date pudding covered in miso, and jalapeno-crowned pepperoni pizza.
Tip: If you want discounts, give their IG a look.
Chez Mal Leeds
– From malmaisonhotels
Address: Malmaison Leeds, 1 Swinegate
Contact Details: 0113 426 0047
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 7 am to 9 pm
- Fri – 7 am to 9:30 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 9:30 pm
- Sun – 8 am to 9 pm
Chez Mal’s modern brasserie vibe might be what your party needs. You can fit about 50 revellers there, then have them dine on British-French bites while illuminated by NY-ish spider lights.
Their must-have plates revolve around British beef. The meat is mostly cooked on Josper or Konro grills, imparting the prime cuts with well-distributed smoky and clean nuances.
Lots of cocktails to down, too. Signatures such as Negroni and Bloody Mary are your safest bets, the former served in three ways—with mezcal, with gin, or with bourbon.
Tip: Steaks are typically cheaper every Thursday, from 5 pm until closing time.
The Cut & Craft
– From thecutandcraft
Address: Victoria Quarter, 23 King Edward St
Contact Details: 0113 831 4829
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 11 am to 11:30 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 1 am
- Sun – 9 am to 11:30 pm
The Cut & Craft is within the Victoria Quarter, so you can expect ornate balustrades, refurbished 19th-century cloisters, and a central dome sheltering all that glam.
When it comes to the offerings, it’s their flat-iron steak you should put on their 12-seater private tables. We always get it medium rare to bring out the cut’s inherent sweetness and impeccable tenderness.
Tip: Elevate the experience by going for their concierge service.
Bibis Restaurant
– From bibis_restaurant
Address: Sovereign St
Contact Details: 0113 243 0905
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 4 pm to 11 pm
- Wed to Thu – 12 pm to 11 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 10:30 pm
Private dining at Bibis is elevated, literally and figuratively. The 45-person room has a view over the Art Deco main body, plus glass walls going all the way up the mirrored ceiling.
Their authentic Italian scran is also next-level. Our recommendation is to begin with the duck liver parfait before wolfing down top-selling mains, like the peppered Angus sirloin and, my fave, the sweet and citrusy seared duck breast.
Tip: Looking to party to live music after dining? Set your event on a Friday.
Ox Club
– From oxclubleeds
Address: 19a The Headrow
Contact Details: 0113 487 1814
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 6 pm
Known for firing up the flames right in front of you, Ox Club is a mecca for fans of smoky European food. Oh, and they’ve been recognised by Michelin and Good Food guides!
Last time we dined in their 38-person room, the côte de boeuf got mad props. The peppery touches heightened its buttery fat even more, and it was superbly soft, as promised.
To finish, we ordered baked Alaska, prepared the traditional way—cake as the base, ice cream at the centre, and meringue at the top.
Tip: Dogs can tag along, but they’re only welcome until 7 pm.