Leeds restaurant Jino's Thai Cafe moving locations to meet huge demand for lockdown orders

A stalwart of the Headingley food scene, Jino's Thai Cafe is moving from its former premises in Otley Road to a larger restaurant in North Lane.

The new restaurant offers a bigger kitchen and more seating space to meet the huge demand for delivery orders.

Jino's Thai Cafe closed its Otley Road restaurant last Sunday.

It hopes to reopen for takeaway and delivery orders from the new site on Friday March 12.

There will be a small outdoor seating area for diners to enjoy a meal in the sun from April 12, subject to lockdown restrictions easing, and the restaurant will open for dine-in on May 17.

Co-owner Mark Burnard runs the restaurant with business partner Malinee Brown, whose maiden title Jino inspired the restaurant's name.

Malinee's son, who formerly worked at Tattu Leeds has now joined the team as head chef.

Mark told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "During the first lockdown we were one of the only restaurants that stayed open for delivery, we were so busy and it was so successful.

"One of the main reasons we're moving is capacity, when we reopened last summer we couldn't keep up with the volume of eat in, delivery and takeaway orders. The kitchen was too small.

"It's a scary thing moving premises, but we thought we'd go for it. The kitchen is five times the size of the old one, it's a proper commercial kitchen.

"But we don't want to lose who we are. We're still a cafe, it's still bring your own booze and we're still part of the Headingley scene.

"It's been a frustrating time for every restaurant and it's been hard work, but we're excited.

"There has been lots of talk on local forums and residents' associations and it's really heartwarming to know we're a big part of the Headingley community."

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