The top 11 best restaurants for a special occasion in Leeds

Leeds is full of phenomenal restaurants, but sometimes a very special occasion calls for an exceptional dining experience.
Special events in LeedsSpecial events in Leeds
Special events in Leeds

The Man Behind the Curtain

This Michelin star restaurant might be an obvious choice for a special meal, but - rest assured - you’ll be treated to an unforgettable meal, dreamed up by celebrity chef Michael O’Hare.

Wacky and innovative, the restaurant’s tasting menu promises to deliver the unexpected and offers a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Visit: Top Floor Flannels, 68-78 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH

Kendell’s Bistro

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Priding itself on its casual and informal vibe, this charming French bistro is ideal if you want quality food without all the fuss.

Their rustic décor, low lighting and flickering candles add a cosy ambiance which makes the restaurant feel welcoming and homely, and the authentic French cuisine will certainly hit the spot.

For something different and indulgent, try their Chevreuil - a rack of venison in a bitter chocolate sauce.

Visit: 3 St Peter’s Square, LS9 8AH

Crafthouse

Sleek and contemporary, this fine dining British restaurant has become the crown jewel of Trinity Leeds.

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Hidden away on the top floor of the Trinity shopping centre, the restaurant not only offers a mouth-watering menu, but breathtaking scenic views across the city, too.

Visit: Trinity Leeds, 70 Boar Lane, LS1 6HW

Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill

Honouring the Brazilian Gauchos’ traditional method of cooking, Estabulo skewer and cook flavoursome cuts of meat to perfection on open flames, so you can enjoy the food served fresh at your table, straight from the grill.

Here, you can eat until your heart’s content - simply turn your green disc to let staff know that you’re ready for more, and - when you’re full - just flip it over to the red side.

It’s a dining experience that puts you in charge.

Visit: 5 St Peter’s Square, LS9 8AQ

Brasserie Forty 4

Situated in a picturesque setting on the Calls waterfront just on the outskirts of the city centre, elegant, family-run restaurant Brasserie Forty 4 offers the finest in British cuisine, paired with an extensive wine list.

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Dine inside or out on their waterside terrace (weather permitting) and enjoy a delicious meal in the relaxed atmosphere of this stylish eatery.

For those extra special occasions, the restaurant even offers a free lunchtime chauffeur service in partnership with Farnell Jaguar, so you can arrive at the restaurant in style.

Visit: 44 The Calls, LS2 7EW

Sous le Nez

If you’re seeking atmosphere and excellent food, look no further than Sous le Nez.

The award-winning basement bar and bistro has a massively positive reputation in Leeds, having been serving delectable French dishes to diners since 1991.

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Known for its creative menu, huge portions and lengthy 40 page wine list, a meal at this eatery ticks all the celebratory boxes.

Visit: The Basement, Quebec House, 9 Quebec Street, LS1 2HA

Vice and Virtue

This New Briggate bar is a popular spot on the Leeds nightlife scene thanks to its creative cocktail menu, but Vice and Virtue is also hiding a superb fine dining restaurant on the second floor.

A relatively new addition to the city, the restaurant is the owned and run by award-winning chef Luke Downing, the man behind the French bistro, Dough, in West Park.

With his latest venture, Downing is serving a regularly changing tasting menu which promises to be innovative and experimental every time.

Visit: 68 New Briggate, LS1 6NU

Gaucho

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Oozing glamour and style with its black leather and lavish cowhide furnishings, this Argentinian boutique restaurant impresses before you’ve even glanced at the menu.

Serving a vast selection of succulent cuts of beef from the Pampas plains of Argentina (along with a taste of locally sourced Yorkshire produce) the food is of the highest quality and is sure to set any meat lovers palate alight.

Visit: 21-22 Park Row, LS1 5JF

Stockdales

Stockdales of Yorkshire have perfected a classic steak. Using locally sourced produced, their Wagyu beef is always hand selected, aged for 28 days, precision timed and cooked with care, making for a delicious meal.

Led by head chef, Jonathan Davies, who is trained to Michelin star standard, you’re guaranteed not to leave disappointed.

Visit: 8 S Parade, LS1 5QX

Vavasour

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When it comes to choosing a destination for a romantic date night or celebration, you can’t really get much more special than a castle.

Located at the beautiful Hazlewood Castle, the Vavasour restaurant is both cosy and full of character. Plus, it’s appetising menu certainly makes the journey off the beaten track worth your while.

From slow roasted belly pork, to the lighter honey roast beetroot tarte tatin, there’s a varied choice of tasty seasonal dishes to choose from.

Visit: Hazlewood Castle, Paradise Lane, Hazlewood, LS24 9NJ

Brasserie Blanc

Housed inside a refurbished Victorian mill alongside the River Aire, this chic French restaurant is something of a hidden gem.

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Their menu was devised by celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, and the food is carefully crafted and bursting with flavour, made with only the best seasonal ingredients.

Visit: Victoria Mill, Sovereign Street, LS1 4BJ

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