The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Leeds Worth Splurging On
Sometimes, a £5 pizza and a cheap bev from the local chippy won’t quite do. That’s especially true if you’re toasting to a major win, looking to woo a date, or splurging on that bonus you’ve worked your socks off for.
Enter fine dining restaurants. The city has them in spades, and each boasts world-class dishes backing up the prices.
We’ll indulge you with our faves below, from decade-old family restos to haunts led by TV chefs!
Tattu Leeds
– 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
We’d never wined and dined under a ceiling of cherry blossoms and roses until we went to Tattu. The menu is Asian—mostly Chinese—but given a modern twist that turns fried rice and spring rolls into something more luxe.
What caught our attention were the wagyu beef dumplings, oozing umami with a fiery slap from sriracha and kimchi. Right behind it was the sticky Shanghai black cod, a Tattu signature dancing between savoury and sweet.
Tip: Book if you can. Even during weekdays, they can get packed.
The Box Tree
– From boxtreerestaurant
Address: 35-37 Church St, Ilkley
Contact Details: 01943 608484
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Thu – 6 pm to 7:30 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 1:30 pm, 6 pm to 8 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 12:30 pm
If The Box Tree’s Franco-European cuisine and 18th-century looks don’t scream luxury, we don’t know what does. Yes, the place has had a glow-up over the years, but beneath the polish, it still teems with that classy magic—low lighting, antiques, and a sense of occasion.
On the plate, the big draw is the Yorkshire venison ravioli, selling fast with its gamey, tangy, and bittersweet profile. Most sweeten it with the banana soufflé, a birch sap-laced treat with flirting toffee and vanilla overtones.
Tip: There’s a dress code, but it changes often. Best to call and double-check.
Chef Jono at V&V
– From vandvleeds
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
Helmed by a MasterChef finalist, Chef Jono at V&V dishes up modern fare that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the taste buds. Each dish even gets a custom wine and craft cocktail pairing—because they understand that eating with the perfect sip is next-level.
One crowd favourite is their twist on ramen, with corn lending a natural sweetness and a silky hen’s egg that melts just right. The umami-laden broth, slow-simmered to perfection is then lifted by an elderflower spritz that’s light, floral, and lychee-leaning.
Tip: Tasting menus are cheaper on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Ox Club
– From oxclubleeds
Address: 19a The Headrow
Contact Details: 0113 487 1814
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Fri – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 5 pm
Ox Club takes the ‘lighter’ side of fine dining, with a sun-bathed space and humble decor. Food-wise, though, they go heavy, starting with grilled sourdough that exudes a heavily caramelised and smoky chicken flavour.
Then there’s the côte de boeuf—1 kg of perfectly charred, melt-in-your-mouth beef that’s rich and subtly fiery. It’s best coupled with their baked Alaska—torched outside, silky within, and creamy throughout.
Tip: Make your visit extra special by hiring the venue privately. Email [email protected] for the complete details.
Kendells Bistro
– From kendellsbistro
Address: 3 St Peter’s Square
Contact Details: 0113 243 6553
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Wed – 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 5:30 pm to 10 pm
The proudly French Kendells Bistro is our tried-and-true spot for when we want to impress a date. It’s impossible not to feel all warm and fuzzy, with its candlelit atmosphere and French comforts, like fillet steak and onion soup.
But, if we’re being honest, it’s the garlicky escargot Bourgogne that steals hearts, particularly once finished with petit pot au chocolat. The lavishly buttery and briny Burgundy snails are simply balanced by the treat’s not-too-sweet, fruity profile.
Tip: For tea lovers, drop by Tuesday to Thursday (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm) or Friday to Saturday (5:30 pm to 6:30 pm).
Gaucho Leeds
– From letting.luce
Address: 21-22 Park Row
Contact Details: 0113 246 1777
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 10:45 pm
Gaucho’s steak might just be why food-loving tourists pin Leeds on their map. The restaurant’s lean yet ridiculously succulent Argentinian beef is the star, and you’ll devour it in a setting that’s as plush as the meat itself.
If you’re not feeling red meat, the umami sea bass ceviche and spicy-sweet prawn chicharrón hold their own. Throw in signature cocktails like a strawberry martini or a margarita kissed with chimichurri salt, and you’ll be back within a week or two.
Tip: You can request halal dishes by calling, but be sure to do so at least 48 hours in advance.
Heaney & Mill
– From heaneyandmill
Address: 50 Otley Rd, Headingley
Contact Details: 0113 278 1640
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 12 pm to 9 pm
- Tue to Thu – 9 am to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 9 am to 11 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 8 pm
Heaney & Mill proves that fine dining doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In this laid-back spot, you can tuck into global delights like shiitake spring rolls or BBQ lamb belly, minus the very posh price tag.
It’s also a first-class place for a Sunday get-together, with its legendary lamb and pork belly roasts on offer. Even the starters pull their weight, especially the seared tuna and prawn toast—easily one of Heaney & Mill’s best-sellers.
Tip: You can drive. There are car parks across the street and behind the resto.
Shears Yard
– From shearsyard
Address: 11-15 Wharf St
Contact Details: 0113 244 4144
Operating Hours:
- Thu – 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Fri – 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 6 pm
Beneath towering ceilings and rugged brickwork, Shears Yard plates up ever-changing European nosh. Their Sunday lunch is a team favourite, starring hefty portions of roasted sirloin and char-grilled sea bream fillet.
The headliner, though, is the overnight roasted pork shoulder—loaded with deep savoury notes. If that’s not enough, finish it with the truffle potato and blue cheese gratin, which packs a garlicky, pungent essence and a full-bodied depth.
Tip: Up for the bar scene? Swing by on Fridays and Saturdays late at night.
Owl
– From theowlleeds
Address: Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf, Lockside, Holbeck
Contact Details: 0113 531 6621
Operating Hours:
- Wed – 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Thu to Fri – 12 pm to 11 pm
- Sat – 11 am to 11:30 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 5:30 pm
Seafood lovers in our crew would’ve rioted if we skipped Owl’s sought-after Catch of the Day deal. Its buttery North Sea cod was already a pleaser, but the hearty garden pea stew and nutty-as-anything pink fir potatoes sealed our approval.
It also helped that we kicked the feast off with Lindisfarne oysters, which as advertised, had sweet hints and nutty accents. A cold draft beer then reset our palate, though a wine pairing would’ve been a great move either.
Tip: Kids are welcome! There’s no dedicated children’s menu, but Owl offers smaller portions.
The Ivy Asia Leeds
– 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
The Ivy Asia is pure opulence, dripping in glamour you’ll feel and see from Crazy Rich Asians. But if you think only their decor is over-the-top, wait till you indulge in the resto’s showier flavours.
One example is the golden aromatic half duck, lacquered in hoisin and boasting a smooth layer of gamey, rendered fat. Then there’s the salmon sashimi—silky, ocean-fresh, and taken up a notch with a hint of truffle and a spice-kissed tuna roll.
Tip: Special menus are available, so be sure to check what’s on to enjoy not-so-regular servings.
Blue Pavilion
– From bluepavilionleeds
Address: The Merrion Centre, 90 Merrion St
Contact Details: 0113 887 6888
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 11 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 10 pm
Blue Pavilion takes East Asian flavours and gives them the full-blown luxury treatment. Every dish is handpicked to make sure you’re tucking into only the finest, whether it’s king prawn dim sum or honey-glazed seabass.
For us, though, the Peking duck is the one to beat, made even fancier with a dollop of top-shelf caviar. The layer of glaze is at an equal state of savoury and sweet, while the moist meat dances between mild, fatty, and clean—none of that ‘too gamey’ profile.
Tip: Menus can change monthly. Check the website to stay in the know.
Bavette
– From bavettebistro
Address: 4-6 Town St, Horsforth
Contact Details: 0113 258 2901
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Thu – 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 5:30 pm
Bavette could pass as a Parisian bistro that somehow wound up in Leeds. Everything from the butter-slathered baguette to the silky crème brûlée felt like a one-way ticket to France.
But the real pièce de resistance was their côte de boeuf—thick, beefy, and straddling a balanced line between sweet and fatty. Downing it with the fruity-forward and woody Claire Cousin pinot noir was also a stroke of genius.
Tip: The last seating on Sundays is at 4 pm, so plan accordingly.
The Swine That Dines
– From theswinebistro
Address: 58 North St
Contact Details: 0113 244 0387
Operating Hours:
- Thu – 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Fri – 12 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sat – 1 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
At The Swine That Dines, Jo and Stu Myers keep things fresh—literally. January’s spread won’t be the same as February’s, but whether it’s smoked duck or a homemade crumpet that graces your plate, it’ll be fan-freaking-tastic.
As for recent standouts, the ox cheek and tail suet pudding has people talking—for great reasons. Deliciously complex, it swings between robust, gelatinous, sweet, and herby!
Tip: For one-off themed nights and special menus, check their Events & Wednesday Evenings page.
FINT
– From fint.leeds
Address: 73 Great George St
Contact Details: 0113 244 3838
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 10 am to 3 pm
- Thu to Sat – 10 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 3 pm
FINT keeps it laid-back on the surface, but their Scandinavian-inspired brunch is all class. Nordic gnocchi swimming in beetroot cream, sea bream fillet dripping in hollandaise, and vegan snags paired with potato pancakes? Yeah, upmarket bites are the norm here.
For the indecisive, the FINT Breakfast option will solve your dilemma, as it loads the plate with heavy hitters like bacon, poached eggs, and spiced beans. Chuck in some sourdough and a slab of buttery potato, and you’re good till dinner.
Tip: They get packed around 12 pm, so aim for an earlier or later visit to dodge the crowds.
Sous Le Nez
– From souslenezrestaurant
Address: 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
Being underground hasn’t stopped Sous Le Nez from being iconic for over 30 years, and this French diner isn’t just coasting on nostalgia either. Features like a 40-page wine list and impeccable plates, like pan-roasted chicken breast, cemented its legacy.
To top it off, their rump steak is the business—full-bodied, seared to a smoky crust, and tender where it counts. And if you still have space, you can sweeten the deal with a sticky toffee pudding or the more complex mandarin torte with dark chocolate.
Tip: One of the most convenient parking spots is the Trinity Leeds Car Park.