16 Secret Places To Eat At In Leeds

Here today... gone tomorrow.

1. Dinner at the Manor

Dinner at the Manor / Via Flickr: dine_leeds

The original (and arguably the best) supper club in Leeds, held at a mystery location in west Leeds, you’ll have to be quick off the mark to attend one of Dan and Susie’s monthly events – tickets tend to sell out on the day they’re released.

Each event is themed around one of their favourite cookbooks, and food is served on big plates around communal dining tables – so expect to bring your best dinner party anecdotes. Whether it’s an Ottolenghi-themed dinner, a pub food lunch with matched beers, or a Fika-inspired afternoon tea, the manor is a foodie’s dream.

2. The Secret Vegan Supper Club

instagram.com

One secret location, one big table, 10 chairs and four courses of vegan food designed to inspire you to try something different; India Silvani-Jones is looking to make vegan food accessible for everyone with her regular events.

Whether you’re a committed carnivore or you’ve been vegan your whole life, this is a non-judgemental place for you to try out some delicious vegan fare.

3. Afsaneh’s Persian Kitchen

Big Spoon, Little Spoon / Via bigspoonmylittlespoon.com

Ever been watching Masterchef and wanted to fall head first into the dishes they’re plating up? Now’s your chance! In 2012, Afsaneh Kaviani wowed the judges as a Masterchef finalist, and now she’s serving up her take on Middle Eastern cuisine at her Persian supper club. With everything from lamb shanks to baba ganoush and baklava on the menu, as well as a few dishes you won’t have tried before, wear your stretchiest trousers to this one!

4. Homage2Fromage

Amy Elizabeth / Via amyliz.co.uk

This long-running monthly club is the place for connoisseurs of cheese. There are events across the North, but the Leeds one is the original (and best – although I may be biased…), with monthly themes ranging from the obvious (French and Italian cheeses) to the slightly more bizarre (Extreme Cheese, anyone?).

Held upstairs at The Adelphi, this isn’t some snobby tasting event – just a celebration of all things cheese, and you’re encouraged to help yourselves to the mounds of cheese, chutney, crackers and fruit that’s on display. Just wait for the organisers to shout ‘CHEESE!’ and then all bets are off.

5. The Fat Faced Cat

Amy Elizabeth / Via amyliz.co.uk

Based in Roundhay, North Leeds, and run by two enthusiastic amateurs with more than a few cooking skills between them, this supper club is held sporadically so it’s worth keeping an eye out for them on Twitter to stay in the loop. If you manage to snag a seat, try not to eat anything for at least 24 hours beforehand – on more than one occasion I have been presented with so many courses that I had to bow out before the second dessert…

Whilst their gorgeous fat-faced cat may steal the show when it comes to photos, the food is the real deal – think spicy ox cheek doughnuts, cockle popcorn and seabass ceviche.

6. The Swine That Dines

instagram.com

By day, The Greedy Pig Kitchen serves up big brunches and plenty of cake and coffee. By night (on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, that is), they transform into The Swine That Dines with innovative, small plate dining that rivals the very best (and most expensive) restaurants in the city. Their menu changes each month, with creative specials offered week, and you can keep up with the dishes on Twitter.

They focus on ‘nose to tail’ dining, using the whole of the animal and using lesser used cuts of meat to cook you up something exciting - I’ve eaten pig’s trotter at their table and, despite my misgivings, enjoyed it! For veggies, on the first weekend of the month they have a meat-free #RootstoShoots menu, so everyone can enjoy their wares.

7. House of Koko

instagram.com

This coffee shop is not only perfect Instagram fodder, they also regularly host pop-up evenings with an array of chefs from across the country, with four seasonal events planned for 2017. Their next event with Masterchef contestant Ben Hale involves seven stylish courses and an accompanying wine flight and, if reports of previous evenings are anything to go by, it’s not one to miss.

8. The Noise of Strangers

instagram.com

The Noise of Strangers host temporary restaurants across the city at top secret locations, with previous evenings taking place in the cells below the Town Hall, Holy Trinity Church and Studio 81. One for the adventurous amongst you, the location and menu are kept under wraps until you’ve secured your tickets but I have it on good authority that the food is as delicious as it is secretive.

9. Clandestine Cake Club

humbugshouse / Via humbugshouse.wordpress.com

Lynn Hill founded the first Clandestine Cake Club in Leeds in 2010, and although there are now meetings to be found all over the country, you can still pop along for tea and cake at the original CCC in Leeds (or one of the other groups that have popped up across the city). Book your place, bring a homemade cake and a friend, and head to the secret location – it’s a piece of cake to join the club! Just don’t try to sneak a muffin through the door…

10. Belgrave Street Feast

instagram.com

Once a month, some of the nation’s finest street food traders make their way to Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen for the Belgrave Street Feast. Turn up early to grab a table and get stuck into a smorgasboard of dishes. Entry is free, and the line-up is announced in advance so you can whet your appetite. If I were you, I’d head straight to Noisette Bakehouse if they’re in attendance – their salted caramel brownies are a mouth orgasm waiting to happen.

11. The Hedonist Project

instagram.com

Starting life as a true pop-up, The Hedonist Project found a permanent home at the end of 2015. Every quarter, they switch up their concept, their branding, their decor and their menu – the only thing that doesn’t change is that they’re mixing the best cocktails in the city. In the past they’ve served up Old Tom’s Gin Kitchen, Trader Dan’s Surf Shack and a Winter Mountain Lodge with more seasonal changes to come.

12. Sheaf St Cafeteria

instagram.com

Foodies of Leeds need to keep their eye on Sheaf Street Cafeteria; as well as serving up some tasty dishes from their own kitchen, they regularly host some of the most interesting and exciting pop-ups in the city. In the past they’ve given a home to the dumpling doyennes, Dorshi and the plant-based stylings of food blogger Top with Cinnamon and local legend Noisette Bakehouse, with events planned with Fiction, Balcombe & Smith and Yakumama already lined up for 2017.

13. Home Leeds

Elizabeth Cottam / Via homeleeds.co.uk

Former head chef of the Michelin-starred Box Tree in Ilkley, Mark Owens, and Masterchef contestant fresh from a residency at The New Ellington, Liz Cottam, have teamed up to bring a new relaxed fine dining concept to the people of Leeds. Setting up shop in Lambert’s Yard for the whole of February, cooking up classic British flavours in a carefully curated tasting menu. They’re looking to find a permanent restaurant but until then, enjoy the pop-up vibes and the reduced price of this nine-course beauty.

14. Cena Sarda

instagram.com

Italian chef Mario Olianas is a staple at farmers markets across Leeds, but it’s his Sardinian supper club that will really whet your appetite. Mario serves up a traditional Italian meal around his large dining table, starting with antipasti, making your way through pasta, fish and meat dishes before finishing on liqueur and tiramisu (if you still have room!). This is a relaxed affair, so you’re in for a long and delicious night.

15. Brandon Street Night Market

Canal Mills / Via canalmills.com

If you go down to Canal Mills on the right night, then you're sure to find food, drink, live art and music at their Brandon Street Night Market. With street food traders from across the city and beyond taking up residence, alongside brewers, cocktail makers, artists and DJs, this isn't a party you'll want to miss out on.

16. Leeds Indie Food Festival

instagram.com / Via Leeds Indie Food

Last, but by no means least, Leeds Indie Food is in its third year now, running two weeks of pop-ups and events across the city in May, celebrating the brightest and best of the Leeds independent food scene. They focus on collaborations, so you'll see some of your favourite restaurants, bars and street food traders teaming up to bring you unique foodie experiences that'll knock your socks off. Mark your diaries now.