Bored of the same old thing? Craving something different to whet your appetite? We've got just the thing for you. Ranging from places where you cook succulent meats on grills to experimental joints with eight courses of ridiculous food, the city's dining scene is taking risks. Whether it's a date night, birthday meal or an evening with live entertainment, check out our guide to quirky restaurants in Leeds.
Like your food with a slice of quirky? Head on over to Iberica Leeds for tasty food alongside gorgeous interiors. This Grade II listed former cloth merchants is home to swoon-worthy high ceilings and elegant chandeliers - perfect for special occasions and date nights alike.
Nestled at the top of Trinity shopping centre you'll find The Alchemist, a unique bar and restaurant waiting to serve you up a sumptuous selection of eats and innovative concoctions. Alongside weird and wonderful drinks, the kitchen cooks up everything from bang bang chicken salad to smoking beef fajitas.
Head to Cuckoo for a wonderland of neon lights, decorative rhino heads, murals from local artists and so much more. While you're drinking a selection of craft beers and colourful cocktails, be sure to test out their quirky range of sweet and savoury pizzas - think Marmite bases, brunch slices and PB&J bites.
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For something a little different from the usual restaurant format, Mowgli Leeds stands out thanks to both its design and its approach to dining. The interiors have almost a theatrical style, with layered textures, suspended elements and a layout that feels more immersive than standard dining rooms.
The menu follows the same idea, moving away from traditional courses in favour of smaller, shareable plates inspired by Indian home cooking. You can mix and match dishes like fenugreek-kissed fries, sticky chicken and Himalayan cheese toast.
If you're looking for something a little quirky then head on over to Casa Leeds. Not only are they serving fabulous food and cocktails with a fusion of Colombian, Venezuelan, Peruvian and Mexican bites; they aim to deliver a full Latin experience with their live entertainment.
Hosted in a Grade II listed Victorian building, The Lost & Found is a Victorian haven of antique furnishings and botanical cocktails. Head over for a weekend brunch or midweek dinner and tuck into the likes of beef ragu arancini and grilled seabream, before hunting down their secret den that's so decadent it would make Oscar Wilde proud. It's a similar story on Greek Street too.
The Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen is a three-storey extravaganza boasting two bars, kitchens, and space to host all kinds of music. Take your pick between its various floors kitted out with quirky interiors and enjoy a range of beers and cocktails, whilst noshing on scran from one of their rotating residencies.
A stylish restaurant bar that's great for all occasions, Cosy Club in Leeds is bringing all sorts of fun to the city centre. Interiors are an eclectic mix, with giant chandeliers, old fashioned portraits, and patterned wallpaper, all alongside a hot menu and plenty of great cocktails.
Their international menu offers all sorts of treats, from masala chicken burgers to flat iron steaks or king prawn and cod linguine (with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options too). They serve some pretty unique cocktails too - our favourite is the Tiramisu martini.
Looking for a dining experience with a twist? Giggling Squid Leeds mixes inventive Thai dishes with a vibrant, high-ceilinged space and a separate bar perfect for cocktails.
Think chubby cheek pork, samui seafood, and sticky chicken - dishes as bold and playful as the restaurant itself. A little adventurous, a little theatrical, and always delicious.
If you're on the hunt for fabulous haunts in Leeds, then check out The Botanist. The venue slings out a plethora of eats, from crispy chicken burgers and sharing boards to its famous hanging kebabs. It also doesn't hurt that it fronts floral decor and an outdoor terrace.
Teppanyaki combines theatre with Japanese food to create a truly unique Leeds restaurant. Sit round the hot plate, where your chef will juggle, joke and use fire to dazzle you, while you feast on a selection of sushi, seafood and fresh meat plates.
Come to Revolucion de Cuba for a menu packed with delicious Cuban treats and tipples laced with rum, accompanied by upbeat Latin music. In fact, at the weekends you don't even have to stop at a meal, as you can storm the dance floor with their professional dancers till the early hours.
When it comes to quirky eateries in the city centre, Cult Wing is set to get punters drooling. This venue is dedicated to the best-loved dish and has a series of inventive sauces to compliment the succulent chicken. As for drinks? There are also plenty of tequila-laced serves.
Spread over two floors, Vice & Virtue is home to both an innovative award-winning restaurant and a sultry speakeasy-style cocktail bar, making for a quirky evening of drinking and dining. Begin your evening sampling one of their seasonal tasting menus before moving downstairs where the fun really starts.
A shrinking violet, Neon Cactus ain't. The Mexican cantina is bringing a dose of sunshine to Call Lane with vibrant interiors, tequila-fuelled cocktails and an authentic menu of tacos, burritos and quesadillas. And when the sun goes down? Drinks keep flowing and DJs hit the deck for a midnight fiesta.
Bulgogi Grill isn't just a quirky restaurant in Leeds, it's also a hands-on experience. Not only can you chomp on a selection of locally-sourced BBQ meats and seafood, marinated in traditional Korean seasonings and sauces, but you cook it all yourself on a concave grill on the table.
Slightly off the beaten track you'll find Abyssinia; a traditional Ethiopian restaurant providing unique food. There's freshly roasted coffee and a variety of curries and eats to choose from, including a selection of vegan and vegetarian-friendly choices, to be enjoyed with the country's national injera bread.
Zaap will transport you to the streets of Bangkok, with upcycled light features and fittingly-themed signs. But the food delivers authenticity too, with all kinds of Thai street food treats – deep-fried okra, steamed buns and curries - served all at once, like a traditional Asian eatery.
