Stuzzi Leeds offers a city-central venue-hire option with plenty of personality, combining Italian small plates with a stylish dining room and a genuine passion for Italian fare. Set on Merrion Street in the middle of one of the North's buzziest cities, the restaurant takes its name from stuzzichini: the little dishes traditionally served in Italian osterias and bars to keep people going between drinks.
That idea translates particularly well to group dining. For parties of eight or more, Stuzzi serves a three course sharing menu designed to come out in waves, encouraging everyone to try a bit of everything rather than ordering individually. It makes the experience feel relaxed, social and well suited to birthdays, work gatherings and celebrations where food is meant to be part of the fun.
The menu changes monthly depending on what's in season, with options for sit-down meals, canapes or anything else to suit your event. Generally, the menu starts with house focaccia, a sharing platter of imported Italian cheese, salami and antipasti, and deep-fried pasta crunchies tossed in porcini and truffle salt. The next round might include tomato, caper and basil arancini with smoked provolone, smoked burrata with grape, tarragon, elderflower and almond, and Isle of Wight tomatoes with ricotta salata, oregano, Nocellara olives and chilli. And, larger dishes can include pappardelle with ham hock, caramelised onion and oyster mushroom, trofie with pesto Genovese, hay-baked duck leg with pancetta, or artichoke and courgette with crispy seeds, before platters of homemade desserts arrive for the table.
While you are welcome to hire the main dining room - with exposed brick, steel beams and a lovely arched window - the restaurant's private dining area adds a sense of exclusivity. Situated on the second floor, the private space features low ceilings, rustic Italian decor and even a cigar room. It's perfect for celebrations, parties and events, with options to host a DJ and decorate as you wish.