Private dining in Leeds: The best venues for birthday parties, work events and more

As is true of cities all over the UK, Leeds boasts a food scene that has been revitalised and rejuvenated in the last few years. As a result, private dining in Leeds is really having a moment, with private spaces popping up all over the city for celebration meals.

Group dinners in Leeds come in many shapes and sizes of course. If you’re looking for a private dining room in Leeds, you’ll be glad to know there are all sorts of options - large and small, for example, as well as ranging from relaxed rooms for birthday celebrations to smart, sophisticated spaces for corporate dinners. If you’re looking for private dining in Leeds city centre, scroll down, because there’s plenty of that on offer in our list.

Aside from the flexibility of hosting your own dinner, and the extra privacy, another benefit of booking a private group dinner in Leeds is the extra choice you get in regards to the food and drink. Restaurants typically offer special set and group menus for larger groups, but if you’re spending the money for a special occasion then lots of restaurants will happily work with you to create a special menu. That includes the potential for extra courses, favourite cocktails, and even a birthday cake, which could be whipped up in-house if you don’t want to bring your own.

A couple of the private dining rooms below also provide front row seats to all the action of the kitchen, giving you and your guests a little taste of kitchen theatre as you enjoy your meal.

Use the links below to skip to the section that suits, and click through to any private dining spaces you like the look of for booking details, more information and more pictures.

Best private dining rooms for work events in Leeds

You probably want to keep things a little bit safe and sophisticated for a work dinner, especially if you're planning on entertaining clients or closing a deal. These options are sophisticated without being stuffy, and carry excellent food into the bargain. 

Crafthouse

What: If you need somewhere a little bit sleek and sophisticated for a work dinner, Crafthouse is just the place. Sitting proud on the fifth floor of the Trinity Shopping Centre, the restaurant turns out lovely seasonal plates and well-made cocktails, as well as boasting some cracking views over the city. The private dining room is flexible too, with capacity for up to 40 guests. Smaller groups should check out the Herb Counter - a herb-laden marble counter in the middle of the restaurant that seats 16.
Where: Level 5, Trinity Leeds, 70 Boar Lane, LS1 6HW
Book now: Crafthouse

Harvey Nichols Leeds

What: The famous department store is also well-regarded for its excellent restaurants, usually found a few floors up. Harvey Nichols Leeds is no exception - the rooftop dining space here has it all, from great views to excellent, seasonal British cooking. Between the 20-seater private dining room and the restaurant itself, you have lots of options for private hire, not to mention the gorgeous al fresco terrace that looks over the city rooftops.
Where: 107-111 Briggate, LS1 6AZ
Book now: Harvey Nichols Leeds

Best private dining rooms for big groups in Leeds

Most private dining rooms tend to be relatively cosy, but sometimes you need something larger if you're planning a big banquet. These options boast big private dining rooms, or at the very least, exclusive hire of the whole restaurant with a considerable capacity attached.

Tharavadu

What: A firm favourite in Leeds and beyond, Tharavadu’s coastal Keralan cooking is so good that the Indian cricket team come here regularly when they’re touring the UK. The restaurant has a pair of large private dining rooms - one seating 70 and the other seating 80 - as well as a huge, delicious menu of curries, dosas, biryanis and more to enjoy.
Where: 7-8 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Book now: Tharavadu

Water Lane Boathouse

What: A simple, delicious menu of classic bar and pub grub, plus the gorgeous waterside location at Canal Wharf make Water Lane Boathouse an easy choice if you're planning a private dinner where everyone will be happy. It's a big site too - the upstairs mezzanine has room for 100 guests, whilst 150 more can hang out on the canalside terrace. 
Where: Canal Wharf, LS11 5PS
Book now: Water Lane Boathouse

Best private dining rooms for birthdays in Leeds

Celebrating a birthday? You'll likely want something fun and/or fancy to make sure your special day is a roaring success. From exciting menus to vibrant venues, these private dining options have the goods. 

Oba Kitchen & Bar

What: Oba’s snappy menu fuses Korean and Japanese dishes, so there’s bound to be something for everyone here. The wide range of tasty dishes makes this a great choice for a birthday, and the dining room’s sleek, modern styling lends a light-hearted vibe to the atmosphere too. The restaurant is available for exclusive private hire, and Oba’s friendly team can shift the dining room around to accommodate most setups.
Where: Unit 2 Wade Lane Merrion Centre, LS2 8NG
Book now: Oba Kitchen & Bar

Angelica

What: If you want to impress your birthday guests, Angelica’s penthouse views and stylish cocktails are the perfect spot. Sitting one level above Crafthouse at Trinity Shopping Centre, Angelica is buzzy and chic, with private hire options for large and small parties. The private dining room itself holds 40 for dinner, but there’s also the wraparound terrace, which is perfect for more informal cocktail and canape parties. Private dining in Leeds City Centre doesn’t come much better than this.
Where: Level 6, Trinity Leeds, Albion Street, LS1 5ER
Book now: Angelica

Farrands

What: This upmarket bar and restaurant in the centre of town is a popular spot for birthdays and celebrations, and if you're planning something on the larger side you can hire the whole place, with room for up to 70 guests for a drinks party or 40 seated for dinner. There's also a separate terrace which is extremely popular in the summer and seats up to 20 in the sunshine.
Where: 18 Swinegate, LS1 4AG
Book now: Farrands

Best private dining for small groups in Leeds

Sometimes, the cosy private rooms are the best. These restaurants all boast a lovely, intimate private dining room, perfect for a low-key occasion with just your close friends and family. 

Issho

What: Issho’s cosy 11-seater private dining room is the perfect spot if you’re hosting an intimate dinner, and the food matches up too with a Japanese menu full of accessible Japanese cooking, including chicken karaage, a selection of sushi and sashimi, hirata buns and more. Issho also specialises in sake and stocks a considerable collection, but there are Japanese-inspired cocktails and wines on offer too.
Where: Victoria Gate, 3rd Floor Rooftop, LS2 7AU
Book now: Issho

Dakota Grill

What: Among the many private dining options at Dakota Leeds, the private dining room in front of the grill is our favourite - an intimate, up-close-and-personal experience for 10 where you get a front row seat to the theatre of the kitchen. The menu here is pretty wide spectrum too, with most dishes focused on the huge chargrill in the centre of the kitchen.
Where: 8 Russell Street, LS1 5RN
Book now: Dakota Grill

Check out more of the best restaurants in Leeds right here in our handy guide, or if you're willing to venture a little outside of the city, explore our guides to the best restaurants in Sheffield, and the best restaurants in York.