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

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, 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 to choose from in this 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 having even more autonomy over 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 bespoke 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 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. 

Malmaison Leeds

What: Just a few steps from Leed’s Railway Station, Malmaison is ideal for business lunches, team dinners, or client meetings, alongside traditional private dining options. Here, you can choose from six private dining spaces, available in a variety of configurations and assortments, meaning there's a space for every size of event. Opt for menus of canapes, multi-course feasts, or sharing platters, each showcasing Malmaison’s fusionary takes on British classics.
Capacity: 14-150
Where: 1 Swinegate, LS1 4AG
Book now: Malmaison 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.
Capacity: Up to 80
Where: 7-8 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Book now: Tharavadu

Aagrah

What: Found in the heart of Leeds, Aagrah is a family-run Indian restaurant that’s been a staple of the city for almost 50 years. Aagrah is well suited to group dining, with its VIP private room, perfect for everything from birthday gatherings to corporate dos. Separated from the main restaurant by a wall of glass, here you can seat up to 40 guests, making the most of complete privacy whilst tucking into authentic Kashmari menus. There’s also the option to take over the entire restaurant if you’re planning a larger event.
Capacity: 40-165
Where: St Peter's Square, LS9 8AH
Book now: Aagrah

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. 
Capacity: 80-150
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. 

CrowdedHouse

What: Cool, contemporary and always buzzing, CrowdedHouse is a popular venue for birthday celebrations in Leeds. Set across two floors, the restaurant encompasses a relaxed lounge, outdoor terrace and rooftop bar. Tucked away in a hidden corner, the main private dining room caters to up to 20 guests, with the option for pre-dinner drinks or after-hours cocktail on the terrace. Custom menus are built for sharing, offering an array of vibrant dishes like mushroom ragu, hasselback potatoes and croque madame. 
Capacity: 20
Where: 70 Boar Lane, LS1 6HW
Book now: CrowdedHouse

Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds

What: With glamorous interiors, delicious Indian cuisine and spice-infused cocktails, there's a lot to love about Cinnamon Kitchen. The Leeds site is home to a 20-person snug, a 30-person bar area and a dining room for up to 124 people. Set inside The Queens Hotel, the restaurant boasts statement lighting and glitzy decor, with flexible seating arrangements catered to both sit-down birthday meals and drinks-led milestone parties. The menu spans masala grilled salmon, Kentish lamb saddle and plenty of shareable sides.
Capacity: 20-124
Where: City Square, LS1 1PJ
Book now: Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds

Gaucho Leeds

What: Gaucho's super stylish private dining room is the perfect backdrop to a special birthday dinner. With space for up to 16 guests, The Mendoza Room is surrounded by wine displays, polished touches, and moody lighting, offering a sense of exclusivity. Versatile canapes and thoughtful set menus are well-suited to group dinners, ensuring there is something for everyone. Enjoy sophisticated Argentinian cuisine, with plenty of succulent steak and juicy empanadas to go round.  
Capacity: 16
Where: 21-22 Park Row, LS1 5JF
Book now: Gaucho Leeds

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.
Capacity: Up to 70
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. 

Kerala Canteen

What: Kerala Canteen offers a private dining room with a difference. You and your guests will be seated in the Tapas Style private room, boasting terracotta walls, plush leather seating and a dramatic foliage installation which hangs from the ceiling. Party menus range from Canteen Tapas to Curry Bowls, and showcase the site's masterful Indian cookery, such as curry leaf calamari, chilli and tamarind cauliflower, and lamb and chickpea masala.
Capacity: Up to 25
Where: 5 St. Peter's Street, LS9 8AQ
Book now: Kerala Canteen

Dakota Grill

What: Among the many private spaces 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. For even smaller groups, you’ll find a semi-private option for just six, allowing diners to still feel a part of the action. The menu here is pretty wide spectrum too, with most dishes focused on the huge chargrill in the centre of the kitchen.
Capacity: 6-10
Where: 8 Russell Street, LS1 5RN
Book now: Dakota Grill

Check out more of the best restaurants in Leeds 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.