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. 

Dastaan Leeds

What: With various large and small private areas available to hire, Dastaan is ideal for all sorts of corporate dinners and work occasions. If you’re planning something more intimate, the smart Conference Room is ideal for 20 and has TV and speakers built-in as standard. Or, you can book out the entire ground or first floor for larger dinner parties. We’re huge fans of Dastaan’s elevated Indian menu, so food-wise, you’re in extremely good hands here.
Where: 473 Otley Road, LS16 7NR
Book now: Dastaan Leeds

Grantley Hall

What: Grantley Hall is a fair way out of Leeds, but we’re sneaking it in anyway because it’s so brilliant, it’s absolutely worth the journey. From private dining rooms at Shaun Rankin and Fletchers restaurants, to private hire of Valeria’s or The Grantley Suite for large parties, Grantley Hall is perfect for any event where you want to impress. The food and drink offering across the hotel’s many restaurants and bars is some of the best in the country too.
Where: Grantley Hall, Ripon, HG4 3ET
Book now: Grantley Hall

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

The Bridge Hotel & Spa

What: This award-winning hotel and spa in Wetherby is just a stone's throw from Leeds, and has a number of large-scale private spaces that are ideal for hosting large corporate banquets and canape receptions. We especially love the grand Walshford Suite, with its decorative cornicing and chandeliers. All catering is done in-house, and the team can work with you to plan the perfect food for your occasion.
Where: Walshford, Wetherby, LS22 5HS
Book now: The Bridge Hotel & Spa

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

The Cut & Craft Leeds

What: The Cut & Craft’s glitzy interiors are bound to add a bit of sparkle to any private dinner, and as you gaze up at the multiple floors and huge, gleaming chandelier overhead, it’s impossible to deny that this is an impressive restaurant. Steak is the order of the day here, all sourced from a local Yorkshire butcher and aged for 60 days before hitting the plate. The first floor mezzanine makes a beautiful spot to hire for more intimate events, but you can hire the whole restaurant for big celebrations too.
Where: 23 King Edward Street, LS1 6AX
Book now: The Cut & Craft 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.
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. 

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.