If our recent guide to the best bottomless Sunday roasts in Leeds proved anything, it’s that this city has a serious appetite for indulgence. But sometimes, you want more than just a full plate and a refilled glass; you want a bit of a story to go alongside it.
I’ve spent years exploring the Yorkshire food scene, and for me, there is nothing more exciting than a meal that requires you to actually participate. There’s a unique thrill in a dinner that demands more from you than just showing up with an appetite; whether it’s the theatre of a fire-breathing steakhouse or the quiet focus of a DIY hotpot, the Leeds dining scene is currently leaning into theatre in the best possible way.
If you’re tired of the “sit and wait” style of service, these five spots are about to turn your next night out into a full-blown event…
Beyond the Plate: 5 Unmissable Immersive Dining Experiences in Leeds
Etci Mehmet
Best for viral “wow” moments and steak lovers
Unit 1, 3 Eastgate, Leeds, LS2 7LY
Seen a video of a gold-leaf steak or a flaming burger on your social media feed? Chances are it was filmed at Turkish steakhouse, Ecti Mehmet.
If you’re an introvert seeking a quiet and uneventful meal for two, then you’ll likely want to avoid this one. If, however, you’re after a high-energy evening comprising succulent dry-aged steaks, thrilling fire displays, and the most incredible baklava, constructed at your table, get yourself booked in immediately!
I visited Etci Mehmet during their opening week and left not only feeling completely and utterly stuffed, but thoroughly entertained too! It’s a meat lover’s dream, with all the best cuts of steak available alongside delicious kebabs, burgers and grills. Fancy something cheesy? Order the Spicy Giant Meatball, which is jam-packed with oozing cheesy goodness. Feeling boujee? Splash out on the 24-carat gold-covered tomahawk steak.
Crown Hotpot
Best for authentic DIY vibes and groups
1st Floor, 21 BlenheimTerrace, Leeds LS2 9HJ
Tucked away somewhat secretly above the Taste the Orient supermarket near the University of Leeds, Crown Hotpot is the definition of ‘if you know, you know.’ You have to head through the supermarket and up the stairs to find it, but once you do, it’s a culinary project that feels like a total escape from the city centre.
The experience is centred around a bubbling vat of broth built into your table. There’s a good variety of Sichuan broths to use from, each differing in flavour and spice intensity. Once you’ve chosen your perfect soup, you order your seafood, meats and veggies via tablet. Soon, plates of marbled wagyu, lotus roots, and handmade noodles arrive at your table, and you, the chef, can get to work dipping and swishing your meats through the aromatic broth. It’s chaotic, interactive, and easily one of the most authentic hidden gems in Leeds.
Teppanyaki
Best for birthdays and high-energy “theatre”
Belgrave Street, Leeds LS2 8DD
If you’re looking for a dinner that doubles as a high-stakes performance, Teppanyaki on Belgrave Street remains one of the most consistently fun nights out for foodies in Leeds. While many of the city’s newer openings rely on neon signs and floral walls for their “Instagrammable” appeal, the team here relies on skill, razor-sharp knives, and a fair bit of fire.
The Teppanyaki dining experience is centred around the large iron griddles (the teppan) where you’ll take a front-row seat to the action. Your dedicated chef doesn’t just cook your meal; they perform a choreographed routine of knife skills and egg-juggling that usually ends with a flaming “onion volcano” inches from your face.
For the absolute BEST Teppanyaki experience, you have to go for the Teppanyaki Royale set menu (£74.50 per person). You start with a Zensai mixed appetiser, chef’s salad, and a warming miso soup before the main event kicks off on the grill. Watching the chef handle lobster, king prawns, and teriyaki salmon simultaneously is impressive enough, but when the garlic chicken and fillet beef hit the heat, the aromas are incredible.
It all comes served with their signature Teppanyaki fried rice and stir-fried oriental vegetables. If you still have room for dessert, you can keep it light with melon or fruit salad, but the ice cream is the perfect palate cleanser after all that garlic and flame.
The Alchemist
Best for inventive cocktails and “molecular” science
Level 1, Trinity, Leeds LS1 6HW
Best known for its extensive and eclectic menu of inventive cocktails, The Alchemist is often overlooked by people seeking a great place to eat. I’ve dined at the Trinity Leeds venue a couple of times over the past 12 months and loved the food as much as the drinks. The cocktails, of course, are some of the best around, especially when it comes to theatrical flair, but recently, The Alchemist has leaned heavily into “Molecular Dining” too.
If you want your food to sizzle, smoke and bubble just like your drinks, then feast your eyes upon their brilliant food menu for 2026. The French Dip Steak Sandwich is a firm favourite of mine with its rich cheese sauce, burnt onions and smoking rosemary. The smoking boards are also worthy of praise. You get everything you need to build your own fajitas, and your chosen meat is served on a smoking hot skillet.
Room for dessert? I highly recommend the Chocolate Cookie S’mores – a mouthwatering medley of soft, warm cookies, vanilla gelato, freeze-dried raspberries, warm chocolate sauce and fluffy marshmallows that are blow-torched to gooey perfection at the table.
Six by Nico
Best for high-concept storytelling and ever-changing menus
9 East Parade, Leeds LS1 2AJ
For those who want immersion without the fire hazards, Six by Nico on East Parade offers a conceptual journey that is easily the closest thing Leeds has to an edible art gallery. What makes this place so addictive is the sheer ambition; the entire menu, theme, and vibe change every six weeks, meaning no two visits are ever the same.
While I haven’t made it through the doors myself just yet, their next launch has moved right to the top of my “must-visit” list. Starting 9th March 2026, they are stepping up the immersion with a six-course murder mystery inspired by Sherlock Holmes and Victorian London.
As a foodie with a decades-long passion for Victorian literature, I honestly can’t think of anything cooler than that! This isn’t just a tasting menu; it’s an investigation. Every dish is designed to reveal “fresh evidence,” and every guest essentially becomes a part of the case as you eat your way through the fog-filled streets of 221B Baker Street. It’s a brilliant way to turn a standard dinner into an interactive game.
The menu promises to be just as inventive as their previous “chapters.” Book in for a sophisticated date night and you’ll have something to talk about between every single bite.
