Looking for ideas for festive dining in Leeds?
With only a few weeks to go until Christmas, many of us are steaming ahead with festive plans and preparations. The build-up to Christmas is the most magical time of year, with Leeds’ streets twinkling with lights and events bringing the seasonal spirit to families and friends across the city. Christmas is also the perfect time for indulgence, and what better way to enjoy the season than with a sumptuous festive meal cooked by someone else? Few things lift the spirits like a delicious Christmas menu at a top Leeds restaurant.
Leeds is the Yorkshire destination of choice for partygoers and anyone seeking a memorable festive feast. The city boasts a diverse hospitality scene, from award-winning dining spots to cosy, characterful eateries, offering something for every festive occasion. To make planning easier, we have researched the very best Christmas menus and festive dining deals in Leeds for 2025. Whether you are looking for cosy vibes, spectacular settings or plenty of Christmas indulgence, our guide highlights the best places to celebrate in style.
Top Christmas Menus and Festive Dining Deals in Leeds 2025
Christmas Beyond The Cosmos at The Alchemist – Greek Street & Trinity
Where: Yorkshire House, Greek St, Leeds LS1 5SH and Level 1, Trinity, Leeds LS1 6HW
Price: 3 courses for £40
Kicking off our festive dining roundup is Christmas Beyond The Cosmos at The Alchemist, available at both the Greek Street and Trinity venues. You can enjoy three courses for £40, or go all out with three courses plus two festive cocktails for £65.
We popped in last week to sample some of the menu and were thoroughly impressed. The 24 Hour Chip starter, with layers upon layers of perfectly fried potato, is absolutely delicious. They’ve also added a seasonal twist to one of their bestsellers: crispy strips of buttermilk fried turkey served with stuffing balls, fries, festive slaw and a pot of gravy.
Our favourite has to be the Loaded Festive Burger. Think smashed beef patty, pork and apple patty, bacon jam, truffle mayo, onion rings, glazed pig in blanket, dipping gravy and festive fries – the works. For dessert, the Salted Caramel Pot is generous, indulgent and simply fantastic.
And the cocktails? As always at The Alchemist, they are a highlight. We loved The Trifle and The Last Bounty – pure boozy indulgence. This is a festive dining experience in Leeds that really hits all the right notes for food, drinks and atmosphere.
All-You-Can-Eat Festive Tapas at La Fiesta
Where: Merrion Centre, 7 Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8BT
Price: Monday – Thursday: Lunch £27.95, Evening £34.95
Friday – Sunday: Lunch £29.95, Evening £37.95
Kids (5-10 years old) Lunch: £12.95, Evening: £14.95
(Kids Under 5 Eat Free)
For a more relaxed festive dining experience in Leeds, La Fiesta is a must-visit. Leeds’ first all-you-can-eat Mediterranean tapas restaurant opened just a couple of months ago, and it’s perfect for sharing small plates with friends or family. Using the tablet ordering system on your table, you can enjoy an unlimited number of small plates and access a fully loaded salad bar as many times as you like. And don’t be fooled by the name – this is much more than salad. Think charcuterie, breads, pastas, couscous, cheeses, dips and plenty more.
There is a huge selection of small plates to choose from, and for December, they’ve added some festive specials. Highlights include:
- Costillas de Cerdo – slow-cooked pork ribs with red wine, onion and warming spices
- Filete de Cordero – lamb steak marinated in Spanish spices, pan-cooked with honey and chilli, served with red onion aioli
- Carrilleras de Ternera – slow-cooked beef cheeks with onion, red wine and dark chocolate
- Cerdos en Monta – pigs in blankets, because it wouldn’t be Christmas without them
And if you still have room (we seriously struggled), there’s a dedicated Churros station where you can enjoy unlimited churros with chocolate sauce – the perfect festive finish. La Fiesta is ideal for anyone seeking indulgent Christmas dining in Leeds that’s relaxed, sociable and packed with variety.
Menu Festivo at Azotea
Where: 2 Sovereign Street, Leeds LS1 4DA
Price: 2 courses for £40, 3 courses for £55
Leeds’ much-loved Latin American restaurant and bar, Azotea, is turning up the heat this Christmas with its Menu Festivo. Launched on 13th November, this vibrant festive offering brings fabulous Latin American flavours to the traditional Christmas table, perfect for anyone looking for something a little different for festive dining in Leeds.
Diners can choose from two or three courses (£42 / £55), available daily from 12pm, with creative sides that elevate every dish. Highlights include Peruvian-style roast chicken with cranberry chipotle glaze and seared turbot with saffron sauce and chorizo crumb. On the side, there’s papas con mole – potatoes cooked in a rich, complex Mexican mole sauce – alongside matcha green beans and coliflor picante.
Dessert is not to be missed, with indulgent options like chocolate tarte with dulce de leche and banana ice cream or the comforting arroz con leche, a spiced rice pudding with a hint of lemon or orange zest. And of course, no festive feast would be complete without a cocktail. Azotea’s winter menu includes handcrafted creations such as the Pisco Místico, a warming blend of herbs, dried fruits and spices, and Café con Licor, Latin American coffee infused with spiced rum.
Festive 5 Course Menu at Chef Jono at V&V
Where: 68 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
Price: 5 courses for £45
For foodies seeking something a little bit special this Christmas, Chef Jono at V&V is the place to be. Former MasterChef contestant Jono has curated a stunning festive menu that showcases his creativity and culinary expertise, perfect for anyone seeking Christmas dining in Leeds with a contemporary twist.
Available Wednesdays and Thursdays only, the menu offers five expertly crafted courses for £45, with the option to upgrade to include drinks pairing for an extra £40 – because it is Christmas, after all. Highlights from the menu include smoked salmon with beetroot, dill and horseradish snow, and the indulgent Figgy Pudding with chocolate orange ice cream.
This is a festive dining experience in Leeds that promises flair, innovation, and seriously impressive flavours, ideal for anyone looking to make their Christmas celebrations a little more memorable.
Festive Menu at Shears Yard
Where: 11-15 Wharf Street, Leeds LS2 7EH
Price: £45 for 3 courses
Shears Yard undoubtedly has a special place in the hearts of Leeds foodies, and it’s easy to see why. This indie favourite serves up a fantastic array of classic and creative dishes using locally sourced, seasonal produce, and they do it exceptionally well. If you haven’t tried their Sunday lunch yet, it’s an absolute must.
This December, Shears Yard is getting into the festive spirit with a special three-course Christmas menu for £45, perfect for anyone seeking Christmas dining in Leeds that’s both relaxed and indulgent.
Starters include highlights such as smoked salmon & cream cheese blini with smoked roe, dill pickle relish and cucumber or leek & potato soup with crispy potato, sour cream and chive oil.
For mains, you could enjoy a stuffed turkey parcel wrapped in smoked bacon with fondant potato, sprouts fried with chestnuts and glazed parsnips, or green peppercorn & ale braised beef feather blade with sweet potato and braised white cabbage.
Dessert options include the indulgent tiramisu with crushed amaretti and dark chocolate ganache or a seasonal cinnamon-spiced orchard fruit crumble with vanilla bean ice cream.
Shears Yard’s festive menu combines seasonal ingredients, inventive dishes, and warm, welcoming vibes, making it a brilliant choice for anyone planning Christmas dining in Leeds.
Christmas at Whitelock’s
Where: Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB
Price: 2 courses for £34, 3 courses for £39
For a traditional Christmas dining experience in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House is hard to beat. As the city’s oldest public house, it is full of history, character and cosy charm, making it a welcoming spot for a festive meal with friends, family or colleagues.
This December, Whitelock’s is serving a gorgeous festive menu featuring a selection of seasonal favourites. Diners can enjoy two courses for £34 or three for £39. Starters include warming dishes such as celeriac and apple soup and duck liver parfait, while mains feature festive classics like turkey with all the trimmings, pan-roasted salmon, and a vegetarian butternut squash pithivier. Desserts include Christmas pudding, sticky toffee pudding, and set lemon cream.
With its historic setting, hearty seasonal dishes and friendly atmosphere, Whitelock’s Ale House is a great spot to enjoy a cosy Christmas meal in Leeds.
Christmas Set Menu at The Ivy
Where: Vicar Lane, Leeds LS1 6BA
Price: 2 courses for £55, 3 courses for £60
There is something truly special about The Ivy Victoria Quarter at Christmas. The beautiful, elegant setting, impeccable service and signature attention to detail make every dining experience feel like an occasion. With the festive season in full swing, that feeling is even more magical right now.
The Christmas set menu is slightly pricier than some of the other options on our list, with two courses priced at £55 or three courses for £60, but every plate reflects The Ivy’s signature style and elegance. Starters include warming favourites such as French Onion Soup with bubbling gratinated cheese, Duck Liver Parfait with cranberry chutney and toasted brioche, or a lighter Tamarind, Beetroot & Endive Salad with candied pecans and cranberries.
For mains, the menu offers classic festive choices with a luxurious twist. You can enjoy the Turkey Ballotine with apricot, cranberry and pork stuffing, pigs in blankets and sprout mash, the pan-fried Sea Bass with foraged wild mushrooms in a creamy sauce, or the comforting Lentil & Aubergine Bake layered with roasted pumpkin purée and spiced tomato sauce. The festive side dishes are equally thoughtful, from Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and cranberries to buttered green beans with roasted almonds, thick-cut chips, and garden peas with broad beans and baby shoots. For those who love an extra touch of indulgence, pigs in blankets are available as a £6.95 supplement.
Desserts continue the festive theme with plenty of theatre and flair. Highlights include flambéed Christmas Pudding with almonds and redcurrants, the playful Ivy Santa, a vanilla parfait with milk mousse and white chocolate blondie, and the signature Ivy Chocolate Bombe with honeycomb and hot caramel sauce.
