Of late, it feels as though Leeds’ dining scene has become exponentially more dynamic – and I am positively giddy about it.
Month on month, the City opens the floodgates to a rush of gastronomic delights, served up by top chefs and creative newcomers alike. Now, the newest opening at Trinity Leeds’ hottest spot promises to serve up something extra delicious.
CrowdedHouse is the brand new, all-singing, all-dancing, multi-levelled venue usurping crowd favourite
Angelica’s on Boar Lane. Since the latter’s closure in 2024, the space has been practically begging for a
shake-up and we have been rubbing our hands in anticipation of the newest venture.
So, what exactly can we expect?…..
…..In a nutshell – effortless decadence; casual luxury will be the order of the day at CrowdedHouse around the clock. And we mean around the clock – the venue will stay open until 2am on both Fridays and Saturdays. Founder and owner, John Quinlan, promises that his new jewel will offer “the very best of Leeds right in the heart of the City…with unrivalled views and live music as a regular feature.”
Oh, and did we mention the photo booth? There’s a photo booth.
I’m already rooting for them as we arrive on a sultry, summer evening and settle on the expansive terrace. To their credit, it does have a truly stellar cityscape and it’s a pleasurable place to perch al fresco, drink in hand, and watch Leeds putter along in the blushed evening light.
Waiters buzz about in natty black jackets as I sip my shocking-pink Mezcal Daiquiquiri (I am not drunk and neither are you – this is what they have named it), a tiny but lethal version which has me licking my lips in glee. If you’re a Mezcal fan like me, this one is fabulously balanced and ultimately a no-brainer – just trust me.
As we watch the day transform into a twinkling evening, a slick service team patrol the space, on the lookout for rogue empties.
Despite the elegant coordination, the atmosphere is clattery and convivial and surprisingly neighbourly for a city centre space.
For starters, the venue has had a makeover the likes of Trinny and Susannah would be proud of: the natural light pours in from the oversized windows, highlighting the warm colour palettes of burgundy, pinks and greens. Unique art pieces, some Asian-inspired, some just delightfully bizarre, are scattered around, but thoughtfully so, creating a trendy yet simultaneously soothing, want-to-stay-til-closing type of dining environment.
The restaurant also has a glass-walled private dining room for more intimate occasions, lavishly designed but with contemporary influences.
For a more relaxed vibe, the dedicated Boar Lane entrance is ideal for those of you looking for a luxe caffeine hit, a spot of light lunch or else after-workers staging a drop in before deciding whether to graduate onto the lounge and main restaurant. Whichever space you opt for, the atmosphere is wonderfully celebratory and the service is as sparkling as the French champagne, somehow begging you to dig in, stay a while and have fun.
Speaking of digging in, the CrowdedHouse menu features a fantastic array of regionally sourced produce which champions our great Yorkshire. It is a melting-pot of modern British with Asian and Middle East accents here and there, giving the whole offering a refined but wholesome air. There is a focus on dolled- up vegetables on the small plates selection, too; my personal favourite being the crisp Jerusalem artichoke accompanied by pickled hazelnut and sorrel emulsion – a total knock-out.
We’re treated to a carousel of favourites from the venue’s snack menu – and each dish we try is a triumph, from the Korean fried chicken with kimchi cucumber, to the casually innovative truffle and black pepper potato churros with a smoked Caesar dressing.
We start with the cured sea trout and nori tart, with fennel pollen cream and lemon verbena, which is almost too aesthetically pleasing to tuck into (almost). Fresh and fragrant with a umami warmth, it was for me the most surprising of the dishes and made me want to kick my usual smoked salmon to the kerb.
The Korean fried chicken is sheer indulgence and an instant hit with everyone. It is warming, tangy, fresh
and hot, with a satisfying crunch from the kimchi cucumber – the kind of finger food you could easily eat a
whole mountain of without coming up for air.
Having said this, do try to save room for the restaurant’s insanely indulgent desserts, including a sweet-yet-savoury miso apple tarte tatin, a madeira and brown sugar tart with fig leaf ice cream, and the poached alphonso mango with boozy rum syrup.
In short, a colourful carnival of flavour awaits hungry tummies here! Prices range from £5 for a snack plate to £22 for larger plates – a few highlights being the 42-day aged striploin of beef with bordelaise sauce and the pastrami ox cheek with gherkin ketchup.
Additionally, a seasonal fish and shellfish menu will be served on the rooftop, including native oysters, Islay langoustines and hand-dived scallops. Phew!
We decide to stay a little longer and soak up the atmosphere, and it feels rude not to order a nightcap.
We are treated to the Delamotte Brut champagne, which is crisp and refreshing on an uncharacteristically
warm Leeds evening, but the wine menu is expansive and well-selected, so we make a note to return for
a glass (or three) of the Kalk & Loess Gruner.
Officially opening its doors on Thursday 31st July, CrowdedHouse is set to be the all-day, all-night watering hole and dining hub for curious professionals, third-daters and casual diners.
It will be accessible via the iconic Boar Lane lift, and represents the next chapter for one of Leeds’ best-loved locations.
With its electric atmosphere, modern charm and cracking cocktails, you’re bound to be scrambling there on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
We’ll see you at the bar. Mine’s a double.
Reservations are now open. To book a table, please visit www.thecrowdedhouse.co.uk.
Photography by Amy Mortin.
