Forget your usual Friday night curry house, the Desi pubs and flashy-signed fusion joints. A twenty-minute drive into Greater Leeds will deliver you into the oh-so-graceful lap of Prashad which, quite frankly, pre-dates and outshines them all.
There is a particular old-world charm about Prashad’s baby-blue and pink palette and simple yet quaint wooden furniture, a certain nostalgia for something you didn’t quite know you were missing. Walking through the door feels like stepping back to a time when life and ingredients were simpler, and food all the more delicious for it.
It doesn’t scream ‘immersive dining concept’, nor does it have to. The restaurant has the air of a regent who knows her value and need not exaggerate it.
Prashad has already earned City-wide fame, evident from the awards and accolades thoughtfully but not bullishly placed around the restaurant, and service is professional, speedy and friendly to match.
The cost of eating at Prashad is reflected in the quality. Starters average at around £10 per dish and mains can go up to £30 for the Thali. It is worth noting that their menu is entirely vegetarian, in case you are thinking of booking and have a picky eater in tow, or, if your dad, like mine, doesn’t consider a dinner a dinner unless something is mooing on his plate. It is also worth noting on the back of this,however, that absolutely everything on this menu is top-notch. Bar their rhubarb chutney (personal preference – my allegiance will always be to the mango and I will die on that hill). Each dish delivers a nuanced, fragrant-spicy depth of flavour with just the right punch of sour that South Asian cuisine often promises but rarely delivers.
A poignant example here is the legendary Samosa Chaat starter. This dish recently made headlines for Prashad, with One Direction’s Zayn Malik declaring it a personal favourite. During a Q&A session hosted by Banquet Records in Kingston last month, the Bradford-born singer was asked about his must-have Deliveroo order and what he misses most from the UK. The singer replied: “So there’s this place in Leeds, it’s called Prashad…They do this amazing samosa chaat there, so I always get it.”
Cue crowds lining up to try it. And yes – it lives up to the hype. It is the kind of showstopping dish which from the first mouthful grabs you with tentacles of twists and turns – tangy, crunchy, spicy, sweet; the list goes on. And the journey stays with you long after the last mouthful. To accompany our chaat, we ordered the enticing- sounding garlic-infused fresh coconut dough balls (Kopra Pethis) which were piping hot in the middle and served on a bed of creamy beetroot and rocket – a flavour sensation with soul in every bite. Not only that but the dish is pretty as a picture, more still-life than starter. And whilst it seemed a shame to eat it, eat it we did.
For the main course we opted for the gluten-free Kofta and the Paneer Masala to share, with sides of hot masala-spiced chips and fresh roti breads. The marinated, textured paneer was jade-like, cooked with fenugreek-infused onion and an almost floral tomato base.
Meanwhile, the spiced paneer and pea dough balls themselves possessed a high-wire balance of flavours, and were served in a caraway-infused creamy tomato raso which was lip-smacking – as stunning in taste as it was to behold.
The hits don’t end there. The drinks menu itself is served with pride – and for very good reason. Everything has a raison d’etre on Prashad’s menu and the beer selection is (naturally) as thoughtful as anything else. The Mongozo selection (available in Mango and Coconut at 3.6%) is a perfect match for the food. The mango is delicately perfumed with a sweet honey-like scent, as exuberant as it is indulgent, and the coconut is made using quinoa for a moreish malty aroma – all served in Bundobust beer glasses to finish.
For something more potent, signature cocktails include the Lychee and Mango Martini, shaken with lime and mango puree, and the Rosewater Brûlée, featuring brandy-soaked cherries, freshly brûléed and shaken with Plymouth Gin, lime and a dash of rosewater and topped with soda.
Ultimately, Leeds’ Prashad is Indian fine-dining at its very best: quietly confident, with food that delivers each and every time. Just make sure to book – thanks to our pal Zayn, one of Leeds’ best-kept secrets, is secret no more…
For your chance to try the dish for free, dine in or order takeaway directly from the restaurant and ask for Zayn’s favourite. The giveaway is expected to run until the end of July, or until all 1,000 portions have been claimed.
- Offer runs until 31 July 2026 or until 1,000 portions have been claimed.
- One complimentary portion of samosa chaat per takeaway order or per table dining in;
minimum spend £5. - Customers should ask for “Zayn’s Favourite” when ordering.
- To book your table: Prashad
Photography by Amy Mortin unless otherwise captioned.
