Dishoom to Open Leeds Restaurant
One of the UK’s most beloved dining spots is finally making its debut in Leeds this August, bringing the vibrant energy, soulful warmth, and rich heritage of Bombay’s historic Irani cafés straight to Yorkshire.
The doors to the eagerly awaited Vicar Lane spot will open for a soft launch on 3rd August, offering diners a brilliant 50% discount on food before the official grand opening on 14th August. Nestled perfectly between the Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate shopping hubs at 68-78 Vicar Lane, the venue marks a major milestone for the city’s food scene.
In true Dishoom fashion, the aesthetic and soul of the Leeds site are built around a unique narrative. The inspiration stems from the remarkable real-life events of April 1944, when the SS Fort Stikine exploded in the Bombay Docks—a wartime catastrophe that literally showered the surrounding city with gold bullion.
“Clever nods”
Local folklore suggests that a portion of the scattered treasure vanished forever. While some bars were found wedged into rooftops and building facades, other pieces were rumored to have been quietly pocketed by fortunate locals, transformed into jewelry, or stowed away in secret. The design of Dishoom Leeds playfully envisions the wealth generated by that unexpected windfall, with clever nods to mid-century luxury woven throughout the decor and art. The complete tale can be explored on the Dishoom Leeds website here.
Operating from dawn until late night, the restaurant will showcase a thoughtfully put-together menu of Bombay comfort classics rooted in the food stalls, family recipes, and Irani cafes of India’s commercial capital. Guests can look forward to indulging in signature staples like the legendary Bacon Naan Roll, the rich House Black Daal, and the tender Chicken Ruby. For parties of 10 or more, expansive sharing feasts will feature crowd-pleasers like Keema Pau, Chicken Berry Britannia, Roomali Roti, and Pistachio Kulfi.
The beverage menu is equally robust. Guests can sip on the iconic India Gimlet (a blend of London Dry Gin, Rose’s lime, celery bitters, and fresh dill) or try the refreshing Kohinoor Mojito, which mixes Takamaka Seychelles Rum Blanc with dry white vermouth and a bespoke house mint cordial. The bar will also stock crisp Kingfisher beer, orange wines, and, naturally, endless pours of their signature fiery house chai.
“Good food and drinks”
The expansion furthers Dishoom’s core mission of fostering community and connection through shared meals—mimicking the inclusive spirit of the original Irani establishments. At their peak, these historic spaces broke down social divisions by inviting people of every background to sit side-by-side over shared tables.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
“The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
The Leeds location will operate seven days a week, covering breakfast, lunch, afternoon refreshments, and late-night dinners. While Dishoom predominantly operates on a walk-in basis to keep things spontaneous, tables can be booked for breakfast and lunch, with a select number of evening reservations open from 6pm onwards.
