10 of the most romantic places for a date night in Leeds according to Rate My Takeaway star Danny Malin

Published 17th Jun 2024, 16:30 BST

In his weekly column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, Danny Mei Lan Malin shares his top spots for date nights in Leeds and Wakefield.

It's been a year since I married my soulmate at Leeds Minster in a carnival-style Yorkshire wedding, which felt like a scene out of The Greatest Showman.

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I thought I could chill out once we’d married on all that romance stuff. But t’old wife keeps banging on about dates and while I know she’d love nothing more than jumping out a plane or white water rafting for a date, I like eating out - so I’m compromising.

Here are my most romantic places to grab some grub.

By Danny Mei Lan Malin

My wife wants to take me to Naples where she used to live but I've found amazing Southern Italy style grub on our doorstep. From deep fried street food to decadent desserts, Riva Blu, in Park Row, serves up one of my favourite Italian restaurants. Their tiramisu is the best I’ve ever had.

1. Riva Blu

My wife wants to take me to Naples where she used to live but I've found amazing Southern Italy style grub on our doorstep. From deep fried street food to decadent desserts, Riva Blu, in Park Row, serves up one of my favourite Italian restaurants. Their tiramisu is the best I’ve ever had. | James HardistyPhoto: James Hardisty

Riva Blu is near to Leeds Art Gallery and it’s vintage with a modern twist. This is a great place for a lively lunchtime date. I love the bruschetta and the dessert platter as they are all freshly baked.

2. Leeds Art Gallery

Riva Blu is near to Leeds Art Gallery and it’s vintage with a modern twist. This is a great place for a lively lunchtime date. I love the bruschetta and the dessert platter as they are all freshly baked. | James HardistyPhoto: James Hardisty

A more formal lunchtime venue is Crafthouse at the top of Trinity Leeds - modern British fine dining.

3. Crafthouse

A more formal lunchtime venue is Crafthouse at the top of Trinity Leeds - modern British fine dining. | Crafthouse/GooglePhoto: Crafthouse/Google

The Castle Wakefield is a decent pub too for grub especially the desserts whereas our lass likes the posh salad. We used to meet here as friends for a coffee. It’s dog friendly too.

4. The Castle

The Castle Wakefield is a decent pub too for grub especially the desserts whereas our lass likes the posh salad. We used to meet here as friends for a coffee. It’s dog friendly too. | Tim Jordan/GooglePhoto: Tim Jordan/Google

When I took my wife on an official first date she asked me to choose but she’s vegetarian so I panicked. I managed to find East Parade restaurant Tattu, which provides a modern twist on classic Chinese dishes serving tapas style. We loved it and it’s super memorable to us now.

5. Tattu

When I took my wife on an official first date she asked me to choose but she’s vegetarian so I panicked. I managed to find East Parade restaurant Tattu, which provides a modern twist on classic Chinese dishes serving tapas style. We loved it and it’s super memorable to us now. | James BrownPhoto: James Brown

Another first date place if you want a late night is Habbibi, in Victoria Gate, where you can dine, drink and then dance or do shisha. It’s still fairly new which is my excuse for not having taken my wife yet and going with the boys.

6. Habbibi

Another first date place if you want a late night is Habbibi, in Victoria Gate, where you can dine, drink and then dance or do shisha. It’s still fairly new which is my excuse for not having taken my wife yet and going with the boys. | James HardistyPhoto: James Hardisty

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