Chef Shabbas Kitchen & Cocktails

The kitchen centres on Signature Boxes — large sharing platters that form the heart of the menu. The Jerk One brings together jerk chicken, jerk lamb chops and jerk prawns alongside fried plantain, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, rice and peas, seasoned fries and coleslaw. The Seafood Box steps things up with butter garlic lobster tail, sweet chilli salmon, jerk prawns and a garlic butter dipping pot, while the Surf N Turf combines lobster tail, jerk lamb chops, sweet chilli salmon and jerk prawns with a full spread of sides.

Beyond the sharing boxes, the menu covers individual plates with equal care. Chef Shabba’s Rasta Pasta is a vegetarian dish of mixed peppers, onion, herbs and spices tossed in a creamy sauce, with the option to add chicken, king prawns or garlic butter lobster tail. Shabba’s Seasoned Ackee pairs ackee and callaloo with fried peppers, onion, rice and peas and fried plantain. The Crispy Jerk Chicken Burger features a chicken breast coated in a secret spice blend, served on a toasted brioche bun with Shabba’s seasoned mayo and jerk sauce.

A lunch special offers jerk chicken or curried mutton with rice and peas and fried plantain, while the Sunday roast takes the Caribbean route with jerk chicken, steak, lamb chops, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, mac and cheese and Shabba’s own gravy. Breakfast options include a full halal breakfast, smoked salmon eggs benedict, and veggie and vegan plates with fried plantain, avocado and baked beans.

Despite the “Cocktails” in the name, Chef Shabbas is an entirely halal venue — every drink on the menu is non-alcoholic. The mocktail list runs deep, with options like the tropical Sunshine Reggae, a Virgin Pina Colada, the Cool Runnings and the Vybz Cartel. Drinks arrive in mason jars, adding to the relaxed Caribbean feel.

Soft drinks include the usual fizzy options alongside Red Bull, a selection of fruit juices — apple, mango, pineapple, orange and cranberry — and bottled water.

The outdoor terrace hits you first: a rainbow-striped pallet fence in yellow, green, blue, pink and orange encloses a pavement-level seating area with green artificial turf, natural wood trestle picnic tables and multicoloured painted benches. A timber pergola overhead is strung with warm globe festoon lights, threaded with trailing ivy and ferns, and flanked by hanging wicker planters and tall bamboo plants. A standing patio heater extends the terrace into cooler months. Bold graffiti art covers the back wall.

Inside, bright red booth seating runs along walls clad in painted vertical wooden planks — red, yellow, green and black in a Rastafarian colour palette. Corrugated metal panelling adds a raw, street-market edge. Warm amber globe pendant lights glow through the large street-facing windows, while dark blue and purple LED lighting shifts the atmosphere as evening sets in. The soundtrack leans into Afrobeats and reggae, and the energy is loud, casual and unapologetically lively — built for groups gathered around wide tables piled high with sharing boxes.

Brudenell Road sits in the heart of Headingley’s student belt, a short walk from Hyde Park and the University of Leeds campus. The Brudenell Social Club, one of Leeds’ best-known independent music venues, is just around the corner on Queen’s Road.

There are 2 car parks within 1 mile of here.

Brudenell Grove

Google Map Directions

Brudenell Grove is 322 meters away. This is a free car park. There is lots of on street parking space available long this road and neighbouring roads.

St Michael’s Road

Google Map Directions

St Michael’s Road is 1.0 miles away. It has 8 parking spaces. This is a free-timed car park. The car park features include single-level. 2 hours free parking. Tends to be busy, but good access to Headingley high street.

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM

For a change of pace after the Caribbean feast, head further into Headingley for a coffee at [Grounded & Co](https://api.discoverleeds.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/food-and-drink/grounded-and-co/), or settle in for a natural wine at [Tabula Rasa](https://api.discoverleeds.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/food-and-drink/tabula-rasa/) on North Lane.