Izgara Mediterranean Grill

The kitchen cooks over charcoal and wood fire, and the Izgara Mixed Grill, a signature selection of flame-grilled meats anchors a menu that spans Turkish, Greek and wider Mediterranean traditions. Charcoal-grilled lamb chops, slow-cooked lamb shank kleftiko and rich, oven-baked moussaka sit alongside Turkish favourites like adana kebab and karniyarik, a stuffed aubergine dish.

Starters set the tone with Galician-style grilled octopus, a signature dish, and a generous meze platter for two featuring grilled halloumi, courgette and feta fritters, pitta bread, and a spread of tzatziki, ezme, hummus and carrot yoghurt dips. Sigara böreği, crisp filo pastry rolls filled with feta, egg and parsley and içli köfte, fried bulgur balls stuffed with ground lamb and beef mince, offer a distinctly Turkish opening to the meal.

Mains extend to seafood with salmon florentine and seabass, while fillet steaks come prepared au poivre, diane or surf and turf style. Orzotto dishes provide a lighter alternative, with options including a vegetarian verduras and a seafood del mar.

The dessert selection runs from Turkish künefe pastry and baklava to crème brûlée and churros. Vegetarian choices feature throughout the menu, with dedicated vegan and gluten-free menus available on request.

The bar stocks a range of draught and bottled beers, with Efes, Guinness, Poretti, Kronenbourg Blanc and Estrella Damm among the selection. The bar serves wine by the glass or bottle, covering whites, rosés and reds alongside prosecco. The cocktail list includes pornstar martini, espresso martini, mojito and aperol spritz, with Hugo spritz available as a lighter, spritz-style alternative.

Saturday’s bottomless brunch brings ninety minutes of free-flowing beer, wine, prosecco and cocktails with peach bellini and French martini joining the brunch selection alongside a live DJ. Soft drinks and non-alcoholic alternatives are also available for those looking beyond the bar menu.

The restaurant occupies a substantial red-brick Victorian building that once housed a Barclays Bank, and the conversion makes the most of the original architecture. A dramatic stone archway decorated with cascading trailing greenery and illuminated gold Izgara lettering frames the entrance to the main dining room, the venue’s most theatrical design feature and a recognisable focal point.

Inside, warm amber and terracotta ribbed wall panelling runs throughout, paired with dark black marble tabletops and geometric diamond-pattern marble floor tiles. An ornate tiered crystal chandelier hangs above the main dining room, casting a warm, shimmering glow. Table settings feature deep blue ceramic crockery and dark floral arrangements in burgundy tones.

The ground floor puts the open charcoal grill on display. You can watch meat flame-grilling from your table, adding a layer of kitchen theatre to the evening. Upstairs, the bar and lounge area switches register with plush curved cream and gold sofa seating, mustard ottomans and large circular halo pendant lights, hosting DJ nights, brand events and private gatherings.

Four private dining rooms cater for groups: the Vault, a former bank vault reimagined as a luxury dining room for up to nine, the VIP room for thirteen, the Bar area for eight, and the first-floor Banquets space for up to eighteen.

Izgara sits on Main Street, Garforth’s high street, in the eastern suburbs of Leeds. The former bank building is a recognisable landmark on the street, with its illuminated signage and large glazed windows visible from the pavement in the evenings.

The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, with lift access available between floors.

Monday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM