Home > News > Manjit’s Kitchen to close Leeds restaurant on Kirkstall Road

Manjit’s Kitchen to close Leeds restaurant on Kirkstall Road

Manjit’s Kitchen has announced it will close its Leeds restaurant on Kirkstall Road in a heartbreaking statement published on social media. 

The female-run vegetarian Punjabi street food favourite, which has two Leeds sites – a Kirkstall Road restaurant and a street food stall in Kirkgate Market – put a statement out on Thursday telling customers it was “the end of our Kirkstall Road journey”.

Apologising to “all this will affect”, Manjit’s Kitchen hit out at the UK government’s 20% VAT rate and cited rising costs across the board as the reason for the restaurant’s closure.

 

the all-female team from manjit's kitchen restaurant leeds
Image: Manjit’s Kitchen via Twitter

 

Explaining that “the rising costs of everything has caught up with us”, they revealed that their restaurant lease is up for renewal and it was “time to look for a new home and new partnerships.”

Adding that they intend to “bow out gracefully”, the team confirmed that they will continue to trade at the restaurant until the end of April.

They also confirmed that their Kirkgate Market stall will remain open as usual.

Manjit’s Kitchen first opened their Kirkstall Road Leeds restaurant in 2019, but the business has been going since 2010 –  first starting life as a weekends-only home deliveries service, armed with little more than a stove and a Twitter account.

Manjit, a self-confessed rebel, decided to go all-out on cooking after being made redundant from her Leeds-based office job following the 2008 recession.

With the help of her husband, Michael, she quickly built a following with her authentic Punjabi vegetarian food and branched out to cover markets, festivals and food events, before eventually opening her popular Kirkgate Market stall in 2016.

manjit and husband michael
Manjit pictured with her husband Michael. / Image: Manjit’s Kitchen via Instagram

During this time, Leeds-born chef Manjit has also used her business to empower other women. Her kitchen, with the exception of Michael, is run by an all-female team and it is something she is very proud of.

As a survivor of domestic violence she has spoken publicly about wanting to give a voice to other women, saying she has seen first hand the difference in confidence in her staff.

For now, they will continue to trade as usual whilst they look for another home for the Kirkstall Road restaurant.

The full statement from Manjit’s Kitchen reads: “The End of our Kirkstall Road Journey

“We have made the difficult decision to close our restaurant on Kirkstall Road. I am very sorry to all this will affect.

“The rising costs of everything has caught up with us. Our lease is up for renewal and it is time for us to look for a new home and new partnerships.

“We hoped the government had listened to hospitality. 20% VAT alongside all the other rising costs makes running our small independent restaurant impossible. We are busier than ever but we cannot keep up with the rising costs.

“We will trade until the end of April, we will bow out gracefully. We will host some farewell parties, we thank everyone who has visited and supported over the years.
Do come and say your goodbyes.

“We hope we leave our little corner of Burley better than we found it.

“Manjit’s Kitchen at Leeds Kirkgate market will remain open as usual. Thankyou and Goodbye for now.”

Featured image – Manjit’s Kitchen via Instagram


DON’T MISS…

9 of the Best Indian Restaurants in Leeds

 

 

Goldsborough Hall Harrogate Luxury Dine & Stay for Two

Church St, Goldsborough, Knaresborough HG5 8NR
  • Michelin recommended tasting menu
  • Former Royal residence
  • SAVE up to 24%
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£416.00 £315.00 Save 24% £416 24% OFF Read More Add to cart
Church St, Goldsborough, Knaresborough HG5 8NR

Elmbank Hotel York Afternoon Tea

Elmbank Hotel, The Mount, York YO24 1GE
  • Stunning York city centre boutique hotel
  • Choose from Traditional, Sparkling or York Gin Afternoon Tea
  • SAVE 18%
YFG EXCLUSIVE
From  £22.50 Read More Select options
Elmbank Hotel, The Mount, York YO24 1GE

3-Course Sunday Lunch at The York, Sheffield

243 - 247 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BA
  • Traditional pub classics and a selection of beers, ales, spirits and wines
  • Renowned as one of Sheffield’s best pubs
  • SAVE 25%
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£30.00 £22.50 Save 25% £30 25% OFF Read More Add to cart
243 - 247 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BA

Silversmiths Bottomless Brunch Sheffield

Silversmiths, Sheffield S1 2NT
  • Popular Sheffield city centre restaurant
  • Forget plain old avo-on-toast; expect Dressed Crab Benedict, Chicken & Waffles and Turkish Eggs.
  • SAVE 21%
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£38.00 £30.00 Save 21% £38 21% OFF Read More Add to cart
Silversmiths, Sheffield S1 2NT

Blossom Kitchen Skipton Afternoon Tea

Coniston Estate, Skipton BD23 4EA
  • Set in the tranquil surroundings of The Coniston Estate
  • A fusion of Yorkshire ingredients with an Asian flare
  • SAVE 22%
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£32.00 £25.00 Save 22% £32 22% OFF Read More Add to cart
Coniston Estate, Skipton BD23 4EA

£40 Three’s A Crowd Leeds Restaurant Voucher

76-78 North St, Leeds LS2 7PN
  • City centre gastropub which oozes laid back, refined cool
  • Showcasing the best seasonal ingredients
  • SAVE 20%
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£40.00 £32.00 Save 20% £40 20% OFF Read More Add to cart
76-78 North St, Leeds LS2 7PN

Join our Foodie Community

Keep up to date with the latest news, reviews, foodie events and exclusive offers