The Man Behind the Curtain – Leeds’ shining Michelin Star Restaurant (2023)

Leeds’ Best restaurant? Possibly. The Man Behind the Curtain head chef Michael O’Hare opened the restaurant in 2014 and has a reputation for modern and often unusual food, with his unique artistic presentation. It was first awarded a Michelin star in October 2015 and three AA Rosettes in 2016. The Man Behind the Curtain has retained its Michelin star for the eighth year this year (2023). Michael O’Hare’s ultimate goal is to have 2 Michelin stars for Leeds.

Michael O'Hare Chef and Patron of The Man Behind the Curtain. Leeds Michelin Star Restaurant:

The restaurant takes its name from a line in The Wizard of Oz quote – ‘Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.’ After opening the restaurant without a name, The Man Behind the Curtain owner Michael O’Hare said: “I got a lot of people asking me if I’m the man behind the curtain…………”

One of the best places to eat in Leeds? Of course, this depends on your tastes and sensibilities. We love it. The Man Behind the Curtain dining room seats up to forty people and is decorated in artwork by Michael O’Hare’s friend Schoph and features sculptures by Gareth Griffiths.

The Man Behind the Curtain Booking

The Man Behind the Curtain – lunch and dinner tasting menus only.

How much does The Man Behind the Curtain Lunch cost?

The Man Behind the Curtain lunch reservation is £95 per person. Drink pairing options are available at an additional cost. All bills are subject to a mandatory 12.5% service charge upon paying.

How much does The Man Behind the Curtain Dinner cost?

The Man Behind the Curtain dinner reservation is £145 per person. Drink pairing options are available at an additional cost. All bills are subject to a mandatory 12.5% service charge upon paying.

The Man Behind the Curtain booking deposit cost.

Full payment is required when you make a reservation. Similar to concert or theatre experience tickets, you are able to resell it or transfer your The Man Behind the Curtain reservation to another guest, but the price of the ticket is non-refundable. However, you can cancel your The Man Behind the Curtain booking and receive a full refund up to 48 hours after confirmation.

Should you need to reschedule your The Man Behind the Curtain reservation due to covid, they require proof of your official positive test result by forwarding of an email or screenshot. Once received they may move your reservation to another available date. This situation is fluid so may change according to pandemic legal issues and government advice, so check in advance.

The Man Behind the Curtain Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers are available on the restaurant’s website with instructions on how to note the voucher code and the process for paying any outstanding balance. Alternatively, transfer your existing fully paid reservation.

The Man Behind the Curtain group bookings

– maximum of 5 guests to one booking. There is no private dining in the restaurant.

The Man Behind the Curtain Takeaway

Telephone 0113 243 2376, but no delivery service.

The Man Behind the Curtain gluten-free choice menu and other issues

The menu is predetermined and does not offer any alternative menus for any allergies or dislikes. The menu contains meat and fish, which means that they are unable to cater for vegetarian or vegan requirements. However, guests with allergies or dislikes are able to skip offending dishes by prior arrangement and must be discussed beforehand, check when phoning for the current position: 0113 243 2376.

The Man Behind the Curtain Dress Code we believe it’s officially “Jacket Preferred”

– definitely no sportswear, shorts, trainers, hats or military clothing. Please be aware that you could be turned away for your reservation if you are not dressed according to The Man Behind the Curtain’s Dress Code.

The Man Behind the Curtain review “There is a moment, long before you reach your table, that you get a glimpse of the extraordinary pleasures in wait at the city’s only Michelin-starred restaurant.” Yorkshire Evening Post. Well put – extraordinary pleasures sums it up nicely for us……

The Man Behind the Curtain: 0113 243 2376

Where is The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds?

The Man Behind the Curtain address -Lower Ground Floor, Flannels, 68-78 Vicar Lane, Leeds LS1 7JH.

The Man Behind the Curtain’s location is in Leeds city centre’s premium brand Victoria shopping area, at the Flannels store.

Conveniently placed for an upmarket shopping break, or day trip – it lies between Harvey Nichols Leeds, John Lewis Leeds, the area includes the Victoria Arcade, a beautiful shopping district recognised as the premium shopping area in the North of England with its multitude of prestigious stores including Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood and made-to-measure tailoring at Reiss – plus the after-dinner temptations of the Victoria Gate Casino with its champagne and cocktail bar, Curve, hosting live music every Friday and Saturday – to start a Leeds weekend break in style.

Man Behind the Curtain Restaurant – Perfectly located to include in an upmarket shopping break and after dinner temptations

Leeds is to the south of the Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate. Leeds is situated on the M1, the M62 and the A1(M) connecting it with cities to the north, south, east and west, with easy access to a choice of north of England airports. 

Leeds railway station is one of Network Rail’s 20 principal stations and has rail links to London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh and other major cities and a direct rail link to Manchester airport.

Vicar Lane is highly accessible being adjacent to the city centre main loop road system so The Man Behind the Curtain restaurant is just a 2-minute taxi ride (£5 to £7) from Leeds railway station or a 9-minute walk.

Car Park: Man Behind the Curtain

Victoria Leeds Multi-Story Car Park satnav Postcode LS2 7AS. Open 24/7. Pedestrian access is via George Street or the Eastgate entrance when the centre is closed.

This car park won the 2018 British Parking Awards ‘Best New Car Park’ in the UK, as well as achieving the Park Mark® Safer Parking Award.

There are 50 designated disabled parking bays located throughout the car park and 18 dedicated family spaces. There is free motorcycle parking in designated bays on level 0. Electric vehicle charging is on level 1, at no additional cost above the standard rate.

Hotels Leeds: Hotels Near The Man Behind the Curtain Restaurant

Raddison Blue Leeds – a grand art deco hotel in Leeds city centre.

Radisson Blu Leeds entrance photo No. 1 The Light, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL.

No. 1 The Light, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL. Telephone 044(0)113 236 6000. An 8-minute walk, or a 2-minute ride by taxi to The Man Behind the Curtain restaurant.

The Leeds City Centre Radisson Blu Hotel is set in a meticulously restored building, preserving its original art deco style. The car park is at Q-Park, The Light – a secure underground car park – use Satnav postcode LS2 3AG for the car-park.

Crowne Plaza Leeds – a plush spa hotel in Leeds city centre with an extensive health club, bar and restaurant. Wellington Street, LS1 4DL. Telephone +44(0)113 531 3200. A 17-minute walk or a 3-minute ride by taxi to The Man Behind the Curtain restaurant.

Principal Met Hotel Leeds – renowned for its Victorian terracotta facade and stone cupola, blending original design with contemporary interiors. King Street LS1 2HQ Telephone +44(0)113 245 0841. An 11-minute walk or a 2-minute taxi ride (£4-£6) to The Man Behind the Curtain restaurant.

Marriott Hotel Leeds – European charm plus a touch of modern elegance and a fitness centre – 4 Trevelyan Square, Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 6ET. Telephone +44(0)113 236 6366. A 6-minute walk or 2-minute taxi ride to The Man Behind the Curtain restaurant.

Park Plaza Hotel Leeds – located on the City Square opposite Leeds railway Station and 10 miles from Leeds Bradford Airport, Park Plaza Leeds is easily accessible by raod, air and rail.

Park Plaza Leeds – is perfectly placed for Leeds key tourist attractions, including The Man Behind the Curtain, City Art Gallery, the Royal Armouries, Thackray Medical Museum and Kirkstall Abbey. Trinity Leeds shopping centre is on the doorstep, the Grand Theatre & OperaHouse are just a stone’s throw away, while Headingley Cricket and Leeds United Football Grounds are both close by. The Man Behind the curtain is an 8-minute walk or a 2-minute taxi.

Park Plaza Leeds location map with Leeds Tourist attractions.
Man Behind the Curtain is on Vicar Lane, Leeds LS1 7JH

The Man Behind the Curtain Location: Lower Ground Floor, Flannels, 68-78 Vicar Lane, Leeds LS1 7JH.

Park Plaza Leeds location map with Leeds Tourist attractions. Park Plaza Leeds address: City Square, Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 5NS.

Michelin starred chef Michael O’Hare’s first book, Violations on Good Judgements, standing nearly 500cm high is more of a work of art than a cookery book. It has taken five years to publish – it’s a freeze-frame of where the Man in the Curtain is now. It is not a standard book of a collection of recipies, although it does contain recipes of some of his signature dishes. The photographs are definitely works of art and they are not only of food – shoes (O’Hare is famous for his taste in shoes), surfboards, skateboards, and a motorcycle. Published by Away with Media, Violations on Good Judgements by Michael O’Hare costs £135.

Man Behind the Curtain Closing

The final service of The Man Behind The Curtain of December 31st 2023 marks the end of an era unveiling of this exciting culinary destination for 2024 and beyond where gastronomic exploration, relaxed vibes, and impeccable service converge creating a dining experience like no other. Psycho Sandbar Leeds, a thrilling transformation of Man Behind the Curtain as Michelin Star chef Michael O’Hare unveiled his latest venture: Psycho Sandbar Leeds. This exciting new restaurant replaces the beloved Michelin-starred establishment, The Man Behind The Curtain, offering a fresh concept to captivate diners with its unique blend of flavours and immersive dining experience.

Learn more about other Michelin Starred Fine Dining Yorkshire Restaurants

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Star Inn the City, York City Centre (Andrew Pern’s other Michelin starred restaurant)

Roots, York City Centre

Grantley Hall, Restaurant, Hotel and Spa, Yorkshire Dales

Pipe and Glass, Yorkshire Wolds (Winners of Inn of the Year – 2020 Good Hotel Guide)