Green Room: A Treat Worth Paying For?

Leeds is full of places promising a memorable meal, but finding somewhere that delivers atmosphere, food, and value for money is no easy task. Enter Green Room, a city-centre venue that combines dining with a social drinking culture. I visited to find out whether this hotspot deserves a place in the student social scene. 

First impressions do count, and the setting is important to any culinary experience. Upon walking into the venue, I immediately noticed the friendly, and laid-back vibe of Green Room. The greenery (hence the name!) and long tables make it an attractive spot for a casual, or social lunch, whilst the dim lit disco balls, and funky, upbeat house music add a fun twist, hinting at the livelier atmosphere that arrives come evening drinks. The character of Green Room felt urban, tucked away in an industrial building in the city centre, yet still very fun, making it perfect for a catch-up lunch with friends away from campus, or even celebrations. 

The real test came down to the food and drinks. For the drinks, we were spoiled for choice. The café menu had a wide variety of soft drinks and coffees, and the matcha was an amazing fresh green. However, Green Room is clearly ready for evening drinks with a huge menu containing a variety of cocktails, wines, and beer on tap which makes it easy to see why the venue transforms into a popular social spot in the evenings. The drinks varied between £6 and £14, and I was pleased to view the mocktail menu; it was not disregarded in the slightest. 

For the food, my friend and I ordered two different sandwiches to share, allowing us to try a bit of both. We ordered the chicken Caesar sub, and Bourdain’s Morta-deli, priced at £11 and £12 respectively. The size of the sub certainly matched the price of each sandwich. The Caesar sub stood out to me: the chicken cutlets were perfectly crispy, and the ‘Granny’s Caesar sauce’ added a creamy, tangy richness that didn’t overpower the flavour of the chicken. The chef was generous with the parmesan which I loved! Both sandwiches had a delicious, and packed bread-to-filling ratio, and neither of us left hungry. 

As a student, price is always important to consider when finding somewhere to eat. On the whole, I would say Green Room sits on the higher end of what students might spend on lunch or drinks. However, the generous portions and quality of ingredients help justify the cost, alongside the tempting 2-4-1 cocktail deal running Sunday to Friday which is easy to share with a friend (or not!). While it may not be a sustainable everyday lunch spot, it is definitely worth going to treat yourself. 

Overall, Green Room offers more than just food. Its combination of a welcoming atmosphere, quality food and drinks, and cool social setting truly encapsulates the Leeds spirit, and makes it stand out among other venues. Whether you’re looking for a lunch spot away from campus or celebrating end of exam season with friends, Green Room is well worth a visit, and in my opinion, money well spent.

Words by Martha Ellis, she/her