Michael O’Hare, the chef who put Leeds on the fine dining map, is back. In Lamentation, his new Leeds restaurant, has opened in Boston Spa and is now taking reservations for spring and summer 2026. The 16-seat venue serves an extended tasting menu. It marks a deliberate shift towards something smaller, more personal, and entirely focused on craft.
O’Hare is best known as the chef behind Michelin star restaurant, The Man Behind The Curtain. He became a familiar face on television as both a contestant and long-running judge on the BBC’s Great British Menu, and has appeared on MasterChef and Saturday Kitchen. Before opening his own restaurant, he trained at some of the world’s top kitchens, including Noma in Copenhagen and John Burton-Race’s two-Michelin-starred kitchen at The Landmark in London.
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In Lamentation represents a return to the precision and creativity that’s defined O’Hare’s work, but on an intimate scale.
What to Expect
In Lamentation operates just four services per week from its home at 174 High Street, Boston Spa. The menu is not published online and is described as ever-evolving, with the element of surprise a deliberate part of the experience. The restaurant also runs dedicated vegetarian evenings on selected dates.
On announcing the project, O’Hare described it as:
“New restaurant, small team, big vision.”
A Boost for Leeds’ Fine Dining Scene
O’Hare’s return comes at a strong moment for dining in Leeds. The city has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic food destinations in the north of England, and the arrival of a chef with Michelin pedigree and national profile adds further weight to that. Boston Spa, while quieter than the city centre, is an increasingly popular spot for independent food and drink operators. In Lamentation gives Leeds a genuine destination restaurant.
Why this matters for Leeds
Michael O’Hare’s return signals confidence in the city’s fine dining credentials. For the Leeds hospitality sector, it’s a statement that the city can attract and retain top-tier culinary talent. It also puts Boston Spa firmly on the map as a serious dining destination, and gives the wider Leeds food scene a national talking point.
More Information:
Learn more about In Lamentation: inlamentation.com
