Smoke Barbecue opens in Merrion Centre following £500k investment

A Yorkshire barbeque restaurant is now officially Leeds’ latest dining offering after opening its doors at the Merrion Centre in the Arena Quarter.

Smoke Barbecue launched in the city centre due to the Sheffield-based team of Sean Gregory and Duka Nagy, who will now be operating from the new restaurant.

The pair opened their first independent eatery in Sheffield in 2013 and the Leeds restaurant marks their second following an investment of around £500k, which will create around 35 new jobs.

The duo’s open pit barbeque only uses oak fired pits and no gas to cook their food.

In addition, the use of reclaimed materials for the décor and furnishings forms part of their eco-friendly approach. This includes tables made of reclaimed wood pallets and oak barrels and lights crafted from used washing machine drums, whisks and pans.

Ms Nagy said: “This is another massive step for us as a team and a business – to have two restaurants right in the heart of Leeds and Sheffield is brilliant. The Merrion Centre is enjoying a period of growth, so to be part of that, the burgeoning Arena Quarter and the city’s growing reputation is just brilliant.

“We love what we do and we hope that customers feel that passion when they dine with us. We cook our food our way, the traditional way, so remember – put the fork down, it’s time to get dirty!”

Smoke Barbecue is also the latest addition to the Merrion Centre’s New Front.

Helen Green, associate director of estates for TCS, said: “Smoke Barbeque is one of the busiest and most successful restaurants in Sheffield city centre. It has a phenomenal following and largely as a result of Duka and Sean’s commitment to providing an authentic and delicious dining experience. Food lovers across Leeds are going to love Smoke Barbeque.”

Smoke Barbecue customers can also get three hours free parking this October at the Merrion Centre Car Park.