The Crossing Indian Bistro has opened in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, bringing a modern take on regional Indian cuisine to the city. The Crossing is led by Ankur Chakraborty, Chef-Founder of The Crossing Indian Bistro and co-founder of Lemon Butter, whose career spans more than two decades and has seen him build a reputation for regional Indian cuisine across Dubai, Paris and Nice.
Inspired by India’s culinary diversity and the railways that carried people, ingredients, recipes and memories across the country, The Crossing Indian Bistro celebrates food as a way of connecting regions, communities and people.
The Leeds restaurant is currently welcoming guests, with a soft launch period where diners can enjoy 50% off all food, available until 31st August. Located at 33-39 Harrogate Road in Chapel Allerton, the Leeds opening marks the latest chapter in The Crossing’s international journey, which began in Dubai before expanding to Paris, including its landmark opening at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann in 2023, followed by Nice and now the UK.
At the heart of The Crossing’s culinary philosophy is the belief that India cannot be represented by just one cuisine. Flavours, ingredients and techniques can vary dramatically from one region to the next, shaped by geography, climate, tradition and centuries of outside influence.
For Ankur Chakraborty, Chef-Founder of The Crossing Indian Bistro and co-founder of Lemon Butter, the story behind The Crossing is also personal. His father worked for the Indian Railways and, in his childhood, he would travel across India by train with him, gaining an early introduction to the changing foods and tastes of different regions. With over two decades of professional experience, Ankur puts his memories and the skills developed from a lifetime surrounded by food into the heart and soul of The Crossing and onto the plate for his guests.
Open from 12 noon through to evening dining, the restaurant’s approach is rooted in the origins of each dish. Using traditional recipes, regional spice profiles and modern techniques, the food remains faithful to its regional inspirations while also bringing a contemporary bistro style to the table. Guests can expect some of The Crossing’s signature dishes including Railway Lamb Curry, with slow-braised lamb and smoked rogani laal maas curry and a nod to the restaurant’s narrative, Alleppey Prawn Curry, a coconut and turmeric dish with poached prawns inspired by Kerala’s backwaters and Madras Mutton Pepper Fry, a stir-fried curried lamb served with mini idli.
For those who love to share, there is also a range of delicious small plates such as Gunpowder Prawns and Kerala Fried Chicken, two striking dishes with southern Indian spice and podi, as well as Dal Moradabadi and The Crossing Chaat Bowl, two vegetarian small plates that bring the contemporary style of Indian street food. Guests can also try treasured desserts including the Goan-Portuguese-influenced Mango Serradura with biscuit crumbs and the Dubai Date Toffee Pudding, with a house-made carrot halwa ice cream.
The Crossing has also opened with its £15 Thali lunchtime deal for people looking for a perfect lunchtime flavour fix. The Thali allows diners to experience a traditional Indian lunch presented in stunning silverware. Guests can choose a main curry, served alongside Zeera Aloo, Saag Makai, Dal of the Day, Raita, House Pickle, Steamed Basmati Rice and a choice of Freshly Baked Tandoor Bread.
The Chapel Allerton location was chosen for its independent spirit, dining culture and strong neighbourhood identity. Part of hospitality group Lemon Butter, the Leeds opening is the next step in bringing the group’s international experience and expertise to a new audience, with the restaurant hoping to become part of the rhythm of the neighbourhood, from informal lunches and family meals to drinks, small plates and celebratory dinners.
Ankur Chakraborty, Chef-Founder of The Crossing Indian Bistro and co-founder of Lemon Butter, said: “The Crossing is built on the idea that India is not one cuisine, but thousands of local food cultures connected by movement, exchange and memory. The railways helped those cultures meet as people travelled, allowing recipes to cross regions and flavours to evolve. We’ve reflected this in the menu, which takes guests on a journey through India, where they can discover lesser-known dishes inspired by its different regions.
“Chapel Allerton feels like the right first home for us in the UK with its strong identity and an independent, community-minded spirit. We hope to add something distinctive to that neighbourhood, with an expression of modern India that is regionally rooted, generous and full of discovery.”
The Leeds restaurant opening marks the next stage of The Crossing’s journey, inviting guests to discover dishes and stories from across India, all brought together at one crossing point.
The restaurant is open from 12pm until 10:30pm, and diners can enjoy a 50% off soft launch offer running until 31st August, as well as the £15 Thali lunchtime deal. Bookings can be made via the live reservation page.
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