The Best Places to Eat in and Around Leeds
From swank bistros and sleek cafés to fine-dining gems and new openings, Leeds has it all
Bavette
4–6 Town Street, Horsforth LS18 4RJ
bavettebistro.com
There’s a reason Bavette was voted Best Local UK Restaurant 2024. At this neighbourhood bistro with a seasonally-led menu of classically driven dishes, owners Sandy and Clément have a shared passion for food, wine and hospitality and bring plenty of French flair to this corner of Yorkshire. Open Wednesday through to Sunday, expect to find a tempting menu which includes delights such as steak tartare with beef fat toast and matchstick chips to start, and chalk-stream trout with watercress velouté to follow.
Blue Pavilion
90 Merrion Street, Leeds LS2 8LW
0113 8876 888
bluepavilion.co.uk
Classic Chinese flavours have been elevated using traditional methods at this Instagrammably smart restaurant where you’ll find delicious dim sum, small plates, rice and noodle dishes as well as an excellent assortment of desserts. Can’t decide? Luckily, there’s a popular lunch and dinner set menu to help.
Brasserie Blanc
Victoria Mill, Sovereign Street, Leeds LS1 4BJ
0113 220 6060
brasserieblanc.com
This converted Victorian mill with a riverfront setting offers diners the chance to try classic French cuisine and chic cocktails under the guidance of celebrity chef Raymond Blanc. Always seasonal and sustainable, the new spring menu is bursting with flavour, championing great British suppliers.
Dastaan
473 Otley Road, Adel, Leeds
LS16 7NR
0113 230 0600
dastaan.co.uk
Following resounding success down south, Dastaan’s second bright and buzzy restaurant in Leeds stayed true to their ethos, and the team here use top-quality ingredients to offer some of the best Indian cuisine. Alongside an impressive à la carte menu, diners are also able to try a five-course tasting menu, and a thali-style bottomless brunch is available at the weekend.
Emba
Lockside, Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf, Leeds LS1 4EY
0113 531 6621
emba.bar
The newest venture from Liz Cottam, Emba is a classic gastro pub reimagined. A simple Scandi-inspired interior pairs with an equally pared-back menu that’s refreshed weekly. The drinks aren’t an afterthought and they’re particularly passionate about their beers here.
The Empire Café
6 Fish Street, Leeds
LS1 6DB
empirecafeleeds.co.uk
Charmingly retro, this institution in Leeds has been keeping diners happy for more than 120 years. Walk-ins are always welcome and no matter the time of day there is something for all – from the café to the bar and the open-fire kitchen.
Fearns
4 The Boulevard, Leeds Dock
LS10 1PZ
fearnsuk.com
Light, airy and contemporary, this relaxed restaurant has made a mark with its all-day menu and excellent Sunday service. Expect a great range of sides which are great to nibble on (like black bean and beetroot hummus, and fish goujons with kewpie mayo) but it’s brunch where Fearns really comes into its own, with options like baked bean curry with smoked tofu, and French toast with spiced syrup and berry compote.
Fint
73 Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3BR
0113 244 3838
fint-leeds.com
Seasonal and Scandi-inspired, this cool and casual eatery offers elevated, organic plates and the chefs here take inspiration from flavours from around the world. Serving seasonally-inspired brunch, lunch and dinner, expect to find everything from salmon gravlax with beetroot tartare to belly pork with fennel-salted crackling and maple-glazed squash.
Galleria
Project House, Armley Road, Leeds LS12 2DR
0113 821 4029
galleria-lds.com
A lively and contemporary spot, stop by in the day for brunch and lunch, or visit in the evenings for small plates and sharing platters like ox cheek with crispy shallots, southern-fried bream, smoked bone marrow with parmesan, and rhubarb and blood orange strudel. There’s an excellent range of cocktails here and we’d recommend the cherry whiskey sour.
Hern
5 Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PG
0113 262 5809
hernrestaurant.com
A true hidden gem, Hern tends to fly under the radar in Leeds’ culinary scene but remains top of the list for those in the know. An understated bistro, the dishes here are fuss-free and seasonal, often changing daily. The wine menu is strictly organic and biodynamic, sourced from vineyards across Europe.
The Highland Laddie
36–38 Cavendish Street, Leeds LS3 1LY
highlandladdie.com
Younger brother of Leeds’ iconic Empire Café, The Highland Laddie is not what you’d expect. Looking every part the classic drinker’s pub inside (complete with dark wood furniture and a log fire), the menu here is surprisingly elevated without becoming inaccessible to the casual visitor, and has plenty of retro charm. Lager with a half pint of prawns? Yes please.
House of Fu
15–19 The Headrow, Leeds
LS1 6PU
0113 234 6907
hellohouseoffu.com
Fun and vibrant, House of Fu is a pop of colour in Leeds’ culinary scene. Drawing on the aesthetics of Tokyo and LA, this speciality ramen bar has a range of tasty ramen and rice bowls, small plates and gyozas on the menu (not to mention frozen cocktails).
Ox Club
19a The Headrow,
Leeds LS1 6PU
0113 487 1814
oxclub.co.uk
In a historic former mill, this is award-winning restaurant showcases the best Yorkshire produce and the emphasis is on wood-fired cooking, with a menu that changes regularly. Think grilled figs with chicory and honey, venison kofta with sour cherry glaze, and burnt Basque cheesecake.
Salvo’s
115 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3PX
0113 275 5017
salvos.co.uk
Holding an AA Rosette, Salvo’s serves up innovative authentic Italian dishes. Serving its loyal customers for nearly 50 years (and now run by second- and third-generation family members) it remains one of the most respected Italian restaurants in Yorkshire.
Sushi Nakamura
4 Eastgate, Leeds
LS2 7JL
01132 433089
sushi-nakamura.co.uk
Step through the doors of Sushi Nakamura and be transported to Japan with their exceptional omakase experience, paired with the very best sake. With each dish hand-selected by the chef, expect premium sushi made with the freshest ingredients.
The Swine Bistro
77A Otley Road, Headingley LS6 3PS
0113 469 2382
theswinebistro.co.uk
A new home, and new look, for the former Swine That Dines, this relaxed neighbourhood restaurant earned a spot in The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants just months after opening. The menu remains reasonably priced without compromising on quality, and simplicity is the name of the game. Cornish sardines with hazelnuts and pesto, bavette with squash purée, and rabbit leg with green beans and bacon are all on offer.
TADA
6 Otley Road, Leeds LS6 2AD
0113 805 6173
tadajapanese.com
A relaxed yet refined Japanese restaurant and bar, the upstairs restaurant here serves classic ramen, yakitori skewers and a curated list of trendy cocktails, sakes and Japanese whiskeys. Downstairs, you’ll find a traditional sushi bar with a team of friendly staff who are always ready to help.
