Leeds is home to the Kaiser Chiefs. Pudsey the Bear was born here. Fizzy drinks were invented here, and the first ever M&S stall opened in Kirkgate Market. Known as the ‘Workshop of the World’, Leeds is home to a lot of innovation and creation – especially on the food scene.
I love Leeds for many reasons, especially for dining. That’s why after several trips here over the last couple of years I’ve compiled the best restaurants Leeds has to offer right here – there’s something for everyone and for all kinds of occasions.
Our Favourite Places To Stay In Leeds
Dakota – a luxurious hotel hotel located in the centre of Leeds with elegant rooms. Feel like a celebrity with their world class service.
The Queens Hotel – A family friendly hotel where children stay free. A sleek hotel with an excellent breakfast.
easyHotel Leeds – a budget option that is clean, with friendly staff and a great central location.
Quebecs – a boutique hotel in a grand Victorian building in the heart of Leeds. The decor includes handcrafted wood panelling, stained glass windows and cosy open fires.
1: La Piola – Leeds
La Piola is a trendy delicatessen tucked away in Park Square. It’s very popular at lunch, and I was made so very welcome when I popped in. It feels cosy and completely unpretentious, almost like a family-run café tucked away in a small Italian village.
The rustic décor matches the warm, attentive service. Their menu is kept small – quality over quantity -and features Italian classics and some dishes from the Cuneo region, using regional ingredients and fresh produce from Yorkshire.
The flavours are genuine – nothing fussy, just honest food. La Piola is hidden in the financial quarter a few steps down, so you might walk past if you’re not looking for it.
Lunches are quick but so, so satisfying, while their evenings have a relaxed bistro feel. When I dropped by at lunchtime the place was lovely, atmosphere was amazing, and the service was fast and very friendly.
La Piola is a solid choice if you want real Italian food that tastes incredible without any drama.
Location: 2 Park Square E, Leeds LS1 2NE, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 7809 126111
2: Tattu Leeds
Tattu Leeds is all about the glitz, glam and Insta-worthy cuisine. It’s got a striking interior with beautiful blossoms that you dine underneath, and they change throughout the seasons. It really is stunning. Not all tables are underneath, but wherever you sit the restaurant looks gorgeous.
The décor blends natural materials with intricate details. Their highly creative menu is inspired by Chinese cuisine but with a modern twist – it really is a joy to dine here and a feast for the eyes as well as your appetite.
Bartenders are also fantastic at creating and presenting awesome cocktails. Tattu really is a sensational restaurant that wants to go above and beyond – if you want to impress someone, it’s a very good bet.
Location: Minerva, 29 E Parade, Leeds LS1 5PS, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 245 1080
3: La Taberna Leeds
La Taberna Leeds is such a warm and welcoming place to dine – I felt really at home when I walked in for my reservation. It’s casual and comfortable for guests, and the cosy space shows a lot of care has gone into this restaurant. Owned by Andres and Vivi, they take real pride in their family-run spot.
The menu offers a solid variety of Spanish tapas. I tried the Flat Iron steak and the chorizo al vino – both popular and packed with flavour.
Regulars greet the staff by name, but newcomers like me get a very warm welcome too. The team is friendly and knowledgable of the menu, which is great if you’re unsure what to go for.
Location: Britannia House, 16 York Pl, Leeds LS1 2EU, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 245 0871
4: Ox Club
I stopped by Ox Club for lunch and loved the bright, open space. Natural light pours in, making it a comfortable spot to linger.
The steak and chips deal – £15.95 for steak, chips, watercress salad, and house butter – is absolutely unbelievable. The meal itself was amazing and at such a great price. The steak is cooked over a live fire and tasted fantastic, just to my liking.
The menu focuses on modern British comfort food, with both prix fixe and à la carte options. There’s even a separate brunch menu.
Staff were helpful and didn’t rush me, even when it got busier. The location is right in the city centre, so it’s easy to find.
I’d suggest booking ahead for lunch, especially midweek when that steak deal is on.
Location: 19a The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 487 1814
5: LIVIN’Italy
LIVIN’Italy sits right by the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and is a great location, especially if you prefer dining alfresco. It has a relaxed atmosphere and mixes deli counters with comfy seating under the arches.
Here you can get early morning coffee and pastries to full-on Italian dinners – there’s always something going on. The menu covers Italian breakfasts, pizzas, and charcuterie.
Their cocktail list is impressive, and the staff were very good at helping me pick a wine to go with my meal. My friends and I shared a board of cheese and cured meats, all paired with Italian wines.
The vibe here is lively but in a good way – it really is perfect for a meal with friends. The Italian Afternoon Tea is a quirky twist and makes a nice change to British tradition, where they add some Italian flavours – I can definitely recommend it, and it’s popular with locals too.
Location: Granary Wharf, Wharf Approach, Leeds LS1 4BR, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 243 0090
Our Favourite Places To Stay In Leeds
Dakota – a luxurious hotel hotel located in the centre of Leeds with elegant rooms. Feel like a celebrity with their world class service.
The Queens Hotel – A family friendly hotel where children stay free. A sleek hotel with an excellent breakfast.
easyHotel Leeds – a budget option that is clean, with friendly staff and a great central location.
Quebecs – a boutique hotel in a grand Victorian building in the heart of Leeds. The decor includes handcrafted wood panelling, stained glass windows and cosy open fires.
6: Turtle Bay Leeds
Turtle Bay Leeds, like all its chain restaurants in the UK, bursts with colour and energy and twinkling lights. The Caribbean flavour here is strong, with reggae music and easygoing staff.
The beach-style space is really clever – first time I went in, I did feel like I was on holiday! I tried a mix of bold Caribbean dishes – curries, jerk BBQ plates – and they were all packed with flavour.
Their bottomless brunch is popular here, serving up tropical plates and cocktails. The cocktail list is worth a mention, especially with their daily happy hour: 2-for-1 deals until 7pm and again from 9pm to closing.
I sampled a couple of rum-based drinks, and they were spot on. Turtle Bay works for casual dinners, date nights, or as a fun place to kick off an evening with friends.
The location is handy if you’re exploring the city centre – just steps from shops, museums, and theatres.
Location: 14, The Light, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 242 6000
7: Chef Jono at V&V
Now this place is in a league of its own. It’s not about hearty meals here – it’s about experiencing real fine dining. Chef Jono is the genius and personality behind V&V (he’s great on his socials) and works tirelessly to offer inventive tastes with British tasting menus, and creative cocktails, in a stylish location. The interior feels chic but not too stiff, so the evening is relaxed.
The tasting menu lets you try a range of unique dishes. Each plate arrives beautifully presented, and the flavours show real attention to detail. It’s not ridiculously priced, either – you can experience an incredible five courses for just £49, and for that you’ll be treated to carefully crafted dishes.
Drinks were good here too, but it’s the food that really is the star of the show. Service was attentive, with staff explaining each course and happy to chat about ingredients or wine pairings.
V&V feels like a special treat for an evening out. The mix of food, service, and setting makes it very memorable.
Location: 68 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 345 0202
8: Tharavadu
Tharavadu is a very popular restaurant that specialises in food from Kerala, India. The large windows and polished floors create a fresh, comfortable space.
Food guides often mention Tharavadu, and I get why. The food is incredible, and the menu also has lots of wonderful vegan and vegetarian options.
Staff here are so kind and attentive. I never know which wines to pair with spicy dishes either, but our lovely waiter was so helpful, and correct in his advice too. The restaurant’s reputation goes beyond Leeds, with shoutouts in guides like The Good Food Guide, Harden’s, and even the Michelin Restaurant Guide.
If you love Indian food, especially Keralan cuisine, Tharavadu is worth a try. The seafood is excellent, and the menu caters to various dietary needs, including gluten-free.
Location: 7-8 Mill Hill, Leeds LS1 5DQ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 244 0500
9: Kendells Bistro
Kendells Bistro has a wonderful feel about it when you walk in. I was made very welcome, there were lots of guests seated and everyone looked as though they were really enjoying themselves. The restaurant itself looked elegant and pretty with candlelit tables. It’s a special occasion venue but also friendly and easygoing too.
The blackboard menus they have are quirky and look really good (you’ll see what I mean when you go there).
Classic French dishes take the spotlight here, and the menu changes often. There’s always something new, but you’ll still spot the old favourites. Flavours are bold, simple, and really well balanced.
People love this place for romantic dinners or just a quiet meal with friends. The staff go out of their way to make you feel at home and explain anything on the menu if you’re unsure.
Kendall is probably the closest you’ll get to France without leaving Leeds!
Location: 3 St Peter’s Square, Leeds LS9 8AH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 243 6553
10: Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Leeds City Centre
Riva Blu is a reputable chain with a number of restaurants in Northern England. Each are all decorated with the same stylish teal interiors and pops of yellow, which looks classy but cool. I love an open kitchen in a restaurant and this place has one – I think they add a real buzz, and you can actually watch the chefs in action.
I typically prefer individual restaurants as some chains can lose that personal touch – but my visit here did genuinely feel inviting.
I ordered the Fritto Misto, which is a seafood platter with calamari, wild red prawns, red mullet, king prawns, and whitebait. The dish came out crisp and light, and the mix of garlic and lemon mayonnaises was spot on. I’ve eaten in a Southern Italian coastal town before and this really wasn’t far off.
The linguine all’aragosta impressed me too, with pan-fried sea bass and a delicate basil oil. For dessert, the semifreddo was creamy and not overly sweet, with a nice hint of chocolate and amaretto.
There’s a separate cocktail bar and a big terrace for those rare sunny days. If you’re planning on going with a group, they have set menus which are really handy.
Location: 11-12 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5HD, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 113 244 3220
Our Favourite Places To Stay In Leeds
Dakota – a luxurious hotel hotel located in the centre of Leeds with elegant rooms. Feel like a celebrity with their world class service.
The Queens Hotel – A family friendly hotel where children stay free. A sleek hotel with an excellent breakfast.
easyHotel Leeds – a budget option that is clean, with friendly staff and a great central location.
Quebecs – a boutique hotel in a grand Victorian building in the heart of Leeds. The decor includes handcrafted wood panelling, stained glass windows and cosy open fires.
Summary
Dining in Leeds is a bit of a mixed bag, in a good way. Every restaurant puts its own spin on things, from the cuisine and portion sizes to the presentation and the atmosphere.
Here in Leeds, we’ve got a bit of everything – good spots for a decent bottomless brunch, a work lunch, the wow factor, that romantic date night, and menus with a twist. Remember though, these are increasingly popular establishments – so get those reservations in!