There are, of course, so many restaurants in central Leeds that everyone is guaranteed to find something to their taste and budget, from all the usual chains (many of which have several branches in the city) to the huge variety of one of places, including many award-winners, that one would expect of such a large and cosmopolitan city. Headingley, Chapel Allerton, Roundhay and various other districts outside the centre also have a range of quality eateries (whilst a few places in these areas are mentioned below, fuller selections can be found on their respective guides). Café culture is thriving in Leeds, with a great number of places for a lunch or lighter meal, and there are also many fine curry houses in the city, due to the large South Asian population. Leeds recently launched (with much success) an annual Food and Drink festival, held at the end of August, with many free events bookable in advance.
Restaurants
- L’Oranaise , (Hyde Park). This Algerian restaurant offers authentic atmosphere and eating—even a Sheesha pipe for after the meal. The food is amongst the best this Wikitraveller has tasted in Leeds. Teas and coffees can be taken upstairs amongst the low tables and scatter cushions.
- The Clock Cafe (Hyde Park). This wikitraveller has found it difficult to fault this restaurant despite several visits. Anything on the menu is delicious and the service and beers (no weak fizzy lager here!) are outstanding, ranging from traditional English to renowned Czech produce. The setup is basic with benches and tables but the atmosphere is pitched just right for small groups and couples—recommended. If there were popularity contests for bar staff, this place would win.
- Anthonys (City Centre). If you’re willing to spend a little bit more for that extra-special meal then this is the place to go – but book ahead as this is the most popular restaurant in Leeds—highly recommended. There is also a popular branch in Flannels department store.
- Akbars (City Centre). Award-winning Indian food served in cosmopolitan surrendings—and at reasonable prices too!
- Bibis (City Centre). Wonderful Italian food served in a fantastic Art-Deco restaurant—packed with local regulars who know a good thing when they eat it!
- Salvos (Headingley). Salvos Italian resturant and salumeria/cafe two doors down. Both fantastic simple food, great atmosphere.
- Truffles (Kippax). A ten-minute journey out of town to this award winning restaurant, twice voted best restaurant in Leeds. Book now, waiting list of about 4 months. Serves the finest Traditional English as well as imaginative dishes to die for! A welcoming warm atmosphere with lashings of luxury!
- Aagrah is an expanding Leeds-based chain of quality curry houses with a City Centre branch in Quarry Hill, near the West Yorkshire Playhouse
- Casa Mia, Casa Mia Grande (both in Chapel Allerton) and Casa Mia Millennium (on Millennium Square) are locally famous for their top-notch italian fare
- The Flying Pizza is a North Leeds institution. In the centre of Roundhay, this fantastic Italian restaurant has been going for well over 30 years
- SiSushi is a great sushi restaurant and takeaway with branches on Great George St and Harrogate Road (north of Chapel Allerton)
- Little Tokyo is a multi-award winning Japanese place on the edge of the Exchange Quarter
- Simply Heathcotes – exclusive but incredibly good waterfront restaurant
- Calls Grill – dine in style at this excellent waterfront eatery
- Maxi’s – a renowned Chinese restaurant in a slightly out-of-centre location but with a smaller branch in The Light
- Arts Café is one of the oldest establishments in the Exchange Quarter, with a friendly-relaxed vibe and food to die for at very reasonable prices (the desserts are especially delicious)
- Fourth Floor at Harvey Nichols – the renowned Leeds branch restaurant has been going strong for years with an innovative menu tailored to the seasons. Despite the swanky location, it is surprisingly unpretentious and not ridiculously pricey.
- Mio Modo – This plush Italian restaurant in the financial district oozes style and whilst not cheap the excellent food easily makes it worth the prices
- The Mill Race – hearty organic fare in a beautiful building, this place often needs reservations but the food is breathtaking
- Viva Cuba – this excellent, acclaimed Cuban Tapas restaurant has two fine branches:Queen Square in the City Centre, and Kirkstall Road, a couple of miles west of the centre
- Cuban Heels – beautiful, relaxed little restaurant-café-bar with buckets of charm, great food and a lovely, intimate location in railway arches on a cobbled site street in the Exchange Quarter. Inexpensive with midweek offers.
- Livebait – excellent Calls seafood restaurant with simple, traditional style and decor and emphasis on quality food
- Restaurant Bar & Grill – simply named, this restaurant sits in a stunning location in the Old Post Office conversion on City Square, and exudes style and elegance, offering a range of fantastic quality meals and drinks
- Tampopo – ever-popular swanky noodle restaurant in the Financial District
- Room – surprisingly affordable stylish restaurant deservedly popular with the city’s rich and famous, serving modern takes on traditional British food
- Hansa’s – acclaimed vegetarian Indian restaurant on North Street with curries to die for
- Brio – popular Italian restaurant with generous portions and great pizzas (Great George St and smaller branch in The Light)
- Lucky Dragon – authentic Chinese in the Chinatown Arcade of Templar St
- Café Guru – design-lead swanky new Indian restaurant in the attractive central plaza of Brewery Wharf (on the south bank)
- Sous Le Nez en Ville – fantastic dining experience below street level in this exclusive-but-well-worth-it restaurant
- Georgetown – behind the striking clockmakers’ facade lies a subtropical palace to colonial opulence, decked out in impeccable but tasteful old world grandeur and serving delicious malay cuisine: an experience for all the senses
Cafés, Coffees and Light Meals
As well as a plethora of fine restaurants, Leeds also has a huge range of cafés and places for a drink or light bite. Of course there are countless starbucks, caffe neros, costa coffees, etc but there is also a strong showing from independent places. Many of the above restaurants will do smaller meals and lunch menus during the day but here are a pick of some Leeds cafés:
- Just Bean – more off a coffee stand, this nonetheless was titled best place for coffee in the city, with its organic drinks at reasonable prices
- Wrappid – Fajita/wrap café right in the centre of town
- Bagal Nash – rapidly expanding Leeds bagel chain, with a massive range of bagels and fillings, all extremely tasty – branches include Swan St and The Light
- Citrus – ever-popular café-bar in Headingley and the Corn Exchange
- French Connection – pleasant café in County Arcade (Victoria Quarter)
- Harvey Nichols’ café in the Victoria Quarter serves high quality treats that won’t break the bank
- Roots & Fruits – quality vegetarian café with a relaxed atmosphere in the Grand Arcade
- Sahara – all-day and all-night, it may look a tad grubby but you can’t argue with the food (or the sheesha)
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