If you are a foodie, then you want to make the most of a new location by enjoying some of the local grub that is rated highly by visitors and residents alike. Leeds is a well-adored northern city on the doorstep of some of the most incredible landscapes, it has a lot of its own unique character, and with that, it’s got some delicious food spots that are must go to during your planned visit.
Whether you are looking for classic local spots or fine dining experiences, here is a mixed selection of restaurants in Leeds.
Fine Dining & Tasting Menus
Chef Jono at V&V
If you are looking for quality food, Chef Jono is a serious foodie destination with a mixture of deconstructed British classics and playful dishes that are a party in your mouth. They are a very chef-led experience and considered one of the most innovative restaurants in Leeds.
- Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Dinner, Drinks
- £100+ per person
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Six By Nico
More of a chain tasting menu option, but it’s become a chain due to it’s investive, evolving and highly successful themes. Every few weeks, they offer a new theme where the menu is based on, such as ‘The Chippie’, ‘New York’ and everything in between. It’s a great spot that you can go back to again and again, and it will be completely different.
- Vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free options
- Lunch, Dinner
- Table Service
- £50+ per person
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British Grills
Ox Club
One of Leeds’ standout restaurants is the Ox Club; its uniqueness lies in being a wood-fired, top-tier meat and seasonal plate grill, which is a great food spot for meat lovers. Renowned for great steak and a selection of side plates to choose from, you can never go wrong with British Steak House.
- Vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free options
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accepts Credit Cards
- £30+ per person
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Eat Your Greens
A cult favourite, it is a vegetable-led, hyper-seasonal cooking with a focus on fermentation and sustainability. Even meat-eaters rate this highly for creativity and flavour. We had to include a dedicated vegetarian- and vegan-friendly restaurant, as there are so many good spots for these, but a lot of meat-eaters also love something more focused on flavour than on meat.
- Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Accepts credit cards: American Express, Mastercard, Visa
- Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
- £20+ per person
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Fazenda
This is another meat haven with a very unique experience, Brazilian-inspired that offers a bottomless meat concept with a range of flavours, cuts, and a huge range of salad and side options that are also bottomless options. This rodizio is done at a very high level, which makes it a standout restaurant.
- Vegetarian-friendly, Gluten-free options
- Accepts credit cards: American Express, Mastercard, Visa
- Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
- £60+ per person
European Food Places
Sous Le Nez
French-inspired fine dining with flawless meat cookery and classic sauces which are very consistent and quietly elite. It’s especially a great option if you want a break from British cuisine and want to see what European options Leeds has to offer.
- Suitable for vegetarians, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Credit cards accepted
- Lunch, Dinner, Open Late
- £30+ per person
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La Piola
You can’t go wrong with a great Italian, they are a classic and always delicious option that are fan favourites of Brits. La Piola is an authentic Italian restaurant that is independently run and very well rated in Leeds. Think proper Piedmont-style dishes, handmade pasta, and a short, focused menu.
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Lunch, Dinner
- Table Service
- £20+ per person
Da Vito Restaurante
Classic Italian done properly with family-run vibes, excellent pasta, and very consistent good food. A bit under the radar, but locals rate it highly, so if you are looking for unique to Leeds food, Da Vito could make the cut and should.
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Accepts credit cards: American Express
- Lunch, Dinner
- £20+ per person
Asian Cusines
Tattu Leeds
Another chain option, however, it’s well known for being an incredible and consistent luxury meal option with incredible decor to surround you while eating great food. Modern Chinese fine dining with insane presentation (think cherry blossom interiors, dramatic plating). It’s more “experience + aesthetic”, but the food is still very solid.
- Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Accepts credit cards: American Express, Mastercard, Visa
- Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
- £60+ per person
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Blue Pavilion
A bit more under-the-radar but serious quality Cantonese cooking. Known for refined dishes and consistent execution, more “foodie” than flashy, if you wanted something that takes more pride in their food than their decor.
- Vegetarian friendly
- Accepts credit cards: American Express, Mastercard, Visa
- Lunch, Dinner
- £28+ per person
Sukhothai Restaurant
One of the best Thai restaurants in the North. Big flavours, authentic dishes, and consistently excellent if you want something less “fine dining” but still top-tier.
- Vegetarian-friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
- £15+ per person
Final Thoughts
The list truly goes on when it comes to well-rated and delicious places to eat in Leeds for foodies. Be sure to join local groups and forums that discuss in depth their experiences at these places before you book.
The author, Esme Sheppard is a graduate with a passion for journalism and travel. After living in London since she was 18, she knew that the city was for her, and she hasn’t stopped writing about it.
