Leeds food guide

The Man Behind the Curtain, Vicar Lane – Newly anointed with a Michelin star, star of Great British Menu Michael O’Hare brings acclaimed concept tasting menus to Leeds city centre.

Crafthouse, Trinity Shopping Centre – Carefully sourced meat and seafood grilled over natural charcoal and wood, a seasonal à la carte menu and cosy Sunday lunch are the mainstays of this traditional British restaurant. The sister venue above, Angelica, offers panoramic city views and moreish cocktails.

Kendells Bistro, St Peter’s Square – High quality French food and wine are very much the focus of this relaxed, intimate bistro, with a regularly changing menu and large prix fixe for early diners.

The Box Tree, Ilkley – Not quite in Leeds, but a short train ride away in Ilkley, this legendary restaurant – open since the early 1960s – has seen many of Britain’s top chefs pass through its Michelin-starred kitchen. Modern French cuisine and an extensive wine cellar.

Betty’s Café Tea Rooms, various locations – This Swiss-inspired bakery and patisserie has been serving elegant afternoon teas and other sweet treats for nearly a hundred years, with six venues in the market towns surrounding Leeds.

North Bar, New Briggate – Opened in 1997 (with claims to be the first craft beer bar in England), they have a huge, constantly changing selection of very well kept beers, in bottle and tap. Its rare tipples, tap takeovers, tastings and brewer visits are best enjoyed outside peak times in this extremely popular bar. Their sister bar, Further North, is located in the Leeds suburb of Chapel Allerton.

Laynes Espresso, New Station St – The best coffee in Leeds can be found just a few steps outside the main railway station, as well as at various outposts across Leeds. Rotating coffee menus, breakfast options and a range of baked goods complete the offering.

The Alchemist, Trinity Shopping Centre – A huge range of crafted cocktails sets this elegant bar apart, with fantastic views of Leeds city centre from their heated wrap-around terrace.

Northern Monk Brewery Company, Marshalls Mill – The tap room of this Leeds craft brewery features twenty draft beers, showcasing their own offerings as well as the best from the north of England and beyond. Brewery tours, tastings and open brew days are also available.

The Stew and Oyster, Roundhay Road – When the summer sun is shining, their riverside terrace is the best place to be in Leeds. Craft beers, an excellent gin selection and fresh oysters are also a big draw.

Briggate Farmers’ Market, Briggate – Running the first and third Sunday of every month, Briggate Farmers’ Market brings homegrown fruit, vegetables and fungi, truly free-range eggs, local honey, unpasteurised cheeses, huge slabs of moist cake and Leeds Bread Co-Op bread to the central shopping district.

Abu Bakar, Queen’s Road – Every ingredient the international cook could want is stocked at Abu Bakar, just outside the city centre in a nearby suburb. There are grains, pulses, spices, pastes, fresh produce and a takeaway food counter selling all kinds of delicious Asian fritters.

Friends of Ham, New Station Street – Neal’s Yard cheeses and European charcuterie can be bought from their delicatessen or eaten in their restaurant, with venues in both Leeds city centre and the nearby town of Ilkley.

Kirkgate Market, Vicar Lane – Leeds city centre’s sprawling main market caters for every budget, with all kinds of fresh food, international ingredients and independent eateries.

Tall Boys Beer Market, Thorntons Arcade – Located in one of Leeds’ charming Victorian shopping arcades, this hipster beer shop and café connected to Northern Monk Brewery sells a huge range of speciality ales and craft beers. They also sell the best bread in Leeds, made by the nearby Leeds Bread Co-Op, as well as handmade crumpets, sandwiches and speciality coffee.