The 11 Best Restaurants in Leeds

While this Yorkshire working capital is certainly no London , it ’s also not the culinary wasteland some make it out to be . Beyond builder ’s tea leaf and mum ’s Yorkies , there are plenty of neighborhood eatery that are quiet kick tastebuds ' tush and necessitate you arrive back for more . From cheap , pollyannaish curry to exclusive , experimental brunch , Leeds is catch up – here are the 11 restaurants you need to know .

< h2 > Best high - mass tapas: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / pintura - basque - kitchen - legal community - ls1 - 6ap" ; target="_blank”>Pintura

< em > City CenterWelcome to four floor of basque - inspire Zhou dynasty right in the centre of attention of Ithiel Town . This is Spanish tappa for the masses , from the team that brought you Neon Cactus and Oporto – a perfect spot to englut your brass with a million little plate like Bacalao ( crispy fried cod cheeks with aioli sauce and gremolata ) , Albondigas ( Spanish meatballs with tomato and roast chile ) and Costillas de Cerdo ( Iberico pork ribs , PX glaze , and crispy potato ) . The massive menu makes this a not bad spot for when you just ca n’t adjudicate what you want .

Shears Yard

< h2 > well curry: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / tharavadu - ls1 - 5dq" ; target="_blank”>Tharavadu

< em > City CenterTharavadu had been doing its thing for a while now , and by " matter , " we mean turning out classic , family - style curry . While not quite as advanced as Bundobust next threshold , the constituent here are massive , tasty , and preposterously brassy – the tiffin “ express ” bill of fare will have you fighting a food comatoseness for a fiver . Known for its seafood and veggie option , this place is always in use , so reservations are recommended .

< h2 > Best well-fixed sushi: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / little - tokyo - ls1 - 6de" ; target="_blank”>Little Tokyo

Pintura

< em > City CenterWhile it does n’t see like much from the outside , Little Tokyo has been a Leeds sushi and bento staple for years . With lowered seating – meaning you experience a fleck like you ’re sitting on the floor – & nbsp;and simple - but - cozy ornament , the ambience here is n’t going to modify your life , but when you ’re a few drinks in ( or just craving bento box ) , this topographic point will reach the spot like you never agnise you needed .

< h2 > Best wine bar: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / the - metalworks - ls11 - 5wh" ; target="_blank”>The Foundry

< em > City CenterIt ’s easy for wine-colored measure to decrease firmly into ostentatious territory – not so at The Foundry , where comfortability and accessibility are the name of the game , despite a pretty sizeable menu of options . All the dishful are quondam favourite , but the well - mixed crowd gather in numbers to pack the dining room , looking to start their dark out or keep life in general . Plus , there ’s an international court that ’s perfect for when gay sky seethe around – hey , anything ’s potential !

Tharavadu

< h2 > Best candlelit date spot: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / kendells - bistro - ls9 - 8ah" ; target="_blank”>Kendells Bistro

< em > City CenterWhen you need to wine and dine the hell out of someone , Kendell ’s should be your porthole of call . It just tick all the boxwood with well-situated french fare , a million small candles , chalkboard menus ( there ’s even field glasses if you ’re seated slimly further out ) , and stave that will totally fiddle wingman for you . If you want to roll through early on , you may grate out for around £ 20 for nutrient , leaving your well earned pennies for liquid braveness to train for that home trial .

< h2 > in effect space for groups: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locus / sukhothai - ls7 - 4pe" ; target="_blank”>Sukhothai

The Foundry Wine Bar

< em > City Center ( & amp ; other locations)With a few locations dotted around Leeds , this Thai staple has a immense carte du jour that will leave you wishing for special stomachs to eat it all – of course of study , if you fetch some friends , you actually CAN exhaust it all . The with child booths are perfect for groups , the interior decoration ’s includes screwball intricate wood - carving statues and faculty who will bend over backwards to make certain you have a great time .

< h2 > Best unusual menu: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / shears - M - ls2 - 7eh" ; target="_blank”>Shears Yard

< em > The CallsHigh ceiling , queer Edison lightbulbs , menu item with ingredient like “ Baron Snow of Leicester , ” “ territory ” and “ second ; ” this is relaxed all right dining at it ’s best . From the same crew as the Arts Cafe , the acclaimed Yard likes to play with its food , changing the menu constantly to keep people on their toes with looker that look as good as they smack . There ’s also a bottomless brunch that ’s deserving getting out of layer before noontide for , and not just because it ’s bottomless . Okay , that ’s a big part of it .

Kendells Bistro

< h2 > good taste of Brooklyn: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / the - man - behind - the - drape - ls1 - 7jh" ; target="_blank”>The serviceman Behind the Curtain

< em > City CenterThis quirky , Michelin - starred smack menu experience feel comfortably suited to Brooklyn than Leeds , blot out upstairs through an upscale wearing apparel shop , but the mass have spoken – and booked the place out for almost the next year . Chef Michael O’Hare has create a 12 - course spread with ingredients like eatable pearls and adhere film , intertwining the familiar and alien with dishes like salt & amp ; acetum ox impudence . It might be easier to get around into the Royals ' residence than get a weekend reservation here , though .

< h2 > unspoiled gallery / eatery : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / arts - coffee shop - ls1 - 6dt" ; target="_blank”>Art ’s Cafe

Courtesy of Sukhothai

< em > The CallsPeople get pretty opinionated about artistic creation ’s : either it ’s their go - to spot for simply prepare , eminent - lineament eats in a chilled out place , or it ’s “ totally overrated ” and “ trying too hard . ” It really count on how you sense about ravisher like smoke duck , guacamole , soy & amp ; chilli bandaging , or seared venison haunch , carrot & amp ; ginger purée , with a asterisk anise jus . Having won several Olivier awards , they keep the surroundings passably simple and gallery - esque with eclectic art on the walls that s all available to take home , should you take a fancy to it while masticating .

< h2 > just Italian: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / salvo - salumeria - ls6 - 3px" ; target="_blank”>Salvo ’s Restaurant

< em > HeadingleyAfter winning Best UK Neighbourhood Italian Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4 ’s the “ F Word , ” you might guess this spot would have change – but you ’d be wrong . Besides having to deal with longer queues and tougher reservations , this is still the best restaurant to get amazing Southern Italian chow with a smile , just like how Salvatore Dammone did when he open shop over 40 days ago . Now in the next generation ’s hands , this position is take all the awards and accolades in stride and making sure you leave fatty and glad .

Shears Yard

< h2 > Best place for cured centre fanatics: <a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / friends - of - ham actor - ls1 - 5dl" ; target="_blank”>Friends of Ham

< em > City CenterThere ’s a flyspeck earth floor bar space here , but that ’s only just a puzzle – it ’s actually the basement that ’s about to become your raw place of adoration of treats like Serrano Gran Reserva , aged 18 months and lovingly hired hand - carved , Lardo di Colonnata , Finocchiona and more . If tall mallow is more your thing , do n’t occupy : there ’s a profusion of type , textures , and milks available , source from as nearly as Lancashire and as far as Spain . And , of grade , there ’s an ample selection of wines to pair with all that meat and cheese .

Art’s Cafe

Salvo’s

Friends of Ham