Best Restaurants in Leeds

For mega views, super-fresh fare and a whole lotta' craft beer, head to Water Lane Boathouse. Perched on the edge of Leeds' Canal Wharf, this swoon-worthy spot is a guaranteed winner for casual lunches and post-work drinks.

When it comes to the best restaurants in Leeds, Bar Soba should be on your radar. Not only does the Greek Street hotspot offer cocktail masterclasses and great deals, but also a delectable spread of Asian eats.

Set over two floors, Banyan manages to be both a stylish restaurant and a sophisticated bar hangout in one place. Come for an eclectic menu, ranging from brunch and Sunday roasts to sandwiches, burgers and steaks, that you can eat inside or in their large, sun trap alfresco dining area.

Offering the best chicken wings in Leeds, Absurd Bird is a one-stop-shop for all things chicken and waffles. For the ultimate comfort food treat, this great restaurant in Trinity Mall is the spot for you.

Bangkok comes to Leeds in the form of Rosa's Thai Cafe as it serves up a stunning selection of authentic eats from soups and salads to curries and tasty starters.

Housed within the historic Hepper House, Iberica is a stunning place to eat in Leeds. Start your night at the basement wine bar, La Bodega, where you'll find over 70 bottles of Spanish vino to choose from, before heading to the main restaurant for a feast of authentic tapas and sharing paellas.  

Ever eaten in a restaurant and thought 'I can do better than that?' Bulgogi Grill puts that to the test, putting you in control of cooking a variety of locally-sourced meats and seafood that have been marinated in traditional Korean seasonings and sauces. You'll be doing this on the dome grill in the centre of the table, so you can decide exactly how you'd like it done.

Sleek British restaurants upstairs, decadent cocktail bar downstairs, Vice & Virtue is a venue of two faces. If you're upstairs, indulge in a tasting menu of tasty British dishes, paired expertly with drinks, in a quaint, good Leeds restaurant. Once you've finished, you can head downstairs into the debaucherous Vice, delivering Gentleman's Club vibes with wickedly great cocktails.

You probably know Angelica best as a cocktail bar, serving up vibrant and tasty drinks that are the very essence of class. But they are also a good restaurant in Leeds, serving up a variety of cuisines with a focus on British. How's eating lamb with panoramic views of the city sound?

Tharavadu is one of Leeds' best Indian restaurants. With a contemporary aesthetic mixed with regional paintings on the walls, it creates a fun backdrop as you feast on a selection of Kerala dishes. Think seafood curries and regional treats.

Pizza Fella delivers some of the best pizzas in Leeds. Their pizzas are made using fresh dough and are cooked in a wood-fire oven, creating some delicious Neapolitan pizzas, while you sip on their selection of wines and beers.

Well, it has a Michelin star, so you already know it's one of the best restaurants in Leeds. But there's a reason why: at this venue, they ask you to 'pay no attention to that man behind the curtain', meaning don't worry about who's cooking it, rather the taste. And taste you will do, as they serve up a twelve-course tasting menu with names like 'The Insecurity of Postmen in Oakley Sunglasses', along with a wine pairing menu to make things even better.

Cool and contemporary, Shears Yard is a favourite in the city thanks to its charming interior and delicious food. The all-day eatery retains industrial elements from its past life as a rope and canvas manufacture, creating a modern space of exposed red bricks, simple wooden furnishings and hanging lightbulbs, as well as a terrace for alfresco drinking and eating. Perfect for those wanting to grab a bite to eat of their modern European food.

Zaap aims to simulate the experience of buying food in a Bangkok market by combining Thai street signs, up-cycled light features and delicious Thai dishes. The recipes trace back to provinces in the country, which gives an authentic edge to this good Leeds restaurant, and you'll be eating to the tune of Thai pop and rock music playing through their speakers.

Am Kitchen is a sophisticated restaurant in Leeds, with an interior awash with plush silvers and white, coupled with modern furnishings, and a food menu delivering the finest in Indian and Pakistani dishes. It's made all the better with their extensive wine list, which is a perfect accompaniment to their renowned food.

After years travelling Hong Kong and China, the masterminds behind this great Leeds restaurant returned to open Mans Market. Their goal is to deliver modern Chinese cooking in a cool, kitschy oriental environment. Matching a wooden bar area with Chinese lanterns and a shipping container, you'll be treated to a delicious array of Chinese food, such as rice boxes and dim sum, and you can wash it all down with Hong Kong-inspired cocktails.

More of a fun pub than a great Leeds restaurant, we couldn't leave off Calls Landing for one reason: their oysters. Sitting beside the river, you can enjoy fresh oysters – as well as stews and sharing boards – and wash it all down with a variety of wines and beers.

When you've got a chef from Masterchef at the helm of your fine-dining restaurant in Leeds, you know you are in for a treat. They re-imagine classic British dishes, showcasing traditional recipes but in a contemporary way to create some truly delicious dishes. But while it's 'fine-dining', they still aim to create a warm and welcoming environment at the same time.

Sheesh Mahal is one of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds, offering up award-winning food alongside a plush interior. Settle into their velvet seats and tuck into a menu of delicious traditional Indian food, washed down by beers and wine.

Teppanyaki is what happens when you combine theatre and dining. Proving they're one of the best Leeds restaurants, your food is cooked by the chefs in front of you, juggling, flipping and setting fire to your meal of sushi, seafood and meat dishes before your very eyes. There's banter aplenty here, and you can wash it all down with a selection of wines and beers.