This is the Absolute Best Comfort Food in Leeds

From loaded fries to hearty pies, cosy up with some of the best comfort food in Leeds.

When you’re not in the mood for salad and a sandwich just won’t do, fear not – Leeds is the capital of wonderful comfort food. Whether you fancy a good ol’ fish and chips, a hearty bowl of noodles or a proper roast dinner, there’s plenty to choose from when you need a food-shaped pick-me-up. If you’re hungry and in need of the ultimate comfort food, make your way through this list. You won’t regret it.

Fish & Chips at Whitelock’s

Nothing screams comfort food more than fish and chips, and Whitelock’s has one of the finest in Leeds. The historic ale house serves its whopping great beer-battered haddock on top of some proper chunky chips. The result? Succulent fish, crispy batter, lashings of vinegar and – of course – a hefty serving of mushy peas to dip those big fat chips into. Pair this with a cosy interior and excellent ales and honestly, what could be better?

Whitelock’s Ale House, Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HB.

Session Fries at Patty’s Burgers

Patty’s are known for slinging burgers aplenty at Belgrave, but their Session Fries promise a hearty feed well worth visiting for. Fancy diving into a share-size portion of twice-cooked skin-on fries topped with smoked pancetta and pecorino cheese? Course you do, but there’s more. These iconic fries are loaded with fried rosemary, pickled chillies, sriracha mayo and rosemary sea salt. Only one question remains – are you sharing? Probably not.

Belgrave Music Hall, Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP.

Roast Dinner at The Brunswick

It isn’t a Sunday without a roast, and The Brunswick is known city-wide for its belly-filling offerings. All of their roasts come with all the staples – a Yorkshire pudding is joined by roasties, maple-glazed carrots, cabbage and gravy. But that’s not all – a mini Bloody Mary takes the comfort up a notch. When it comes to the meat, take your pick from beef topside, porchetta or chicken supreme, with a veggie and vegan option too. All bellies leave full.

The Brunswick, 82 North Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7PN.

Pad Thai at Thai Aroy Dee

Noodle-lovers, is there anything more satisfying than a steaming bowl of pad Thai? Thai Aroy Dee is the place to go for this comfort food favourite in Leeds. This authentic dish centres around rice noodles stir-fried in moreish tamarind sauce. It’s then loaded up with soft scrambled egg, crispy beansprouts and crunchy peanuts. You can order it meat-free, or take it up a notch by adding chicken, pork, beef or prawns.

Thai a Roy Dee, 120-122 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7NL.

Cookie Dough at My Cookie Dough

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with My Cookie Dough. Crisp on the outside but warm and gooey on the inside, the freshly-baked cookie dough is a great big hug in a box, and pairs perfectly with a soft scoop of ice cream. Choose from a classic, such as triple chocolate brownie, or go wild with red velvet or decadent Lotus Biscoff. Feeling extra indulgent? Go for a stack – layers of cookie dough served with double ice cream.

My Cookie Dough, 24 Albion Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6JS.

Dhal at Bundobust

A warming pot of dhal is good for the soul, and Bundo’s dhal is certainly something special. Packed with onions, garlic, roasted cumin and mild chilli, it’s a deliciously soothing dish that’s perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather. Served on top of a bed of fluffy basmati rice, you can’t go wrong with this classic vegan comfort food staple. Pull up a stool and lose yourself in spicy street food heaven, right in the heart of Leeds.

Bundobust, 6 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DQ.

Pie & Peas at The Duck & Drake

Pile into the snug at The Duck & Drake and treat yourself to a wholesome meal of pie and peas. Their locally-sourced pork pies sit proudly atop the bar, teasing you to order. It’s a wonderfully simple affair – tasty, meaty and a match made in heaven for some live music and a few scoops. Served with oodles of gravy, gloriously mushy peas and a tangy mint sauce, this is proper Yorkshire fare, in a proper Yorkshire pub. It’s no-frills and we love it.

The Duck and Drake, 43 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DR.

Grilled Cheese at Outlaws Yacht Club

The legendary Outlaws grilled cheese draws in punters from far and wide, and it’s easy to see why. The star of a small but mighty menu, there’s only one grilled cheese to go for, and it’s hand-crafted to perfection. Not one, not two, but three types of cheese – farmhouse cheddar, Emmental and brie – are melted and topped with spicy gherkin, red onion and cayenne, all toasted in local sourdough. Oh it’s darned good.

Outlaws Yacht Club, 38 New York Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DY.

Pancakes at Cha Lounge

Cha Lounge’s giant pancakes will fill your heart and your belly. Take your pick from three indulgent options – the classic bacon and maple syrup and the Nutella, banana and toasted cashews are fine choices, but it’s the house special that steals the show, Gemma’s buttermilk pancake. A blueberry pancake adorned with strawberries, honey, yoghurt and chia seeds. Scoffed in their homely, brunch-loving cafe, it’s the perfect comforting day-starter.

Cha Lounge, 24-26 Dock Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JF.

Yorkshire Pudding Burger at Wapentake

Wapentake is known Leeds-wide for hearty local fare, and its signature Yorkshire pudding burger is the highlight from a menu full of comfort food favourites. Choose from locally-sourced chicken or beef and it’ll come smothered in cheese and bacon, sandwiched between two fluffy Yorkshire puds and drenched in gravy. If that’s not enough, this monster burger comes with wedges and a big jug of yet more thick gravy. You best be hungry.

Wapentake, 92 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DJ.

Cover image credit: © Copyright Leeds-List 2023 by Ellie Hodgson