Leeds is full of great restaurants – it’s just a matter of knowing where to look.
Finding yourself visiting the same restaurant time and time again? We get it. Luckily, we’ve worked (and ate) our way across the city to bring you the ultimate roundup of out-of-the-way eateries you have to try. Be it relaxed bistros or the city’s first hotpot restaurant, you’re sure to find your new favourite spot right here.
Crown Hotpot
You don’t get many restaurants that are more hidden than Crown Hotpot. Authentic, delicious and no-frills, it’s just waiting to be discovered at the top of the stairs inside Taste the Orient supermarket. It’s a taste of home for the city’s international students, and is bound to keep you coming back for more.
Walk in and you’ll be hit by the enticing scent of aromatic bowls of steaming broth, found at the centre of every table. Choose your base (there’s nine), before getting to work adding all manner of tasty treats, from classic chicken and pork belly to the more adventurous beef tripe and chicken feet. It’s the perfect feast, ideal for catching up with friends over some of the best food in Leeds.
Where you’ll find it: Crown Hotpot, Taste the Orient, Blenheim Terrace, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9HJ.
We recommend: The mussels and baby squid, they were so fresh and tasty.
Empire Cafe
We’ll never stop raving about Empire Cafe. You’ll have to go out of your way to find it (it’s hidden down a side street), but it encapsulates everything that’s so great about Leeds, from its lovely, warm hospitality to the locally sourced ingredients straight from Kirkgate Market.
It’s small inside, with low-lit, cosy corners to hunker down in. The small plates change pretty much daily, so you’re always kept on your toes – on previous visits we’ve gone for a peanut butter and jelly flatbread (it was surprisingly spicy!). Elsewhere, the ‘Wall of Flame’ chicken rotisserie spins all day, served whichever way you like it – just be sure to grab a side of chicken schmaltz potatoes.
Where you’ll find it: The Empire Cafe, 6 Fish Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DB.
We recommend: You can’t go wrong with the steak and chips – it’s an Empire Cafe classic.
Wen’s
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Wen’s is the definition of a hidden gem. It’s slightly further afield on North Street, but the walk is worth it for the delicious food that awaits. The inside is warm, comforting and entirely unpretentious, which is reflected in the Chinese dishes that Mrs Wen cooks up herself.
You can order dishes for yourself, but when we went, we chose to mix ’n’ match so we could fully explore the menu. The dumplings were a must, followed by a spicy mapo tofu, a hearty portion of egg-fried rice, braised aubergine and more. Our favourite was the stir-fried broccoli with garlic – that’s what we love about Wen’s, they manage to take something so simple and make it so delicious.
Where you’ll find it: Wen’s Restaurant, 72-74 North Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7PN.
We recommend: The dry-fried chicken, if you can handle the heat.
La Taberna
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Walk down York Place and you may not notice La Taberna, but that doesn’t mean it should be underestimated. The tucked-away tapas bar was established by husband and wife duo Andres and Vivi, who wanted to showcase their love of Spanish food in a small and intimate setting.
So, what’s on the cards? There are 20 dishes of delicious traditional tapas to choose from, so you and your pals can load up your table with patatas bravas, aubergine fritters, chorizo al vino, calamari and more. The star of the show, though, has to be the chargrilled flat iron steak – it comes dressed with a decadent green parsley sauce.
Where you’ll find it: La Taberna, Britannia House, 16 York Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2EU.
We recommend: Getting three plates per person as four can be too filling.
Mr Su’s Noodles
Mr Su’s is all about dishing up tasty eats at affordable prices. They have two city centre eateries, one up near the university and one on Cross Belgrave Street, so you’re never too far away from a bowl of steaming hot noodles – trust us, they’re some of the best in Leeds.
All of the noodles are handmade, and you can enjoy them three ways – soup style, on their own or – our favourite – hotpot. Also known as Chinese oil noodles, they’re chewy and absorb the savoury sauce excellently. You can choose from sliced beef, seafood, grilled duck and more – be warned, though, the portions here are seriously big, so get your chopsticks at the ready!
Where you’ll find it: Mr Su’s Noodles, 24 Blenheim Terrace, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9HD & Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP.
We recommend: A side of the lamb and spring onion dumplings – they’re juicy and tender.
