From city centre curry houses to Keralan kitchens, Goan small plates and vegetarian street food, Leeds has no shortage of brilliant Indian restaurants.
Whether you’re after a classic post-pint curry, a special-occasion dinner or a quick vegetarian lunch, this guide rounds up some of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds, with standout dishes, neighbourhood favourites and city centre staples all in the mix.
Looking for a bargain? Check out our guide to restaurant offers in Leeds.
Quick picks: Best Indian restaurants in Leeds
De Baga
Credit: De Baga
De Baga brought top notch Goan cuisine to Headingley, and Headingley loved it. So they opened a second branch in Chapel Allerton – what they’re doing is clearly working. This isn’t a purist place, instead it’s a marriage of Indian cuisine with a nod to modern British ingredients and seasonality.
Barnstormers include the Lamb Xacuti, an intensely flavoured lamb leg curry with coconut, and Mankios Fry, an Indian version of calamari with chaat masala and coconut dip. The Chapel Allerton branch has its own dishes to add to the mix – chicken lollipops, anyone?
Best for: Goan-inspired dishes and sharing plates in the suburbs.
Where: De Baga, 9 Otley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AA & 8b Stainbeck Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 3QY.
Kerala Canteen
Credit: Kerala Canteen
Visit Kerala Canteen and you can savour the unique taste of coastal Indian cuisine within stunning surroundings. Step inside and you’ll find gorgeous interiors, all dark woods, hanging florals and a warm atmosphere throughout – setting the scene perfectly for what’s to come.
With a menu created by MasterChef’s Bobby Geetha, expect mouth-watering small plates like duck kothu porotta and flat iron beef and bone marrow curry, alongside a marvellous twist on Sunday dinner. Don’t sleep on the cocktails either – we love their Bloody Chutney Mary, made with coriander-infused vodka and house tomato chutney.
Best for: Cocktails and unique twists on the classics.
Where: Kerala Canteen, 5 St Peter’s Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 8AQ.
Cinnamon Kitchen
Set within the historic Queens Hotel, Cinnamon Kitchen boasts stunning interiors and a convenient city centre location. You’ll be greeted by an opulent bar area, before heading through to the warm and inviting dining room. Already a hit in London, the restaurant has wasted no time in winning over loyal fans up north.
The menu has been expertly crafted by Executive Chef Vivek Singh, boldly blending authentic Indian flavours with contemporary cooking flair and Yorkshire flavours. Tuck into the likes of the imaginative lamb rogan shepherd’s pie, the succulent Malabar boatman’s fish curry or the lip-smacking rhubarb kadhi. With innovative cocktails, delectable desserts and friendly service to boot, it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Best for: Date nights and modern Indian cooking.
Where: Cinnamon Kitchen, The Queens Hotel, City Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 1PJ.
Jodhpur
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Jodhpur brings the vibrant flavours of India straight to Kirkstall Road, and boy, do they do a good job. Walk by and it may be their beautiful blue exterior that draws you in, but trust us, it’ll be the food that’ll keep you coming back.
The lamb madras is perfectly coconutty, the dal makhani a lentil-lover’s dream and the spicy chicken kolhapuri is perfect for those who want a bit of heat. Throw in those oh-so-important onion bhajis, a chilli cheese dosa (yes please) and masala poppadoms and you have a recipe for one of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds.
Best for: Authentic Indian food in the suburbs.
Where: Jodhpur, 352-354 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2HQ.
Tharavadu
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This legendary Indian restaurant has become one of Leeds’ most beloved eateries. Step inside, take a seat under the wooden roof and you could be in Kerala – a feeling the fabulously fragrant dishes reinforce.
Prepare to have your senses sent into a swoon by Meen Pollichatu – grilled fish fillet in perfectly spiced sauce – or the boneless lamb cubes, spinach and sauce of the show-stopping Adu Cheera Mappas. Visit at lunchtime and you can snag one of the city’s best-value deals – a chicken, lamb or vegetarian thali, yours for under a tenner.
Best for: Much-loved Keralan cuisine.
Where: Tharavadu, 7-8 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DQ.
Uyare
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The latest venture from the Tharavadu team, Uyare is a rooftop South Indian restaurant inside Victoria Gate. With sleek interiors, panoramic city views and polished service, it’s quickly become one of Leeds’ most impressive spots for a special occasion dinner. Named after the Malayalam word for ‘higher’, the restaurant brings a more refined take on Keralan cooking to the city centre.
The menu spans South Indian favourites, from fiery lamb pepper fry to Meen Chatti Curry – a rich, tangy fish curry commonly found in homes across Kerala. Drinks are no afterthought, with signature cocktails sitting alongside Uyare lager, brewed in collaboration with Kirkstall Brewery.
Best for: Date night with a view.
Where: Uyare, Victoria Gate 3rd Floor, Rooftop, George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7AU.
Deeva
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One of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds, Deeva is a Farsley fave with a dash of elegance in the mix. Set in what was once a church, the locals pile in for a comprehensive menu that ticks all the boxes you know and love – jalfrezi and biryani are all present and correct – and throws in a few curveballs.
Tandoori cod flakes off on your fork to deliver taste bombs, while Chicken Lassan is cooked with lemon, lime and pickled garlic for a well-judged hit of citric sourness. Can’t choose a starter? The seafood platter for two is a stunner.
Best for: Neighbourhood curry nights.
Where: Deeva, 58 Town Street, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 5LD.
Akbar’s
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When it comes to a post-pint curry in Leeds, few places do it better than Akbar’s. Reading the menu is like reading a cherished book, as all the classics line up for your feasting delight. The baltis are no-fuss crowd pleasers, the korma is a great entry-level dish for any doubters, but there are a few off-piste treats in there too.
Chicken liver tikka is a revelation, lamb chops are chargrilled to perfection. Fancy testing yourself? There are two Chef’s Challenges, one that’s all about size, the other about heat. Finish either and you’ll get a certificate and free dessert.
Best for: Hearty portions and post-pint curries.
Where: Akbar’s, 15 Eastgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7LY.
Shabab
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The past 50 years may have seen Shabab at different venues across Leeds city centre, but one thing that’s remained the same is their delicious Indian food. Drawing upon flavours from across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, expert chefs whip up a tantalising array of dishes to suit every curry lover.
All the classics are present and correct, from crispy onion bhajis to tongue-tingling madras, but why not go for one of the more exotic recommendations? The Dhunwan Dani sees diced lamb tastefully smoked with ghee, the Nehari is great for breakfast, but we recommend the Kalaigi – chicken liver marinated with spices and cooked in a spicy sauce.
Best for: Reliable Indian food near the train station.
Where: Shabab, 66 Wellington Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2EE.
Dastaan
There’s no doubt about it, Dastaan is one of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds. Forget your tikka masalas, kormas and vindaloos, because this is an eatery that’s all about putting a contemporary twist on traditional Indian dishes – they even do a tasting menu.
Starters will see you tuck into delights like chicken lollipops and beetroot tikki perfectly paired with zingy tadka yoghurt before it’s time for the main event. We’re talking creamy paneer Makhani, Malabar prawn curry and Meen Moilee, which sees fish cooked with coconut and fragrant coastal spices. Top tip – a flaky, buttery paratha is bound to elevate any dish you get.
Best for: Contemporary Indian flavours and tasting menus.
Where: Dastaan, 473 Otley Road, Adel, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 7NR.
Bundobust
Credit: Bundobust
Whenever the question ‘where shall we go for lunch?’ is asked in Leeds, someone is bound to say Bundobust. The original – and still the best – spot is packed out all day long, slowly converting even the hardiest carnivores to the delights of vegetarian and vegan Indian grub.
The paneer tikka with mushrooms is a thing of wonder, the bhaji butty a staple that never does less than satisfy. Munch your way through their marvellous menu of sharing plates, pairing the food with one of their own-brewed beers, guest ales or Indian-inspired cocktails. Bliss.
Best for: Vegetarian and vegan Indian street food.
Where: Bundobust, 6 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DQ.
Bengal Brasserie
With three branches in Leeds alone, Bengal Brasserie must be doing something right. And that something is bold and flavourful Bengali cookery, with a menu that runs the gamut from classics to less familiar dishes, vegetarian to meat and fish options.
The tandoori prawns are spiced to perfection and served sizzling and juicy, while those in need of a punch to the palate should go for the Naga Chilli Mach – whole fish prepared with fiery naga chillies. Want a top tip? We think luscious lamb chops are worth the visit alone.
Best for: Spicy Bengali dishes.
Where: Bengal Brasserie, 5 Merrion Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8BT & 633B Roundhay Road, Oakwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 4BA & 65 Haddon Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2JE.
The Cat’s Pyjamas
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Turning much-loved Indian dishes into small plates might not be rocket science, but it definitely qualifies as genius. It means that rather than filling up on one huge curry, you can try a bit of whatever takes your fancy – and at The Cat’s Pyjamas, an array of vibrant dishes will take your fancy.
Kick off with Pani Puri with a punchy tamarind chutney, then glide through Punjabi Lamb, Railway Potato Curry and pillowy naan breads that even include a must-try Yorkshire cheese naan – fusion food we can really get behind.
Best for: Indian small plates in Headingley.
Where: Cat’s Pyjamas, 53 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AB.
Kerala Restaurant
The food focus in Kerala Restaurant is, as the name suggests, Southern Indian cuisine. Not just Kerala, however, but also from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. That means you can feast on everything from vegetarian dishes to fabulous fish enhanced with coconut, lime and an encyclopaedia of spices.
Make sure you try the Meen Koottan, a thick, rich fish curry, and the comforting Kerala Chicken Curry, brought to life with turmeric, garlic and ginger. With an ice cold Kingfisher on side, life gets no grander.
Best for: South Indian seafood dishes.
Where: Kerala Restaurant, 2 Eastgate, The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7JL.
Rasoi Stories
Occupying a prime spot inside a former police station, the food at Chapel Allerton’s Rasoi Stories is certainly arresting. Start with poppadoms and pickles, then take a deep dive into a menu that’s big on authenticity.
Amritsar Machchi is a starter that proves this is a serious kitchen, fish battered, fried and dusted with ajwain and amchoor. From the mains, the Lamb Tak a Tak, Kathal Lazeez and Monkfish Malabar are all desert island dishes you’ll be back for. Cocktails, mocktails and a delicate rose and almond lassi will cool your tastebuds.
Best for: An atmospheric meal within a Grade-II listed former police station.
Where: Rasoi Stories, The Old Police Station, 106a Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 4LZ.
Manjit’s Kitchen
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The vegetarian Punjabi food at Manjit’s Kitchen consistently punches well above its weight, so when you head to their Kirkgate Market home, you’re in for a treat. The chilli paneer wraps are the stuff of takeaway legend, but the multi-curry Thali is the wise choice.
You get to taste the best of what their kitchen serves up, with the likes of dhal, cumin rice, squash kofta and roti vying for your tastebuds’ attention. Head there on a Wednesday or Thursday and it’s buy one, get the second one for half price on Thalis – bargain!
Best for: Budget-friendly lunches that are packed with flavour.
Where: Manjit’s Kitchen, Leeds Kirkgate Market, 28-34 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY.
