Dining out in Leeds certainly never gets boring as there’s plenty of restaurants in the city centre, and a great variety. Whatever you fancy, there’s plenty of choice available in cuisines from around the world, from Italian and Indian to Mediterranean and East Asian. I’ve chosen five of my favourites from the vibrant restaurant scene in Leeds which I’d definitely recommend.

Akbar’s

With a reputation which precedes them, Akbar’s chain of restaurants are renowned for their high quality Indian dishes, and with good reason. There are two restaurants in Leeds, located on Eastgate and Greek Street, both bustling with hungry locals at the weekends.

Their menu is packed full of authentic starters and chef’s specialties, and (at the Greek Street restaurant) all prepared and cooked in a busy kitchen in view of the patrons. They cater for everyone’s tastes in hot and spicy food: whether you’d prefer a korma, a vindaloo or something completely different. Each restaurant has its own contemporary theme and atmosphere and the staff are friendly and efficient. Akbar’s is the place to go for a brilliant Indian feast!

Blackhouse Grill

What’s your favourite steak? Rump, ribeye, sirloin and fillet are all on the menu at Blackhouse, which can be found on East Parade. They specialise in excellent steak and seafood dishes, served in stylish surroundings. With an extensive wine list, cocktail menu and ‘beers of the month’ to be enjoyed, it is the perfect place to relax with a few drinks and enjoy the live music which is regularly performed to accompany your dinner.

The atmosphere is lively and entertaining, and the restaurant is also family friendly as kids eat free from the children’s menu when adults order from the main menu. With welcoming staff that are happy to help, it all combines to make Blackhouse worth treating yourself to.

Pizza Express

Everyone’s heard of the Pizza Express chain, and probably visited a few too, as their pizzas are great and don’t break the bank. There are three restaurants in Leeds city centre: one positioned behind the corn exchange at The White Cloth Hall, the second at Clarence Dock and my personal favourite at Park Square.

All three are popular and have their own character, but Park Square Pizza Express is located further away from the bustle of the main shopping streets and right next to the lovely haven of Park Square. They serve a range of dishes: thin and lighter pizzas with a range of appetizing toppings and plenty of pasta to choose from. Consistently good quality food, and with money-saving vouchers regularly available, Pizza Express rarely misses the mark.

Ego

If you fancy a taste of the Mediterranean, then the Ego restaurant on King Street is the place to try. Their menu is influence by Spanish, Italian and Greek cuisine with a variety of dishes on offer with something to suit everybody. They offer a great value ‘Lunch Rapido’ menu – the salmon fishcakes and Tuscan meatballs are really good, and also available on the main evening menu.

The restaurant is large and nicely decorated with a suitably Mediterranean theme, and they have an emphasis on using local organic produce in their seasonal menus. As a little extra indulgence, there’s also a range of delicious desserts and liqueur coffees to finish off your meal.

Tampopo

Tampopo is a small chain of East Asian restaurants, with their Leeds site located on South Parade in the city centre. Their menu is jam-packed with so many delicious looking options that it’s hard to choose what to try first! There are small dishes to start or share with friends, salads, hearty noodle soups, stir-fries, curries and noodles and rice dishes cooked in the wok. It’s guaranteed that no two trips to Tampopo will be the same.

There’s influence from Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia among others, and a guide on the menu which tells you where each dish comes from, as Tampopo aims to faithfully reproduce authentic dishes from all over East Asia. The restaurant has long benches which are shared with other diners, and chop sticks for those of you who are dexterous enough to use them!

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Recommended restaurants in Leeds

We all know how popular dining out is, but one of the most enjoyable and relaxing ways to spend a few hours out and about in good company is to start the day with a long and leisurely breakfast before going on to tackle the rigours of the day ahead.

Leeds has plenty of places on offer to choose from. Here are some of the best.

Riveresque

Open during the week from 7.30 and weekends from 8.30, you are always guaranteed to find Riveresque accommodating for breakfast. Located on Bridge End, just off The Calls, it is a pleasant start to the day and well known for its plentiful portions.

Riveresque has garnered a loyal fan base and offers a wide selection of breakfast options at very reasonable prices with its English breakfasts the pick of the bunch. Also on offer is a wide selection of tea and coffee meaning you will be hard pushed to beat Riveresque to kick your day off.

The Reliance

Situated a short distance from Lovell Park, The Reliance is well known for its relaxed and informal atmosphere and in addition to being a great place for a drink, the quality of food on offer also draws people back time and again. Open from 11am on a Sunday to serve brunch, it is the perfect place to head down for a lazy Sunday morning to wile away a couple of hours.

There are plenty of breakfast options, including vegetarian versions, but particularly appealing on the menu is either the Smoked salmon & scrambled eggs on toast or the appetizing homemade black pudding, potato rosti, smoked bacon and poached egg.

La Cafetierre

Located out of the city, this arty looking café has built a steady following and is well worth a visit – particularly with the Hyde Park Picture House located nearby. It has quite a bohemian feel to it with plenty of art and murals dominating the wall space.

Importantly it serves plenty of fresh and often organic food – with the vegetarian breakfast a delight. There are also a wide choice in omelettes along a whole host of fresh and tasty smoothies to start the day, not to mention the huge cups of coffee to really get the day going.

Tiled Hall Café

Something a little bit different is the Tiled Hall Café. Situated between Leeds City Art Gallery and Leeds Central Library, the café is set in the spectacular surroundings of an original piece of stunning Victorian architecture. It is proud to take influence from the Yorkshire region in its menu and strives to source its produce from local suppliers.

The breakfast offerings are at very reasonable prices and range from toasted bacon and sausage sandwiches, a number of pastries and the speciality baked flat mushroom and egg with herb butter on a toasted baguette, which can all be accompanied by a number of teas or freshly brewed coffees. Truly an ideal place to breakfast before heading for a morning of culture nearby.

Norman

Perhaps more well known in nocturnal circles, the food at Norman is something of a well kept secret and on Sunday’s their all-day breakfast have nursed many a tired soul back to health. Pride of place on the menu is its ‘Norman breakfast’ which is a popular choice and excellent value, but a particularly good option here though is the Eggs Florentine, admittedly a personal favourite from my own visits.

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Best places to eat breakfast in Leeds

Leeds is a wonderfully diverse city and as well as being host to number of restaurants, this vibrant city also has a fantastic array of vegan and vegetarian food as long as you know where to look. Most of these vegan eateries are well hidden and can be easily overlooked, but whether you’re looking specifically for a vegan meal, or you just fancy a change from the norm, these five restaurants are well worth discovering.

Little Tokyo

Found in the heart of central Leeds, Little Tokyo is a beautiful restaurant perfect for a relaxing and indulgent evening meal. The vast menu of traditional Japanese dishes caters for every dietary requirement and includes a handful of freshly cooked vegan options.

These range from vegetable dishes to meat alternatives such as teriyaki ‘chicken’ and tofu steak. Despite being reasonably pricey, all dishes are freshly prepared using non-GM products and animal-free fats and have to be tasted to be believed.

Hansas

Situated on North Street, Hansas Gujarati is just a few minutes walk from the city centre and is an award winning all-vegetarian Gujarati restaurant. Vegan and vegetarian food can often prove to be bland and tasteless, however Hansas guarantee to deliver authentic Indian lilotri (vegetable curry) and kathor (curried beans and pulses).

All dishes are freshly prepared and packed with flavour (the mild curry blew my head off). The majority of items on the menu are suitable for vegans, or can be adapted on request. The wine list is also splendid and boasts a varied selection of vegan and organic wines which are a rarity on most menus.

Roots & Fruits

For an informal, quick fix of homemade vegan comfort food the best place to eat is Roots & Fruits. Located in the somewhat forgotten and ageing Grand Arcade, it is easy to overlook this cafe. Offering vegan and vegetarian fast food such as fried breakfasts and burgers.

Roots & Fruits has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere; the ideal place to read a book and enjoy a fresh smoothie in peace. The menu includes vegan versions of childhood favourites such as fruit crumble and custard as well as hearty soups and sandwiches.

Org Organics

Org Organics is a quaint cafe and takeaway on Great George Street which also specialises in alternative therapy and herbal medicines. Whether you’re in the mood for an organic salad, or a full body massage, visiting Org Organics is a relaxing way to spend your day. All produce used is ethically and sustainably sourced, and almost all of it comes from local farms.

They offer a wonderful range of vegan and vegetarian sandwiches and salads to eat in and takeaway (The tofu and ginger chutney on rye bread being a personal favourite). Org Organics was the first organic retailer in Leeds and since its opening, has won a number of awards for its moral trading standards and simple but delicious food.

Out of This World

Although technically not a cafe or restaurant, Out of This World cannot go unmentioned. Originally a health food store, the moderately sized ethical supermarket now has a fully stocked fridge filled with treats such as freshly baked vegan and gluten-free pastries, cakes and sandwiches.

Every so often, they have handmade vegan cupcakes for sale which are not only delicious, but beautifully decorated works of art. Likewise, the handmade and individually wrapped vegan marshmallows are heaven in a box. This store has everything essential for filling a vegan’s kitchen cupboard as well as organic and local fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and vitamins.

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Leeds vegetarian restaurants & cafes

I am by no means a food critique; actually this is my first restaurant review and I have attempted to provide a balanced view, considering I was kindly invited by the Leeds City Inn to try their new spring a la carte menu, along with Karen Bryan, who is one of the UK’s popular travel bloggers, at Europe a la Carte. The City Inn is located in Granary Wharf, on the Leeds riverside.

Click here for information on the hotel and how to book a room.

Choice of two or three course a la carte menu

For a two course meal it’ll cost £16.95, and £21.95 for a three course meal. If you want side orders, such as jersey royal potatoes or Spring Greens then you have to pay £2.95 for each item. To be honest, I do not dine out that often, so £21.95+ seemed expensive to me but you will have to continue reading my review to find out if it is good value for money.

Wide choice of dishes available

For my starter I chose Pan-fried Breast of Quail with honey and five spice, pea and mint risotto cake, balsamic dressing and it was delicious, it’s the first time I have eaten quail. The portion was good, and the risotto cake was filling. The menu had a good selection of dishes and I finally opted for the rump of lamb with lamb belly and kidney, spring lettuce, peas, tomato and feves. The meat was cooked perfectly, delicious and mouth watering.

The only thing that spoilt it for me was that the potatoes were very salty, and the broccoli cold.

To finish the meal off I chose the Bittersweet Chocolate and Pecan Tart, malted banana ice-cream. It was gorgeous but for me, I was full from the starter and main course, so it was the only part of the meal that I didn’t eat in full. The restaurant became busiesr as the night went on which made for a good atmosphere.

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Value for money

So, was it worth the £21.95? I think if you take in to consideration the quality of food, atmosphere, attention to detail, and portions, yes it is good value for money. It’s not somewhere that I would eat at often because of the price, but I can see me going back, once or twice a year, or for special occasions, but next time I would opt for the two course meal.

Great views from the City Inn Sky bar

To finish the night off we went for a few drinks to the Sky bar, on the 13th floor of the City Inn. It had great views of the city, and will be a popular place in the summer. The inside of the bar was trendy, comfortable with leather chairs and seats. Drinks seemed pricey, but I think you are paying for the views.

Things to do at Granary Wharf

Adjacent to the City Inn, you have the Hop pub, a recent addition to Granary Wharf; it has live music, and a great choice of real ales. I tried the Yorkshire Blonde for my pre-meal drink. Make sure you go upstairs; it has a different decor than you’d see in most pubs in Leeds.

In the summer there will be an open-top bus that will run around the city centre and the waterfront area, making sure that locals and tourists get to see this hidden part of the city. A river boat service will also start from the Granary Wharf to Clarence Dock. The Pannier Markets will be held on a new public square, located between the railway arches and the freshly restored graving docks on the last Saturday of each month from April to September.

Hotel near the train station

The City Inn and Granary Wharf is only 5 minutes walk from city centre, where you will find the city’s museums and art galleries, shopping areas and tons of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants. For those looking for a hotel near the train station, the Leeds City Inn is a stone’s throw.

Click here for information on the hotel and how to book a room.

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Review of Leeds City Inn hotel restaurant

For many, lunch options are often seen as just grabbing ‘a quick sandwich’, without much thought or care taken into how or where it is obtained. Whilst seen as a something simple, the making of a sandwich can too often be left in the wrong hands, leading to an altogether disappointing and underwhelming lunch. Whether you are popping out from the office, after a pit-stop during a shopping trip or have a couple of hours to idle a lunchtime away, we present you with the best options for sandwiches in Leeds:.

La Bottega Milanese

A relative newcomer on the scene, La Bottega Milanese has nonetheless built itself an impressive reputation in a very short time indeed. Tired of what was seen as poor value elsewhere, the idea was to create and replicate the Italian Espresso Bar concept right here in Leeds.

La Bottega Milanese has now branched out into sandwiches and every bit of care and attention to details is afforded to them as it is with their pursuit of serving the finest authentic coffee. Open seven days a week and focusing on quality.

From the understated ‘Il Caprese’ (Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil, Vine tomatoes and olive oil) through to the classic ‘Il Milanese’ (Smoked Parma ham, parmesan shavings, Rocket, Lemon, Mayo and Olive Oil) in addition to salads, toasties and deli pots, this new arrival on the scene has quickly forged itself an impressive reputation.

The Hearty Sandwich

The Hearty Sandwich labels themselves as ‘more than just a sandwich bar’ and certainly live up to the billing. They boast a huge ranging menu, starting with English breakfast specials for even the biggest appetites through to a lunch menu offering Deli style, melts and traditional sandwiches with the ability to add any ingredient to your order, not to mention an excellent choice of smoothies and shakes.

They produce a wide range of foods themselves, including sauces, meats, salads and hot dishes in addition to also serving Fairtrade tea, coffee and drinking chocolate and are committed to using local suppliers. Impressively they also vow to recycle all cardboard, paper and tins that are used.

Salts Delicatessen

Another that can be classed as more than just a sandwich shop is Salts delicatessen. Offering a wide range of imported hams, cheeses, wines and provisions, they are however most known for the excellent sandwiches with the tried and tested favourites such as Yorkshire outdoor reared dry-cured ham and Colman’s traditional strong English mustard and the more exotic Chorizo Iberico, Brie de Meaux, spiced pear chutney and watercress from their list of specials. There is a strong Spanish influence on much of what Salts offer and it is well worth experiencing a taste of Iberia by giving them a visit.

Millies Fresh and Organic

The winner of the Leeds Guide takeaway awards in 2009, Millies Fresh and Organic continues to go from strength to strength. In addition to offering soups and sandwiches, there is also a stunning variety of health foods, deli items, fruit and veg and even hampers – with all produce often sourced locally throughout Yorkshire. They also open right through until 7pm – meaning that a post work visit is very tempting.

Philpotts

Although Philpotts now have a number of establishments across the North of England, they remain true to their independent principles and are renowned for their excellent ingredients and service. A favourite with the business community given their locations and ability to cater, they offer a wide range of lunches including soup, salads and sandwiches, with a particular favourite was their April special, Thai marinated Chicken with Crunchy Peppers & Spinach with Low Calorie Sweet Chilli & Coriander Mayonnaise.

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Five sandwich shops to eat out in Leeds