The Headingley of 10 to 15 years ago received much bad press for pandering solely to the decadent lifestyle of its condensed student population and was largely dismissed as an area of diverse and enriching cultural offerings. Today, Headingley, as a concentrated quarter of shopping, eating and drinking has matched the ambition and influence of the universities and the Rugby and Cricket clubs in grabbing the opportunity to offer more to its local population and the visiting crowds the area attracts.

Home to Yorkshire Cricket and Rugby League

From April to September each year, and particularly when hosting England International matches, Yorkshire Cricket club attracts fans to the Headingley area, often staying in the vicinity overnight and requiring local sustenance during lunch breaks or at the close of play each day.

Similarly, the two Rugby clubs Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Carnegie, who share the neighbouring Rugby Football ground, play games all year round now and attract local and visiting fans to games in good numbers. Add to that the student population in the city of 200,000 and it’s clear to see that Headingley has a captive market requiring an assortment of enticing options.

Thriving local independent places to eat

What strikes you most when walking around the area today is the array of local, independent enterprise. This has always been there to some extent but along the main streets of Otley Road and North Lane there are now as many as nine independent café/deli’s offering a personable selection of resident, home-cooked delicacies and the inviting and comfortable ambience that is not always present in the many fast food shops that share the same streets.

True, there is Costa Coffee, Greggs and Subway, amongst others, attempting to tap into the same market, but the sheer number of individualistic establishments available suggests that there is a preference for the more particular and intimate feel.

Good mixture of pubs

Headingley has always had a reputation for good pubs and that remains to this day. A staple ingredient of a students’ initiation into life in Leeds for many years has been the ‘Otley Run’, or more accurately the ‘Otley Wobble’. This involves starting proceedings in the Woodies Ale House at the top end of Otley Road near the Becketts Park University Campus and taking in the many traditional pubs en route into central Leeds, basically as many as you can manage.

From Woodies you have the Three Horseshoes and New Inn within yards of each other before a five minute walk to Headingley Taps, which in 1994 became the most recent traditional pub addition to the area, and then onto the two behemoths of Headingley nightlife, the Skyrack and Original Oak, who sit across the road from each other just before Otley Road turns into Headingley Lane.

Recommended places to eat in Headingley

In between those pubs, recent years have seen a healthy sprinkling of bar/restaurants appearing which now offer a huge choice for anyone combining both pursuits or sticking to just the one. The Box, situated around the corner from the Skyrack and The Arc; a huge, imposing building set back from the top of North Lane, are the most significant of these.

Both modern and inviting and with good, varied menus The Box and The Arc are capable of versatility and evolving from an appealing place to eat to a lively and alluring place to drink without you even noticing. Add to these the smaller venues of the three –floor Voodoo Café Bar at the top of North Lane (offering, food, drink and pool tables).

Trio Bar & Grill further down North Lane towards the cricket ground and Arcadia Ale & Wine Bar on Otley Road, and there is now sufficient choice to suggest the ‘Otley Wobble’ rarely ends up in Leeds City Centre any more, and any participants are likely to be well fed in the meantime.

Award winning Headingley restaurants

For any visitors wishing to stay away from the more buoyant and spirited aspects of Headingley nightlife there is also a liberal dash of fine restaurants to suit all tastes along the main streets of LS6. Tariq’s Indian next to the Skyrack is well established as is the Caliente Mexican Café around the corner.

There are also the award-winning Salvo’s Italian and Sukhothai, situated on Otley Road at the crossroads with St Anne’s Road, which have both helped to add a refinement and quality to the Headingley experience. Further up Otley Road towards Becketts Park there is an Olive Tree and Giorgio’s Italian, plus the two famous and traditional Fish ‘n Chip and Seafood restaurants of Bryans and Brett’s to complete the culinary journey around the world.

Added to all the choice, is the proximity to the Rugby and Cricket grounds (everything listed here is within ten minutes’ walk of those venues) and the availability of several local hotels and everything is in place to ensure a visit to Headingley is convenient, varied and hugely pleasurable.

Leeds Map

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Places to eat and drink in Headingley

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Leeds may not quite attract the attention that Manchester’s Chinatown area does when it comes to Chinese restaurants, but this should in no way detract from the fact that here in Leeds there are many restaurants that more than stand comparison with those elsewhere. Casting my eye around for you, below I profile six of the better ones to try.

Zen Rendezvous

Zen Rendezvous is located in the heart of Guiseley and possesses a more contemporary feel than your usual Chinese restaurant with its striking red colour and glass-fronted façade. It has won numerous awards during its time, and was even featured on Channel 4’s ‘Gordon Ramsey’s F-Word’.

The décor inside is a modern take on the traditional and the menu likewise, featuring a number of typical Chinese dishes that include meat and fish combinations in black bean, oyster or OK sauce, or with cashew nuts alongside choices such as crab, dumplings and even frogs legs.

The restaurant has over the years built itself a strong reputation and continues to remain a popular destination.

Maxi’s

Established in 1989, Maxi’s specialises in Cantonese and Peking cuisine. One of the larger restaurants around, it caters for over 200 people with extensive A La Carte, Set Meal and Special Banquet menus as well as offering a sizeable dim sum menu between 12-6pm.

It may have a slightly dated feel to it inside but the service is excellent and with a menu packed with both a wide choice and generous portion sizes it is clear to see why it has stood the test of time as one of the popular Chinese restaurants in Leeds.

Maxi’s also has its sister establishment ‘Maxi’s Rotisserie’ based inside Leeds Kirkgate Market on the Butcher’s Row, serving specialised roast meats like suckling pig, peking roast duck, char siu, premium soya sauce chicken as well freshly baked buns and cakes.

Red Chilli

Possessing a number of awards to its name, Red Chilli labels itself as a restaurant with a mission – to enhance your experience in Chinese food by looking after your pocket, stomach and soul.

The restaurant is certainly striking with its red, gold and green colour scheme and specialises in Beijing and Sichuan dishes. It offers both an impressive set menu and particularly caters for those who are looking for a little more adventure with their food, with dishes such as braised aubergine, belly pork and vegetable casserole or seafood noodles; most definitely making it stand out from the crowd.

Tong Palace

Located close by to Leeds Grand Theatre on Vicar Lane is this gem of a restaurant that serves genuinely authentic Chinese and Vietnamese food. Inside, it is your typical Chinese restaurant in terms of its layout and style but there is nothing standard about the food on offer. Boasting a strong menu with plenty of interesting choices, the Chinese-style roast belly pork is perhaps the pick with some claiming it to offer the best dim sum in Leeds.

Whilst all dishes are tempting, if you are feeling a touch extravagant why not try the shark fin and crab meat soup or lobster in ginger and spring onion with yee min, which although on the more expensive side are an experience definitely worth trying.

Oriental City Restaurant

The Oriental City restaurant opened its doors around five years ago with an aim to offer Oriental cuisine in elegant surroundings. The restaurant forms part of the Sing-Ying Group and is located alongside what is the largest Chinese Supermarket in Leeds.

The menu focuses on cantonese and sichuan cuisine, including dim sum, appetizers, sea food (do try the sea-bass) and a number of set meal options that takes away some of the agonising over quite what to order. The restaurant has a number of offers available including lunchtime, early bird and 2-4-1 Hi-Life Diners Club.

OBM Buffet restaurant

OBM (former No1 Oriental Buffet) is a busy buffet-style restaurant in the City Centre, part of a chain of restaurants across a number of cities in the UK that offer a huge selection of starters, main courses, fish, meat and vegetarian dishes. In addition to this wide choice is also a salad bar and various desert options meaning there are over 70 different dishes to choose from and being an all you can eat restaurant it is definitely one of the better options in terms of providing value for money.

Leeds Map

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Searching for the best chinese food in Leeds

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I have fond memories of holidays in Greece: as well as the sheer impressiveness of the Parthenon and the sunwashed beauty of the many small islands, another thing that lingers in my memory is the loveliness of the food, with memories of eating stuffed tomatoes, mixed grills and generous salads al fresco at the end of a warm summer evening.

So it’s good to know that if you live in Leeds there is authentic Greek food to be had locally, in the group of three award-winning Greek restaurants run by enthusiastic Greek Cypriot-born husband and wife team George and Vasoulla.

Award winning Olive Tree restaurant

In fact The Olive Tree in Headingley, (branches also in Rodley and Chapel Allerton), is the only Greek restaurant in the UK to be listed in the Good Food Guide, and when you savour their lovely Mediterranean dishes ranging through the delicious dips such as taramasalata, hummus, tsatsiki, to sizzling kebabs of lamb and chicken, and fresh crunchy salads of tomato and feta, it is not difficult to see why. There is also a good choice of seafood, from sardines to swordfish.

Student offer at the Olive Tree

The real bargain on offer at The Olive Tree for students is a full three course slap-up menu for a tenner if you have your student ID card with you, and this is exactly the meal I enjoyed a few weeks ago. Out of the range of starters I picked dolmades, which are stuffed vine leaves. The vine leaves themselves have a unique and sharp taste which nicely sets off the minced lamb and rice filling, which is delicately flavoured with fresh mint.

Tasty Greek cuisine

The main course was a sublime moussaka with layers of eggplant, courgette, potato and tomato on a bed of seasoned minced lamb, and all topped by a soft, smooth cheesy béchamel sauce. The dessert was no disappointment either – warm baklava of soft crumbly filo pastry and tasty chopped almonds and pistachios. This gave a real melt-in-the-mouth feel that made the perfect ending to the meal.

Good service at the Olive Tree Greek Restaurant

The Mediterranean flavours of The Olive Tree are perfectly complemented by an extensive wine menu that offers a wide variety of reds, whites and rosés. The atmosphere at The Olive Tree is great and the service is very good. The restaurant looks right out onto the pavement and you can either sit in and watch the people go by, or sit out at tables on the pavement continental-style if you wish. A service charge is added to your bill, so you are not fretting over how much to leave for a tip.

Pubs nearby and good pre-movie restaurant

The Olive Tree is nicely situated between two of the Otley Run pubs, The Three Horseshoes and the New Inn, being pretty much a stone’s throw from each. Additionally, just around the corner you have the Cottage Road Cinema, making The Olive Tree the ideal place to enjoy a special meal before or after a good movie.

So if you are looking for a real taste of the Mediterranean in Leeds, look no further than the Olive Tree restaurant. Check out Tastecard for a free trial where you can save up to 50% on your meal at the Olive Tree and many other restaurants.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

The Olive Tree Greek Restaurant Headingley

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Leeds has attracted chefs from all parts of the world over the years, this has led to a wide range of cuisine based on dietary requirements. Food originating from the Indian subcontinent is amongst the most visible and provides the widest options for Halal dining, there are however many other options to try, so let’s explore some of these.

Cafe 164

A cafe on the edge of town; opposite the bus station, it stocks delicious sandwiches from “Bakery 164” which has been around for a while and is opposite Leeds University. They bake their own ciabatta and focaccia breads and have a wide choice of fillings. The chicken used here is Halal and my personal favourite is the chicken and chilli mayo, yum! Good espresso coffee, a range of cakes are available and there is seating to dine in.

La Tranquillite

This is one of my favourite places to eat in the city which I visit frequently. It can be found Merrion St, amongst the hustle and bustle of the nearby bars and is easy to miss. Don’t be fooled if it is empty, and never be tempted to head back towards the greasy options on New Briggate.

La Tranquillite will consistently serve generous portions of good honest Lebanese fare freshly prepared to order and at a budget price. Try the Shawarma or the Mix Grill if you have a huge appetite. The wraps are a filling option for lunchtimes. Everything on the menu is Halal and alcohol is not served.

Thai Sabai

Away from the centre into the main student area of Headingley is this authentic Thai restaurant which has had write-ups in the local press many times. They pride themselves on cooking to order, so are completely open to how spicy or not you’d like your food. Booking is advisable here as it’s always busy and it is one of the smallest restaurants I’ve been to.

Halal chicken is available on request and should be mentioned at the time of ordering. I recommend the delicious Satay with peanut sauce and the Pad Thai has pulled me back to this place time and time again. Thai Sabai also has an early bird menu which is particularly good value.

Tampopo

Tucked away in a side street off Park Row is this pan-asian restaurant which serves up great tasty dishes and has a popular lunchtime menu. The food here is as diverse as the countries originating, from Japanese Ramen to Malaysian Rendang to Singapore-style Vermicelli noodles. The kitchen is open plan and seating is canteen style & basic, which adds to the casual feel of the place. Khao Soi is particularly recommended, to be washed down with their home made lemonade. The chicken served here is Halal.

Bar Burrito

Bar Burrito is a relative newcomer to Leeds and its vivid promotions are very eye-catching. Here they use fresh ingredients and make your food in front of you, according to your requirements. The chicken here is Halal and my recommendation is to stick with the chipotle (hot) salsa, unless you’re feeling really brave. Student discounts are offered here.

Nawaab

There is an abundance of great curry options available in the city but Nawaab really does stand out. Skip the main menu and go straight for the lunchtime buffet. I generally don’t enjoy all-you-can-eat buffets, as although there may be tens of different items but you come away having enjoyed nothing memorable.

Nawaab may not have umpteen different options but quality not quantity is definitely the mantra here. On offer will be around 4-5 starters plus 6-7 mains; I recommend you pace yourself and try a bit of everything! The lamb and chicken dishes are well prepared and taste fresh and unique, rather than some average tasting meat in a generic sauce. Everything on the menu and in the buffet is Halal and alcohol is served.

Halal food is where the meat has been prepared according to Islamic dietary law. Generally, Muslims tend to abide by this tradition and either avoid places that do not offer a Halal option or instead opt for vegetarian dishes.

Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Ideas for halal dining in Leeds

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When mulling over the myriad of options when planning to dine out, it is a safe bet that hotel restaurants do not often feature at the top of the list for most local people. However, and countenancing common misconceptions, there are several hotel restaurants in Leeds that can lay a claim to being some of the best the city has to offer.

Chino Latino, Park Plaza Hotel

Part of a chain of establishments located throughout the UK lies Chino Latino, a restaurant that offers Pan-Asian cuisine, with more than a nod towards Japan, Accompanied by its Latin Cocktail Bar, this award-winning restaurant is located on the 1st floor of the Park Plaza hotel and has a superb view overlooking City Square.

The décor has a modern and stylish feel, and the subtle lighting providing a glamorous setting for your meal. Of particular appeal will be the Tasting Menu which is perfect for those spoilt for choice or simply keen to experience, with the menu consisting of dishes such as Wasabi Mayonnaise, Tobiko Caviar, Black Cod, Korean Spiced Lamb Cutlets all finished off by a Dessert Platter, consisting of a Chocolate Fondant and Coconut crème brulee.

Malmaison Brasserie, Malmaison

Malmaison is a stylish, chic hotel located right in the centre of Leeds and has an equally stylish Brasserie and Bar, Malmaison Brasserie, which is in keeping with the style and tone of the hotel.

Featuring an open fire place and cosy booths, the design and structure goes against the traditional hotel dining and bar experience. Offering a wide choice of excellent wines, champagne and cocktails, the bar has a nice ambience and great feel to it, all dark lighting and plenty of character.

The restaurant is very highly rated indeed, thought to be on par with anywhere in Leeds with a variety of excellent dishes on the menu, and, importantly, the chefs also pride themselves on sourcing and serving the best produce from around the local region.

Seating upto 90 people, it provides an elegant surrounding with its valuted ceilings, intimate booths and contemporary open fire place. The menu is both ambitious and appealing: starters include Cider Braised Pork Cheek or Baked Gabriel Blue & Wild Mushroom Tartlet with mains on offer being such delights as Razor Clams, Searced Calves Lives with Sauce Persillade or Harrisa Aubergine.

The Lounge Restaurant & Bar, Radisson Blu Hotel

The Lounge Restaurant, located in Leeds’ Radisson Blu Hotel features an enticing ambience created by its art deco décor and possesses an award-winning chef to its name, not to mention a superb location.

This restaurant offers diners a choice between the more upper section – complete with cosy fireplace – or a more formal dining experience in the lower section. Boasting a menu that places emphasis on fresh food and local ingredients, as well as an extensive wine and cocktail selection, it is a dining establishment that impresses.

The Modern European menu is created with ethics in mind and locally sourced produce is used wherever possible. Signature dishes include Braised shoulder of lamb, served with buttered baby leeks and pot roasted chicken breast with smoked paprika dressing.

The Restaurant, New Ellington

Set in Leeds’ bustling business district, The New Ellington is a chic boutique hotel on York Place that caters to a largely upmarket, business-focussed crowd.

The New Ellington has a retro 1950’s jazz–style feel to it (with more than a nod to New Orleans) and this is a fantastic place for dinner. With its low lighting perfect for the chocolate, plum and cream tones of the decor, the New Ellington is certainly one of Leeds’ underrated restaurants.

Standout dishes included smoked loin of venison, seared liver, cep’s, pickled cabbage and liquorice or Smoked river nidd trout & potato pie, rocket, pesto and pea shoot salad, both with a heavy Yorkshire in both tradition and ingredients.

Verve Grill, Village Hotel

The Verve Grill in south Leeds provides an inexpensive yet stylish place to dine. Part of the Village Hotel chain, it caters for travelling business crowd, special events and families alike.

It boasts a vibrant dining room decorated with dark wooden furniture and chocolate brown and vanilla leather seating with a menu that focuses on seasonal classics cooked with imagination and served with style. The menu features options such as the steak, gorgonzola and mushroom pizza, the roasted vegetable lasagne and the lemon tart served with cream.

The Verve also offers an extensive children’s menu, special weekend offer and 5-course Sunday lunch.

The Watermill, The Milford Hotel

The Watermill restaurant is housed in the Best Western Milford on the outskirts of Leeds on the A1 between Leeds and York and is an ideal setting for a relaxing and informal dining experience catering for both lunch and dinner.

The restaurant, which has a central feature of a working waterwheel, has an often changing menu based on the freshest produce available that day with special offers available on both two and three-course meals that provides real value for the quality provided.

For starters, consider the warm of salad of bacon and mushrooms takes comfort food to new levels and comes topped with a lightly poached egg, whilst the sautéed king prawns are bound to tempt.

The mains too are equally tempting; in addition to a range of steaks also on offer from the grill there is pan-fried calves liver with mashed potato, crispy bacon and red win jus or braised lamb shank are both excellent, whilst the sea bass salad is something a little different.

Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

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The Bankhouse Inn is a nice leisurely walk from Pudsey Park; the beer garden has fantastic panoramic views over the valley to Tong and beyond. When the sunshine is out it is the perfect place to go and relax on a Sunday afternoon and more important for families is that the pub is child friendly.

Bankhouse Inn restaurant review

As part of my ‘secret diner’ restaurant reviews, I treat my 14-year old nephew to Sunday lunch at the pub and it was a lovely sunny day. We arrived just before lunchtime and sat outside in the beer garden. It had a nice atmosphere; kids playing, families chatting, and horse riders trotting by.

The Sunday food menu starts at midday until 5pm. The pub owners suggest that you do not need to book but it is worth bearing in mind that the pub gets very busy on a Sunday, so my advice would be to reserve a table to avoid disappointment. Walkers will be pleased to know that dogs are welcome in the pub too. The pub also has free WiFi; just ask for the password behind the bar.

Affordable prices for Sunday lunch

At the time of writing this review, the Bankhouse Inn website has inaccurate prices for their Sunday lunch, but for a one-course it is £7.95, two-course £9.45 or three-course at £11.95 which I think is great value for money for the portions you receive.

For starters we both chose Garlic mushrooms which came with crusty bread, but you could choose from soup of the day, prawn cocktail or chicken liver & wild mushroom Pate. The starter was okay, nothing to rave on about, but it was filling and allowed plenty of space for the main course. Service was fast which is good considering the pub was so busy.

Next was the main course, I had roast beef in Yorkshire pudding with vegetables, roast and boiled potatoes. My nephew had Chicken and on both dishes the portions were very good. Vegetables included broccoli, carrots and parsnips. All of the food was warm and like the starter, we weren’t waiting long for our food.

Good choice of alcoholic drinks

I didn’t drink any alcohol, but I have had a few pints of Deuchars IPA in previous visits – they also have Thwaites Wainwright and Theakstons best on tap, so a good choice of beers. Keep a check of the Bankhouse Inn website for events, such as live music and charity events.  I like to include negative points in my restaurant reviews but I am struggling; the staff were friendly; the pub had a good atmosphere, and is very popular with locals and people coming to the area to go walking.

Walking around Tong and Fulneck

Directly opposite the Bankhouse Inn you will find various countryside public footpaths that are worth exploring, and there are a variety of walks in the area; the Leeds Country Way also passes close by. The trail we took goes down the valley into Tong, via the golf course and wooded area. It gets a little hilly in places but the views are great.

The Moravian settlement is an impressive place just five minutes’ walk from the pub; an eighteenth-century model village, with its idyllic cottages, school, church and burial ground called ‘God’s Acre’. It is very different to other burial grounds due to the flat, square, gravestones. If you time your visit right, you can find out more about the area at the Moravian settlement museum, which is opened 2 – 4pm from Easter to October on Wednesday and Saturday.

Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

The Bankhouse Inn restaurant review

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If you’re bored of that same mundane sandwich or salad you usually take to work for your lunch, or you are a tourist in need of a quick lunch to make the most of your sightseeing time in Leeds, you’ve come to the right place. Leeds has a wealth of wonderful eateries on offer that are ideal for lunch on the go; you just need to know where to find them! Here is a list of some of the finest.

Salt’s deli

Salt’s deli really is quite a find, tucked away in the Light just next to Brown’s, try it once and you’ll want to pop back to this Spanish style delicatessen every day. Salt’s has a range of hot, homemade food on offer daily to take away, including lasagne, (both meat and vegetarian) lamb and chickpea curry and moussaka.

There is a selection of pastries, salads and sandwiches as well as a selection of home baked, comforting cakes and tarts, their apple and cinnamon cake is delicious. Salt’s Deli also boasts a wonderful selection of imported hams and cheese.

Pickles and Potter Deli and café

Pickles and Potter Deli and café was designed with love, a love of all things Yorkshire, and good quality food. With the aim of making everything fresh on site, or if not possible, sourcing good quality food from as close as possible, you can be sure to grab some good food made with quality ingredients. You can get your hands on a great selection of fine salads, hot food, hot carvery and cold sandwiches.

Nash’s

If you’re dreaming of being at the seaside, transport yourself there with a serving of classic British fish and chips. Grandma Nash opened her first fish and chip shop over 80 years ago and this store has been open since 1963. Nash’s is well known for serving the best fish and chips in Leeds and it’s reasonably priced too, you can eat your take away in the courtyard in summer.

Deli Kitchen

Deli kitchen is a rare find, but a very popular one, providing quality, reasonably priced sandwiches, jacket potatoes and homemade desserts. A subway style sandwich shop where you can design your own sandwich, choosing from a selection of bread, fillings and sauces.

Their selection of desserts including Dime Bar and Oreo cheesecakes are worth a try too. There are a number of halal options available, so this is a great option for anyone who is frustrated with the limited options of halal food on offer in Leeds takeaways.

Leeds Jacket Potato Seller

One man, an oven and a few tubs of topping-all you need to be transported to fluffy potato heaven. Nothing beats that comforting feeling of a good jacket potato, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The stall only serves jacket potatoes with a choice of butter, chilli, tuna, cheese and beans as toppings. You’ll find the stall on Albion Street, just outside Urban Outfitters, there’s even a Facebook appreciation page.

Philpotts

Philpotts is probably the most aesthetically pleasing lunchtime takeaway eatery you could find, the Harrods food court of the sandwich world. Philpotts have been making sandwiches for over 25 years, thanks to one man’s love of serving good quality food coupled with good quality service. They serve high quality food, freshly made on the premises, including soups, sandwiches, salads and freshly carved meats. They even deliver!

Sesame

The delicious smell of the Far East oozes from the doorway of Sesame, a chic deli serving a selection of the finest freshly made sushi, organic soups, noodles and salads. Sesame clearly cares about its customers, quality and ethical sourcing of the food that it serves; the sushi is made using fish caught in sustainable sources.

Joseph’s

Joseph’s was set up by Sue Grant in 2010, before opening Joseph’s she travelled around Yorkshire and beyond to source only the finest quality authentic ingredients for her delightful deli.

You will receive a warm welcome by Sue herself, who can tell you a personal story relating to all of her recipes, the ham is cooked according to her great Grandmother’s recipe, and the frittata is a recipe of an ex-boyfriends mother. With everything cooked from scratch by Joseph, the chef, there is a different soup of the day each day, sandwiches made with the finest locally sourced bread, Panini’s, pies, frittata and a selection of cakes.

These are some of the highlights of takeaway lunches in Leeds, all made with quality ingredients and care with the customer at the forefront of their mind.

Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Places to go for take away food in Leeds

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This is the first in a series of ‘secret dinner’ reviews where I will be visiting various Leeds restaurants and revealing my experience.  All of the food and drink is paid out of my own pocket, and I will not reveal the restaurant until the next day.  The table is booked under a friend’s name, not that restaurant owners know who I am, but this keeps it 100% secret.  I will start off by saying that I do not eat out that often, usually once or twice a month, so you certainly cannot call me a food expert when it comes to dining out.

Aagrah restaurant in Chapel Allerton

This week I visited the Aagrah Indian restaurant in Chapel Allerton and I have to be honest, I was not overly impressed. I visited the restaurant with three friends and all of us found the service to be fast – too fast. I felt rushed.  The restaurant was very busy, and the staff were running around like crazed lunatics, and it did not feel like a restaurant where you could go for dinner at your own pace.

Meal for four people

We opted for the set meal for 4 because we wanted to try dishes we wouldn’t usually choose, this cost £19.99 per person. Within minutes of ordering we received the starter which consisted of Seekh Kebab, Chicken Tikka, Grilled Lahsen mushroom and Lahore Fish.  For me, there was no attention to detail and it felt like it was cooked in bulk, and had just been slapped on a plate.

Not long after finishing the starter, and with no time to breath, we received the main course, which were all served in separate dishes, so we could try a little of each dish. The main course consisted of Murgh Waziri, Mumbai Machli, Murgh Hyderabadi and Saag Gosht.

Photos of Aagrah Chapel Allerton

Click on the photos to view in full.

We are all the adventurous kind when it comes to eating, but there was no explanation of what each dish was, and it felt hurried.  Side orders were Pilau and Lemon rice, 1 naan and 1 garlic naan, and finished off with a coffee.

The main course tasted nice but I wouldn’t say that it set my taste buds alight. I have tasted nicer Indian food at the likes of Akbars and Polash, for me I would go as far as to say the food is a little bland, it really lacked an attention to detail to make me want to go back there again.

How much it cost

With drinks the bill came to £85.95 for four of us, so around £21 each – and I am not sure that it was value for money. That aside, the atmosphere was good, the staff friendly enough and it has only been opened a few weeks, so it might take time for them to settle in.

I wouldn’t say rush out and book a table at this restaurant but like I mentioned, I am no food expert, I rarely eat out, so it will be interesting to see how this compares with other Indian restaurants that I try in the future as part of this secret dinner experiment.

Recap

-         Lack of attention to detail
-         Felt rushed
-         Did not feel good value for money
-         Nice atmosphere

Bars near to the restaurant

We started the evening with a drink in the Mustard Pot, and sat in the beer garden, which I imagine would be heaving on a day with good weather. A round for four of us cost approximately £13. It is a nice pub, looks great inside and has a good choice of beer.

Then on to the Hub, which had a good atmosphere, TV’s on the wall to watch the sport, cubicles, and a good choice of drinks – I opted for a pint of Caffreys. The round cost approximately £12 here. Up the road is Further North, a small but quirky bar, the most expensive bar out of the places we visited, a round for four of us cost approximately £15.

A pint of Brooklyn went down well and I loved the quirkiness of the bar, and big patio windows that open when the weather is warm.  Finally, we paid a visit to the Regent, where the round cost £9, had a good choice of beers and drinks, it was packed, great atmosphere.

Leeds Map

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Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

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We all know that Leeds has so much to offer in terms of being able to get out and about, and with the impending summer months providing that encouragement to explore everything on offer, what better way is there to round off the weekend by heading out for that bastion of British tradition: Sunday lunch. As wonderful and diverse a range of cuisine that Leeds can boast, it is comforting to know that the hearty Sunday lunch ranks amongst the best on offer.

Here are some of the best places to try:

White Hart – Pool-in-Wharfedale

Winner of the ‘Best Gastro’ in h2b Dining Awards in 2010 the White Hart is a real landmark in the centre of Pool village. Built in traditional Yorkshire stone, the inside is modern in design and offers a large dining room split into different areas. The style incorporates the pub’s original features with log burning fires, wooden and stone flooring and, outside, there is a decked area perfectly suited to al fresco dining.

From midday each Sunday they serve up a choice of mouth-watering Sunday roasts, beautifully prepared by our chefs, with all the trimmings. Boasting a good selection of wines, ales and even cocktails, they also offer up the Sunday papers as the perfect accompaniment for that relaxing Sunday afternoon out.

Adelphi – City Centre

The Adelphi Leeds is positioned at the bottom of Leeds City Centre, just off Briggate and just over the Leeds Bridge. A place often overlooked and underrated The Adelphi is very much known as a ‘local’ and one of Leeds’ best kept secrets.

A real old fashioned pub, with big Victorian doors that open into the spacious corridor bar, you have the choice of one of the four rooms, each with their own individual characteristics. The Adelphi has plenty of world beers and ales on offer and is the venue for as diverse an evening as an open-mic night, acoustic night and a Sunday cupcake competition.

They offer up four different and excellent homemade roasts (including vegetarian option) every Sunday cooked and freshly carved to order on the day, served alongside all the trimmings.

Cross Keys – Holbeck

The Cross Keys is situated in the heart of Holbeck Urban village, a few minutes from the Leeds railway station in a building now over two centuries old. Although run by the same people as the North Bar, the Cross Keys is very different. Sporting a more traditional feel with a roaring fire, exposed beams and low tables and stools, there is also an outdoor courtyard for those warmer times.

Their aim is to serve locally sourced, ethically produced, seasonal ingredients at all times and also cater for those with families, offering a children’s menu and high chairs, books and colouring to keep the kids entertained. The Cross Keys also serves up an ever changing selection of real ales, bottled beers and wines.

Whitehouse – Roundhay

The Whitehouse offers Sunday roasts throughout the day on Sunday and can be an ideal stop off following a trip out to nearby Roundhay Park. Choose from pork, gammon, beef, half a chicken or nut Wellington, all come served with a selection of potatoes, vegetables, a Yorkshire pudding and plenty of gravy.

For those feeling particularly hungry, there is also the option of ‘going large’ or for those who simply can’t decide what to choose, there is the option of choosing a trio of meat options. You can also get a variety of real ales, continental lagers, ciders, wines and even herbal teas to accompany your food.

Arts – City Centre

Leeds’s original café bar, Arts has offers exceptionally a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming environment, enhanced further by regular exhibitions of local artwork. Arts consistently offers an interesting and varied menu, but Sunday lunch with all the trimmings is still on the menu and it is no surprise that this also lives up to their usual high standards. Definitely recommended.

Zed Bar – Chapel Allerton

The cool and understated Zed Bar is a great place to sit and watch the world go by from and is more than worth a visit at the weekend to sample their excellent Sunday lunch. Fabulous décor provides a relaxed atmosphere and Zed Bar can boast food to match. A variety of meats are on offer with all the usual trimmings, but why not also try your chosen meat as a sandwich, served in a large warmed ciabatta served with hand cut chips and a jug of gravy.

Bankhouse Inn – Fulneck

One of the great plus points about a trip to The Bankhouse is the scenery and surroundings of the setting and if you choose to sit and eat in the beer garden you will enjoy wonderful views looking out over Tong Valley. All ingredients served up are locally sourced from small independent suppliers wherever possible and the meat in their dishes comes directly a local butcher.

You can choose from chicken, beef or pork, or even a giant stuffed Yorkshire pudding, with children’s Sunday lunch portions on offer too as well as a wide range of deserts.

Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Best places for sunday lunch in Leeds

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It doesn’t seem too long since we were celebrating Christmas and New Year but Valentine’s Day is quickly coming up and the traditional way to celebrate is with a romantic dinner date. Whatever your tastes you can find the perfect restaurant in Leeds to book your table for two.

The Living Room

The Living room on Greek Street is a popular and modern but luxuriously classic chain restaurant and bar. It is beautifully decorated with a lovely romantic atmosphere.  This year their decadent Valentine’s menu entitled ‘Love at First Bite’ and includes starters, main courses and the option of romantic sharing desserts. The Living Room also offers an enticing cocktail menu so you can enjoy after dinner drinks!

Kendells Bistro

This French bistro on St Peters Square is a relaxed for your Valentine’s date. The menus at Kendells Bistro change daily and offer a very wide selection of dishes. The restaurant’s interior features mis-matched furniture alongside menus chalked onto blackboards and is a charming representation of a traditional and rustic French Bistro. The restaurant is very popular for its laid-back atmosphere and the attentive and accommodating staff. This is the ideal place to enjoy a relaxed date with good quality French cuisine.

Gaucho

Gaucho is an Argentinean Steak house on Park Row that brings ‘a slice of Argentine Life to Yorkshire’. The impressive interior has the ‘wow-factor’ with its unusual but luxurious decor of cow-hides and chandeliers. Gaucho offers seafood and vegetarian courses alongside its signature steak dishes so there’s something for everyone!

Piccolino Restaurant and Bar

Inspired by a classic brasserie with a contemporary twist Piccolino Restaurant and Bar on Park Row is a popular and atmospheric Italian. Part of a chain, this lively restaurant features an entertaining open kitchen where the chefs use seasonal ingredients to create a mix of traditional and modern Italian dishes including their own handmade pasta. Piccolino will also tempt you with their cocktail menu so you can conclude your date by lingering over a drink or two after your romantic Italian meal.

Brasserie Forty 4

Brasserie Forty 4 on The Calls has been created inside a converted grain warehouse. It’s a family-run restaurant in an ideal location for a romantic Valentine’s date as it’s right on the riverside with a balcony over the water for outdoor dining. The Brasserie Forty 4 Valentine’s menu this year features classic dishes and includes a glass of Boschendal Brut Rosé, three courses and coffee and chocolates to finish.

The Restaurant at New Ellington

Situated in a modern boutique hotel on York Place this lovely restaurant has a stylish, vintage feel. The restaurant features a gin bar upstairs where the martinis are recommended and a menu that includes local, Yorkshire produce. The booths in the New Ellington restaurant are perfect for your Valentine’s date giving you privacy at your table and the soft lighting creates a romantic atmosphere.

When selecting a restaurant to visit on Valentine’s Day you’ll be spoilt for choice with the selection of eateries in Leeds!

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Leeds Map

Browse the map and click on the pins to find the location of the places featured in this guide.

Read our guide to Leeds for ideas on the best places to visit, stay and eat in the city.

Romantic Leeds restaurants for Valentine’s Day

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