Best Indian restaurants in Leeds: 12 spots for spice fans

On the hunt for the best Indian restaurant in Leeds? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re here looking for suggestions for an upcoming dinner, or you just want to see where your own favourites stack up in our list, we reckon you’ll find something interesting here.

Leeds and Bradford have long held a claim as the curry capital of the UK (Birmingham is also in the mix as the home of the famous Balti Triangle). Both cities and the surrounding areas contain a multitude of fantastic Indian restaurants, many of which focus on India’s distinct regional cuisines, whether it be the nutty, seafood-heavy cuisine of coastal Goa, rich, elaborate biryanis from Rajasthan and Kashmir, Indo-Chinese border cooking or Gujarati thalis.

In Leeds alone, we’ve pulled together a handy list of the best of the best - Indian restaurants in Leeds city centre (or within striking distance of it) that deliver the goods every time. Most of these restaurants also handle take away of course, but we’re mostly judging on the basis of a meal in the restaurant itself.

The list is a mixture of old and new schools - some in this list are relatively recent upstarts, for example. There’s room for Bundobust - a nationwide sensation which started life in Leeds - and for the likes of Mowgli and Tamatanga, which are similar in many ways but started life in other cities. Sometimes, you just want that traditional curry house experience and we’ve got that on lock too, with some of Leeds’ most well-respected old family Indian restaurants. So without further ado, scroll down for our pick of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds.

Tharavadu

What: Tharavadu is well-respected Indian royalty in Leeds these days, such is the growing national reputation of this superb Keralan restaurant. Tharavadu’s authentic Keralan menu instantly marks it out as noteworthy, and the food is absolutely remarkable, ranging from paper-thin masala dosas to rich coconut curries. Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli is famously a fan and if it’s good enough for him, it’s definitely good enough for us.
Where: 7-8 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Book now: Tharavadu

Dastaan Leeds

What: A sister restaurant to the excellent Dastaan in Epsom, Surrey, Dastaan Leeds is certainly one of the most popular celebratory Indian restaurants in the city. From pitch-perfect, generous service to precise cooking, Dastaan delivers on all fronts. The only difficult bit is getting a table.
Where: 473 Otley Road, Adel, LS16 7NR
Book now: Dastaan Leeds

Bundobust Leeds

What: Bundobust has become a bit of a phenomenon all over the north, but this rip-roaring Gujarati restaurant started on Mill Hill in Leeds. The interiors have a certain rustic charm to them, which is perfect for the full-throttle vegan dishes that come firing out of the kitchen, all accompanied by a good selection of beers, wines and cocktails. Colourful and delicious, Bundobust is always a hit.
Where: 6 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Book now: Bundobust Leeds

Anand Sweets

What: A hop, skip and jump from the city centre you’ll find Anand Sweets in Harehills, which is beloved in Leeds, not just for traditional Indian sweets but also for next-level samosas and delicious authentic curries. Anand Sweets used to be a bit of a hidden gem, before a visit from Fred Sirieux on his BBC show ‘Remarkable Places to Eat’ put it on the map. There’s a second location out towards Headingley now too.
Where: 109 Harehills Road, LS8 5HS
Book now: Anand Sweets

Prashad

What: Take a little trip out to Drighlington to find some of the best Gujarati food in the city - perfect for a group with some veggies or vegans, as the entire menu is vegetarian. Frankly, you can’t go wrong anywhere on Prashad’s menu, but the masala dosas are the stuff of Yorkshire legend - probably the best in Leeds alongside that at Tharavadu. If you just want a taste of everything Prashad does, the tasting menu is excellent, and surprisingly affordable too.
Where: 137 Whitehall Road, Drighlington, BD11 1AT
Book now: Prashad

Bengal Brasserie Leeds City Centre

What: Probably Leeds’ most recognisable large curry house, Bengal Brasserie has sites all over West Yorkshire and they’re all pretty good - we’ve included the City Centre site as it’s the most accessible. It would take you years to eat your way through everything on the extensive menu, but wherever you turn you’ll just find comforting, delicious Bengali food, as well as more traditional British Indian curries. Spice fans will feel right at home here too, with plenty of dishes that don’t hold back on the chillies.
Where: 5 Merrion Way, LS2 8BT
Book now: Bengal Brasserie Leeds City Centre

Indian Tiffin Room Leeds

What: Another northern import that has since found its way to Leeds, Indian Tiffin Room’s hefty pan-Indian menu and abundance of choice for vegans and vegetarians has made it a hit in West Yorkshire. A lot of thought has gone into the colourful interiors too, making this a good all-rounder if you’re looking for somewhere to take a group.
Where: 31-32 Park Row (entrance on Greek Street), LS1 5JD
Book now: Indian Tiffin Room Leeds

DE BAGA

What: One of the best Indian restaurants in Headingley (another hotspot for great Indian cooking) is DE BAGA, which specialises in authentic Goan food. The slick, modern interiors and fantastic cooking makes DE BAGA ever-popular - don’t miss out on the signature lamb zuchi, where lamb leg is braised down in a rich, spiced coconut sauce. If you can't get into the Headingley site, there's also a DE BAGA restaurant at Chapel Allerton.
Where: 9 Otley Road, LS6 3AA
Book now: DE BAGA

Mowgli Leeds

What: Was there ever any doubt that Mowgli would eventually find its way to Leeds? This dynamic, modern Indian group has been a hit all over the country, and the Leeds site is nicely appointed too, full of lanterns and fairy lights. The extensive menu covers a host of delicious meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, and there’s plenty of choice for vegans too, plus a children’s menu to entertain the kids. Save some room for Mowgli’s legendary gulab jamun - this is one of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds city centre for sure.
Where: 34 Boar Lane, LS1 5DA
Book now: Mowgli Leeds

Manjit’s Kitchen

What: There’s a homeliness to Manjit’s Kitchen that we love - everything here is vegetarian, prepared with great care by Manjit herself. The menu is nice and compact, but always full of delicious choices, including small bites like onion bhajis, salt and pepper chickpea fries and paneer tikka flatbreads, as well as thalis and wraps. Grab an excellent mango lassi whilst you’re here too.
Where: 333 Kirkstall Road, LS4 2HD
Book now: Manjit’s Kitchen

The Cat’s Pyjamas Headingley

What: This popular Headingley Indian restaurant is cosy and always packed, thanks to a dedicated legion of local fans. Inside it’s a world away from swanky upmarket Indians - The Cat’s Pyjamas is much more homely and rustic, and the food is the same, delivering authentic, homestyle dishes that are big on flavour. This is the sort of comforting spot that quickly becomes a regular haunt.
Where: 53 Otley Road, LS6 3AB
Book now: The Cat’s Pyjamas

Tamatanga Leeds

What: A seemingly endless menu of delicious, easy-going Indian food has made Tamatanga a hit in Birmingham, Nottingham and Leicester, and Leeds looks set to follow suit. Neon interiors and boatloads of foliage fill the restaurant with a sense of fun and frivolity, making it excellent for parties and celebrations.
Where: 52-54 The Headrow, LS1 8TL
Book now: Tamatanga Leeds

Hungry for some more Leeds recommendations? We've got an extensive list of the best restaurants in Leeds for you to take a look at, and, if you're more of a weekend person, the best brunches in Leeds too.