The best restaurants in Leeds

It’s hard to believe a restaurant with over 200 dishes on its a la carte menu could be exceptional, but this Thai restaurant manages it. A firm favourite among locals, Sukhothai continues to thrive thanks to its imaginative menu.

Gujarati food this good is more than worth the drive out to nearby Drighlington. Start off with the epic Prashad mixed platter to get a good sense of the delicious veggie offerings, and don't miss out on the mind-blowing masala dosas. 

Forget vice, this award-winning restaurant and cocktail lounge specialising in modern British cuisine is virtuous in our eyes. Guests can look forward to a fine dining experience through a variety of tasting menus and paired drinks.

So popular was this friendly independent’s tiny ground floor bar/restaurant that it was required to expand next door after a couple of years. The menu majors in charcuterie and cheeses, craft beers and wines.

New-century tapas in beautiful white and royal blue surrounds are what diners can expect from the Leeds branch of this Spanish chain. Majoring in cheeses and cured meats, the menu honours Spain’s centuries-old gastronomic traditions.

With its menu of vegetarian Indian street food, craft beer and stripped-back surroundings, it's clear to see that Bundobust is one of the trendier haunts this city has to offer. Long wooden tables and eye-catching artwork set the scene nicely.

The UK's gallic renaissance is alive and well in Leeds with this beautiful neighbourhood bistro in Horsforth. The cooking at Bavette is as good as anywhere in the country, we'd wager - hearty dishes and classic sauces are the order of the day, as well as a picture-perfect pate en croute. 

Quality pub grub including (but not limited to) massive burgers, fried chicken, wraps, snacks and hearty veggie meals are the order of the day at this relaxed bar-kitchen-courtyard near Leeds Cathedral.

Mega-popular with locals and visitors alike, this spot offers exemplary south Indian food served by the smiliest waiters in Leeds at an affordable price. And it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from Leeds train station.

All the beef at this glitzy city steakhouse is aged for 60 days before it arrives on your plate, with a host of classic steak sides and sauces available too. Cut & Craft keeps things simple but it's deeply luxurious, and vegetarians are well accounted for too (by an amazing truffle aubergine lasagne). 

Liz Cottam's charming restaurant overlooking Leeds lockside is still a dependable place to come at all times, for all occasions. It's a small restaurant so booking is essential, but absolutely worth it for Cottam's heart-warming, seasonal cooking. 

This Japanese kitchen is a local gem. Whether you choose to eat in or take away, you can look forward to flavourful Japanese favourites, including sushi, gyoza and noodle dishes, served with a smile.

Located on the first floor of the Old Flax Store, this brewery-based refectory hosts regular takeovers from local food vendors, though the focus on the varied styles of beer the ‘monks’ brew.

Loved by locals and visitors alike for its excellent food and outstanding service, Dakota is a hotel restaurant with a difference. Majoring in comfort food favourites, there’s something for everyone at this stylish grill.

This charming restaurant housed in a former textile mill serves quality dishes in an adorable setting. It’s the kind of place you can visit with friends, on a date or with your parents at the weekend.

This relaxed eatery isn’t licensed but friendly staff are happy to provide you with drinking vessels for your wine or beer as you tuck into inventive small plates that change according to the seasons.

Dastaan is hugely underrated, both in it's Leeds and Epsom locations. Even in a city that knows good Indian food, Dastaan's cooking stands in the very top echelons - the malabar prawn curry is a must-order, as are duck and chicken seekh kebabs. We recommend the tasting menu if you want to try all the hits. 

This Korean and Japanese fusion restaurant offers traditional flavours in a contemporary setting. Whether you’re after some bottomless brunch, a budget bento box at lunch or a blow out dinner with friends, Oba has you covered.

Show-stopping interiors combine with colourful dim sum, large and small plates, and handsome desserts to create a unique dining experience at Tattu. If money’s a bit tight, go for the set lunch menu which offers excellent value.