Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in West Yorkshire
Hardens guides have spent 30 years compiling reviews of the best West Yorkshire restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 368 restaurants in West Yorkshire and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing West Yorkshire restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured West Yorkshire Restaurants
1. The Box Tree
French restaurant in Ilkley
35-37 Church St - LS29
“Why it lost its Michelin star I do not know, it was as good as ever”, so it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that this Yorkshire institution has been unfairly cursed by the tyre company. Established in 1962, this “intimate and opulent” venue is Yorkshire’s answer to Le Gavroche: “a proper classical restaurant, with all the standards of service, napery, glassware, etc that we're always being told aren't important for the dining public these days”. But since the October 2018 demotion by Michelin, change has been been nearly non-stop. The star loss led to the immediate departure of head chef Kieran Smith and appointment of Samira Effa in his stead. Then in April 2019 Michael Carr joined because Samira didn’t last. All the while “despite the upheavals, the Box Tree has sailed serenely on: the chintz still looks out over the hushed rooms, Didier da Costa still presides over a great wine list, and there is still soufflé for dessert”. And practically all reports still attest to its “impeccable”, somewhat classical cuisine and “gentle, low-key hospitality that treats you beautifully”. In September 2019 – more change – as Simon and Rena Gueller announced they are selling up, despite significant investment in the property these last two years. Hopefully the next owners will just forget Michelin, and continue to do what the place has been doing so well (and it’s rated on that basis).
2. Tharavadu
Indian restaurant in Leeds
7- 8 Mill Hill - LS1
“If you didn’t know it was there, you might just walk past, even though it gets very busy!” – this popular gem “a few minutes walk from Leeds Station” is well worth remembering for its “exemplary” Keralan food: “if you like fish and honest south Indian flavours then this is THE place”.
3. Sukhothai
Thai restaurant in Leeds
8 Regent St - LS7
Well-known Chapel Allerton Thai (est 2002) with a number of spin-offs, including in the city-centre, which retains a strong reputation in these parts. Feedback was surprisingly thin last year, but good all-round.
4. Aagrah
Indian restaurant in Leeds
St Peter’s Sq - LS9
“Sometimes the old guard can maintain its position – which certainly applies to the Aagrah”, a mighty chain whose “consistently high-quality and value-for-money” food features a “Kashmiri bias but includes most standards from the subcontinent”. Bonus – it’s “ideally located to enjoy Leeds nightlife before or after”.
5. Sukhothai
Thai restaurant in Leeds
15 South Parade - LS1
“Wonderful, authentic Thai food” wins solid ratings for Thai-born chef-owner Ban Kaewkraikhot, whose original Chapel Allerton restaurant from 2002 has spawned two outposts in Leeds and one in Harrogate.
6. Tattu
Chinese restaurant in Leeds
29 East Parade, Minerva House - LS1
“Amazing flowering blossom décor” is the undoubted highpoint at this “noisy” Chinese-influenced Asian: part of an expanding glam-Asian national chain. Though not especially foodie, the cooking escaped any criticism last year: “it’s fun and you come away having had a good meal”.
7. Prashad
Indian restaurant in Leeds
137 Whitehall Rd - BD11
“Superb Indian vegetarian food” – “spicy but beautifully presented” – has made this family-run Gujarati a West Yorkshire institution since its humble beginnings in 1992. Now run by the second generation under Bobby Patel (brother Mayur founded Bundobust), it’s “still going strong” – and the “starters are spectacularly good”.
8. Sukhothai
restaurant in Leeds
4 St Anne's Road - LS6
“Sawasdee Ka! Welcome to Sukhothai — the home of authentic Thai food in Leeds and Harrogate.
Sukhothai has been right in the heart of Leeds’ bustling student suburb of Headingley since 2007, occupying a commanding corner plot, on St Anne’s Road. It offers you the fantastic à l...
9. Kendells Bistro
French restaurant in Leeds
St Peters Square - LS9
“Intimate… delightfully eclectic” – there’s no shortage of plaudits for this “romantic” fixture, where there’s “no menu but all the choices are on a giant blackboard”. The overall effect is “just like dining in France…confit of duck, French onion soup, boeuf bourguignon etc.”, and the early-evening menu is “amazing value for money” too.
10. Fazenda, Waterman's Place
Brazilian restaurant in Leeds
3 Wharf Approach, Granary Whf - LS1
2019 Review: “Meat, meat and more meat” is the “best thing” at this central branch of a chain featuring Brazilian ‘rodizio’ (a buffet, where you eat as much as you like for a fixed price). “If your definition of a good deal is more grilled meat than you can comfortably stomach, this is the place for you!”. “Nice views over the wharf” too “(it doesn’t feel like it’s just past the train station!)”.
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