 Breadcrumbs

 [Home](/) &gt; [Insiders' Guide To Leeds](/markdownify/node/2923)  



   ![Insiders' Guide To Leeds ](https://media.slman.com/uG-qRnZW0X4BFvL4qApErASaDWo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-site-assets-120624-thumb-insider-guide-to-leeds_0.png?itok=FytSRrRH)

  

 

 



 

  Photography: @HERN_RESTAURANT; BOTTLE CHOP 

 

 

 

 [UK](/culture/travel/uk) 

 



 /  12 June 2024  

#  Insiders' Guide To Leeds  


 Chef Sandy Jarvis and his sommelier husband Clément Cousin have just opened Bavette, a Parisian-style bistro in Leeds. They took time out to share their favourite spots in the city, from chicken joints and steak restaurants to small wine bars and indie cheese shops.  
 

 



 

  Photography: @HERN_RESTAURANT; BOTTLE CHOP 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 [ ![Hern Resaurant](https://media.slman.com/nDXr48K5z_uOaF3STm86etYcJRg=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-hern-credit-hernrestaurant.png?itok=3gomQnML)

 

 ](https://www.hernrestaurant.com/) 

Hern Resaurant  


 

@HERN_RESTAURANT

 

 

 

 

 

## EAT 

  

 

## The Swine that Dines

This small neighbourhood restaurant in central Leeds is all about traditional dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Chef Stu Myers’s cooking is top notch, while his wife Jo will look after you and ensure you leave well fed. It’s the food we always want to eat – and the team are constantly trying new things, like Southern fried chicken nights. There’s also a great value Saturday lunch menu with three courses coming in at £22.50.

Visit [SwineThatDines.co.uk](https://swinethatdines.co.uk/)

## Empire Café

On a back street in the city centre, Empire Café has its own chicken rotisserie and cooks everything on an open fire. Expect big, delicious dishes alongside an interesting small plates menu made up of Thai chilli prawns, venison tartare and a celeriac pinwheel. There’s also a great wine and cocktail list.

Visit [EmpireCafeLeeds.co.uk](https://www.empirecafeleeds.co.uk/)

## Hern

Hern is a small and cosy neighbourhood restaurant in Chapel Allerton that serves seasonal dishes made with great cooking techniques. The set menu changes weekly and is always delicious. Dinner could include asparagus with blood orange gremolata, followed by turbot with tomatoes and marinated peppers, and a lemon sorbet with crème fraîcheand olive oil. It also has our favourite wine list in the city.

Visit [HernRestaurant.com](https://www.hernrestaurant.com/)

 

 [ ![The Swine That Dines](https://media.slman.com/tJciuVty4v6k_87FG4MgO08Zcdo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-the-swine-that-dines-small-landscape.png?itok=WhL31hU7)

 

 ](https://swinethatdines.co.uk/) 

The Swine That Dines  


 

 

 

 

 

 

## Ox Club

A trip to Leeds should always include a visit to Headrow House, a multi-use venue housed within a former textile mill. Here, you’ll find Ox Club, a great steak restaurant. The team champion local and regional producers in and around Yorkshire, with a rotating menu of dishes. It does a cracking Sunday roast, too.

Visit [OxClub.co.uk](https://www.oxclub.co.uk/)

## Eat Your Greens

Vegetarians should head to Eat Your Greens which has a predominantly veggie/vegan menu of sharing dishes. There’s a great drink list – with inventive cocktails, local beers and natural wines – and the restaurant turns into a lively bar later in the evening with live DJs.

Visit [EatYourGreensLeeds.co.uk](https://eatyourgreensleeds.co.uk/)

## Bavette

Bavette is our new bistro in Horsforth. Focusing on classic French bistro food and great seasonal produce, it’s all about enjoying simple, tasty food in a relaxed environment. We were inspired by lots of the great places we’ve been to or had the pleasure of working in over the past 15 years (including Racine, Terroirs, and The Culpeper for Sandy; and The Dairy and Claridge’s Fera for Clément). It’s our love letter to these places.

Visit [BavetteBistro.com](https://bavettebistro.com/)

 

 

 

 [ ![Bavette Bistro](https://media.slman.com/1sfnM37PUUQOhQeX8kLGIkf1t-M=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-bavette-bistro.png?itok=GxMEgDgs)

 

 ](https://bavettebistro.com/) 

Bavette Bistro  


 

 

 

 

 

 

## DRINK 

  

 

## Tabula Rasa Bar

Tabula Rasa Bar was crowned 16th place in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars. The drinks really are amazing, though you’ll need to book ahead if you want to grab a table. It focuses on high-quality spirits and ingredients sourced from Leeds’ Kirkgate Market.

Follow [@TabulaRasa\_Bar](https://www.instagram.com/tabularasa_bar/?hl=en)

## The Melbourne

This is a cool neighbourhood bar/pub in north Leeds. It’s our local so we’re loyal visitors. The beer always tastes great, and Sam, the owner, is a great guy to have a pint with. You’ll find some nice wines, as well as grilled cheese sandwiches, on the menu.

Follow [@MelbourneLeeds](https://www.instagram.com/melbourneleeds/?hl=en)

 

 

 



  [ ![Bavette Bistro](https://media.slman.com/eDRxVnEOhb2qLeld9ovZTK_t0Ps=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-bavette-bistro-1.png?itok=dHZyoMCZ)

 

 ](https://bavettebistro.com/) 

Bavette Bistro  


 

  

 

  [ ![Ox Club](https://media.slman.com/Dp1CERuf-n2RuNrZ9WJz2zf6q9A=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-the-ox-club.png?itok=VcJHUZKe)

 

 ](https://www.oxclub.co.uk/) 

Ox Club  


 

  

 

 



 

 

 

 

## Bottle Chop

If you’re after natural wines, head to Bottle Chop in Headingley. The deli stocks a range of cured meats, cheeses and cupboard staples, before serving wine in the evening. The team host regular tastings, music events and summer BBQs.

Visit [BottleChop.co.uk](https://www.bottlechop.co.uk/)

## The Domino Club

We love this jazz club and speakeasy in the city centre. There’s always a fun atmosphere and it has live music on Wednesday to Sunday nights. Drinks are delicious and reasonably priced, and there’s an excellent whisky list featuring classics and world whiskies.

Visit [TheDomino.co.uk](https://www.thedomino.co.uk/)

 

 

 

 [ ![Bottle Chop](https://media.slman.com/jYqs-mBLzZluOw2ewb6nnF1A2kU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-bottle-shop_0.png?itok=Ht8dkB8S)

 

 ](https://www.bottlechop.co.uk/) 

Bottle Chop  


 

 

 

 

 

 

## SHOP 

  

 

## Wayward Wines

This small wine bar and shop imports its wines from small European producers. You’ll also find craft beer and cider, plus quality extra virgin olive oil. The team regularly invites winemakers to the store for tastings and events.

Visit [WayWardwines.co.uk](https://waywardwines.co.uk/)

## Kirkgate Market

This huge indoor market in the city centre has been open for over 150 years. It’s home to great food shops (veg, fish, meat, bakeries, coffee shops) as well as plenty of street food vendors. They’ve got the balance spot on for keeping it relevant without turning its back on the history.

## George &amp; Joseph

George &amp; Joseph is a fantastic independent cheese shop. It’s in the same area as Hern and Wayward, so worth visiting. You can buy a ploughman’s bag filled with bread, cheese, ham, olives, pork pies and a couple of craft beers.

Visit [GeorgeandJoseph.co.uk](https://www.georgeandjoseph.co.uk/)

## City Centre Arcades

Head to the city centre, home to some beautiful arcades filled with a mix of luxury shops and small independent stores. Don’t miss Thornton’s (one of the oldest) and the Victoria Quarter where you’ll find the designer brands.

 

 [ ![Bottle Chop](https://media.slman.com/Izl9rEF7SX-rNw7at2fBknJ-DZ4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-bottle-chop-small-landscape.png?itok=8sqZIhwZ)

 

 ](https://www.bottlechop.co.uk/) 

Bottle Chop  


 

 

 

 

 

 ![Corn Exchange](https://media.slman.com/TuvPjV6daeirab2l7ViPOiacSuE=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-korng-sok-unsplash-1.png?itok=rxAZSbyx)

 

 

Corn Exchange  


 

Korng Sok/Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

 

## SLEEP 

  

 

## The Bells

Leeds isn’t known for its hotels, but The Bells is a nice collection of serviced apartments. Just a ten-minute walk from the station, all the amenities are modern, and there are good self-catering facilities for longer stays. A solid choice for a weekend.

Visit [TheBellsLeeds.com](https://thebellsleeds.com/)

## Arts Hostel

For an affordable staycation, this hotel has modern rooms filled with contemporary artwork. The hostel is a social enterprise by East Street Arts, so all profits are reinvested into the community. There’s a real community feel, and you can book private rooms if you don’t fancy sharing.

Visit [ArtHostel.org.uk](https://arthostel.org.uk/)

 

 

 

 ![](https://media.slman.com/NPjRUP35N_rmNWSoe2BGPv2RsmU=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F06%2Fslman-leeds-korng-sok-unsplash.png?itok=jlerjRjD)

 

 

Korng Sok/Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

 

## VISIT 

  

 

## Roundhay Park

Roundhay is Europe’s biggest inner-city park. It’s beautiful and comprises 700 acres of parkland with lakes, woodland and formal gardens. If has a few playgrounds, too, if you’re with kids, as well as tennis courts.

## Royal Armouries Museum

This is the national museum of arms and armour, home to an impressive collection. From Japanese weapons to Henry VIII’s armour, there’s a lot to see.

Visit [RoyalArmouries.org](https://royalarmouries.org/leeds)

## First Direct Arena

There’s always something going on here, so check it out when you’re next in the city. Some big-name artists have played here over the years, including Elton John, Stormzy and Stereophonics.

Visit [FirstDirectArena.com](https://www.firstdirectarena.com/)

 

*Visit* [*BavetteBistro.com*](https://bavettebistro.com/) *and follow the team on Instagram* [*@BavetteBistro*](https://www.instagram.com/bavettebistro/?hl=en)

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at <info@slman.com>.