About
I'm Ellen (or Nell, for short), owner of Leeds Food Tours and lover of food in Leeds and beyond.
If you get in touch with Leeds Food Tours, I'll be your point of contact. I plan out all of the tours and make sure that you're always getting the best food in Leeds when you join a food tour.
I've lived in Leeds since 2010, and set up Leeds Food Tours in 2019 (terrible timing!) with the aim of showing you the best independent restaurants, pubs, street food stalls and more in the Leeds city centre.
What Does Leeds Food Tours Offer?
- Guided food tours, running most Saturdays and can be booked online
- Private guided food tours perfect for corporate events, team building, hen dos, birthday celebrations and more (email hello@leedsfoodtours.com to enquire).
- Self-guided food tours, designed for two people, to be done at a time that suit you. Download the app, follow the map and trade digital tokens for food at every stop.
- Gift vouchers - a unique experience gift for foodies, available for guided & self-guided tours.
Are Food Tours Right For You?
Leeds Food Tours was originally set up with tourists in mind, but I quickly realised that a huge proportion of guests were local to Leeds and seeking out new places to eat.
Whilst the food tours are still the best thing for visitors to do in Leeds, they're also ideal for anyone living here or nearby.
You'll visit hidden gems that you might not have heard of before, but will definitely want to return to again. You'll see the city through new eyes, learn something new (lots actually!), eat loads of delicious food and have a great afternoon or evening out.
Meet The Leeds Food Tours Team
From 2019 until mid 2023, Leeds Food Tours was just me. Balancing running the tours, running a business and looking after a small child (with another now on the way!).
Now, we're a wonderful team of three!
Lynda - Tour Guide
If you book onto a guided tour, you might get to meet Lynda! Either myself or Lynda will be taking you around Leeds, into six of the very best food venues.
Lynda (left) and Ellen (right), in our old T shirts, during Lynda's very first food tour!
Lynda joined the team as a tour guide in summer 2023, and since then the 5 star reviews have been rolling in faster than ever before.
Lynda was armed with more facts than she could wish for during training, but she's since done her own research and now has even more facts, tales, ghost stories and cheese jokes than ever before!
Her favourite restaurants in Leeds are Delhi Wala Food, Cheesy Living Co and Crafhouse.
Georgia - Digital Marketing
If you've had a read of our blog or are subscribed to our email newsletter, then you've (digitally) met Georgia.
As well as writing blog posts and emails, Georgia is a fountain of ideas for content and will help out with all manner of admin tasks without complaint (including filing receipts, sorry Georgia!).
Georgia (left) and Ellen (right) at Leeds Indie Market
Georgia loves food and eating out in Leeds as much as I do, and she writes about it with a passion.
Her favourite restaurants in Leeds are Oriental City (specifically for the dim sum menu) and Stuzzi.
Ellen - Business Owner
I'll keep it short as I've already introduced myself. But if you ever want a restaurant recommendation, tips on what to do or where to stay in Leeds, or to find out more about food tours, give me a shout.
My favourite restaurants are Blue Sakura (I'm a huge sushi fan), The Owl and Eat Your Greens.
Why a Food Tour, and Why Leeds Food Tours?
There's loads of things to do in Leeds, from art galleries to crazy golf, shuffleboard to ale trails. So why pick us?
It's a fun day out to suit everyone...
... Apart from those who don't like food!
If you want to enjoy a few drinks you can buy them at nearly every stop, but there's no focus on drinking at all so it's a perfect sober activity too. Old, young, somewhere in between; local or visiting; here for the history or just for the food.
Your food is included
All of the other options I mentioned will also require you to eat before and/or afterwards. On a food tour you'll get food included at six stops, and can expect to be full by the end. No need to spend money on an activity + a meal!
We're expert eaters
Tours are designed by me (Ellen) and based on my experience of eating out in Leeds over the last 14 years, and living right in the city for 10 of those years.
I've tried almost everywhere in the city centre and only put the absolute best food on the tour.
Places that I haven't been and things that I don't know, I can always count on input from my fantastic team.
We're all passionate about small, independent restaurants, local ingredients, sustainability and, most importantly, a good time with lots of laughs!
You Don't Have to Decide
No decision making required, no research needed, no need to vote on where to eat. You'll visit six places, all planned out for you, with the best dishes at each venue selected for you. All you have to do is relax, eat and have a good time!
We'd love for you to join a food tour or experience the best food in Leeds on a self-guided tour one day! We're always here to answer questions or have a chat, just email hello@leedsfoodtours.com.