Leeds Foodie Bucket List: 20 Things You Really Need to Eat
Jun 05, 2025
Leeds has a food scene that punches well above its weight. It’s not just about fancy restaurants (though we have a few) or street food (which we also do brilliantly). What makes eating in Leeds special is its mix of cult classics, indie obsessions, old-school staples and dishes that feel very “Leeds” without even trying.
Whether you’re here for a weekend or a long-time local looking for your next bite, here’s your Leeds Foodie Bucket List: 20 things to eat before you leave. No chains, no fluff. Just genuinely good food from people who care.
1.The Naan Wrap from Manjit’s Kitchen
📍 Kirkgate Market or pop-ups
A game-changing combo of Indian street food flavours, salad crunch, house pickles and warm, soft naan. Vegan and veggie-friendly but never missing a beat on flavour.
2. Chorizo Hash at Laynes Espresso
📍 New Station Street
Brunch royalty. Crispy potatoes, spicy chorizo, slow eggs and a slick of aioli. Pair with a flat white and feel very Leeds.
3. Bao Buns from Little Bao Boy
📍 North Brew Taproom or pop-ups
Soft, cloud-like buns stuffed with fried chicken, hoisin jackfruit or pork belly. Messy. Excellent. Totally worth it.
4. A Cheese Toastie from George & Joseph
📍 Chapel Allerton
Made with local cheeses (like Harrogate Blue or Ribblesdale goat), these are the kind of toasties that will ruin all others for you.
5. Vada Pav from Bundobust
📍 Mill Hill
Bundobust's Vada Pav is their iconic Indian veggie burger, a beloved street food snack. It features a deep-fried, spiced mashed potato ball coated in gram flour, in a soft bun. This flavourful patty is generously slathered with their vibrant red and green chutneys, often accompanied by a fiery fried green chilli for those who like an extra kick.
6. Slow-cooked Pork Tacos from Sabroso Street
📍 Farsley
Soft corn tortillas, juicy pork, sharp pickles and salsa that slaps. These are tacos worth tracking down.
7. The Rarebit from The Swine That Dines
📍 Headingley
Not your average cheesy toast. This one’s made with tangy cheese, ale and mustard, grilled on sourdough and finished like a love letter to Yorkshire.
8. The Chocolate Tart from Friends of Ham
📍 New Station Street
Finish your charcuterie board with this: rich, bitter chocolate with flaky sea salt. It’s grown-up indulgence.
9. Oysters from Hayes
📍 Kirkgate Market
Renowned for their incredibly fresh and delicious oysters. It's a true hidden gem for seafood lovers seeking a premium experience in the heart of the market.
10. Pistacchio pesto pasta from La Piola
📍 Park Square
This delicious pasta dish features perfectly cooked pappardelle tossed with crispy guanciale, a rich and vibrant pistachio pesto, and finished with dollops of creamy stracciatella cheese. It's a must try for Italian food in Leeds.
11. Ramen from House of Fu
📍The Headrow
Rich broth, springy noodles, soy eggs and the dreamiest pork belly. Or go vegan with the spicy miso. Late-night karaoke is optional but recommended.
12. Kung Pao at Wen's
📍 North Street
Tangy, nutty and a whole load of flavour. Any dish from Wen's is authentic and a fantastic experience.
13. The Fried Chicken from Slap & Pickle
📍 Assembly Underground or delivery
Crispy, juicy, and dunked in sauces that range from classic to nuclear. Add loaded fries. Regret nothing.
14. A Slice of Pizza from Homeboy Pizza Co
📍 Burley and soon to be Roundhay
Strictly sourdough pizza bases, NY style at their store and Neapolitan at pop ups. Check these out, they're blowing up the Leeds pizza scene.
15. The Cheesy Torched Salmon Roll from Fern Modern Sushi
📍 Central Arcade
Cheese on sushi? Never had it until Fern's! It's a crispy king prawn tempura and fresh avocado, topped with delicate salmon, a rich truffle mayo, a drizzle of sweet teriyaki, and a sprinkle of savoury Parmesan cheese. It’s a truly indulgent and perfectly balanced flavoured roll!
16. Sunday Roast from The Beck & Call
📍 Meanwood
Yorkshire puddings the size of your head, locally-sourced meat and gravy you could drink. A proper Leeds Sunday.
17. The Full Veggie Breakfast from Out of the Woods
📍 Granary Wharf
Halloumi, sweet potato, herby mushrooms and grilled tomato. Add their fresh juices and you’re set for the day.
18. Chilli Chicken at Delhi Wala
📍 Bishopgate Street
It's an Indo-Chinese favourite. This popular dish features crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a vibrant, tangy, and spicy chilli sauce, typically mixed with onions and peppers.
19. Pork Gyros from Mythos
📍 Chapel Allerton and Hyde Park
Authentic Greek gyros and oregano fries at a reasonable price. Causal dining but always hits the spot!
20. Espresso Martini from The Domino Club
📍 Secret bar under a barbershop
Cocktail meets speakeasy. Strong, smooth and served with live jazz most nights.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to visit all 20 in one visit, but we won’t judge you if you do. Leeds is made for food lovers. We’ve got the flavours, the creativity and the passion—all wrapped up in a city that knows how to have a good time.
If you want to skip the guesswork and eat your way through Leeds with a local, join one of our food tours, we’d love to show you our favourites (and a whole lot more that we’re keeping off this list, just for you).
