15 restaurants worth leaving Leeds for

Leeds city centre is great for foodies, but it isn’t the only place in the area to go out for a delicious meal.

The city’s outskirts are brimming with cool new restaurants and local favourites well worth a visit.

The Box Tree

From grilled Crottin de Chavignol to sumptuous locally-sourced duck, the quality of the food served at this Michelin-starred eatery is out of this world.

With stunning antique decor to match, The Box Tree is fine dining at its most elegant.

Visit: 35-37 Church Street, Ilkley, LS29 9DR – theboxtree.co.uk

Trattoria Il Forno

Based in the village of Horsforth, this family-run eatery has some of the best pizza in West Yorkshire.

Preparing their pizzas using the traditional stone-baked method, Trattoria II Forno has become famous for its version of the popular dish, along with its mouth-watering selection of gelato.

Visit: 85 Town Street, Horsforth, LS18 5BP – trattoriailforno.co.uk

Don’t Tell Titus

In the beautiful setting of Saltaire (the Industrial-era model village north of Leeds), you’ll find this friendly bar and lounge joint.

Don’t Tell Titus offers delicious dishes, as well as an impressive selection of wines and beers, and the restaurant’s Indian style breakfast kedgeree is certainly worth getting out of bed for.

Visit: 6-7 Victoria Road, Shipley, BD18 3LA – donttelltitus.co.uk

Trattoria Il Forno specialises in authentic stone baked pizza (Photo: Trattoria Il Forno)

Zorbas Bar & Grill

Opened in 2016 by a husband and wife team, this stellar Greek restaurant is located in Cross Gates.

Flavoursome Moussaka, charred souvlaki and nutty Baklava make Zorbas a must for fans of Greek cuisine.

Visit: 4 Austhorpe Road, Cross Gates, LS15 8DX – zorbasbarandgrill.co.uk

Wok Ever Palace

Popular and good value, this Asian restaurant in Cleckheaton encourages guests to gather and spend time together, rather than just eat and leave.

Their menu marries delicious tastes from across the Far East, fusing Chinese, Thai and Singaporean dishes together under one roof.

Visit: 23-27 Dewsbury Road, Cleckheaton, BD19 5DL – wokeverpalace.co.uk

Westbourne Spice

Set in a charming Yorkshire country house in the market town of Otley, Westbourne Spice serves Kashmiri, Pakistani and Mughlai cuisine, with plenty of options for vegetarian diners.

Visit: Bradford Road, Otley, LS21 3LS – westbournespice.com

The Agora

This family-run Horsforth restaurant specialises in Greek and Turkish food, with delicious Kleftiko, stacked mezze platters and a number of imported beers among the highlights of the menu.

Visit: 207-209 New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4DR – theagora.co.uk

Moody Cow have two restaurants - one in Ikley and another in Apperley Bridge (Photo: Moody Cow)

Bistro Saigon

Founded by Vietnamese chef, Loc Bui, upon his move to the UK, Bistro Saigon is another reason to travel the distance to the trendy area of Ilkley.

From spring rolls to green curry, Bui has put the best of Vietnamese cuisine on the menu and as it’s open for lunch, you can pick up a healthy lunchbox to enjoy at your desk.

Visit: 1A Railway Road, Ilkley, LS29 8HQ – bistrosaigon.co.uk

Buon Apps

Offering rustic Italian cooking in the heart of Yorkshire, Buon Apps boasts a menu of fine Italian cuisine, alongside a selection of handpicked wines which have been carefully chosen to complement each dish.

Visit: Hartley House, 50 Mill Way, Otley, LS21 1FE – buonappsotley.co.uk

Moody Cow

A haven for meat-lovers, the menu at these two steakhouses (located in Apperley Bridge and Ilkley) is stacked with choice, from steaks to brisket to beef burgers.

There’s even a B&B on site in Apperley Bridge, if you’d like to stay over for breakfast.

Visit: Apperley Lane, Apperley Bridge, BD10 0NS / 1-2 New Brook Street, Ilkley, LS29 8DQ – moodycowgrill.co.uk

Sweet Basil Valley

Boasting sites in both Rawdon and York, Sweet Basil Valley specialises in Chinese and Thai cuisine.

Sweet Basil Valley offers a variety of classic Asian dishes, from sweet and sour, to panang curry.

Visit: Green Lane, Rawdon, Yeadon, LS19 7BY – sweetbasilrestaurant.com

Trattoria Il Forno is situated in Horsforth (Photo: Trattoria Il Forno)

Waterside Bistro & Bar

Perched alongside the Leeds-Liverpool canal, Waterside Bistro & Bar enjoys a tranquil setting.

The menu here is seasonal, making use of locally sourced ingredients, with a host of home and continental favourites available.

Visit: Unit B, 7 Wharf Street, Shipley, BD17 7DW – watersideshipley.com

Shibden Mill Inn

Alongside a wide range of Cask Marque ales and boutique wines, the menu offers an array of fine Yorkshire fayre to tuck in to, crafted from the best locally sourced produce (including some from their own kitchen garden).

Visit: Fold, Shibden Mill Fold, Halifax, HX3 7UL – shibdenmillinn.com

Melton’s Restaurant

Known for its high quality British food and relaxed atmosphere, Melton’s is one of York’s leading fine dining restaurants.

The five-course tasting menu offers a variety of seasonal produce to try, and with more than 120 wines to choose from, there’s plenty of opportunity to be adventurous with flavours.

Visit: 7 Scarcroft Road, York, Y023 1ND – meltonsrestaurant.co.uk

Beatson Restaurant

Serving a varied selection of modern British dishes, including; herb-crusted rack of lamb, sea bass fillet and Holme farmed venison haunch steak, the menu here is seasonal and prepared using the best local produce, to ensure the very best in quality and flavour.

Visit: 2 Darton Road, Cawthorne, Barnsley, S75 4HR – beatsonhouse.co.uk