Top Foodie Experiences in Leeds

It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a proper foodie adventure in Leeds, and I know it can feel a bit overwhelming with so many options — not to mention how quickly some places come and go. So, I thought I’d share some of my firm favourites for anyone visiting Leeds city centre soon. So let’s go and find out the top foodie experiences in Leeds city centre.

Shokupan – Wellington Street

We’re starting strong with one of my latest obsessions — Shokupan, a Japanese spot on Wellington Street. It’s a little tucked away, so you might need to have Google Maps at the ready, but trust me, it’s worth finding. They don’t take reservations and it’s quite small inside, so it’s very much first come, first served. If it’s full, don’t worry — grab a takeaway and head to the little green space just down Wellington Street (I say park, but think benches and a bit of greenery). Perfect for when the weather plays along… although, being the UK, that’s never guaranteed.

So far, we’ve tried the chicken katsu sando and some loaded fries (I wish I could remember the exact name!), and honestly — I can’t fault a thing. The sandwiches are incredible, the fries are next level, and the service is just as good. It’s also dog-friendly, which, as a French bulldog mum, is always a huge win.

If you’re a fan of Japanese food, this is definitely one to add to your list. And if you’re new to Leeds, it’s only about a five-minute walk from the train station — super easy and absolutely worth it. Go and try it for yourself and let me know what you think!

Morty’s Focacceria – located in White Cloth Hall

White Cloth Hall is located just near the Leeds Corn Exchange and is an all-day food and drink hall that’s well worth a visit. I’d heard so many great things about it, so a few months ago we decided to head down and see what the hype was about.

One of the best things? You can order everything straight from your table via a QR code — a big win in my opinion. We quickly spotted Morty’s Focacceria and instantly knew that’s where we were ordering from.

The only downside is that what we had doesn’t seem to be on the menu anymore. I’m pretty sure it was one of their incredible sandwiches with portobello ham, and honestly, I’ve been thinking about it ever since — so it’s a bit of a shame I can’t find it now! That said, the current menu still sounds amazing, so it’s definitely still worth a visit.

It’s also dog-friendly, which is always a huge plus for all the dog parents out there.

There are plenty of other food options there too, though I haven’t had the chance to try them yet — but I’ll definitely be back, so watch this space.

The Whitehall Restaurant and Bar – West Point

Now onto a slightly more bougie option — but one that is worth every single penny.

The Whitehall Restaurant and Bar is somewhere I walked past countless times when I lived in Leeds, but never actually went in. We finally visited a while back for a birthday, and honestly… wow is all I can say.

We both ordered steak, which is always a bit of a risk when you’re married to a South African — let’s just say the UK doesn’t always meet expectations! But this place is on another level. Even for me, as someone who doesn’t usually order steak, it was a solid 10/10.

I genuinely couldn’t recommend it enough. If you’re in the area and fancy treating yourself, this is the spot — and it’s also super close to the train station, which makes it even better.

Alfonso’s Bodega Deli – Grand Arcade

Alfonso’s Bodega Deli is located in the Grand Arcade Leeds, which is such a lovely spot for a little stroll. I’d seen this place all over my social media, so I was really excited to finally visit and see what all the hype was about.

We ordered one of their sandwiches, which was absolutely packed with meat — seriously filling — but if I’m being honest, it didn’t have as much flavour as I was expecting. That said, everything else on the menu looked incredible (the vodka chicken parm especially caught my eye), so I do think we may have just ordered the wrong thing.

It was super busy when we went, with a long queue, which is always a good sign. I’ll definitely be heading back to give it another try — so watch this space for a proper review next time.

Rosa’s Thai – Trinity Leeds

Located in the Trinity Leeds, Rosa’s Thai Leeds is, in my opinion, a slightly more luxury Thai dining experience — and it absolutely delivers.

The food is packed with flavour, the service is some of the best I’ve experienced, and overall it’s a solid 10/10. It also offers great value for money, which makes it even better. I’ve tried so many dishes from the menu at this point that I could genuinely talk about it all day.

If you love Thai food, do yourself a favour and go and check it out — you won’t be disappointed.

La Piola – Park Square

Tucked away in Park Square Leeds, La Piola is one of the cutest Italian spots in the city. It’s quite small, so I’d definitely recommend booking ahead to secure your table.

There are no frills or gimmicks here — just an authentic, old-school Italian restaurant that really delivers. I genuinely couldn’t fault a thing. The pastas, pizzas, and everything in between are just so good.

If you’re after simple, high-quality Italian food done right, this is an absolute must-visit.

I hope you’ve really enjoyed this blog! I’ll be keeping it updated as I discover more foodie spots around Leeds, so definitely check back for new additions.

If there’s anywhere you’d like me to review, or any recommendations you think I should try, please let me know — I’m in Leeds often for work and always on the lookout for incredible places to eat.