Eats

The Leeds Food Tour that uncovers all of the city’s best hidden gems

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 28th March 2024

The app we never knew we needed.

For foodies that feel like they've seen it all in the city; newcomers looking to explore the local cuisine or just if you fancy doing something a little different in town this week - Leeds Food Tour is offering you the chance to see Leeds in a whole new light.

There's currently two different food tours you can choose from to explore the city with, but we opted for the Hidden Gems tour.

We're always on the lookout for more under-the-radar places to check out so we headed out to explore six of Leeds' best hidden gems using the Leeds Food Tour app.

Easy-to-navigate and full of fun features, facts about the businesses and those all-important directions, the app was the perfect companion for the trip.

Sweet Saeeda

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Hidden just around the corner from the main food hall, you’ll find a handful of chairs and a carefully considered menu that truly brings the best of Tunisian cuisine to Leeds.⁠
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Since 2015 Sweet Saeeda has been a popular lunchtime option for many, the fresh flavours and friendly service being just two reasons.⁠ Choose your base, including the likes of paprika chicken, Merguez sausage, falafel and halloumi before watching your sarnie or bowl prepared in front of your eyes from the grains and sauces on the counter - there’s endless combos to keep us returning here after Leeds Food Tour.
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Delhi Wala Food

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Delhi Wala can be found under the arches of the train station, and as well as having one of the best-value meal deals in town, the small plates and curries on offer are light, and packed with flavour.

On the tour, you're offered three different plates of butter chicken, onion bhajis and samosa chaat: these were by far the most filling of our tour, but probably because we just couldn't get enough of that yoghurt-based dip and kept going back for more.

SQEW

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Sqew is quickly becoming something of a cult favourite in Leeds, for those that are in the know that is. Mitch and the team serve up authentic lamb, chicken and doner shawarmas as wraps, salad bowls and platters, each piled high with fresh salad and sauces.

The Cheesy Living Co.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Located inside Leeds Corn Exchange, The Cheesy Living Co. serves up cheese and charcuterie aplenty, as well as stocking fancy deli items and everything you'd want from 'a modern kind of off licence'. Leeds Food Tour offers the perfect opportunity to taste-test some of the store's bestsellers and new additions with a cheese board to share.

Eat Your Greens

This organic restaurant is serving up no fuss farm to fork goodness and using the best local produce possible to feed us lot with a weekly changing seasonal menu that wows every single time.

Leeds Food Tours offers the chance to sample some risotto, a fish finger butty or another of the smaller plates on the menu whilst you browse through the ‘Greens Grocers’, stocking up specialist products from tinned fish and chilli oil to fresh bread and organic groceries.

KULT

Of course what's a meal out without grabbing some pudding on the way out? Kult Gelato is just opposite Leeds Kirkgate Market and remains one of the only places in Leeds you'll find ube-flavoured ice cream that adds that satisfying purple stripe to the dish.

To find out how you can head out on your very own Leeds Food Tours, visit the website here.

Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Award-wining Leeds sandwich shop Silver’s Deli to open neighbourhood bakehouse

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Silver's Deli is opening up a sister shop, and this time it's about everything baked.

We all know and love Silver's Deli for their stacked subs and breakfast sandwiches that could cure any hangover no matter how severe.

They're so good, that they even bagged the coveted Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Award last year.

And rightly so, because Silver's is absolutely class.

And it seems there's just no stopping Silver's, as they've just announced that they'll be opening a sister shop named Silver's Bakehouse serving up everything, yep you guessed it, baked.

It'll also be in Farsley where the original Silver's is, and they're labelling the new venture as 'your neighbourhood bake shop'.

Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Silver's Deli said: "Well it’s happening. I said no more shops, but it’s kinda necessary, and I just love all things baked.

"There’s waaaaaaaaay too many details to share on this right now, but go give our sister shop @silvers_bakehouse a new follow and hold on tight. This is gonna be fun as fuck."

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Customers can expect a wider range of Silver's goodies that they're unable to whip up in the current space. From soft amaretti biscuits and their famous cookies to sausage rolls and brownies that the team have been working on for 12 months.

We're in no doubt that this venture is going to be absolutely brilliant, and you best believe we'll be first in line to try one of those brownies.

Silver's Bakehouse will be located on Town Street in Farsley and is expected to open this May.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Inside the modern Japanese grill coming to Leeds from the team behind Fern Modern Sushi

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

We've been very excited about this one.

If you know anything about the Leeds food scene, then you'll know the absolute legend that is Chef Fern.

Her first restaurant, Fern Modern Sushi, is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Known for their expertly crafted sushi made with the freshest fish on offer.

And now, she's turning her attention to her second venture - Tori Nori.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Tori Nori is a modern Japanese grill and bar inspired by the bustling izakayas of Tokyo.

Everything is centred around the fiery robata grill where guests can watch the chefs cook everything from grilled fish to delicious yakitori skewers right in front of their very eyes.

All designed to share, this is a place to hang out with friends, enjoy some delicious food and maybe sink a few Japanese-inspired cocktails whilst you're at it.

Images: The Hoot leeds

Located on Vicar Lane, the space has had a whole refurb and it's looking fantastic. Complete with perfectly moody lighting, plush banquette seating and beautiful Japanese-inspired wallpaper.

The menu features an entire yakitori menu, from cheesy chicken thighs and pork belly to grilled king prawn and Japanese A5 wagyu all grilled over charcoal.

There's also Fern's signature sushi on the menu, as well as big plates to share such as teryaki half chickens and miso lamb chops.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

You just know that everything Fern touches turns to gold but don't just take our word for it, get yourself to Tori Nori and try it out for yourselves.

Tori Nori will officially open its doors on Friday 10 April. Find out more and book your table here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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