A neighbourhood restaurant has been named the best local spot not just in Leeds, but in all of Britain.
The brilliant Bavette over in Horsforth has topped the Good Food Guide's prestigious list of the 100 Best Local Restaurants.
The huge achievement comes just months after the French bistro first opened its doors, and it's beaten off some stiff competition from right across the UK to get to the number one spot.
Bavette, founded by husband and husband team Sandy Jarvis and Clément Cousin, has been hailed by the restaurant review bible for as ‘the model of a perfect local restaurant’.
Judges said that Bavette has ‘raised the game in this corner of Leeds and beyond’, catching the eye of locals and foodies across the nation (in case you missed it, this local spot has also already made it into the Michelin Guide…)
The Good Food Guide added that it is an ‘impressive win and one that is richly deserved’.
Inside Bavette in Horsforth. Credit: The Hoot LeedsThe beautiful Bavette has been named Britain's best local restaurant by The Good Food Guide. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Chloë Hamilton, co-editor of The Good Food Guide, said: ‘With Sandy and Clément’s backgrounds in some of London’s top establishments (Terroirs, where they met, is a strong influence), opening a restaurant together in an outer suburb of Leeds looked great on paper.
"But the way they’ve brought it to life – excellent bistro cooking, an adventurous, engaging wine list (including bottles from Clément’s family of organic winemakers in the Loire), and the energy and warmth of the team – make it irresistible.
"They’ve had 1st birthday parties and 90th birthday parties here. It has lit up the community."
Reflecting on their win, Sandy and Clément said: "We are completely gobsmacked about winning the Best Local Restaurant Award.
Bavette in Leeds serves brilliant French food. Credit: The Hoot LeedsOwners Sandy and Clement said they're 'completely gobsmacked' to be named Britain's Best Local Restaurant. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
"To be included in the top 100 in our first few months would have been a great achievement but to be the overall winners is such a huge honour and testament to all the hard work of the team since day one, so this is for them.
"Our sign above the door says 'a neighbourhood bistro' and being a great local restaurant is everything we wanted Bavette to be. Thank you to everyone who has come through our doors over the past five months, you’ve made Bavette what it is."
This year, more than 60,000 votes were cast in The Good Food Guide's 100 Best Local Restaurants guide, leaving a panel of experts to anonymously eat in the front-running restaurants across the UK.
Also making the list in Leeds were The Empire Cafe and Hern, while Coin in Hebden Bridge also soared into the top 100.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Daisy Jackson -
24th July 2024 
