The best burgers of Leeds- now that's a pretty big claim to make.
Every time we even utter the words 'this might be one of the best' on Instagram or TikTok, there's a lot of controversy. Granted, we haven't sampled every burger in Leeds- and we're still up for plenty more recommendations, but we have definetly sampled plenty over the years. These are some of our favourite places to grab a burger, be it veggie, chicken, pork or beef filled.
Keep reading to find out our top 16 burgers, and how you can recommend your favourite burger spot for us to sample...
Big Buns
Inside Northern Market, Leeds City Centre
Big Buns has been raved about by plenty of Yorkshire folk over the past year or so, and the burger joint, operating inside The Brewery Tap, is quickly gaining traction as one of the city centre's go-to spots for a bite to eat before the footy or afternoon in town.
Fat Hippo
Otley Road, Headingley
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for big, fat, juicy burgers with weird and wonderful toppings - then Fat Hippo is most definitely the spot for you. They're always cooking up a seasonal special too, so you can pop back time and time again to get your chops around something brand new.
Burgerism
Order food delivery apps
Hoot recommends: Classic beef burger
Burgerism keep it simple with single or double patties with cheese - but you'll still taste a rainbow of flavours in every bite. These burgers remind us of that cheeseburger in The Menu where you can see the tastiness of 'a simple cheeseburger' in both Julian and Margot's eyes as the movie comes to its dramatic crescendo.
Good Boy Burger Co.
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Hoot recommends: The Cauli Schnitzel or The Good Boy With Cheese
Good Boy Burger Co. is that familiar face that you look for at a festival. Spotted at Live at Leeds Fest and Peddler Market as well as a permanent spot in Kirkgate Market, we keep going back for the melt-in-your-mouth short rib smash patties and 'organic wherever possible' ethos.
Patty Smith's
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Inside Belgrave Music Hall, Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds City Centre
You'll find Patty Smith's over at Belgrave Music Hall, nestled between the staircase leading to the rooftop terrace and the intimately lit bar.
Grab meat-free patty or two on the weekend and help yourself to the buy one get one for £1 on selected burgers each Sunday. Plus, if you pop in during the week for a lunchtime burger fix, Patty Smith's offers free chips with all burgers 12pm - 5pm.
Meat:Stack
Opposite Leeds Train Station, Bishopgate Street, Leeds City Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Standing proud on Boar Lane, Meat:Stack is a cult indie favourite from Newcastle that grew so popular, they needed another venue in the north- and we're just grateful that they chose Leeds. The menu here is big and bold, just like the flavours available. Think Yellowstone burgers with bacconaise, hash browns, french onion, Carolina gold BBQ sauce for an idea of the offerings here.
Fat Annies
Inside Leeds Kirkgate Market, Leeds City Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Annies has been a Leeds Kirkgate Market favourite for quite some time and between their meat-free menu pledged to protect the planet and their tasty burgers and 'not' dogs certain to become your next favourite hangover cure. The Mexicana burger in particular is a real treat: made up of a vegan bean burger (with a kick and crunch) with cheese, salsa, mayo, jalapenos, nacho crunch and iceberg, dor a spicy meal deal, you can add some Chilli Cheese Fries, complete with jackfruit chilli and stringy cheese-nacho crunch and soft drink of your choice.
Kerbside Kids
The Woods, Chapel Allerton
Image: The Hoot Leeds
These legends have really made a name for themselves for serving up some of the best stacked burgers in Leeds. You can find them now at The Woods in Chapel Allerton where you can grab a pint, a burger and get nestled on their vast rooftop for hours on end. Bliss.
Banyan
Park Square, Leeds City Centre Ilkley, Harrogate and Roundhay
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The summer menu from Banyan is locally-crafted but inspired by faraway destinations- and the burger offerings are no different. The Korean Fried Chicken Burger is a spicy cajun chicken burger, served with gem lettuce, tomato caesar mayonnaise, crispy slaw and a huge chicken gravy dripping pot for that added saucy serving.
Hooyah Burgers
Albion Street, Leeds City Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Recently visited by Rate My Takeaway YouTuber Danny Malin, Hooyah Burgers is the Deliveroo king of takeaway- and all because of their build your own burger concept. Choose from four different patties, including beef, chicken and meat-free options before building up your burger with different types of cheese, salads and sauces.
Featured Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
A dedicated matcha bar made famous in Sheffield is opening in Leeds city centre
Matcha girls assemble, because a new cafe dedicated to it is opening right here in Leeds.
It seems like matcha has taken the world by storm over the past year or so, more often than not you'll see caffeine enthusiasts walking around with bright green drinks over a cup of coffee.
If you're one of those people then you're in luck, because a cafe dedicated to the stuff is opening right here in Leeds.
Introducing Made Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year.
Images: The Sheff
And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site, the beautiful plant shop hasn't been around for long and sadly closed quietly without much noise.
So, what can we expect from Made?
This pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Images: The Sheff
You can get everything from a Strawberry Shortcake Matcha to a Sticky Date Latte, and you can pretty much guarantee that every time you go they'll have a few more specials on the menu.
Our mates over at The Sheff recommend the Banana Bread Matcha and to be honest, you don't have to tell us twice.
Not only do they serve gallons of the good green stuff, but you can also get fresh açaí bowls, sandwiches and superfood smoothies.
We've got a feeling this spot will be very busy post-pilates class on a Saturday morning, and to be honest we'll see you there.
There's no opening date yet, but we'll keep you in the loop.
Where to find the very best pizza in Leeds and the surrounding areas
Clementine Hall
Circle or square, thin crust or deep dish, pizza is always a good idea.
From double-fermented sourdough to Fior di Latte mozzarella, the pizza options in Leeds leave you feeling like you’ve stepped onto the cobbled streets of Rome.
But of course finding that perfect slice for you can be hard, so we've rounded our very favourite spots in and around Leeds where you can try to find it - in no particular order.
Rudy's
Image: The Hoot Leeds
With three locations in Leeds, Rudy’s is an absolute classic if you're looking for a banging Neapolitan style pizza.
Their dough is made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), which is then topped with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
Wash it all down with a classic Aperol Spritz or Campari soda, and you’ve got the perfect combination.
Dough Boys
Image: The Hoot Leeds
For anyone who spends their weekends chilling out in Belgrave Music Hall, you’ll know the pure joy of ordering a slice of Dough Boys.
Describing themselves as having a ‘love affair with dough’ they are famous in Leeds for their slices and pies with some delicious innovative flavours as well as the loved classic. The pizzas are hand stretched using all fresh ingredients, sourced from local producers.
You can grab slices for half price Sunday to Thursday until 7pm.
Homeboy Pizza Co.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Probably one of Leeds' most famous indies, Homeboy Pizza Co sling out some of the best slices in the city.
Now with two locations, one in Roundhay and one in Burley - it's the only place to order from if you're looking to get tucked up on the sofa and get stuck into a proper pie.
Poco
Fried Sicilian calzone and Pizza Al Taglio have become a Leeds foodie staple all because of POCO.
The flavours here are imaginative, but authentic. Think spicy Calabrian ‘Nduja sausage with roast peppers and mozzarella, pear and gorgonzola or even ham and potatoes (and by potatoes, we mean mini fries) across huge oblong slices of pizza; with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to compliment the seemingly never-ending selection. It makes for the perfect takeaway lunch.
Pizza Pilgrims
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A relatively new addition to Leeds, Pizza Pilgrims on Boar Lane make some absolutely banging pies.
Known for their iconic leopard crust, their pizzas are authentic and made with the best quality ingredients. We'd recommend ordering a few of their sides too, the cucumber salad is out of this world.
Edges Pizza
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located on Green Room's rooftop, Edges Pizza are bringing a slice of New York City to Leeds. Thin, crispy bases which can be dipped into a range of sauces - it's the perfect slice to dive into with a couple cocktails on the side. Bliss.
Livin' Italy
Fancy a trip to Rome whilst staying within the LS postcode? Take a trip to Livin' Italy where they specialise in authentic Italian food, and they do it very well.
They’ve got a great selection including a spicy pizza with tomato sauce, goat cheese, mozzarella fiordilatte, grated parmesan, Calabrian chilli sausage ‘Nduja, and spicy salami spianata. These kind of flavours, you won't find anywhere else in Leeds. Looking for something more classic? We'd recommend with mozzarella fiordilatte, pecorino romano, goat cheese, grated parmesan, sweet gorgonzola, walnut crumble & fried sage.
Water Lane Boathouse
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Not just famous for hosting arguably Leeds' best quiz night or the huge ourdoor terrace looking over the canal, Waterlane Boat House are excellent at making pizza.
Their pizza dough is made using just three ingredients: Organic Yorkshire flour, water and salt - that makes it a proper Yorkshire pizza doesn't it? The Spinach & Blue Cheese is a real crowd favourite; San Marzano, fior di latte, spinach, blue cheese, mushroom, red onion with crumbled walnuts.
Culto
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Over in Meanwood you'll find Culto, a firm local favourite that serve up brilliant pizzas which you can take out or enjoy inside their beautiful dining space.
They've won awards for their pizzas and it's not hard to see why, we'd recommend kicking things off with an antipasti board first.