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.
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.”
Historic family-run Leeds restaurant that’s been open for half a century is forced to close
Clementine Hall
Beloved Leeds restaurant Salvo's has closed suddenly due to 'unexpected dispute' with landlord.
Salvo's over on Otley Road in Headingley is a real Leeds institution.
Having first opened in 1976, it has been serving generations of families for fifty years with its authentic Italian menu.
The much loved restaurant announced the heartbreaking news to their social media today stating that the unexpected closure is down to an 'unexpected dispute' with their landlord.
The post read: "To our dearest customers, friends, and supporters,
"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we must share some devastating news. Due to an unexpected dispute with our landlord, we have been forced to close our doors effective immediately.
"This morning, the landlord changed the locks and denied our team access to the premises. This means we are, with immediate effect, unable to honor any existing bookings, provide table service, or welcome you for the dining experience we love to create.
"We want to be unequivocally clear: We have always met our obligations, including rent and all bills. Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly, not just to serve exceptional food, but to build a community within our walls. Through the immense challenges of the hospitality economy, we fought to stay afloat, committed to our staff, our suppliers, and most of all, to you.
"Our hope now is to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. We remain committed to our dream and to serving you again."
The post continued: "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible support, your laughter that filled our dining room, and your loyalty. It has been our greatest honor to serve you.
"We will update you here as soon as we have more information. Please keep our team in your thoughts."
Daisy Jackson -
24th July 2024 
