Bavette in Leeds has been named the best local restaurant in Britain

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’.

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.

“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.

You can see all the winners here.

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Featured image: The Hoot Leeds