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. 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.
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
National food critic crowns Leeds restaurant as one of his top three in Britain
Renowned food critic Jay Rayner is singing his praises about a certain Leeds restaurant.
And it's probably a restaurant you've walked past time and time again, but have never thought to pop in.
Named Sous Le Nez, this independent French-inspired bistro and wine bar is tucked away in the basement of Quebec House on Quebec Street, right in the heart of the city centre.
Translating roughly as "under the nose", it's particularly fitting as its food and wine is now being hailed as some of the best in Britain by Jay Rayner himself.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Feeding the people of Leeds since 1991, has some of the best food in the city been under our nose this whole time?
Appearing on the Routes LNER podcast hosted by Jenni Falconer, Rayner was asked about his favourite three restaurants in Britain to which Sous Le Nez got a very special mention.
Jay Rayner said: “Sous Le Nez, an old stager in Leeds that has been there a very long time.
“Great wine list. Nothing on the menu will surprise you but it is done very very well.”
Elsewhere on the podcast, he gives a very quick shoutout Domo in Sheffield (also now in Leeds) for their special Lobster on toast.
It's safe to say that Jay loves a bit of Leeds, back in January he gave The Highland Laddie a glowing review hailing it 'the pub that refuses to die' and in 2024 he labeled Zucco in Meanwood 'the perfect Italian'.
High, high praise indeed. You can listen to the podcast here and you can find out more about the fabulous Sous Le Nez here.
Popular Yorkshire burger chain to move into old Five Guys site in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
From one burger chain to the next...
The big Five Guys site on Duncan Street by The Corn Exchange has been empty for quite some time now, after the chain moved into a new premises on the top floor of Trinity Shopping Centre.
But now, a new burger joint is taking its place.
Urban Fresh Burger was born back in 2017 over in Doncaster and has since built a cult following across Yorkshire, opening a total of five sites.
Their selling point is offering a 'healthier' style of burger using fresh and local ingredients, all of which are fully customisable and made to order.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
But don't just take our word for it, here's how Urban Fresh Burger describe themselves: "A healthier choice with flawless flavour, our signature smashed burgers and hand-cut fresh fries keep customers coming back.
"Our secret sauce? Choosing only the freshest, best quality ingredients from local suppliers. It’s a commitment we’ve held true to since day one, and one we’ll never compromise on."
So, what can you expect to see on the menu? Of course - burgers. We're talking beef burgers, chicken burgers and veggie burgers that come with free unlimited toppings so you can stack yours to your heart's desire.
Choose from a huge list such as lettuce, jalapenos, tomato, coleslaw, onion, grilled mushrooms - the list really does go.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find chicken tenders, boneless wings, mozzarella sticks and milkshakes.
Pretty much, they're bringing everything you're craving on your next cheat day to Duncan Street, and we're sure it's going to go down a storm. We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we find out.
Find out more about what to expect from Urban Fresh Burger here.
Sophie Smith -
28th March 2024 
