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
New Sheffield pizzeria named one of the world’s best
A Sheffield pizzeria has been named one of the world’s best in a prestigious global ranking.
Forbici, the restaurant where all pizzas are served with a pair of scissors, is the only northern pizzeria to be recognised at last week's Best Pizza Awards 2026.
The awards took place in Milan, and are said to be the Michelin equivalent of the pizza world.
Forbici was named as creating one of the world’s best pizzas, with its master chef recognised as one of the top pizza chefs in the world.
It’s one of just two UK pizzerias listed in the coveted top 100 this year.
Images: The Sheff
Forbici opened in Manchester back in 2024, and has since expanded across to lovely Sheffield on Millennium Square back in March.
It was also once named by Marco Pierre White as ‘the best pizza’ he’d ever had - quite an accolade.
Biga pizza dough at Forbici is slow-fermented to create a light, risen crust, before being topped with quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and Italian produce.
It also has a lot of northern flavour, thanks to local specials like the Lancashire Hotpot – a pizza topped with crisps.
And all pizzas are served with scissors, inspired by the pizzerias of Naples, to be cut into quarters.
Master baker Davide Argentino is a fifth-generation baker from Napoli. While his family runs two bakeries on his behalf back home, Davide brings a true taste of authentic Neapolitan pizza to the UK.
Commenting on the recognition, Davide said: “It is a huge honour for Forbici to be recognised as one of the best pizzerias in the world.
“Baking has been in my family for five generations, so this is a really proud moment. In crafting Forbici’s signature dough we challenged convention pushing the fermentation process to the limit. Every bite reflects the patience, precision and expertise behind our approach.
“This recognition belongs to our entire team, whose passion, skill and commitment to the craft of pizza-making make Forbici what it is every day.”
An intimate Japanese katsu bar with only 15 seats is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Chef Fern is taking on another venture, and this time it's all about Katsu.
If you know anything about the Leeds food scene, then you'll know the absolute legend that is Chef Fern.
Her first restaurant, Fern Modern Sushi, is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Known for their expertly crafted sushi made with only the freshest fish on offer.
Nestled in the Central Arcade, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant captured the hearts of many foodies since opening in 2024.
This year, Chef Fern set her sights on another restaurant on Vicar Lane.
Image: O Katsu
Tori Nori opened just a couple of months ago, a modern Japanese grill centred around the fiery robata where guests can watch the chefs cook everything from grilled fish to delicious yakitori skewers right in front of their very eyes.
Unsurprisingly, Tori Nori has also been a huge hit.
But there's just no stopping Fern as she goes on to open yet another restaurant in the city centre.
Introducing O Katsu, an intimate restaurant with only 15 covers serving premium katsu.
Katsu is basically a breaded, deep-fried piece of meat, seafood or vegetables. Served with steaming hot rice, shredded cabbage, miso soup and dipping sauces, it's nothing short of delicious and a popular meal enjoyed in Japan.
We don't know much abut the opening just yet, but what we do know is that it'll be located just opposite her first restaurant in the Central Arcade.
There will be no bookings, and the space will feature an open kitchen so guests can watch the magic happen.
One things for sure, if Chef Fern is involved you just know it's going to be brilliant. We'll keep you updated on the opening of O Katsu as and when we find out.
Sophie Smith -
28th March 2024 
