Leeds' culinary scene is about to sizzle as Etci Mehmet, the renowned Turkish Steakhouse, announces its arrival in Leeds.
Sometimes a really fantastic steak just hits the spot, and now us Leeds lot are getting very lucky as an award-winning steakhouse is opening up in the city centre this summer.
Etci Mehmet is a renowned Turkish Steakhouse that has already proved a huge hit with diners in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.
Their new restaurant will be on Eastgate in Leeds city centre, just off the Headrow opposite the Victoria Gate casino.
Image: Press Images
Guests can expect a whole feast for the senses, combining their mouthwatering Turkish-inspired menu with jaw dropping fire shows and plenty more theatrics to make your dining experience like no other.
Open every day of the week, tuck into dishes such as their 28-day dry-aged premium beef to their show-stopping Etci Special Fillet Mignon prepared tableside with live flambé demonstrations.
Images: Press Images
Speaking ahead of the Leeds launch, Operations Director Amine el Gueddar commented: “We are thrilled to continue our UK expansion. Leeds has been cooking for a long time and was the next natural destination. Many of our current guests travel weekly from the Yorkshire district, including Bradford, Huddersfield, Batley, Dewsbury and Wakefield, we wanted to bring the Etci experience closer to them.
"Leeds ticks all the boxes, and we found the perfect location on Eastgate, Headrow, in the heart of the city. It is easily accessible to students, professionals, and families alike. With ample parking and proximity to transport links and motorways, enjoying a delicious meal at Etci Mehmet has never been easier.”
Image: Press Images
The new venture will create 60 jobs and although no official opening date has been announced yet, it is said to be this summer 2024.
“We can’t wait to create an inviting atmosphere at our new restaurant, filled with our passion for food and hospitality,” said el Gueddar. “We love seeing everyone enjoying their time together with us and we’re excited to serve, support and entertain the Yorkshire community!”
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Clementine Hall -
30th April 2024 
