SquareMeal has released its annual list of the best places to eat in the country, and one of Leeds' best eateries has made it onto the list.
The restaurant guide's annual list of the best places to eat in the country is based on reviews from its food critics and thousands of user votes.
Presenting its list for 2024, which doesn't include London, SquareMeal said the awards had been months in the making and says it includes the "highest calibre of restaurants yet".
One restaurant in Leeds, and the only one in West Yorkshire, has made it onto the list at number 97.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Tharavadu, located on Mill Hill, specialises in Keralan cuisine and is famously favoured by former India cricket captain Virat Kohli.
SquareMeal said about Tharavadu: "Tharavadu is a well-respected Indian restaurant in Leeds city centre, serving a wide-ranging Indian menu that focuses on Keralan cuisine. Kerala's long coastline has long made it one of the more multicultural regions of India, as traders have visited via the ocean for many hundreds of years.
"As well as growing lots of rice, Keralan cuisine also blends influences from all of these trading peoples, and the menu at Tharavadu reflects that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Inside, this is no mere Indian takeaway. The restaurant has been neatly designed, with rich wood tones contrasting against cool grey walls. The natural herringbone wood floors and solid wood tables give the restaurant a flexible feel - it's smart enough for more formal occasions and celebrations, but still relaxed enough to drop in with a friend for a bite to eat."
Five North Yorkshire restaurants were included in the list, Myse in Hovingham, The Angel at Hetton, The Abbey Inn Byland and Skosh and Roots in York.
Bench in Sheffield was also included in the list, and came in at 67th place.
Find out more about SquareMeal's UK's Top 100 Restaurants for 2024 here.
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."
Clementine Hall -
25th January 2024 
