Voted for by kebab lovers nationwide, Leeds' one and only Sqew has taken the coveted prize.
Following over 160,000 votes being cast, Deliveroo has revealed the winners of its 2025 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the best and most loved local restaurants across the UK and Ireland.
Leeds came up trumps taking home four prizes, but although we may be a little bit biased - there's one which we're particularly happy about.
Winning a completely new category titled the ‘Luke Littler x Deliveroo Best Kebab Award’, Sqew took home the trophy for its incredible and authentic shawarma.
Fronted by the UK darts champion himself, which saw a shortlist of ten Littler-approved restaurants go head to head in a public vote to crown the nation’s best kebab spot, Sqew Shawarma Bar secured he title after gaining backing from local fans in just two weeks.
To be honest, we can't say we're surprised.
Day in, day out you'll see queues of hungry punters lining up outside Sqew leading them to actually sell out of shawarma - why? Because it's absolutely class.
Mitch Renshaw, Owner of Sqew Shawarma Bar, commented on the win: “To win the first-ever Luke Littler x Deliveroo Kebab Award is unbelievable! We’re still pinching ourselves. To know that so many of our loyal Lioners have voted for us to win means so much, especially after being personally approved by Luke Littler himself.
"It is an incredible feeling and a real testament to the hard work and passion of our entire team who make and serve our freshly made Kebabs to the local community with love, every day. This golden shish trophy will take pride of place in our shop – it’s a massive honour!”
Jimi Famurewa, food critic and Deliveroo restaurant awards judge, said: “It’s an honour to be a returning judge for Deliveroo’s UK & Ireland restaurant awards, and I was blown away by the passion and talent on display at the Independent Restaurant of the Year cook-off."
Congratulations Sqew, this award is absolutely deserved and we'll see you soon for an award-winning kebab.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
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.”
Clementine Hall -
28th May 2025 
