Food critic Jay Rayner headed to Leeds for his latest restaurant review for The Financial Times, with his sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Since opening last year, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin recently awarded them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time til national critic Jay Rayner popped his head in, and his latest review in The Financial Times is nothing short of glowing.
The review praises the food as 'big, fat French classics, executed with vigour and a kind of precision that is so carefully disguised it just looks like the application of seriously good taste'.
Rayner showers head chef Sandy Jarvis in compliments and rightly so: "He approaches everything with finely calibrated largesse".
"It is all delightful; a glowing, middle-class Parisian Bistro Paul Bert fantasy of French bourgeois life made real, to be lubricated by the country's more idiosyncratic wines".
Very high praise indeed.
Aside from the food, the review touches on Bavette's excellent service and atmosphere: "Service is charming, because effortless charm is the currency here. In July, the Good Food Guide will announce the winners of its latest local restaurant awards, to be measured against the national standard by Bavette.
"Not that the diners here, leaning in over their plates, elbows on the table, seem to care. They're just enjoying the special occasion of everyday."
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
If you haven't visited Bavette yet, then book your table here.
This spot in the city is baking up some weird and wonderful creations.
But you'll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on them, as it's only open one day a week for all your doughy desires.
Introducing Fold, a focaccia-focused bakery by the talented team behind The Cheesy Living Co.
Rewind to this time last year and with three restaurants flourishing across Leeds, the team needed a space to bake all their bread and sweet treats in-house to supply to sites.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this is where Fold came in, located underneath the arches of Brussels Street on the outskirts of the city centre - it may take a while to find this spot but once you have, it'll be worth it.
And they're making some of the most inventive bakes that we've seen.
Of course there'll always be a focaccia on offer, with flavours ranging from crispy chilli oil, sesame and spring onion to kimchi, cheese and pistachio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it's not just savoury focaccia, you'll even find gooey chocolate and banana focaccia as well as Biscoff waffle focaccia....yep, seriously.
Elsewhere they specialise in gigantic footlong cheese twists with more crispy bits than soft, as well as chorizo and cheese stuffed sausage rolls and a range of freshly baked bagels for you to go home and smear in your cream cheese of choice.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Some seriously spectacular specials have been the gochujang cookies and the 'pickle roll', basically like a sausage roll but with...pickles.
It seems there's really no boundaries for where these bakes will go, and you can guarantee that every visit will be different than the rest.
Only open on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm, Fold are changing the baking game. Pop in and say hello, you won't be disappointed.
Family-run Thai street food stall made famous in Leeds Kirkgate Market to open brand-new restaurant
Clementine Hall
One of Kirkgate Market's best hidden gems is growing.
If you're a fan of all things Thai then you'll most likely know about Khao Gaeng Thai.
This family-run street food stall is known for its quick-service Thai food at brilliant prices.
They serve everything from zingy papaya salad and crispy chicken with rice to your classic Pad Thai noodles with your choice of protein.
And if you're looking for a hearty meal to keep you full throughout the day then this is the spot, as the portions are absolutely huge.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Much to our excitement, Khao Gaeng Thai has now opened its second site over on Burley Road which has a bigger kitchen plus its own seating area for you to relax and enjoy the food.
Announcing the news to Instagram, they said: "We’re so excited to announce that Khao Gaeng Thai – Thai Kitchen, our SECOND location, is NOW OPEN! And don’t worry — our original Khao Gaeng Thai at Kirkgate Market is staying OPEN as usual!
"Thanks to all the incredible support we’ve received from our customers at Kirkgate Market over the years, we’ve been able to take this exciting next step and open a second Khao Gaeng Thai.
"At our new Thai Kitchen on Burley Road, you’ll find even more dishes, more choice, and a relaxed sit-down restaurant experience — all with the authentic Thai flavours you know and love.
"So now you can enjoy Khao Gaeng Thai at TWO locations in Leeds! Thank you for helping our little Khao Gaeng Thai family grow. We can’t wait to welcome you!"
We couldn't be happier for the team and can't wait to check out their new space.
Clementine Hall -
2nd June 2025 
