Two Leeds restaurants have come up trumps in OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants for 2025.
Now that's quite an achievement if you're asking us.
And it's not the first time for the brilliant Bavette bistro over in Horsforth, who were also featured on the list last year just months after opening their doors.
Known for its fabulous French cuisine, warm atmosphere and unbeatable service - Bavette is a firm favourite from locals and tourists alike.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Also featured is The Highland Laddie, who after only opening this year have been scooping up the awards including Best Pub in the UK by The Good Food Guide.
Run by the masterminds behind Empire Cafe, this laidback old school pub are serving elevated pub classics as well as bar oysters and brilliant pints of Guinness. Sounds like our kind of place if you're asking us.
The list is curated not by critics, but by diners, taking feedback from the general public and curating the top 100 from their feedback and reviews.
Each year, OpenTable looks at customer reviews and metrics to determine the top restaurants across the country.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
And if there's anyone's opinions we truly trust, it's the punters spending their hard-earned cash.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Bavette said: "We’re in the top 100! Delighted to say we’re in OpenTable’s top 100 UK restaurants list again this year. The whole team are incredibly proud of our 4.9/5 rating, based on customer reviews.
"A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to reply to Open Table’s email after their visit this year, we really appreciate them."
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
8th December 2025 
