Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in West Yorkshire

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in West Yorkshire? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Highland Laddie

5.0

5 (27)

£26 to £40

Gastro Pub

Leeds

About the restaurant

A proper pub on the outskirts of the city centre. Oysters shucked and served from the bar alongside, stout, cask ales, beers and wine. They also make an exceptional martini. Food is centered round an old fireplace where local quality produce is cooked over fire. From the team that own The Empire Cafe.

Top review

Louise

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely amazing meal, drinks, ambiance and experience. Would thoroughly recommend.

Wood Fire Dine

4.9

4.9 (527)

£25 and under

Pizzeria

Leeds

About the restaurant

WOOD | FIRE | DINE is an artisan pizzeria based in Yorkshire with bar area Vespers. Owned by award winning Chef Mark Baber Pizza chef of the year 2019 & Finalist for 2021.

We pride ourselves on our authentic hand making processes and our commitment to quality and excellence.

Top review

Lee

Dined 4 days ago

This place never fails to impress. From arrival to departure you are always looked after The best pizzas around by far Super quality Great prices Mark and the team do a fantastic job!

Bavette-Leeds

4.9

4.9 (447)

£41 and over

French

Leeds

About the restaurant

We’re delighted to introduce Bavette. A neighbourhood bistro filled with warm engaging hospitality, with a menu of seasonally led classically driven dishes.

We hope to get that balance of generosity and quality right - that juxtaposition of every day special.

Bavette is a love letter to our favourite places we’ve been to and been lucky enough to be a part of.

Sandy Jarvis and Clément Cousin.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Third time at Bavette. Excellent food and lively but pleasant atmosphere. Highly recommended

Hern

4.9

4.9 (48)

£41 and over

British

Leeds

About the restaurant

Hern is a relaxed but ambitious bistro from chef Rab Adams, located in the suburb of Chapel Allerton in North Leeds. Rab and his team build menus by focusing on products that are in season and at their best. Organic vegetables, local cheeses, heritage-breed meat and wild fish all feature heavily.

The restaurant is open:

Wednesday Dinner - a la carte menu
Thursday-Saturday Dinner - set menu

Please note; we need all dietary and allergy information at the point of booking. Sample menus can be found on our website.

Top review

lauren

Dined on May 2, 2025

Hern never disappoints. Incredible food, prepared beautifully, with excellent service.

Ox Club at Headrow House

4.8

4.8 (1440)

£26 to £40

Grill

Leeds

About the restaurant

Award winning contemporary grill restaurant specialising in live-fire cooking with Head Chef, Will Campbell, showcasing the best of Yorkshire produce with imaginative changing menus. Ox & Friends collaboration evenings take place on the last Wednesday of the month.

Featured in the Michelin Guide & Good Food Guide.

If you have any issues booking your preferred slot please email info@oxclub.co.uk or ring us from 5pm Weds-Fri, 12pm Sat-Sun as we may be able to squeeze you in!

Top review

CLAIRE

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous good as ever and lovely, attentive service

Quinta Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (322)

£25 and under

Mediterranean

Ilkley

About the restaurant

Top review

Cynthia

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

This was my first visit to Quinta and it was exceptionally quiet on the day we visited for an early dinner The food was fresh, beautifully presented and delicious, I would certainly recommend the lamb We loved the complimentary bread and crisps, all home made I will certainly will go again Thank you

Escape Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (960)

£26 to £40

Mediterranean

Leeds

About the restaurant

We are proud to welcome you to Escape Restaurant & Bar situated in the heart of Horsforth. The venue offers British and Mediterranean cuisine served in newly refurbished deco, we source local produce to create simple but yet delicious food paired with especially/carefully selected wines. Join us at Escape Restaurant & Bar for pre-dinner drinks and enjoy al fresco dining in the summer months. Whatever it is you want to escape from we got it covered #SometimesYouGottaEscape

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

The service was excellent and the food, though this is a fairly expensive restaurant, was worth the price for a special occasion. Sunday dinners were expertly prepared. Children’s pizzas were delicious. Staff were great with my kids.

Forde Horsforth

4.8

4.8 (703)

£26 to £40

British

Leeds

About the restaurant

Horsforth-born Matt Healy, known from MasterChef: The Professionals, has come home to Horsforth!

Matt’s ‘food to swear by’ brand has made a real impact on the Leeds dining scene, earning him a 2024 Michelin Plate for the 3rd consecutive year and a mention in The Good Food Guide. His focus on modern British cooking has won over both diners and critics alike.

MasterChef judge Marcus Wareing praised Matt’s sauces as “some of the best he had ever tasted,” while Jay Rayner’s Guardian review simply said, “Bloody hell, that’s good”—though not quite in those exact words.

With experience working alongside some of the best in the industry, Matt’s bringing together a talented team to deliver excellent food and service right here in Horsforth.

Top review

paul

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food and service,would highly recommend

Forde Ilkley

4.7

4.7 (90)

£26 to £40

British

Ilkley

About the restaurant

Horsforth-born Matt Healy, known from MasterChef: The Professionals, is excited to announce he’s expanding with a new restaurant in Ilkley while continuing his work in Horsforth.

Matt’s ‘food to swear by’ brand has become a favourite in the Leeds dining scene, earning recognition with a 2024Michelin Plate for the 3rd consecutive year and a mention in The Good Food Guide. Now, he's bringing the same style of modern British cooking to Ilkley.

MasterChef judge Marcus Wareing once described Matt’s sauces as “some of the best he had ever tasted,” and Jay Rayner’s review in The Guardian simply stated, “Bloody hell, that’s good” (though not in those exact words).

With this new Ilkley opening, Matt and his experienced team are looking forward to serving up great food and service, both in Ilkley and back home in Horsforth.

Top review

Derek

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely selection of tapas style food. Came out at a nice pace. Really enjoyable

Salute At The White Swan

4.6

4.6 (1188)

£25 and under

Italian

Leeds

About the restaurant

Salute starts with what Italians are most proud of - fantastic, rustic dishes, using recipes that have been tried, tested and loved! As well as serving exceptional food, we aim to create a neighbourhood venue, inspired by the Italian table where people relax, share, and enjoy each others company.

Please note to book an OUTSIDE table for more 6 guests please call the restaurant.

Top review

Sarah

Dined on Jun 10, 2025

Great service and wonderful food. The staff were attentive and friendly, food was prompt and delicious

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