
Majestic old towns famous from the industrial age, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Bradford the list goes on and on and each is worthy of a book in its own right. Leeds, with over 700,000 residents is the second largest metropolitan district in the UK. Eating out in the region is a joy. Good, old fashioned tearooms and family run fish and chip shops are alive and well as are the fashionable restaurants, cool gastro pubs and an unbelievable choice of ethnic eating places; Bradford is the curry capital of the UK. Of course there must be a mention of Yorkshire pudding, cooked in the meat tin and traditionally served as a starter with gravy.
Fleece InnThis eighteenth-century Yorkshire pub is a real gem. Punters spill out onto the courtyard and congregate round the barbecue on sunny summer days; there are heated 'umbrellas' on the terrace and a roaring fire in the drinkers' bar when the weather closes in.
154 Main Street, Addingham, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Akbar'sWhen it opened in 1995, this crowd-pulling restaurant seated just 28 people: now it caters for up to 200. Part of the attraction is the colourfully exuberant décor, which comes complete with a mock fountain, brazier wall lights and a tented ceiling in one of the jam-packed dining rooms.
1276 Leeds Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
Bradley's RestaurantA quiet village location on the outskirts of Bradford is the setting for this long-running neighbourhood restaurant, which has recently been bought and taken over by Heaton local boy Andrew Bradley (who already runs the highly successful Bradley's in Huddersfield).
46-50 Highgate, Bradford, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
MumtazGlaring neon signs mark out this sprawling conversion of a stone terrace on Bradford's outer ring road. At the front of the place is a takeaway area with Mumtaz own-brand pickles, sweetmeats and ready meals on display; beyond there are numerous dining areas on different levels, with posh marble floors, classy modern furnishings and seating for 500.
386-400 Great Horton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
NawaabSince opening in 1981, the Nawaab name has become iconic in Yorkshire and the flagship Bradford original is still going strong.
32 Manor Row, Bradford, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
PrashadMrs Kaushy Patel and her family started out by selling vegetarian snacks and sweetmeats in this modest corner site, before expanding into sit-down meals.
86 Horton Grange Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
Brook'sSavoy-trained Darrell Brooks has brought a touch of nostalgic elegance to Brighouse – a West Yorkshire town famed for its prize-winning brass bands, but now with a decent restaurant to boast about as well.
6 - 8 Bradford Road, Brighouse, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Harlequin RestaurantA converted Victorian stone house in a Yorkshire village a few miles from Keighley is the setting for Fran and Tony Zebedee's bustling neighbourhood restaurant.
139 Keighley Road, Cowling, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: International
La CachetteLa Cachette has been feeding the Elland faithful for a good many years and no longer needs to hide its light under a bushel.
31 Huddersfield Road, Elland, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Kaye ArmsStanding alone on the Huddersfield to Wakefield road not far from Claphouse Colliery Mining Museum, the Kaye Arms is the latest venture of Tim Bilton who featured on BBC2's Great British Menu.
29 Wakefield Road, Grange Moor, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Shibden Mill InnNestling in a fold of the Shibden Valley overlooking Red Beck, this seventeenth-century inn has been completely transformed by its present owners Simon and Caitlin Heaton.
Shibden Mill Fold, Halifax, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
1885 The RestaurantSet in a converted Victorian cottage on the fringes of Halifax, overlooking the Pennines, this sophisticated – but unassuming – restaurant is genially run by members of the Evans family.
The Recreation Ground, Halifax, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Design HouseSet on the ground floor of the dazzling Dean Clough Arts and Business Centre complex, this ultra-modern brasserie looks the part, with its steel, etched glass and furniture by Phillipe Starck.
Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Holdsworth House HotelJayne Mansfield, Cilla Black and Billy Connolly are just three of the famous names who have enjoyed great hospitality in this early seventeenth-century stone mansion.
Holdsworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Weavers Restaurant with RoomsSet on the cobbles close to the Bronte Parsonage Museum, Weavers has been feeding locals, tourists and bibliophiles for more than a quarter of a century.
13 - 17 West Lane, Haworth, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The HepworthSituated in exhilarating walking country amid the rolling hills of the Holme Valley, The Hepworth puts on a contemporary show with its high-quality leather fittings, sumptuous cream and chocolate colour schemes.
Sheffield Road, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Mustard and PunchRichard Dunn has been doing Honley proud for more than a decade with his smart lively restaurant behind a converted shop front.
6 Westgate, Honley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Bradley's RestaurantThis bistro-style restaurant occupies a one-time Conservative club just off the ring road near the station. Inside, the split-level dining room buzzes with customers.
84 Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Dining Rooms @ The Cook & Bakeware CompanyThe Strawberry Fair in question is Huddersfield's long-established crockery and kitchenware shop in the centre of town. On the first floor are the Dining Rooms, which provide a godsend daytime service for shoppers and business people alike.
14 - 18 Westgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
NawaabThe Huddersfield branch of the locally renowned Nawaab group occupies a converted bank handily situated midway between the bus and railway stations.
35 Westgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
The Butcher's ArmsThe Butcher's Arms is an award winning pub in the picturesque village of Hepworth, located between Holmfirth and Penistone. This Grade II listed building has been owned since 2008 by one of BBC2's Great British Menu chefs Tim Bilton, and he has made it one of Yorkshire's most popular gastro pubs.
38 Towngate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Box TreeWidely regarded as one of Yorkshire's most legendary restaurants, the Box Tree occupies an old farmhouse built around 1720. The eponymous box trees out front were planted during the nineteenth century and the place served as a tearoom before founding fathers Malcolm Reid and Colin Long appeared in 1962.
37 Church Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern French
FarsydeGavin Beedham's fixture of the Ilkley scene moved from its rather cramped premises beneath Betty's Tea Rooms in 2003 and is now firmly entrenched opposite Ilkley parish church.
1-3 New Brook Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Ilkley Moor VaultsLong regarded as Ilkley's finest real ale pub, the Ilkley Moor Vaults has been given a serious facelift, a new image and a brand new upstairs dining room for private events and special occasions.
Stockfield Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Monkman's Wine Bar and RestaurantMonkfish in Ilkley has morphed into the Monkman's Wine Bar and Restaurant with new owners Mike and Joelle at the helm.
3 - 5 Cunliffe Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: French (Bistro)
Rombalds Hotel and RestaurantSince 1835, explorers trekking 'The Moor' have found solace and sustenance at this Georgian hostelry. What was once a simple rooming house is now a privately-run country house hotel in classic Yorkshire style.
11 West View, Ilkley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Dog & GunPerched precariously on the fringes of the Pennine moors above the rural village of Oxenhope (just outside Keighley), The Dog and Gun offers a quintessential taste of Yorkshire.
Denholme Road, Keighley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Akbar'sA handy Indian destination right in the heart of Leeds' city centre, this branch of the highly rated Akbar's group follows the same path as its siblings across the north of England.
15 Eastgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
Angel's ShareSeveral big players on the Leeds bar and restaurant scene have joined forces to run this fashionable youngblood venture in Chapel Allerton village.
Stainbeck Corner, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Mediterranean
Anthony'sLocal boy Anthony Flinn served a gilt-edged apprenticeship at Ferran Adrià's legendary El Bulli restaurant near Barcelona before bringing his skills back home.
19 Boar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Anthony's PatisserieSweet treats are the latest addition to Anthony Flinn's mini empire, which already includes high-flying Anthony's restaurant on Boar Lane and its brasserie brother at Flannels.
37 Queen Victoria Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: European
Bibis ItalianissimoBibis has been part of the Leeds scene for a number of years, but a serious move in 2003 raised its profile immensely.
Criterion Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Italian
Bon Viveur RestaurantA veteran of the Leeds restaurant scene, Bon Viveur has been pulling in the crowds for more than three decades.
19 Low Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: French
Brasserie BlancA recent addition to Raymond Blanc's mini-chain of flexible Gallic brasseries (originally Le Petit Blanc), this venue is right at the heart of regenerated central Leeds.
Victoria Mill, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern French
Brasserie Forty 4This enduring brasserie has expanded to take the room occupied by Pool Court at 42 after the shutters came down on that venerable old establishment at the end of 2005.
44 The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Bryan'sAs much of a fixture of Yorkshire life as nearby Headingley Cricket Ground, this legendary venue has been dispensing incomparable fish and chips since John Bryan set up shop in 1934.
9 Weetwood Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Seafood
Casa Mia MillenniumCasa Mia's resplendent flagship restaurant is spread over two floors in the city's exclusive Millennium Centre just off Great George Street: it boasts tremendous views and also has extensive al fresco dining facilities, so you can watch the street action, hustle and bustle of the City Centre while enjoying a cappuccino and a brioche, a freshly cooked pizza or a bowl of pasta.
Millennium Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Italian
ChaophrayaOne of the most luxurious oriental restaurants in Leeds, Chaophraya occupies a prime upstairs location in the heart of the city and sports a highly desirable bamboo terraced area for suntrap al fresco meals.
20a First Floor, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Thai
Chino LatinoDirectly opposite Leeds station on the City Square lies Chino Latino, an upbeat Asian fusion restaurant accompanied by a hip Latin cocktail bar.
Park Plaza Hotel, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Pan Asian
De Vere Oulton Hall, The Drawing RoomTake afternoon tea at Oulton Hall Hotel in Oulton, Leeds, a magnificent, mid-18th century mansion with breathtaking gardens, which has been converted into Yorkshire's only 5-star luxury hotel.
Rothwell Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Afternoon Tea
Dough BistroA remarkable place, out in the suburbs of Leeds, that looks a bit like a newsagent's from the outside. In fact Dough was originally a bakery/deli (hence the name), but it's now a bare-boarded, rustic brick-walled neighbourhood bistro offering great-value evening meals.
293 Spen Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Fourth Floor Café & BarWhen Harvey Nichols decided to open a store in Leeds, it was a sure sign that the city was on the up: these days, of course, it ranks as one of the big shots in the north when it comes to culture, lifestyle and food.
Harvey Nichols, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
GeorgetownDysons Clock Building (one of Leeds' most prestigious landmarks, close to the Marriott Hotel) provides the setting for this 'colonial Malaysian' restaurant.
Dyson's Clock Building, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Malaysian
Haley's Hotel and RestaurantIt may be only two miles from Leeds city centre, but this expansive Victorian mansion (named after a local stonemason) feels unmistakably like a house in the country – thanks to its location in a leafy conservation area, a ball's throw from Headingley Cricket Ground.
Shire Oak Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Hansa's RestaurantMrs Hansa Dabhi has been serving inimitable Gujarati vegetarian food in this restaurant just off the Leeds' Inner Ring Road/North Street interchange for almost two decades and she's been showered with accolades – including recognition of her efforts as an Asian business woman.
72 - 74 North Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
La Cantina 44'A welcoming smile from friendly staff,' is just one of the reasons why customers flock to this family-run Italian restaurant just off the Cross Gates roundabout in the eastern quarter of Leeds.
1a Austhorpe Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Italian
Little TokyoA huge an inexpensive treat for fans of sushi, noodles and all things Japanese, Little Tokyo has proved to be a runaway success thanks to an enormous feelgood factor, keen prices and a menu that deals in 'the root and spice of healthy living'.
24 Central Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Japanese
LivebaitA one-time fish chandler's on The Calls makes an appropriately nautical setting for this branch of the Livebait seafood group (there are also outlets in London and Manchester).
Shears Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Seafood
Lucky Dragon RestaurantRegularly singled out as the best place in Leeds for authentic dim sum, this old-stager continues to draw the crowds.
Templar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Chinese
MalmaisonAn eye-catching contemporary glass fireplace is the centrepiece of this super-cosy but super-stylish brasserie in the Malmaison hotel. A vaulted ceiling and sumptuous leather booths add a touch of class and the mood is casual.
1 Swinegate, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Maxi'sRaymond Wong opened Maxi's right in the centre of Leeds some 13 years ago and it remains one of the liveliest and most friendly Chinese restaurants in the city.
6 Bingley Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Chinese
NawaabIt was just a matter of time before the renowned Nawaab group of Indian restaurants found its way to Leeds.
Unit 1, The Wellesley Hotel, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
Piazza by AnthonyPiazza by Anthony in Leeds is located in one of Britain's finest Victorian buildings, The Corn Exchange, designed in 1861 by Cuthbert Broderick, an internationally known architect from Hull, it is now part of the flourishing Flinn restaurant empire.
The Corn Exchange, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Brasserie
Raja's TandoorRaja's has been doing great service for more than two decades and it remains one of the most reliable Indian restaurants in Leeds.
186 Roundhay Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
Red ChilliA grand-looking brick-and-stone building close to Millennium Square is the setting for this impressive Chinese restaurant, which is one of a trio with branches in Manchester and Bacup.
6 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Chinese
River PlateFormerly the Calls Grill, River Plate makes the most of its striking waterside location overlooking the River Aire and opposite Tetleys Brewery.
36-38 The Calls, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Argentinean
Sala ThaiAn imposing Headingley stone townhouse is the unlikely setting for this stylish Thai restaurant (complete with its own driveway and ample car parking).
Shaw Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Thai
Sheesh MahalAzram Chaudhry's restaurant next to Yorkshire TV Centre has been doing Leeds proud for a good many years and its popularity shows no sign of waning – judging by the queues.
346-348 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
Sous le Nez en Ville'Engaging dive' or 'congenial catacomb' – call it what you will – this livewire basement is one of Leeds' best-loved haunts, especially for long lunches and early-evening warm-ups.
The Basement, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Stroom Restaurant & Function Rooms'Three restaurant suites under one roof' is the proud boast of Richard Gibson's Stroom - an enterprising venue in the sombre surroundings of Pudsey's Conservative Club.
9 Chapeltown, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: English
The Foundry Wine BarOnce the beating heart of the old Industrial Revolution, the once-derelict Holbeck district of Leeds (south of the river) is now home to the award-winning Round Foundry regeneration, and it has also spawned a cracking wine bar in what was an old brick warehouse.
1 Saw Mill Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
The Leeds KitchenThe Leeds Kitchen is situated in the Alea Casino in Clarence Dock, a trendy waterfront area of Leeds, run by celebrity TV chef James Martin.
Alea Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: British
The Olive TreeIf you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms after your last Greek holiday, head out of the city to this renowned taverna in a converted Victorian house on the outer ring road.
55 Rodley Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Greek
The Restaurant Bar & GrillLike its parent establishment in Manchester, this branch of Restaurant Bar & Grill is as trendily modern as can be, and it shows off its good looks and style with glass partitions, black leather chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows for viewing the action.
The Old Post Office, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Thorpe Park Hotel and SpaA state-of-the-art spa and pool is just one of the attractions at this sophisticated purpose-built hotel just north of the city, within easy reach of the motorway network.
1150 Century Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Wood HallHead out the village of Linton and follow the long sweeping drive that leads up to this secluded grand hotel dating from 1750.
Trip Lane, Linton, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Gray OxThe prospect of 'excellent food near the M62' might draw travellers to this revamped hostelry with a growing reputation. The kitchen makes good use of local produce and a generous helping of Spanish specialities for a lively menu with a strong Mediterranean slant.
Hartshead Lane, Liversedge, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Hey Green Country House Hotel, Crowther’s BrasserieSituated on the edge of Saddleworth Moor, between Oldham and Huddersfield, Hey Green has established itself as one of the top venues for civil weddings in West Yorkshire.
Waters Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Olive BranchThese days, the Oliver Branch bills itself as a 'restaurant with rooms and bar', although there's no doubting its origins as a Yorkshire country pub.
Manchester Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Chevin Country Park HotelChevin Country Park stands in the centre of the invisible triangle that connects Harrogate, Bradford and Leeds. At the very heart of its 50-acre estate is this Scandinavian-style hotel built largely of Finnish pine – the largest log building of its kind in Britain.
Yorkgate, Otley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
Wentbridge House HotelBuilt in 1700 and once owned by the Bowes-Lyon family, this gracious country house is set amid 20 acres of landscaped grounds in the beautiful Went Valley.
Wentbridge, Pontefract, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Anglo French
The Three AcresSurrounded by three acres of grounds in remote moorland deep in 'Last of the Summer Wine' country at Shelley, this all-purpose pub, The Three Acres exudes old-style Yorkshire warmth, but also has its finger on the pulse.
Shelley, Roydhouse, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
AagrahOne of the most famous names among Britain's legions of Indian restaurants set out its stall in Shipley way back in 1977.
4 Saltaire Road, Shipley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Indian
Thai FeverSally Niu and Michael Menehan opened Thai fever in 2003, and their soothing restaurant is definitely a must for anyone eager to sample true Thai hospitality and authentic food in West Yorkshire.
3 - 7 Saltaire Road, Shipley, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Thai
El Gato Negro Tapas BarChef Simon Shaw has yo-yoed his way between the north and the metropolis, and cemented his reputation while running the kitchen of Harvey Nichol's Fifth Floor in Knightsbridge.
1 Oldham Road, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Spanish
GimbalsIn its time, this lively, well-supported bistro called Gimbals has done service as a tobacconists, cake shop and antiques dealer, but these days it puts on a smart modern face and succeeds in pulling in regular punters from as far away as Manchester.
76 Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern European
The Todmorden VintnerIt may be close to the centre of town, but this lofty Grade II-listed Elizabethan manor house looks every inch like the historic country retreat.
The Old Hall, Todmorden, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Modern British
Bay Horse InnThere's something of an Anglo-French alliance about this vibrant country pub/restaurant not far from Wetherby. It's also an inn of two halves, with an antique dresser neatly marking the dividing line between the bar and rustically elegant dining room.
Main Street, Wetherby, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Fox and HoundsThis cottagey village pub is out towards Wetherby in the village of Walton, just next door to the 'other' British Library and document supply centre in Boston Spa.
Hall Park Road, Wetherby, West Yorkshire - Cuisine: Gastro pub