Vicky Chandler

When it comes to dining out, don’t sleep on Leeds: the food scene here is one of the most eclectic and exciting in the UK with thriving independent restaurants. And while we’ve seen some pretty sad, and surprising closures in the city recently (including the city’s only Michelin-star restaurant), long-time favourites continue to thrive, and new eateries seem to be opening up every week. So whether you fancy a romantic dinner at an award-winning French bistro, a steaming bowl of ramen and karaoke, or a hot honey smothered rotisserie chicken in the basement of an old greasy spoon, here’s our round up of the very best restaurants in Leeds right now. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Leeds🍸 The best bars in Leeds🖼️ The best art galleries in Leeds🌳 The best things to do in the UK This guide was recently updated by freelance food and drink editor Vicky Chandler, based in Yorkshire. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

With its leafy parks and countryside and plentiful offerings for eating, drinking, and partying, this city is criminally underrated in my opinion. I might not be a Leeds native (in fact I'm pretty firmly a southerner…), but as a uni student here this place has provided me with everything I could ever want – most importantly, a ton of cheap, lively, absolutely killer pubs.  Whether you’re a student looking for a post-lecture pint, a long-time local looking for a new haunt or just looking to kickstart your night out on the town, you’re spoiled for choice in Leeds. We’ve got it all on our list; old-school boozers, student-friendly prices, industrial-style taprooms for the craft beer heads and a whole lot more. Here are the best pubs in Leeds right now. Abi Burnham RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in Leeds📍 The things to do in Leeds🍸 The best bars in Leeds🏙️ The UK’s most underrated city breaks This guide was last updated by Abi Burnham, who is currently based in Leeds for university. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

This is about the time when the January blues start to hit pretty hard. It’s dark at 4pm, you’ve got no money left after Christmas and winter feels like it’s dragging on forever. But we’re here to tell you that things are looking up, because 2025 is going to be a corker of a year for the UK.  It turns out that 2025 is going to be a bit of a big one, with a number of landmark occasions being celebrated across Britain. There’s Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in Southampton, as well as the art-packed Folkestone Triennial, a celebration of 200 years of the British railway in York and Bradford’s 2025 City of Culture festivities. Then, there are up-and-coming foodie towns in Cornwall, music scenes that are popping off in Cardiff and Belfast, and the reopening of grand cultural insitutions like the Tate Liverpool.  If there’s ever been a good time to book a trip, it’s now (it might even help keep some SAD at bay). There is so much fantastic stuff happening across the country this year, so read our list curated by local experts of the best places to visit in the UK in 2025, and get stuck in.  RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇧 The 25 best new things to do in the UK in 2025📍The 12 most underrated city breaks in the UK 🏨 The UK’s 13 best new hotels opening in 2025👨‍👩‍👧 6 amazing places to stay with Kids in the UK

It’s easy to fall in love with the Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby, made up of seaside boardwalks, narrow alleys and charming, shop-lined streets. All set to the backdrop of the looming, gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey.  I’ve spent many fond times in Whitby and the surrounding sleepy, seaside villages of Sandsend, Staithes and Robin Hood’s Bay, and I never get bored.  It’s steeped in maritime legacy and gothic heritage with its strong links to Captain Cook and Dracula, but also has an abundance of picturesque walks, breathtaking scenery and good, old-fashioned seaside fun (with arcades, great fish and chips, and lemon top of course). With plenty to do, here’s the best things to do in Whitby. RECOMMENDED:🏖️ The best beaches in the UK🍻 The best beer gardens in the UK🚵‍♀️ The ultimate guide to Yorkshire☀️ The best seaside towns in the UK Vicky Chandler is a writer based in Harrogate. She spends a lot of time in nearby Whitby. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.