Our city has not held a Michelin star since the closure of Michael O’Hare’s The Man Behind The Curtain in 2023, and no new awards were presented to Leeds restaurants at last night’s Michelin Ceremony.
Just five Leeds restaurants - plus one in Ilkley - are currently recommended in the Michelin Guide, with one of them set to close at the end of the month.
Attitudes towards Michelin are changing, too. Jono Hawthorne, of Chef Jono at V&V, told us the culinary bible has lost its appeal.
But there are some fantastic restaurants in the city that we think deserve a Michelin star, or at least a place on the Michelin Guide. Here are 10 of our top contenders.
1. Bavette (Michelin recommended)
A relative newcomer to the Leeds scene, Bavette was listed on the Michelin Guide within just a few months of opening in 2024. Patron chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clement Cousin have wowed Leeds diners - and Michelin inspectors - with their classic French cooking and fabulous wine lists. After two years of success in Horsforth, we think it’s a firm contender. | James Hardisty
2. Ox Club (Michelin recommended)
Michelin inspectors have called this Headrow restaurant “unpretentious” with a “young and lively crowd” - but its laidback atmosphere doesn’t make it any less deserving of a star. Famed for its Sunday roasts, wood-fired cooking and bold flavours, the food is consistently good, and the Ox Club has been listed on the Michelin Guide for years. | James Hardisty
3. Forde (Michelin recommended)
Matt Healy’s rustic Horsforth bistro and wine bar started as a project to get him back on his feet following the pandemic, but has grown from its initial cafe concept to a renowned restaurant that’s recommended by Michelin. Inspectors praised the “appetising small plates with Mediterranean influences”. With just a handful of covers, it might be small - but the food is top-notch. | James Hardisty
4. Prashad (Michelin recommended)
Prashad holds a Bib Gourmand award for good quality, good value cooking. But we don’t think an affordable price point means it should miss out on a Michelin star. Minal Patel - the YEP’s Chef of the Year 2025 - is now the driving force behind the Indian vegetarian cooking that combines authentic flavours from her Gujarati heritage with modern twists. It’s a firm favourite with the YEP team, and our readers. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
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5. The Box Tree (Michelin recommended)
Just outside of Leeds, but with an LS postcode, The Box Tree gets an honourable mention. The Ilkley restaurant once held two Michelin stars - the first UK restaurant outside of London with the accolade. The kitchen is now headed up by Australian-born chef Brayden Davies, who is pushing to regain its former glory, balancing time-honoured tradition with modern innovation. | Yorkshire Evening Post
6. Sushi Nakamura
This Eastgate restaurant is one of the city’s best hidden gems, and we think it deserves a far greater spotlight. Chef patron Kaoru Nakamura serves a traditional Omakase tasting experience, transporting diners to Japan. It’s an authentic, unforgettable culinary journey with a set menu of carefully-crafted dishes that change with each visit. The family-run business has recently closed its second site - HanaMatsuri in Meanwood - to focus solely on Sushi Nakamura, and it’s about time Michelin inspectors pay attention. | Gerard Binks