Bavette Horsforth review: I tried the award-winning bistro that brings the je ne sais quoi for Sunday dinner

There’s something quite comforting about a Sunday dinner.

Perhaps its the familiar repetition of the battle to get the perfect Yorkshire Pudding or maybe the debate over which roast to pick - chicken, lamb or beef.

Roast potatoes or mashed potatoes, or both?

It also has a way of anchoring us as families gather around the table deep in conversation reliving the week that was.

Perhaps its the ritual and its magic comes from repetition. It tells you that some things can remain steady even while life changes shape around them.

So finding the perfect spot for Sunday lunch is a tall order for this reviewer.

We ventured out into the suburbs to Horsforth to sample a restaurant that needs little introduction.

At the bottom of Town Street is home to Bavette, which was founded by a couple, Sandy Jarvis and Clément Cousin moving up to Leeds away from the hustle and bustle of life in the Capital.

And their move has certainly wowed the food scene with a host of accolades since they opened their doors just over two years ago.

A 2025 Bib Gourmand from Michelin, tick, ‘Best local restaurant’ from the Good Food Guide, tick. And sitting proudly on their shelf the striking orange YEP’s Oliver Award this year for Best Chef, tick.

The charming bistro oozes French touches from the simple but stylish décor as soon as you walk through the door.

You almost get the impression that you are quite literally sitting in someone’s front room with the welcoming and homely feel.

The Sunday lunch menu looked a real treat with a classic French twist. Starter options ranged from chicken liver parfait with brioche (£13), steak tartare and pommes allumettes (£13.50) through to a Yorkshire nod with the local asparagus and hollandaise tartlet (£14).

My dining partner opted for the rabbit, fennel and tarragon pate on croute with house mustard and cornichons (£13.50) while I opted for the twice-baked crab souffle with a bisque sauce and fennel salad (£14).

The pate came enveloped in a beautifully cooked pastry blanket and tasted as good as it looked.

Meanwhile my souffle was cooked to perfection. It was delicate and light while balancing the perfect amount of crab without it being over-powering.

For our main we opted for the roast. There were three options: pork belly, herb-crusted lamb saddle or a sharing 500g sirloin on the bone.

We opted for the sharing sirloin which came with dauphinoise potatoes, horseradish sauce, Yorkshire puddings (of course), green beans, celeriac puree and gravy.

Priced at the slightly higher end of the menu at £72.50 it was certainly worth every single penny.

The sirloin was cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth which the side dishes were the perfect accompaniment - meaning you didn’t get that over-whelming feeling after Sunday lunch of feeling like you’re about to burst the top button off your jeans.

We finished with a sharing crème brule at £11 to round off our fantastic Sunday feast.

And when it comes to Sunday dinner its fair to say Bavette certainly brings the je ne sais quoi!

Factfile

Address: 4-6 Town St, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RJ

Telephone: 0113 258 2901

Opening hours: Tues - Thurs 5.30pm-11pm, Friday - Sat Noon-3pm and 5.30pm - 11pm, Sun Noon-5.30pm.

Website: bavettebistro.com

Scores

Food/drinks: 10/10

Value: 9/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Service: 10/10