'One of the country's finest': Three Leeds restaurants named among top 100 in the UK

• SquareMealUK has shared its top 100 restaurants for 2026
• Three Leeds restaurants have been recommended in the guide
• Bavette, The Swine Bistro and Tharavadu all received high praise

Three Leeds restaurants have been named in SquareMeal UK’s Top 100 Restaurants list.

SquareMealUK is an independent restaurant guide and booking platform, which is showcasing the top restaurants across the UK in itsTop 100 list.

The list has been created based on restaurant nominations by its readers. Inspectors then visit the restaurants themselves, and pick the best based on performance, value and quality.

Bavette, The Swine Bistro and Tharavadu in Leeds were three restaurants that impressed SquareMeal UK.

Here’s what the inspectors had to say.

Bavette

Bavette is a French restaurant in Horsforth, which describes itself as a “neighbourhood bistro”. Alongside SquareMealUK where it has earned a Gold Award, it has also been listed in other prestigious guides such as Michelin and the Good Food Guide.

SquareMealUK said: “You wouldn’t expect one of the country’s finest French restaurants to be tucked away on a quiet stretch of Horsforth high street, but Bavette’s understatement is part of its appeal. Partners Clement Cousin and Sandy Jarvis have created the perfect neighbourhood bistro: warm, intimate, and quietly confident, serving some of the most assured French cooking outside the capital.”

The Swine Bistro

Based in Headingley, The Swine Bistro is a family-run restaurant which showcases modern British and European cuisine.

SquareMeal UK said: “The Swine Bistro is a relaxed, neighbourhood restaurant in Leeds with three-course menus designed to share. A family-run establishment, it's simple, ingredient-led dishes are popular with both locals and visitors, found inside a stylish but informal space. The Swine Bistro dining room is kitted out with a neutral colour palette and wooden accents, while pig motifs dotted around the walls add a sense of fun.”

Tharavadu

Tharavadu, which is based in Leeds city centre, is a restaurant which serves up authentic Keralan cuisine. It has earned a Silver Award by SquareMeal UK, and is consistently receiving praise from customers, food critics and restaurant guides.

SquareMeal UK said: “Crowded Indian restaurants within a minute’s walk of a large train station aren’t generally known for their appeal, but there are several compelling reasons why Tharavadu is an exception. The first, and most important, is the talent of the born-and-bred-Keralan chefs. We’ll elaborate, but suffice it to say here that every dish we tried was outstanding, and those of neighbouring tables looked just as tempting.”

For more Leeds restaurant recommendations, you can read our story on ‘The 10 hottest restaurants to visit in Leeds for 2026’, here.