As far as we are concerned you are all superstars.
With this in mind, if it is your bag, then you should feel at home dining at some of the very finest restaurants in Leeds. Inspired by our recent 50 best places to eat in Leeds feature, we’ve put together a list of the restaurants in our city where you are likely to see celebs.
In recent years, in these venues, we’ve spotted Emmerdale stars, Leeds United players and even some Hollywood big names. So, If you are the kind of person who needs to be seen at the ‘in’ places then there might be some restaurants below for you.
Read more: 30 Leeds restaurants offering huge discounts in February 2023
All kinds of cuisine is covered and, thankfully, most aren’t going to break the bank. So, take a scroll and decide if you fancy visiting any of these Leeds restaurants to be ‘seen’.
If you have any tips you’d like to share please feel free. You can do so by commenting on this article or by telling us through our Best in Leeds Facebook page.
The Ivy
Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS1 6BA
Not too much of a surprise to start with. In recent years, the famous establishment The Ivy has hit the road and opened a number of restaurants across the country. We have one right here in Leeds city centre and we’ve previously seen the cast of Emmerdale in there alongside BBC sport host Gabby Logan.
The Ivy Asia
55-57 Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS1 6BA
We couldn’t really include The Ivy without its neighbouring restaurant The Ivy Asia. It opened back in 2022 with a big lavish party attended by Emmerdale faves, Leeds United stars and Leeds winner of The Apprentice Sian Gabbidon. On the varied menu at The Ivy Asia, in Leeds city centre, you’ll find sushi, beef, chicken and vegetable dishes. You can pick from dumplings, skewers and seafood options.
There’s lots of sharing options available with the aromatic half duck and bonsai, which includes black truffle and gold truffle rolls, pickled radish avocado tartare and shallot salsa cucumber among other delights, catching the eye. The menu is designed for a communal dining experience.
Zaap Thai
4 St.Annes Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3NX
Celebrity Juice star Keith Lemon charmed staff at Zaap Thai, Headingley, as he tucked into bao buns during a visit. Donning his signature fedora hat and eye-catching purple trousers. The Thai chain was founded by chef Ban Kaewkraikhot, the woman behind the Sukhothai restaurant group and it has a street food style menu which keeps lots of people coming back for more.
The Reliance
76-78 North Street, Leeds, LS2 7PN
Renowned Leeds gastro pub The Reliance is a hotspot to catch Emmerdale stars. In 2022, we reported Marlon Dingle actor Mark Charnock held a big party at the venue to celebrate his 25 years on Emmerdale. It is a great place to dine or enjoy a drink with friends. At the start of 2023, the team from Harrogate-based Three's A Crowd took over the Reliance.
Rudy’s
2 New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 5DL
Music superstar Lewis Capaldi seems to have found his favourite restaurant in Leeds after popping in Rudy’s pizzeria. Stopping off after a performance at Leeds First Direct Arena, the Scottish singer was very impressed with the offering and service from staff.
Filling in a survey, asked what he liked about his visit to the restaurant, which has a branch in Leeds city centre and in Chapel Allerton, the music star said: “Great staff! V friendly.” Rudy’s follows the authentic Neapolitan tradition of pizza making, serving classic recipes such as marinara, margherita and calabrese, all originating from Naples, the birthplace of pizza. Rudy’s dough is made fresh daily using Caputo ‘00’ flour which ferments for at least 24 hours, alongside ingredients imported from Naples, including San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella.
Tharavadu
7-8 Mill Hill, Leeds LS1 5DQ
Specialising in Indian favourites, Tharavadu, is one of the Leeds regulars on the culinary awards scene. In 2022, Hollywood stars Simon Pegg and Christopher Lloyd delighted staff at a restaurant when they popped in for a Saturday night meal.
They visited Tharavadu, after shooting their film Nandor Fodor and The Talking Mongoose in Whitby. They were accompanied by some of the crew and director Adam Signal.
Livin’Italy
Granary Wharf, Wharf Approach, Leeds, LS1 4BR
We reported back in 2019, the Leeds United squad had a big social at the charming Italian restaurant positioned underneath Leeds Train Station. Inspired, we have reviewed the venue. The restaurant has an abundance of Italian dishes to choose from.
The menu boasts all the classics as well as some with a unique twist. The restaurant also lets you make your own with an abundance of toppings available for your pizza - should you pot for one. During our visit, there were 33 topping options to choose from.
Chophaus
Louis House, Princes Ave, Roundhay, Oakwood, Leeds, LS8 2FA
Another haunt where we’ve spotted Leeds United players is steakhouse Chophaus. We’ve spied the men’s squad and their partners at the restaurant near Roundhay Park.
Prashad
137 Whitehall Road, Drighlington, BD11 1AT
A restaurant which shot to fame thanks to a little help from Gordon Ramsay is a fair old achievement. Then to have The Hairy Bikers singing your praises is another shot in the arm. At the start of 2023, TV chefs Si King and Dave Myers paid Prashad a visit for their new series Hairy Bikers Go Local.
Co-owners Bobby and Minal Patel and their team opened their doors for the BBC2 series. The food at Prashad tells the story of the Patel family’s lives from India to West Yorkshire, with Gujarati recipes handed down through the family, made with the best produce Yorkshire has to offer.
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Salvo’s
115 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3PX
England manager (at least at the time of writing) Gareth Southgate is known to be a regular at Headingley traditional Italian restaurant Salvo’s. At the start of 2022, we popped in for a visit and handed out a glowing five-star review.
Our reviewer said: “The incredibly friendly atmosphere at Salvo’s is matched by the outstanding food. The restaurant has won countless awards and was voted as the UK's best neighbourhood Italian by Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4’s The F Word, but the love and care that goes into every single dish at this family-run restaurant is a tradition that is still going strong after 50 years.”
To find out the latest food and drink news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds.
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