Leeds - Food and Drink in Leeds

Leeds is in the north of England, in the county of Yorkshire 200 miles north of London. Leeds is often referred to as the 'capital city' of Yorkshire though other major cities in the county may dispute that.

Leeds is a large city with a population of around three-quarters of a million people. For more facts and figures on Leeds check here.

Leeds is one of the best cities for dining out in the UK according to the Which? Good Food Guide both within the city center and through the suburbs. In Leeds it is possible to find food from Michelin-starred classic, modern fusion, ethnic food and pubs, through to excellent neighborhood cafés and bars and a thriving nightlife with many clubs and bars.

Leeds is also the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park where further culinary delights await in traditional pubs and family-run restaurants, food festivals and farmers markets.

Major supermarkets abound in Leeds but also plenty of specialist shops to choose from. The most famous place to shop must be Kirkgate Market. Outside the Edwardian building is the lively open air market where Michael Marks first opened his Penny Bazaar (1884) which led ultimately to the foundation of Marks & Spencer, one of the UK's most famous department stores. Almost every type of foodstuff is available in what is the largest undercover market in the UK.

For the discerning shoppers there's Harvey Nichol's Foodmarket on the fourth floor of the store plus many other deli's and food shops throughout the city.

Since Pool Court closed two years ago there is currently no Michelin starred restaurant in Leeds but with every type of restaurant imaginable in Leeds, finding quality is not difficult. Two of my all-time favorite restaurants are in Leeds city center - Anthony's on Boar Lane and Harvey Nichol's Fourth Floor with head chef Richard Allen.

More favorite restaurant's in Leeds and district here.

No visit to Leeds would be complete with a pint at Whitelocks, the oldest pub in Leeds, first licensed in 1715. The original name of the pub was The Turks Head but was changed in 18th century to Whitelocks the name of the family who owned it for a 90 years.

Leeds was once a brewing center until the closure of the world famous Tetley's brewery after 186 years of brewing. Leeds Brewery having taken up some of the slack after founding in 2007 and now the city's only independent brewery.