The Best Italian Restaurants In Leeds

This hidden restaurant has been praised by locals for its authentic, cosy, Italian charm. Open all day, it’s the perfect spot for a hearty evening meal or even a spot of antipasto during a busy shopping day. Located on Park Square in the city centre, the restaurant itself is tucked away down a set of stairs and is fairly small, making for an intimate, exclusive feel. 

The food is often praised for being some of the best in Leeds and is completely affordable for all budgets. Between 12-3pm, the generous lunch menu means you can grab a meal for two for under £20, we think this is amazing value! On the evening menu lineup, expect fresh flatbread pizzas with rich mozzarella and pistachio sauce and egg artisan pasta topped with fresh seafood and classic creamy sauces. 

This cosy Italian trattoria with the intimate, attentive service makes you want to return time and time again!

Have to try: The lunch menu between 12-3!
Perfect for: An intimate, authentic meal for two.
Approx price for 2 people: £35

This little spot on the docks is well known for its incredible pasta dishes, including the show-stopping flaming cheese wheel pasta. Prepared alongside your table, watch in delight as the cheese is lit up and melted to perfection. This is both a unique experience and a delicious Italian meal!

The cocktails are also top notch if you’re looking for a little treat with your meal, with the classic Aperol spritz flowing freely. Whether you’re starting or ending your evening here, the vibes are always immaculate.

The restaurant overlooks the water and has some funky Italian themed decor, with a traditional vespa front and centre and plenty of quirky, colourful prints dotted around. For the sunny days, there is even a small outdoor terrace, perfect for enjoying some small plates. The food is cooked to perfection, with options for breakfast, street food, tapas and classic Italian dishes. The menu reflects the versatility of the cuisine and is guaranteed to live up to your expectations.

Have to try: Cheese wheel pasta! (Truffle Pici “cacio & pepe” on the menu).
Perfect for: Cocktails and pasta for date night.
Approx price for 2 people: £50

If you haven’t heard about this one, you must’ve been living under a rock! 

Being in this spot for 50 years, it has created quite a loyal fanbase, with plenty of people returning time after time. Just outside of the city in Roundhay, the restaurant has been popular with celebrities and locals alike! The retractable roof is a popular feature, with plenty of people rushing here when the sun comes out. There’s nothing quite like a crisp glass of wine and a seafood pasta under the blue skies! 

The menu consists of pizza, pasta, and plenty of meat and seafood options to choose from. Expect classic favourites like spaghetti alle vongole, wood-fired margaritas, and grilled sea bass, alongside seasonal specials. Although slightly on the pricier side, the decor and service does make this place shine, this is definitely one of our favourites for a special occasion!

Have to try: Their popular lobster pasta dish.
Perfect for: A luxurious sunny lunch.
Approx price for 2 people: £65

Slightly out of the city centre, this spot is in the student hub of Headingley. Well worth the trip out of the city, we enjoyed the vibrant, fun atmosphere. Celebrating their 50th birthday next year, this is another well-established restaurant in the area with a big reputation for its high quality Italian food.

With a modern, warm interior, the exposed brick walls and golden accents make for a perfect autumnal evening dining experience. You can tell how much love has been poured into this spot! The menu is the selling point here, with perfected Neopolitan pizzas and delicious creamy pastas. With the dough cooked in a huge traditional stone oven, you can only imagine the crisp, warm taste. You can even opt for a pasta dish as your starter. The perfect option for indecisive characters!

Have to try: The traditional Italian desserts.
Perfect for: A chilled night outside of the City Centre.
Approx price for 2 people: £50

If you’re looking for a truly special place, this one is memorable for all the right reasons. Located in the Grand Arcade, the restaurant is stunning, with contemporary and sophisticated touches throughout. With huge windows and a spiral staircase, these guys have style. Whether you’re in the mood for a lunch & shopping date with mum or an evening with the girls, this place delivers!

The menu is ever changing with the seasons and consists of sharing plates as well as a few carefully curated main dishes, of course made with the freshest, high quality ingredients. Their deals throughout the week allow customers to try three courses for a very reasonable price, with fine dining more accessible than ever. It’s easy to see why this place has become a favourite in Leeds.

Have to try: The everchanging arachini flavours!
Perfect for: A foodie friend date.
Approx price for 2 people: £50

Meanwood is where you can find Culto, the Italian kitchen and takeaway. This place is known for its pizza, and when we say it’s good, it’s seriously good! Cooked in a huge wood-fired oven and topped with all your favourites.

We went in with high expectations, but even these were exceeded! The restaurant is buzzing and full of atmosphere, with the vibe that makes you want to sit for hours and chat your way through a bottle of wine! Plenty of people choose this as their weekend takeaway spot too, and it’s easy to see why. The menu is full of Italian classics, with some other standout dishes being the carbonara and the fluffy tiramisu.

With a sunny terrace in the sun and cosy lighting for the colder days, this is great all year round. Culto offers a feel-good, friendly vibe that keeps people wanting to come back.

Have to try: The huge portion of tiramisu.
Perfect for: Pizza and wine weekends.
Approx price for 2 people: £30

You may have heard of this funky restaurant before, and if not, you’re in for a treat! Leeds is lucky to have their very own Pizza Pilgrims, the funky pizza spot set up like a traditional Napoli street. Located on the main shopping street, it’s also super accessible for any tourists and day trippers. 

The pizza specials change with the seasons, including some daring options, such as the zucchini nerano. There’s always something new to try, including a pizza topped with American-style fries, we thought this was a genius invention! Step into a Naples street, with fully equipped washing lines and a vespa on display, this place has all the holiday vibes! The pizza is definitely some of the best we’ve had, full of flavour and cooked to perfection. Pilgrims is a must-visit for all pizza-lovers.

Have to try: The tiramisu served in a Nutella jar.
Perfect for: Unique monthly special pizzas.
Approx price for 2 people: £35

With checkerboard floors and luxurious padded benches, every detail feels perfectly thought out, This is a stunning little gem. Located in Meanwood, this place specialises in Italian sharing plates, making it a top choice for small groups and celebrations. With fresh seafood, meat and pasta, the menu is influenced by traditional flavours with modern enhancers.

The menu changes with the seasons and includes favourites such as arancini, bruschetta, king prawns and ox cheek. Each dish is encouraged to be enjoyed with a glass of wine in hand and great company around the table. This is definitely one for the foodies of Leeds, with the ever changing menu meaning you’ll always find something new to try.

Have to try: The antipasto platter for starter.
Perfect for: A picky bits group dinner.
Approx price for 2 people: £55

Looking for lunch to go?

We’ve found a delightful spot with multiple locations across the city. Perfect for the busy professionals in the city or the people working from home who need a treat every now and then. Poco is a nice alternative to the standard sandwich shops, with a deli serving homemade Italian dishes and freshly baked pastries. Well known for their pizza slices and arancini balls, this is great for a work break snack or fulfilling takeaway meal. 

The deli is small and has a few seats for the people wishing to dine in, the vibe is friendly and casual meaning you are guaranteed to find someone to spark up a convo with. The menu items are all on display, with hot and cold menu items, as well as traditional desserts, such as the filled cannolis. Poco caters to all people and all tastes, making it one of the best fast-food choices in Leeds.

Have to try: The homemade lasagne
Perfect for: A quick lunch in town
Approx price for 2 people: £20

Another well known name, Rudy’s has got to be mentioned on this list for its pizza alone. Known far and wide across the UK, if you haven’t been here yet, make sure to pop in soon!

The modern, funky restaurant makes for a calm, enjoyable meal from start to finish. With a friendly vibe and plenty of tables for large groups, the atmosphere is often top tier. The pizzas are nothing short of perfect, with the hot honey dip being the showstopper for us. No matter the toppings or preferences, the hot honey is a universally loved feature of this restaurant. Plenty of topping options make for a great place to take your vegetarian and vegan friends too.

With a few spots around the city, it is always convenient and reliable to sit down and enjoy a high quality, delicious bit of scran.

Have to try: The hot honey dip!
Perfect for: Any occasion, any time.
Approx price for 2 people: £35