12 of the Best Italian Restaurants in Leeds

There’s no end to good Italian restaurants in Leeds. Whether you fancy an authentic Neapolitan-style pizza or a serving of flavourful pasta, you’re sure to find a great Italian meal somewhere in the city. In browsing our top choices of Italian restaurants in Leeds, you can come across some mouth-watering dishes ranging from street food specials like stuffed risotto balls, to classics like beef lasagne made from scratch by a family-run team of chefs. Get to know the best Italian Restaurants in Leeds that will make you feel like you are walking the streets of Rome.

Italian Restaurants in Leeds City Centre

Livin’ Italy

Located just behind Leeds Train Station, Livin’ Italy is in the perfect location for all city goers. With scenic views overlooking the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, this city centre gem opened up in 2012 and has been welcoming the people of Leeds to their family business ever since. Their whole approach is centred around giving guests a taste of Italian living with a focus homemade, authentic cuisine, ranging from breakfasts in the morning to cocktails and honest Italian dinners in the evening. They use only the most genuine products, showcasing ingredients that reflect their homeland from the best Italian artisan food makers. Expect a whole range of antipasti and street foods, as well as classic pizzas, pastas and a few meat and fish specials, too.

Granary Wharf, Wharf Approach, Leeds, LS1 4BR – 0113 243 0090

Sarto

Sarto is a bar and restaurant, centred around all things fresh and handmade with a focus on elevating classic pasta dishes using mouth-watering ingredients and flavours. Expect dishes such as lamb shoulder ragu or stuffed cappalleti with lemon and thyme ricotta. A separate Friday lunch menu features quick snacks for when you are on the go, like chestnut and sage arancini or pomodoro radiatori with buffalo mozzarella. Sarto is yet another establishment catering to all Italian foodie lovers, being one of the best Italian restaurants in Leeds.

Munro House, Duke Street, Leeds, LS9 8AG – 0113 345 2074

Stuzzi

Located on the popular spot of Merrion Street is Stuzzi. If you fancy a bite to eat before heading next door to check out the street’s endless bar options, this is the place for you. Short for Stuzzichini, Stuzzi’s vision has always been to serve small plates of Italian cuisine that are traditionally eaten by hand to keep people going in between drinks. As they use only the best seasonal ingredients from Italy and local suppliers, their menu changes every couple of days – so expect something different every time you visit. Enjoy the tapas-style menu while sipping on their fantastic selection of the finest Italian wines. Without a doubt, this is one of the best Italian restaurants in Leeds.

7 Merrion Street, Leeds, LS1 6PQ – 0113 245 5323

San Carlo

Contributing to Leeds’ fine dining Italian restaurant scene, San Carlo has multiple locations up and down the country – all highly regarded for executing fine Italian hospitality. Focused on the finest ingredients and simple cooking, San Carlo is known for its unmatched quality and memorable, warm atmosphere. Featuring a 140-seat dining room, the Leeds branch offers the perfect airy space for pre or post-dinner drinks, elaborate dinners with friends and family, or a spot to enjoy some post-work drinks and light bites. Why not try their most famous pasta dish? Tagliolini all’Aragosta with lobster cooked in brandy, topped with tomato, peas, and a touch of cream.

6-7 S Parade, Leeds, LS1 5QX – 0113 246 1500

Rudy’s Pizzeria

If you’re looking for pizzas that taste like they’ve come straight from the streets of Naples, Rudy’s is the place for you. Rudy’s follows the traditions and artistry of pizza from its birthplace in Naples, with dough freshly made on site every day and a wide variety of fresh toppings to choose from. It also serves up rotating monthly specials, such as gorgonzola pizzas with Calabrian black pig ‘nduja sausage or triple pepperoni pizzas finished off with a drizzle of chilli honey. Their drink menu is also undefeated, with spritzes, aperitivos and a vast selection of Italian wines and beer to choose from. You’re even spoilt for choice with location, as Rudy’s also has satellite branches in the suburbs of Headingley and Chapel Allerton.

City Centre – 2 New Station St, Leeds, LS1 5DL – 0113 834 9697
Headingley – Unit 6-8 Arndale Centre, Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 2UJ – 0113 834 9604
Chapel Allerton – 10-12 Stainbeck Ln, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3QY – 0113 511 8676

Italian restaurants in the Leeds area

Trattoria Il Forno

Head just slightly northwest out of the city centre and you’ll find Trattoria Il Forno in Horsforth. Happiness is at the heart of this family-run business, which has a consistent homemade approach to delicious Italian food and wine. Head chef and owner Vitalij has nearly 20 years of experience under his belt cooking great Italian food from scratch; ranging from pasta to meats and fish and, of course, delicious desserts, all from his open kitchen. Expect classics such as Caprese salad and Linguine al Salmone along with some exciting specials such as pan-seared fillets of sea bass and pizzas loaded with parma ham and fresh rocket. Comparing all the best Italian Restaurants in Leeds, it’s hard to say no to visiting Trattoria Il Forno.

85 Town St, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5BP – 0113 345 0150

Salvos

Breathing history and passion, Salvo’s restaurant was originally launched in 1976 by Salvatore Dammone and is today recognised as a beloved and authentic Italian eatery. Situated in Headingley, Salvo’s has a reputation as one of the most innovative Italian restaurants in Leeds, with customers coming back in their droves for more of its contemporary Italian food and a relaxed atmosphere. The 2nd and now 3rd generation of the Dammone family are continuing this impeccable service while also still serving great-quality food and drink. Dive into a fresh Salsiccia Pasta or Rustica Pizza before moving onto a rich Tiramisu or Panna Cotta at one of the best Italian restaurants Leeds.

115 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3PX – 0113 275 5017

CULTO

With a bright, light interior and spacious patio perfect for warm weather dining, we bring you CULTO to our list of the best Italian Restaurants in Leeds. This Italian situated in Meanwood just outside of the city centre promises to introduce a completely new approach to casual dining, with a combination of highly experienced chefs, the best ingredients imported directly from Italy and a passion for food. Expect quality pasta and plenty of pizzas loaded with fresh toppings, including pizzas with their signature black Pizza Nera bases. Operating on a strict first come, first served seating approach with no reservations, get there quickly to enjoy one of the best restaurants in Leeds.

97 Stainbeck Rd, Leeds, LS7 2PR – 0113 345 4434

Amici

Another one of the best Italian Restaurants in Leeds sits just on the north side entering Moortown. Its stylish and elegant settings are definitely a draw when visiting this restaurant, but the passionate team behind their many sophisticated plates are what makes it a must. Amici has the ultimate appeal of a fine dining experience, whilst also embracing the rich Italian culture reflected in its dishes. Its Italian chefs make great Italian food the traditional way, with homemade pasta and pizzas cooked up in their specialised pizza oven. Amici also offers seasonal specialities, keeping their menus fresh and current. If you’re lucky, you may even catch their opera-singing chef in full song…

592-596 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS17 8DP – 0113 266 6231

Napoli nel Cuore

Adding another Horsforth option to the scene of Italian Restaurants Leeds, we bring you Napoli nel Curore. A spot where you can bring your loved ones and feel like you are walking the streets of Napoli, it’s certainly not one to be missed for authenticity. This family-run restaurant is a local favourite, with all dishes cooked onsite using only the highest quality fresh ingredients. It also updates its blackboard specials weekly with staples including meat and fish main dishes, plus plenty of seasonal starters, pizzas and pasta. Sink your teeth into mouth watering lobster ravioli or white base pizza topped with gorgonzola cheese, and thank us later.

30 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4RJ – 0113 217 1218

Zucco

Another family run business on our list, Zucco is up there as one of the best Italian restaurants just outside of Leeds. A favourite for authentic Italian cuisine, Zucco specialises in serving freshly prepared small plates to share, ranging from confit duck leg to monkfish wrapped in prosciutto and fried risotto balls. The quality of the ingredients and flavours here is unmatched, with frequent menu changes reflecting the best seasonal produce from local suppliers. Check back regularly to try out their latest seasonal favourites. If you love the small plate approach to sharing with a group, then there is no better place to dine than Zucco.

603 Meanwood Rd, Meanwood, Leeds, LS6 4AY – 0113 224 9679

Poco Sicilian Street Food

The first ever Sicilian Street Food spot in the city has POCO adding a niche element to the scene of Italian restaurants Leeds. Catering to the popular takeaway scene, Poco Sicilian offers an array of street food specials such as arancini, all kinds of pasta and fried calzone as well as rich desserts including the classic Italian sweet treat – the cannoli. The Poco brand was set up by the team behind Culto, opening their first branch in Burley in 2018. You can also find Poco in 2 other locations across Leeds, with a branch in Headingley and a smaller takeaway-only branch in the city centre.

Burley – 360 Kirkstall Rd, Burley, Leeds, LS4 2HQ
Headingley – 24 Otley Rd, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2AD
City Centre – 24a Lands Ln, Leeds, LS1 6LB

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