Home > News > Leeds’ best restaurants and chefs recognised at Oliver Awards 2024 by Yorkshire Evening Post

Leeds’ best restaurants and chefs recognised at Oliver Awards 2024 by Yorkshire Evening Post

The 15th edition of the Oliver Awards, which honour Leeds’ best eateries, bars, pubs, cafes, hotels, takeaways, and chefs, has returned to 2024 with a bang.

The Oliver Awards provides an opportunity to showcase Leeds’ exceptional hospitality industry and the dedicated individuals who make it possible.

Nicko Lachina Rising Star at Oliver Awards Leeds
Image: Nicko Lachica – Oliver Awards Winner of ‘Rising Star Award’

The year, there was a brand-new category called “Rising Star” that was given to a young, talented chef everyone needs to watch. The “Overall Restaurant” award was also replaced by the new Judges’ Choice award.

For 2024, more than 200 businesses applied to the Oliver Awards to be recognised for their contributions to the food and drink scene, setting a record for the number of entries.

This year’s winners were announced at a ceremony at New Dock Hall near the Royal Armouries Museum on Monday 18th March.

Amongst a host of well-deserved winners was a chef from one of Leeds’ best Indian restaurants, Tharavadu. Their head chef Ajith Kumar proudly won ‘Chef of the Year’.

Tharavadu - Best Indian Restaurants in Leeds

Tharavadu has won many accolades over the years, thanks to their unbeatable flavours of traditional Keralan cuisine, creating an authentic South Indian dining experience and the most welcoming service that’s hard to come by.

To find out more about the other awards and recognised winners in Leeds, see the full list below.

2024 Oliver Awards Winners:

  • Chef of the Year – Ajith Kumar at Tharavadu
  • Best Cafe or Deli – Empire Cafe
  • Newcomer of the Year – Bricklebank’s Cafe & Bar
  • Best Bar – Green Room
  • Best Family Friendly – The Thornhill
  • Best Takeaway – Hooyah Burgers
  • Sustainability Award – Kino
  • Best Speciality – byMolly
  • Best Brunch – Cafe Deli Margaux
  • Best Pub or Brewery – Horsforth Brewery & Taproom
  • Best World Restaurant – Dastaan
  • Best Customer Service – Chef Jono at V&V
  • Best Hotel Restaurant – The Grill at Dakota Leeds
  • Rising Star Award – Nick Lachica at Herencia
  • Outstanding Contribution – Claire at Moot Hall Arms
  • Judges’ Choice Award – Matt Healy at Forde

DON’T MISS…

Save up to 38% this month on vouchers & experiences across Yorkshire

Sora York Afternoon Tea with a Cocktail

  • Asian-fusion rooftop bar and restaurant with stunning views of York city centre
  • SAVE 22% off
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£45.00 £35.00 Save 22% £45 OFF Read More Add to cart

Drovers Arms Afternoon Tea

York Rd, Selby YO8 5SF
  • Award-winning country inn and restaurant
  • Near York
  • SAVE up to 20% 
YFG EXCLUSIVE
From  £18.65 Read More Select options
York Rd, Selby YO8 5SF

£30 Nesso Leeds City Centre Restaurant Voucher

42 Merrion St, Leeds LS2 8JG
  • Italian brunch café, wine bar & afternoon tea destination
  • Curated by MasterChef The Professionals star Bobby Geetha
  • SAVE 50% 
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£30.00 £15.00 Save 50% £30 OFF Read More Add to cart
42 Merrion St, Leeds LS2 8JG

Three course dinner for two with a drink at The Fell Hotel 

The Fell Hotel, Burnsall BD23 6BT
  • 3-course dinner for two with a choice of drink
  • Set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales village of Burnsall
  • SAVE up to 29% off
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£69.00 £49.00 Save 29% £69 OFF Read More Add to cart
The Fell Hotel, Burnsall BD23 6BT

Masons of Yorkshire Gin Distillery Tour with Tastings

Northallerton, DL7 9EE
  • Guided tour and tasting experience inside a multi-award-winning distillery
  • Yorkshire’s first gin distillery
  • SAVE 10% off
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£25.00 £22.50 Save 10% £25.00 OFF Read More Book ticket
Northallerton, DL7 9EE

Silversmiths Bottomless Brunch Sheffield

Silversmiths, Sheffield S1 2NT
  • Popular Sheffield city centre restaurant
  • Forget plain old avo-on-toast; expect Dressed Crab Benedict, Chicken & Waffles and Turkish Eggs.
  • SAVE 21% off
YFG EXCLUSIVE
£38.00 £30.00 Save 21% £38 OFF Read More Add to cart
Silversmiths, Sheffield S1 2NT

Written by

Georgia Suggitt

21/03/2024

Tags and Categories

Join our Foodie Community

Keep up to date with the latest news, reviews, foodie events and exclusive offers

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.