First off, Leeds is fantastic. If you’re a foodie, then you already know Leeds is a great place to be. We have a fantastic mix of favourite chains and incredible independents, and whether it’s fine dining or grunge street food you’re after, there’s something for you. If you’re newer to the food scene, then, welcome! In Leeds you’re surrounded by incredible options. If you’ve got a hankering for sushi, sorted. Want Lebanese food delivered to your door? Done. Craving Kinder Bueno ice-cream and waffles? Oh god, yes, and it’ll be at your door in less than an hour. With all of this on offer every day, it’s hard to find something that really impresses us anymore, or so we thought… Last year, we had the inaugural Eat Leeds, which gave people the chance to sample some of some of our favourite restaurants and bars at a fraction of the usual price. Over 100 restaurants took part last year, and the incredible success has prompted them to do it again. All of that brings us here! Eat Leeds connects the most loved restaurants and bars with an even wider audience than before. This is done by all of the restaurants involved creating bespoke menu’s of their favourite dishes for the same price….tempted yet? Eat Leeds in 2018 This year, 81 restaurants have announced their participation, and these include some of Leeds’ finest venues. There’s the obvious ones that roll off the tongue from The Aagrah to Zaap. After that, there’s Turtle Bay and The Botanist, and everything in between. Then there’s the ones that are hidden gems, such as Marco’s, Chez Mal and Cast Iron Bar & Grill to name but a few. Let’s start with Crafthouse. This Trinity venue is a firm favourite with food lovers from our wonderful city, and beyond. Aside from their incredible steaks cooked on a Josper Grill, their mains include classic dishes with innovative twists. Dishes like pan seared halibut with potato and celeriac with saffron, roast bok choy, crispy sweetbread, Thai basil butter and yellow curry. Our mouths are watering before we’ve even seen their special Eat Leeds menu, is yours? What about Issho? If you have already visited this palace of food then you’ll understand why we’re in love with it. The moment you step through the doors on the top floor of Victoria Gate, you’re enveloped in luxury, even the finest details are taken care of. The ceiling is decorated with sprawling monochrome patterns. Every shelf is carefully arranged to show off the finest produce they have in house. The menu is just as carefully considered. The lightest flavours are juxtaposed against strong, punching notes. couple these things with the setting, and this becomes a food experience you’ll never forget. It’s not just about the food The thing is, Eat Leeds isn’t just a great foodie festival. If it was just about the food, then a takeout menu would be an easy option. One of the hardest parts of running a successful restaurant is fitting everyone in! Even the shortest tables take at least 1.5 hours, then customers don’t want to move. Then, the tables need turning before the next group can sit down… but Eat Leeds definitely isn’t about that takeout life. The organisers understand that being in the restaurant is a crucial part of the experience. Whether you realise it or not, you’re feeding off the atmosphere too. If your server is funny and personal, you’re more likely to have a great overall experience. Eat Leeds is a great way to immerse yourself in these experiences for the first time. Or, it’s just a great excuse to go back to your favourite haunt. Whatever you choose to do this Eat Leeds week, and wherever you choose to go, you can be certain that you’ll walk away satisfied. Over the course of the festival we’ll be giving you a run down of some of our very favourite locations. We’ll also be talking with the chefs behind the magic and keeping you up to date on how you can buy tickets for this incredible opportunity. There’s never been a better time to be a foodie in Leeds, or to become one. So get involved! Tell us about the places you’re looking forwards to visiting most, and when you’ve been, let us know how it went! Till next time, happy dining.