Fresh, seasonal and full of flavour, it’s no surprise that French cuisine is popular all around the globe. If you’d like to sample some of the finest French food that Leeds has to offer, here are a few excellent French restaurants that you really must visit.
Sous le Nez, Quebec Street
This atmospheric French restaurant can be found in the cavernous basement of Quebec House, where it provides a welcome retreat from the busy streets above. You can dine à la carte here or opt for the restaurant’s popular three course menu, which offers plenty of tempting choices. Starters include fish soup with red pepper rouille, aioli, gruyère and croutons, or a chicken liver and brandy parfait with apricot chutney and multi grain toast, which can be followed by mains such as a puff pastry tartlet of ratatouille. You can then tuck into desserts like maple syrup, apple and sunflower tart with cinnamon ice cream. A Google review says Sous le Nez is ‘up there with the best restaurants in Leeds’, going on to add: ‘The food is exceptional, we had moules and fillet steak on this occasion. The peppercorn sauce is unrivalled! Above all else, the service is impeccable – friendly and attentive whilst recognizing the needs of the guests and adapting accordingly.’
Chez-Joel, Commercial Street & Brudenell Grove
A favourite among students, Chez-Joel started out as a food van in Leeds city centre before gaining a permanent base in Hyde Park. This tasty taco stall is owned by talented chef Joel, who was born and raised in Cameroon but honed his culinary skills in France. Chez-Joel’s menu keeps it simple with a range of gourmet burgers and tacos, which are made with original homemade sauces. These include the Lille Sweet Burger with marinated beef, caramelised onion, spicy sweet mayo and cheese, or the Chicken French Taco with marinated chicken, Algerian sauce, cheese sauce, vegetables and fries. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘Believe the hype. The French taco is, simply put, the best meal for a fiver in the country. Great food, lovely service, good vibes. Only bad thing is that this isn’t parked directly outside of my house.’
OWT, Corn Exchange
With a name that means ‘anything’ in local dialect, this laid back bistro perfectly marries French and Yorkshire culture. OWT is owned by James and French-born Esther, who started out in Kirkgate Market where they cooked up delicious dishes to showcase the best produce from their neighbouring traders. They have since moved into the Corn Exchange, where they reside in a colourful space with a joyful and arty feel. OWT’s menu features seasonal small dishes and at lunch here you can try a Hash Brown Plate with house hash browns, sauteed garlic mushrooms, beans and herbs, or a succulent chicken burger, served on a Bondgate Bakery muffin. Other anytime favourites include a green salad tossed in house vinaigrette and triple cooked chips. A Google review describes OWT as ‘a beautiful space with a short but frequently changing menu’, saying: ‘The fried chicken and triple cooked chips I had were very good, their dill pickles were the best I’ve had in the UK and the plain green salad was the best I’ve had outside of France.’
Kendells Bistro, St. Peter’s Square
Authentic French restaurant Kendells has a gorgeous rustic feel with flickering candles, exposed brick walls and an open kitchen where you can watch Chef Patron Steve Kendell working his culinary magic to create a wide range of wonderful dishes. These include Canard aux Cassis – duck breast in a blackcurrant liqueur sauce with goat’s cheese and onion pastille – or the inventive Longue de Venaison, featuring Harewood House venison loin, ox cheek croquette, celeriac and a chocolate sauce. If you have any room left after this, you can sample a scrumptious Tarte au Rhubarb with creme anglaise. A review on Tripadvisor says: ‘[Our] first impressions [were] a lovely gothic/romantic vibe, lights down low, candlelight on the tables and some lovely relaxing background music…For mains we both had the venison and my word it was out of this world. We’ve both had venison a lot before in other restaurants but nothing compared to the flavour we got here – it was simply astounding! We have found our new favourite restaurant and will definitely be back for more.’
Hern, Chapel Allerton
Located on Harrogate Road in the lively suburb of Chapel Allerton, Hern’s ethos is all about using the freshest ingredients and reducing waste. You’ll find a carefully curated wine list here, featuring some of the best organic wines from small producers, while the restaurant’s food menu changes with what is seasonally available. Previous offerings have included dishes like wild sea bass with confit tomato, sprouting broccoli and mussel sauce, or roast chicken accompanied by boudin blanc, green asparagus and courgettes. A Google review says: ‘[Hern offers an] interesting and delicious set menu with fresh ingredients, and a wine list with more than just the usual suspects. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. We’ve been before and we’ll be going again.’
The Restaurant Bar & Grill, City Square
One of Leeds’ most spectacular places to eat, The Restaurant resides in the old post office building in City Square, which boasts high ceilings, towering columns and ornate plaster mouldings. This modern bar and grill serves an ever-changing menu of British and European dishes. The Restaurant is well known for its expertly-cooked steaks – these use the very best British beef, which is naturally reared on carefully selected farms. Other options include Tuna au Poivre with bearnaise sauce and chips, or Moules Marinere, which can be followed by Chocolate Fondant or coffee with truffles. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘This is always my go to place in Leeds centre. The menu is divine and delicious. The building and decor is gorgeous [and] staff have always been very attentive. [There’s] plenty of dining space and even when it’s quiet it still has a lovely atmosphere.’
Fléur, The Headrow
Fusion restaurant Fléur was inspired by the international travels of its menu consultant – MasterChef finalist and Great British Menu star Bobby Geetha. This popular brunch spot has a truly luxurious feel with a canopy of butterflies and blossoms suspended from its ceiling. On Fléur’s contemporary menu, you’ll find many options with a French twist. These include starters like French Trimmed Lamb Chops, which can be followed by mains such as Creamy Pasta and Crispy Chicken – linguine tossed in a cheese sauce with broccoli, grated mature cheese and crispy chicken. Among Fleur’s tempting desserts is its signature French Toast, which consists of a brioche loaf, pan-fried with cream and egg, coated with cornflakes and served with berry compôte, strawberries, cream, maple syrup and rose gold dust. A Google review says: ‘This place is so beautiful, from the butterfly ceiling to the gentle lighting that is just right to help you relax. The staff were friendly and very helpful and the food was next level gorgeous. I will be back and I urge anyone reading this to visit.’
Crêpeaffaire, Albion Street
Founded in London in 2004, this family-owned creperie has gone from strength to strength and branches have now popped up all around the country. In Leeds, Crepeaffaire can be found on the first floor of the Trinity shopping centre, in a light and airy space that boasts great views over the streets below. When eating at Crepeaffaire, you can choose from wheat flour crêpes or organic gluten-free buckwheat galettes. These can be served with classic lemon and sugar, Nutella or a range of other sweet toppings like cinnamon, banana and butterscotch. Alternatively, if you’d prefer a savoury snack, you can try a galette with eggs florentine or smoked salmon and cream cheese. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘I dropped by for a savoury crepe for lunch having never visited before. I got the ham, egg and cheese, and the crepe was genuinely better than the ones served to me in France on a recent visit. Never thought I’d enjoy it half as much as I did, can’t wait to go back and try another.’
Images: @rbg_leeds @crepaffaire @souslenezrestaraunt
