Pick up some pasta…
Leeds is such a multicultural and cosmopolitan city that it’s no surprise to find that it’s host to some stunning restaurants serving delicious fair from around the globe. But for a romantic dinner for two nothing comes close to the food and language of love ─ Italian! We’ve done the hard work for you and picked our top five Italian restaurants in Leeds, each of which will provide you with a delicious meal in beautiful surroundings.
Jamie’s Italian Restaurant – 35 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JL
The first of our selection’s a collaborative effort from Jamie Oliver and Gennaro Contaldo. One of a chain of restaurants the pair have developed, it’s a delightfully understated establishment with a genuinely traditional back-street feel. Serving some of the best pizzas we’ve ever tasted and boasting a menu of simplicity focusing on quality ingredients and flavour, we cannot recommend Jamie’s Italian enough.
Bibi’s Italianissimo – Criterion Place Swinegate, Leeds, LS1 4AG
Ah, how we love Bibi’s! Serving the finest Italian food in Leeds since it’s inception in the 70’s, Bibi’s is the place to go if you want your dinner to be an art deco event of the grandest scale! When you first walk through the door you’ll be blown away by the beauty of the place ─ it seems to say “Look at me! Have fun!” It’s impossible not to fall in love with Bibi’s… and then you try the food! Mario Sciacca’s team of chefs will have you salivating over the traditional and contemporary flavours on offer, whether for lunch or an opulent evening extravaganza.
Livin’ Italy – Granary Wharf, Leeds, LS1 4BR
Often thought of as one of Leeds hidden gems, Livin’ Italy’s tucked away at the edge of Granary Wharf where it serves deliciously traditional Italian food in a friendly, family-run environment. It’s a small venue, so can be quite noisy, but we feel that just adds to the atmosphere. The entire menu’s lovely, but we do recommend parking up at Trafalgar Street car park on a Saturday or Sunday morning and strolling over to Livin’ Italy for one of their breakfasts before a day’s shopping. Delizioso!
San Carlo Italian Restaurant – 6-7 South Parade, Leeds, LS1 5QX A beautiful blend of classic and contemporary Italian themes, San Carlo offers a menu designed to appeal to those looking for truly authentic modern Italian cuisine – and the service and ambiance is excellent whatever time of day you visit. Popular as a venue for business lunches as well as candlelit dinners for two, this award winning restaurant will not disappoint.
Primo Italian Restaurant – West Point, 29 Wellington St, LS1 4JY Featuring several different seated areas ─ all with clean modern lines ─ Primo’s a fresh and elegant place to eat genuinely stunning traditional or contemporary Italian food. Staffed entirely by Italians, the food and service is consistently exemplary. We guarantee that you will love everything about Primo!
We think that you’ll be delighted with a meal at any of these wonderful restaurants, so why not make your evening perfect by leaving your car with us at Trafalgar Street car park where you know it will be well looked after? Cheaper than most of the other car parks in Leeds, we’re close enough to the above venues to make for an easy night without traversing the Leeds loop road!