Promising authentic tastes of the Deep South, the first Hickory’s Smokehouse venue opened its doors in Chester back in 2010. This barbecue-style restaurant was a huge success; there are now 14 Hickory’s Smokehouse restaurants scattered around the UK.

Having successfully wowed an endless number of diners in the North West, Midlands and North Wales, they’ve finally brought their southern USA hospitality and mighty meat offerings to Yorkshire! Hickory’s Smokehouse Horbury opened just three months ago and we’ve been eager to visit ever since. Avid carnivores with a strong love for family-friendly restaurants that combine a fun ambience with lengthy and varied menus of deliciousness, it sounded right up our street!

After weeks of drooling over their Instagram posts, we headed over to Horbury last Friday for our very first Hickory’s Smokehouse experience…

Now, I’ve been to a few barbecue-style restaurants over the years. I’ve eaten ribs, brisket, pulled pork and fried chicken at big chain restaurants and local independents but none have blown me away. Such dishes vary considerably from place to place, and, as I’ve never been fortunate enough to embark on a culinary road trip in the USA, it has always proved difficult to rate authenticity. The founders of Hickory’s Smokehouse, however, have made an incredible 18 trips; socialising, eating and doing their research in more than 70 towns and cities. As their dishes are all inspired by the flavours, techniques and people they encountered on their trips to foodie hotspots such as New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, Houston, Austin, Kentucky, New York and many more, authenticity at Hickory’s Smokehouse is pretty much guaranteed.

My first impressions of this exciting new addition to the Wakefield restaurant scene were positive ones. The building itself looks like a movie set with its southern-style cladding and we were instantly greeted with the sounds of happy children making the most of the restaurant’s outdoor play area. Upon entering, I gave our names to the cheerful staff in the reception area and were promptly led to a large circular table situated right in the centre of the restaurant.

The first thing I noticed was the lighting. I detest bright lighting when dining out (despite needing it to boost my embarrassing photography efforts) so the warm lighting in Hickory’s was ideal. The next thing that struck me was the jovial atmosphere. Looking around, everyone seemed to be having a thoroughly good time. The staff were smiling, diners were happily tucking into mounds of meaty goodness between animated conversations and, even those wandering back from the toilets seemed high in spirit!

That is when I realised that Hickory’s Smokehouse is about so much more than food. They have created a destination restaurant where families, couples and even lone diners can come together to unwind and soak up the sounds, smells and chilled vibes of the southern states. A truly remarkable ambience that I have never experienced before.

My plus one was one of my closest friends, Jaclyn, and we both noted how much our children would love the place. Children really are catered for tremendously well. The outdoor play area boasts excellent wooden play equipment and there’s even a mini cinema inside – an absolute blessing for those of us whose children eye up our meals after rapidly devouring their own.

Our server, Shane, was equally as jolly as the other people in the restaurant and served us with warmth, enthusiasm and a welcome dose of banter. To kickstart our experience, we ordered a couple of drinks to help wash down the free popcorn which had been waiting for us at our table – a lovely gesture and one which was most appreciated after our journey over from Skipton. I chose a Classic Margherita and my friend, who was the designated driver, chose a Grape Soda.

It is my understanding that blackcurrant drinks aren’t really a thing over in the states and Grape Soda is their alternative. Sweet, fruity and ice-cold, it was a refreshing way to start the meal for my friend, even if it did taste absolutely nothing like her favourite Malbec.

My cocktail was equally as delicious. Made using their own unique cocktail base, the slush-style Margherita was a perfect balance of sweet and sour and had just the right amount of salt around the rim of the glass.

My friend has previously visited Hickory’s Smokehouse in Chester and knew what to expect from the menu. I, like always, had scrutinized the menu online before arriving so also knew what to expect. Choosing our dishes still required quite a bit of deliberation as there is much on there that appeals to both our palates. We both like our meat so, for the main, we simply needed to choose which meat we wanted. Choosing starters, however, was an arduous task.

With offerings like Jumbo Wings, Baby Back Ribs, Fried Pickles, Corn Dogs and Buttermilk Fried Chicken all making us salivate profusely, we’d happily have ordered the lot just to sample a bit of each. Being the well-behaved and restrained individuals that we are (ha!) we both went for chicken – Jumbo Lousiana Hot Wings for Jac and Buttermilk Fried Chicken ‘In a Basket’ for myself. Shaun promised me that both were superb choices and that the Fried Chicken was even better than that made by a certain white-haired gentleman from Kentucky.

He wasn’t wrong! Served on skewers with crispy homemade tortilla chips and a sweet buttermilk and honey dip, it was incredibly good. I gleefully munched away on two of my skewers and reluctantly gave Jaclyn the third.

Deciding on main courses was far easier than choosing starters, Not because there’s not much to choose from – the menu is extensive and varied – but Jaclyn was craving steak and the fantastic restaurant manager, Adam, had talked us through the menu in detail, highlighting the fact that they offer a platter comprising various cuts of meat. This was my chance to try numerous menu dishes at once (for reviewing rather than to feed an insatiable appetite).

Jaclyn ordered the Cowboy Steak and it arrived with a generous portion of crispy fries, a grilled mushroom, a chargrilled jalapeño and some silky peppercorn sauce.

Much to my dismay, she had ordered her steak “As rare as you can get without it mooing” so I didn’t ask to taste it. She assured me that it was cooked to perfection, beautifully tender and had made our meal together one of the best meals she had had in a long time. Sound good? Sold on the steak? Hold that thought…

A somewhat ambitious choice for someone of 4’11’ who can never finish a main course, I ordered The Smokehouse Platter. Priced at £49.99, it is usually a dish designed to share between two people but the staff very kindly made me a platter for one.

When it arrived, it didn’t look like it was for one; unless it was for one Tyrannosaurus Rex. A gigantic portion of meat with tasty-looking sides was placed before me and, not one to miss an opportunity to torment, I immediately sent a photograph to my husband.

Okay, so what was on the platter, you ask? What wasn’t! All of their most popular meaty mains were included plus skin-on fries, house slaw, pickles and a mini bucket of Tennessee Bourbon Gravy for pouring or dipping.

The different kinds of ribs, slow-smoked chicken wings, signature beef brisket, Smoked Pork, Cheese and Jalapeno Sausage and hand-pulled pork were all delicious. Three of the components, however, really stood out for me in terms of flavour.

Cooked for 16 hours in an enormous smoker shipped over from the USA (we were lucky enough to be able to visit the kitchen and see the process ourselves), it was succulent, tender and beautifully flavoured. An absolute delight! The sausage, which boasted considerable length and girth, was juicy and delivered just the right amount of heat. The little pot of barbecue pulled pork was generously topped with BBQ pot beans and the combination of textures made this one of my favourite parts of the meal.

I’m ashamed to say that, despite thoroughly enjoying every mouthful, I had to accept defeat rather quickly. Thankfully, the fantastic staff offered to box up what remained so I could enjoy it at home.

I was genuinely sad to be leaving as being quite a distance from where I live, it is not somewhere I can just book whenever the fancy takes me. The people of Horbury are very lucky indeed and I do hope we see another Hickory’s Smokehouse open in Yorkshire in the not-so-distant future.

It really is an all-round brilliant venue boasting a superb ambience, fantastic menus and some of the friendliest staff I have encountered on a review for quite some time.

If Horbury is a little out of your way but you’re keen to sample some of the flavours of Hickory’s Smokehouse, they have a wonderful online shop. We were kindly gifted a set of their signature sauces and rubs so we can attempt to recreate some of their dishes at home. Perfect for BBQ season, their Pitmaster Rub is amazing on steak and chicken and the included Magic Dust is incredible sprinkled over chips.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly dining spot that please the adults as much as the kids, then do consider a visit to Hickory’s Smokehouse Horbury. You won’t be disappointed!

This review was written and published following an invitation to dine at Hickory’s. An invitation does not guarantee coverage on our publication or any other publications owned by Roaring Media Ltd – we only publish reviews following positive experiences, whether we have been invited to dine or made a personal reservation. The brands we work with have no editorial control over our content

Minh has an impressive 19 years experience in the food industry, which began back in Vietnam and Thailand where he learned how to create an abundance of fragrant dishes under the guidance of his parents. Later on, Minh headed to London where he underwent expert training to learn additional skills and master the art of cooking his favourite cuisine.

Viet-Thai is a cosy little establishment that seats 20 diners. Focus is very much on the freshness of the ingredients so expect superb quality produce in all their dishes! Minh and Huong have taken a healthy approach to Thai and Vietnamese cooking so expect light and delicious meals that won’t affect your waistline and leave you feeling like you have overindulged!

Starters are priced from £5.50 and main courses from £8.90. They don’t serve alcohol but you can bring your own booze to enjoy with your meal. Soft drinks are available.

Menu

Starters

1. Starters Platter: Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Juicy Tiger Prawns & Chicken Satay –  £7.90 /pp (Minimum two persons)

2. Vietnamese Crispy Spring Rolls, with a Light Sauce Dip – £5.90/5.50

3. “Cha” Vietnamese Fish Cake, with Sweet Chilli Dip – £6.20  

4. Juicy Tiger Prawns Lightly Battered, with a Peanut Sauce Dip OR Homemade Fruit Sauce OR Sweet Chilli sauce –  £6.20

5. Fresh & Healthy Summer Rolls, with Homemade Plum Sauce & Peanut Dip, with Tiger Prawns OR Tofu – £6.20/5.90

6. Chicken Satay, Dip in Peanut Sauce –  £5.90

7. Tender Squid OR Spare Ribs / with Garlic, Fresh Chilli & Spring Onion, a dry style – £6.50

8. Fresh & Crunchy Mango Salad with Fresh Herbs & Ground (Peanut Prawns/Chicken/Vegetarian)  – £6.50/5.90/5.50

9. Aromatic Crispy Duck 1/4 OR 1/2 – £10.90/19.90

Soups

10. Tom Yum with Tiger Prawns OR Chicken OR Vegetarian SMALL: £6.50/5.90/5.50 – LARGE: £9.50/8.90/8.50

11. Pho with Tiger Prawns/Chicken/Beef/Tofu  SMALL: £6.50/5.90/5.50 – LARGE: £9.50/8.90/8.50

Mains

12.  Green or Red Curry with Lamb/Fish/Tiger Prawns/Duck/Chicken/Beef/Vegetables – £11.50/10.90/10.90/10.90/9.90/9.90/9.50

13.  Vietnamese Curry with Lamb/Fish/Tiger Prawns/Duck/Chicken/Beef/Vegetables – £11.50/10.90/10.90/10.90/9.90/9.90/9.50

14. Tasty Sliced Lamb Or Pork Marinated in Five Spice & Herbs –  £11.50/10.50

14b. Vietnamese Caramel Pork (succulent pork in a thick,sticky sauce with warm spice, Moist style) – £10.50

15. Tender Chicken Breast Marinated with Fresh Ginger, Garlic and Spring Onion – £10.90

16. Crispy Chicken Breast with Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce OR Satay Sauce OR Fruit Sauce OR Sweet & Sour Sauce –  £9.90

17. Authentic Lamb/Chicken/Beef/Vegetables, Cooked in Chilli & Spicy Sauce        – £11.50/9.90/9.90/9.50

18. Traditional Black Bean Sauce with Garlic and Fresh Chilli, with Lamb/Tiger Prawns/Duck/Chicken/Beef/Veg – £11.50/10.90/10.90/9.90/9.90/9.50

19. Creamy Coconut Satay Sauce with Tiger Prawns/Chicken/Beef/Vegetables        – £10.90/9.90/9.90/9.50

20. Yummy Crispy Duck Breast with Homemade Fruit Sauce OR Sweet Chilli Sauce – £10.90

21. Shaking Lamb/Beef/Chicken/Veg, cooked with Fresh Chilli, Herbs, and Black Pepper Vietnamese Style – £11.50/9.90/9.90/9.50

21b. Lemongrass & Chili, Cooked with Bean Sprouts, Chilli & Herbs, with Lamb/Tiger Prawns/Chicken/Beef/Pork/Veg – £11.50/10.90/9.90/9.90/9.90/9.50

22. Juicy Tiger Prawns Cooked with Chilli Spring Onion & Garlic –  £10.90

23. Tender Salmon Cooked in Tamarind Sauce & Herbs –  £10.90

24. Catfish (A meaty white fish fillet from Vietnam marinated with spice and herbs) – £10.90

Location

Where is Sweet Basil Valley?

Sweet Basil Restaurant

Chinese Main Courses

(Stir Fried With Peas & Onions)

King Prawns 10.90
Mixed Special 10.90
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

33. STEAMED FISH DISHES

(With Ginger, Spring Onions & Mushrooms)

Fillet of Cod 13.00
Fillet of Sea Bass 13.00

34. STIR FRY PAK CHOI

(Lightly Stir Fried In Garlic Sauce)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns or Mixed Special 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30

35. LEMON SAUCE DISHES

King Prawns (Lightly Coated in Batter) 10.90
Roast Duck 10.90
Breast of Chicken (Lightly Coated in Batter) 9.30

CANTONESE FRUITY OK
SAUCE DISHES
(With Tomatoes, Peas & Onions)
King Prawns (Lightly Coated in Batter) 10.90

Breast of Chicken (Lightly Coated in Batter) 9.30
Fillet Steak 13.50

PINEAPPLE DISHES

(Stir Fried with Carrots, Green Peppers, Onions & Ginger)

King Prawns 10.90
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Sliced Duck 10.50

MUSHROOM DISHES

(Stir Fried with Onions & Carrots in a Light Gravy Sauce)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30

OYSTER SAUCE DISHES

(Stir Fried with Bamboo Shoots, Baby Sweet Corn, Mushrooms & Onions)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns or Mixed Special 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

CASHEWNUTS WITH DICED
VEGETABLE DISHES
(Stir Fried with Peas, Carrots, Onions, Mushrooms,
Water Chestnuts & Bamboo Shoots)
Seafood Special 13.50

King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

GINGER & SPRING ONION DISHES

(Stir Fried with Onions, Shallots & Carrots)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30
Sliced Duck or Squid 10.50
Lamb 10.50
Fillet Steak 13.50

KUNG PO STYLE DISHES

(Diced Vegetable with Spicy Chilli Peanut Sauce, Cashewnuts, Onions & Croutons)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

GREEN PEPPER & BLACK BEAN
SAUCE DISHES
(Stir Fried with Onions, Shallots & Carrots)
Seafood Special 13.50

King Prawn 10.90
Chicken or Beef or Roast Pork 9.30
Sliced Duck or Squid or Mussels 10.50
Fillet Steak 13.50
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

THAI MAIN COURSES

SWEET BASIL & CHILLI SAUCE

(Stir Fried with Chillies, Peppers, Basil, Onions & Fine Beans)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Fillet Steak 13.50
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

CHILLI, GARLIC & ONIONS

(Stir Fried with Shallots)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

GARLIC & CORIANDER

(Stir Fried with Onions & Chillies)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Lamb 10.50
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

THAI OMELETTE

(An Omelette Grilled with Mushroom, Chilli, Shallots & Basil)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Mussel 10.50
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

THAI RED CURRY

(With Chilli, Basil, Onions, Red Peppers, Mushrooms, Bamboo Shoots & Coconut Milk)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

THAI PANANG CURRY

(With Fine Beans, Red Peppers, Lime Leaves & Coconut Milk)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

THAI GREEN CURRY

(Blended with Basil, Lime Leaves, Courgettes, Fine Beans & Coconut Milk)

Seafood Special 13.50
King Prawns 10.90
Sliced Duck 10.50
Chicken or Beef 9.30
Mixed Vegetable 7.70

It’s family run with a small and well trained team of friendly waiters and passionate chefs. Jino’s is the maiden name of Malinee, the owner.

They also offer BYOB, which is a big hit with locals who enjoy saving some money by bringing their own alcohol.

Where is Jino’s Thai Cafe?

Sample of Jinos Thai Cafe’s Menu

1. Poh Piah £4.45

Thai spring rolls. Crispy pastry wraps with chicken, veg & rice noodle filling, with sweet chilli dip

2. Poh Piah Pak (v) £4.45

Vegetarian spring rolls. As above, with veg filling in place of chicken, served with a sweet chilli dip

3. Kanom Pang Nah Gai £4.45

Deep-fried bread portions with marinated minced chicken & herb topping, served with sweet chilli dipping sauce

4. Goong Chup Pang Tod £5.75

Tiger prawns in crispy batter, served with sweet chilli dipping sauce

5. Geow Grob £4.45

Crispy fried parcels with minced chicken & herb filling, served with sweet chilli dipping sauce

6. Tod Man Pla £6.25

Thai style spicy fish cakes made in-house to Jino’s own recipe, with a sweet chilli & peanut dip

7. Pak Tod (v) £4.45

Fresh mixed vegetables, deep fried in crispy batter & served with sweet chilli dipping sauce

8. Tod Man Khao Pode (v) £4.45

Home-made fried sweetcorn patties, served with sweet chilli dipping sauce

9. Dao Hu Tod (v) £4.45

Deep fried tofu pieces served with sweet chilli & peanut dipping sauce

10. Satay Gai £6.25

Marinated strips of chicken breast, grilled on bamboo skewers & served with peanut & veg pickle dips

11. Satay Hed (v) £6.25

Marinated Chinese mushrooms, grilled on bamboo skewers & served with peanut & veg pickle dips

112. Satay Goong £6.95

Tiger prawns, grilled on bamboo skewers, served with peanut & veg pickle dipping sauces

113. Goong Hom Pa £5.95

Deep fried tiger prawns in a pastry wrap, served with sweet chilli dipping sauce

114. Gra Dook Moo £6.25

Thai style pork spare ribs in a special sauce

12. Jino’s Mix (for 2) £8.50

Chicken satays, spring rolls & deep fried vegetables in batter, all accompanied with dipping sauces

13. Jino’s Special Mix (for 2) £9.35

Tiger prawns in batter, Thai style spicy fish cakes & home-made sweetcorn patties served with dips

14. Jino’s Vegetarian Mix (for 2) (v) £8.50

Mushroom satays, vegetable spring rolls & deep fried tofu pieces, all with dipping sauces

Curries

From The Wok

FREE Thai fragrant steamed rice included with all curries (fried rice, noodles or coconut rice £2.00 extra)

FREE Thai fragrant steamed rice included with all stir fries (fried rice, noodles or coconut rice £2.00 extra)

Gaeng Ped Thai red curry. A spicy blend of herbs & spices, cooked with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, red & green peppers

52. with chicken breast £10.45

with chicken breast £10.45

with chicken breast £10.45

53. with beef £10.45

54. with tiger prawns £11.50

55. with mixed fresh vegetables (no meat) (v) £10.15

Gaeng Kiew Wan Thai green curry. Spicy dish with coconut milk, sweet basil, courgettes, red & green peppers

56. with chicken breast£10.45

57. with beef £10.45

58. with tiger prawns £11.50

59. with mixed fresh vegetables (no meat) (v) £10.15

Panaeng Rich, creamy Thai style curry with coconut milk, lime leaves, sweet basil, onions, red & green peppers

60. with chicken breast £10.45

61. with pork £10.45

62. with beef £10.45

63. with tiger prawns £11.50

64. with tofu pieces (v) £10.45

641. with mixed fresh veg (no meat) (v) £10.15

Gaeng Matsaman Aromatic coconut curry with potatoes, red & green peppers, onions & peanuts

65. with chicken breast £10.45

66. with pork £10.45

661. with beef £10.45

67. with tiger prawns £11.50

671. with tofu pieces (v) £10.45

68. with mixed fresh vegetables (no meat) (v) £10.15

Gaeng Pa “Jungle Curry”. Very spicy dish, cooked with red curry paste, holy basil, bamboo shoots, red & green peppers

681. with chicken breast £10.45

682. with pork £10.45

683. with beef £10.45

684. with tiger prawns £11.50

685. with fish (haddock) £11.50

686. with mixed fresh veg (no meat) (v) £10.15

69. Pla Shu Shi £11.50

Thai style fish curry. Tender pieces of haddock, cooked with coconut cream, lime leaves, onions, red & green peppers & flavoured with sweet basil

The menu is extensive and has all of the typically western Thai Dishes – Pad Thai, Yellow Curry and the like. However, it has a wider range of dishes which could be considered more adventurous, so it really does cater for the best of both worlds. What’s more, they deliver, so if you’re looking for something delicious on an evening, but want to kick back and have a night in, we can’t recommend Tamarind Thai Kitchen enough!

Where to find Tamarind Thai Kitchen

Sample of their Menu

Red Curry

Classic red curry cooked with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, courgettes, sweet basil, aubergine & chillies
Hot

Chicken

£6.95+

Green Curry

Traditional green curry cooked with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, courgettes, sweet basil, aubergine & chillies
Hot

Chicken

£6.95+

Massaman Curry

Rich Thai curry cooked with coconut milk, potato, onion, carrot & peanut garnished crispy shallots
Contains nuts

Chicken

£6.95+

Panang Curry

Rich & creamy Thai curry cooked with Thai panang curry paste, coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves & vegetables

Chicken

£6.95+

Pad Thai

Popular Thai stir-fried noodle cooked with egg, bean sprouts, spring onion & ground peanut

Chicken

£6.95

Tamarind Platter for 2

Chicken satay, chicken spring rolls, chicken & prawn on toast & pork spare ribs
Contains nuts

£9.95+

Vegetarian Platter for 2

Veggie spring rolls, sweetcorn cakes, tofu satay, mixed veg tempura
Contains nuts
Vegetarian

Vegetarian

£7.95+

Chicken Satay

Grilled marinated chicken skewers served with peanut sauce
Contains nuts

£4.20+

Thai Fish Cake

Minced fish with chopped fine beans, lime leaves & red curry paste served with sweet chilli sauce

£4.20+

Chicken & Prawn on Toast

Minced chicken & prawns with sesame seeds on toast served with sweet chilli sauce

£4.20+

Thai Pork & Prawns Dumpling

Steamed pork & prawns dumplings served with fried garlic and special soy sauce

£4.20+

Prawn Tempura

Deep-fried prawns in crispy light batter served with sweet chilli sauce

£4.50+

Chicken Tempura

Deep-fried chicken in crispy light batter served with sweet chilli sauce

£4.20+

Pork Spare Ribs

Pork spare ribs marinated in special sauce topped with roasted sesame seeds

£3.95+

Thai Chicken Wings

Fried marinated chicken wings served with sweet chilli sauce

£4.20+

Chicken Spring Rolls

Spring rolls filled with chicken, cabbage, carrot, peas & sweetcorn served with sweet chilli sauce

£4.20+

Thai Prawn Crackers

Deep-fried prawn crackers served with sweet chilli sauce

£2.20+

Chicken Chilli

Crispy chicken tossed with diced pepper, onion & chilli sauce

£4.20+

Vegetable Spring Rolls

Crispy spring rolls filled with cabbage, vermicelli noodle, carrot, peas & sweetcorn served with chilli sauce
Vegetarian

Vegetarian

£3.75+

Thai Sweetcorn Cake

Deep-fried sweetcorn cakes served with sweet chilli sauce
Vegetarian

Vegetarian

£3.75+

Tofu Satay

Fried tofu skewer served with peanut sauce
Vegetarian

Vegetarian

We think that Yorkshire could give the rest of the country a run for their money when it comes to producing the perfect Pasanda or a tantalisingly good Tikka Masala. Our county is bursting with excellent quality Indian/Bangladeshi/Pakistani restaurants that prides themselves on serving authentic cuisine as and when we crave it.

As part of our “Best Restaurants…” series, we are on the hunt to find the best curry restaurants in Yorkshire and we want YOU to help us.

Do you have a local restaurant that never fails to impress? Is there only one place you’ll visit for a celebratory curry? Comment and let us know! Nominate the Indian restaurant that you thinks deserves to be named at “The Best Curry Restaurant in Yorkshire” and overall winner of our 2019 Yorkshire Curry Awards!

All nominated restaurants will be invited to enter the awards. Once we have received all the entries, we’ll put together a shortlist based on number of nominations, customer reviews and menu quality. Once the shortlist has been published, we’ll give you the opportunity to vote for your favourite. The winner will be the restaurant with the most votes.

Get nominating!

This is probably one of the best Tapas restaurants in Leeds due to the authenticity of its food and the relaxed, rural ambience it has worked so hard to achieve. Unlike many Spanish restaurant menus, the list of dishes available on offer at El Bareto is pretty extensive and not just exclusive to tapas style dining. If you have an aversion to seafood or you’re a strict vegetarian, you’ll still find a whole array of dishes to tuck into with friends or enjoy alone.

All the dishes on their menu are very reasonably priced. Starters begin at £2.50 for Marinated Olives and the most expensive item on the menu is the Fillet Steak in Blue Cheese Sauce at £12.90. We’ve listed their starters and tapas options below but the full menu can be found on their website.

Menu

Starters

Marinated Olives – £2.50

Marinated Anchovies – £4.20

Slices of Spanish Manchego Cheese – £7.50

Ibericos ( Jamon, Chorizo & Salchichon) – £8.90

Tapas

Chorizo Sausage in Cider – £5.90

Spanish Meatballs – £6.50

Garlic Mushrooms – £5.50

Oven-Baked Mushroom (Cheese) – £5.50

Oven-Baked Mushroom (Cheese & Bacon) – £5.90

Vegetable Ratatouille & Fried Egg – £6.50

Padron Peppers – £5.95

Jalapeno Croquettes – £5.95

Jamon Croquettes – £5.95

Pollo Croquettes – £5.95

Haddock & Prawn Croquettes – £5.95

Grilled Squid – £5.50

Deep Fried Squid in Batter – £6.50

Garlic King Prawns – £7.90

Lemon King Prawns £7.90

Location

Rated 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, Dos Amigos has established a great reputation in the area for being one of the best Tapas restaurants in Leeds. They serve a wide variety of tapas dishes, ranging from classics like Patas Bravos to a range of cheeses and Anti-Pasti.

Where to find Dos Amigos

Dos Amigos Menu

Bread – Pans

PAN

GF*  V  VEGAN

Basket of bread

£1.50

PIZZA AGLIO

V  VEGAN

Garlic pizza tomato

 £4.95

PAN PLUS

GF*  V  VEGAN

Basket of bread with choice of one dip (Alioli, Catalan or Oil & Balsamic)

£3.25

PIZZA AGLIO BIANCO

V

Garlic pizza with garlic, olive oil and cheese

 £4.95

PAN DE PIZZA

V  VEGAN*

Fresh dough balls with alioli or garlic butter

£4.75

PAN CATALAN

 GF*  V  VEGAN

Basket of bread with fresh chopped tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil

£3.25

PIZZA AJILLO Y QUESO

V

Garlic pizza with tomato and cheese

 £5.25

Cold Starters

MANCHEGO CHEESE

GF  V

Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk

£4.50

TABLA DE EMBUTIDOS

Selection of Spanish and Italian cured meats

 £6.95

BOQUERONES

GF

Marinated anchovies

 £3.25

SERRANO

GF

Sliced Spanish cured ham

 £4.95

ANTIPASTO (2 PEOPLE)

GF*

A selection of cold starters served with a basket of bread

 £12.95

ACIETUNAS

GF  V  VEGAN

Mixed olives

 £2.50

JAMON Y QUESO

GF

Mixed platter of manchego and Serrano

 £5.25

Tapas – Meat/Carne

ALBONDIGAS

GF

Pork and beef homemade meatballs in a tomato sauce

£6.45

HIGADILLOS

GF

Sautéed chicken livers with pancetta, chilli and red wine

£6.00

ARROSTO

GF

Slow roast crispy pork belly with cracked black pepper

£6.45

PINCHITOS DE MORUNOS

GF

Marinated pieces of lamb on a skewer

£7.95

POLLO AL CITRO

Pan fried chicken breast escalopes in a lemon and lime sauce

£6.45

CHORIZO

GF

Pan fried sliced chorizo rosario in red wine

£6.25

POLLO PIL PIL

GF

Chicken thigh fillets (no bone) in a chilli pil pil sauce with white wine and garlic

£6.75

ROSARIO

GF

Rosario chorizo pan fried with onion and sauteed potatoes

£6.45

ABACCHIO

GF

Lamb steak marinated in fresh rosemary and garlic

£8.00

PEPERONI RIPIENO

Roast sweet pepper filled with spicy pork and mozzarella cheese

£5.95

GUISADO DE JABALI

GF   CONTAINS NUTS

Diced wild boar haunch braised in molasses, prunes, apricots, and almond

£8.05

COSTOLE

GF

Meaty pork belly ribs in our own sweet and sour sticky sauce

£6.25

POLLO PLANCHA

GF

Chicken breast marinated in harissa, lemon juice and olive oil

£7.25

SOLOMILLO

GF

Mini rump steak grilled with cracked black pepper

£8.45

CROQUETAS DE POLLO

Homemade chicken croquettes with alioli (100% breast)

£5.45

Montado/Bruscetta

SERRANO HAM

GF*

£5.00

VINE TOMATOES & BASIL

GF*  V  VEGAN

 £3.50

MIXED SELECTION

GF*

 £6.50

OLIVE TAPENADE

 GF*  V  VEGAN

£3.50

MANCHEGO CHEESE

GF*  V

£4.75

Tapas – Vegetarian

PATATAS ALIOLI

GF   V

Fried potatoes with alioli dip

£3.95

JALAPENOS

V

Jalapenos filled with cream cheese

£5.35

PAPAS ESTRELLADAS

GF   V   VEGAN

Crushed baby potatoes pan-fried with rosemary, smoked paprika, garlic

£4.90

ZUCCHINI FRITTI

V

Courgette sticks in batter with alioli dip

£4.90

PORTOBELLO QUATTRO FORMAGGI

V

Flat mushrooms filled with manchego cheese, blue cheese, Parmesan and mascarpone

£5.35

VERDURA MISTA

GF   V   VEGAN

Sautéed mixed greens with potato and cannellini beans

£4.35

PATATAS  BRAVAS

GF   V   VEGAN

Fried potatoes with chilli and tomato sauce (cheese 75p extra)

£3.95

FAGIOLATA TOSCANA

GF   V   VEGAN

Mixed beans casserole with red peppers, tomato sauce and coriander

£4.90

LENTEJAS

GF   V   VEGAN

Tender puy lentils slow cooked in tomato sauce, harrissa and lemon juice

£4.90

CROQUETA DI POLENTA

V

Savoury polenta croquettes with a mozzarella centre

£4.35

ARANCINI

V

Deep fried rice balls in a crispy crumb with mozzarella centre and agro dolce (sweet chilli sauce)

£4.95

TORTILLA ESPANOL

GF   V

Spanish omelette with potato and onion

£3.95

BERENJENAS  RELLENAS

GF   V

Roast aubergine boat with mozzarella cheese

£5.35

PISTO MANCHEGO

GF   V   VEGAN

Sautéed peppers, tomatoes, onions and aubergine in olive oil and sherry vinegar

£4.95

FUNGHI AL’AGLIO

GF   V

Garlic mushrooms in a cream, white wine and garlic sauce

£4.70

PARMIGGIANA

GF  V

Lasagne style dish with layered aubergine and cheese in tomato sauce

£4.95

ARROZ PICANTE

GF   V   VEGAN

Saffron infused rice with onion, fresh chilli and peppers

£4.70

TAPAS – PESCADO/FISH

GAMBAS Y CHORIZO

GF

King prawns and chorizo pan-fried with onions white wine and tomato

£7.45

CALAMARES ROMANA

Lightly dusted squid rings deep fried served with alioli

£6.45

MEJILLONES

GF

Fresh mussels in white wine, garlic and parsley, with cream or tomato sauce (chilli optional)

£5.00

GAMBAS AJILLO

GF

King prawns in garlic and white wine sauce

£7.00

CROQUETA DE PESCADO

Hake and prawn croquettes with alioli

£5.45

FRITURA MIXTA

A medley of lightly dusted seafood and fish fried in olive oil (contains shell on prawns and fish bones)

£8.95

GAMBAS PIL PIL

GF

King prawns in garlic, fresh chilli, smoked paprika and white wine

£7.45

GAMBAS FRITO

King prawns in batter with alioli

£7.00

CALDERETA GALLEGA

GF

A mixture of fish, prawns and shellfish in a broth with roast garlic and peppers

£8.95

PAELLA  CATALANA

GF

Chorizo, pancetta, Serrano ham and chicken cooked in golden saffron bomba rice and smoked paprika

£7.00 / £14.45

PAELLAS  – TAPAS/LARGE DISH

PAELLA  VALENCIANA

GF

Prawns, shellfish, chicken and chicken livers all cooked in saffron bomba rice and smoked paprika

£7.00 / £14.45

PAELLA VERDURA

GF  V  VEGAN

Courgette, peppers, peas and broad beans cooked in saffron bomba rice

£6.45 / £13.00

PAELLA PESCADO

GF

Prawns, seafood, shellfish and fish all cooked in golden saffron bomba rice and smoked paprika

 £7.45 / £15.00

LITTLE ITALY

LASAGNE

Homemade beef lasagne

£8.50

PIZZA PROSCIUTTO

Ham pizza

 £8.50

PARMIGGIANA

GF  V

Lasagne style dish made with layers of aubergine and cheese in tomato sauce

 £8.00

PIZZA PEPPERONI

Pepperoni pizza

 £8.50

PIZZA MARGHERITA

V

Cheese and tomato pizza

 £7.95

PIZZA DIAVOLA

Pepperoni, chilli and onion

 £9.50

Originally, Miles made and sold his neapolitan pizzas from a van by touring the north and satisfying hungry crowds at regional events, festivals and celebrations. Now, he has a permanent home for his business in the centre of Leeds and it really is the place to go if you’re a die hard fan of this Italian classic.

Pizza Fella’s primary focus is on creating and serving exceptionally good quality pizza made using traditional methods and locally sourced toppings where possible. This is not a swanky pizzeria so don’t expect candlelight and starched napkins. It’s a relaxed, no frills restaurant in Leeds, offering a superb selection of freshly prepared pizzas served alongside a range of handpicked Italian wines and beers.

All of their pizza bases are made using just 4 ingredients – caputo flour, yorkshire water, salt and yeast before being appropriately topped and cooked in their traditional wood-fired oven. Their menu is considerably shorter than those of the large pizzeria chains. Pizza Fella serve just nine varieties of neapolitan pizza but the menu has been carefully thought out to ensure there is something to suit everyone’s taste and most dietary requirements. See menu below.

Pizza Menu

Number One (vegan)

The Marinara – tomato, garlic, organic sicilian oregano and extra virgin olive oil – £6

Number Two

The Classic Margherita – the original pizza from naples, tomato, fior di latte, parmigiano, extra virgin olive oil & basil – £8

Number Three

The Neapolitan – tomato, fior di latte, anchovies, capers and olives – £11

Number Four

Tomato, fior di latte, portobello mushroom, thyme – £9

Number Five

Tomato, fior di latte, goats cheese, pesto (nut free) – £9.50

Number Six

Tomato, fior di latte, napoli salami – £9

Number Seven

Tomato, fior di latte, portobello mushroom, rustego ham – £11

Number Eight (spicy)

Tomato, fior di latte, nduja, balsamic onions, fresh chilli – £11

Number Nine (vegan)

Tomato, organic sicilian oregano & extra virgin olive oil then pick three toppings from: portobello mushroom, balsamic onions, olives, capers, chargrilled zucchini, artichoke, chargrilled aubergine – £9.50

Location

Head Chef and owner, Steve Kendell, has a real passion for the rustic and traditional bistros that line the streets of Paris and Lyon. Keen to recreate a similar ambience with equally as good cuisine in the centre of Leeds, he opened Kendells Bistro with his wife Sharon. The talented couple spent many years exploring France together and sampling the diverse and delicious dishes produced there. It’s clear that Steve’s love for French food is a direct result of his travels but his exceptional culinary skills were developed much closer to home. Prior to them being awarded their coveted Michelin stars, Steve trained and worked at The Box Tree in Ilkley when their menu was predominantly English and the French cuisine they are now renowned for, was just still in the planning stages.

Fast forward a decade or so from launch and Kendells Bistro is a thriving restaurant in the heart of Leeds’ arts and culture district. By recreating and serving the food they know and love so well, the couple have successfully created a wonderfully authentic French bistro which offers superb, no-frills cuisine in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. A truly great restaurant in Leeds for those seeking top notch food and a laid back ambience.

Their menu changes daily and is dependent on the availability of the local produce that is vital in the creation of their mouthwatering dishes. The set menu at Kendells Bistro is very reasonably priced. For just £30.95 pp you can enjoy 3 courses and half a bottle of house wine each. See sample menu below.

Sample Menu

(Every thing stops for tea)
2 Courses £22.95
3 Courses £24.95
3 Courses £30.95 includes ½ Bottle house wine per person

Available:
Tuesday – Thursday 5.30 – Last Orders 7:45 pm
Friday – Saturday 5.30 – Last Orders 6:45pm

Starters

Parfait de Canard
Duck Liver Pate – Cointreau – Red Onion Confit – Sourdough Croutes

Gratin Lyonnais
Classic French Onion Soup

Saumon Rillette
Potted Salmon – Mayonaisse

Salade Frisee aux Lardon Fume
Smoked Bacon Salad – Poached Duck Egg – Croutons – French Dressing

(V) Tarte du Chevre et betterave
Goats Cheese – Roast Beetroot – Herb Crumb

Boudin Noir
French Black Pudding – Apple – Onions

Jambon Persille
Ham hock and parsley terrine

Mains

Confit de Canard
Slow cooked duck leg – Cabbage – Bacon – Dauphinoise

Boeuf Bourguignonne
Slow Baised Ox Cheek – Red Wine – lardons – Mushrooms

Supreme de Voilaille
Chicken Breast – New potatoes – Watercress – Cream sauce

Saumon en Croûte
Salmon – Puff Pastry – Butter sauce – Green beans – Bacon – Mash

(V) Aubergine Charlotte
Charred Aubergines – Harrisa Spiced Med Veg – Chick Peas

Jarret de Jambon
Ham Hock – Boulangere Potatoes – Rosmary Broth

Steak Au Poive Rump Steak – Peppercorn & Cognac sauce – Fries (£3.50 Supplement)

Desserts

Petit Pot au Chocolate

Gateau au Frmage et Framboise

Tarte aux Citron

Creme Brulee

Tarte Amandine au Poire

Profiteroles au Chocolate

Location