Reviews in Leeds City Centre

To my shame, I did not know of the existence of this fine restaurant until last night. A friend and I was looking for a restaurant to eat in prior to going to a Seasick Steve gog at the O2 Academy. My friend had wanted to go to a Chinese restaurant and I wasn't aware of any near the Academy. We spotted diners through pavement level windows in the Red Chillie and called in on spec. The restaurant was nearly full despite it being a Tuesday evening and a large number of the customers were Chinese. The menu contained many dishes that I'd not heard of and I wasn't tempted by the lung dish!. However, we found some dishes that were both new to us and were tempting as most of the menu choices were to be honest and had a wonderful gastronomic experience. Unlike most Chinese meals the two starters (crispy duck and pancakes + Chinese crackers) and two main dishes (crispy stir fried chilli beaf and a spicy mince pork dan dan noodle dish) shared between us were more than ample and for the first time ever in a Chinese restaurant, I left food uneaten, not because it was unpalatable but because the portion sizes were large enough to fill me before getting to the end of them. The food is great, fresh, visually appealing and the waiters attentive and polite. The meal for two including a pint of lager and a large bottle of mineral water came to £34 - fantastic value! I've already recommended the place to anyone prepared to listen to my rave reviews at work. I'll be back within the next couple of weeks with friends.

I think this place is a must visit whether you live in Leeds or are just visiting!!! I got introduced last week to it and have just arrived home from my second visit. The starters are so well made, even the Spring Rolls are to die for! For main you cannot fault the Bentou Boxes AT ALL for Value for Money.. and even though it comes with fruit included in the Box, the Cheesecake is an absolute must. I will be making this my place of choice for ANY meal out in future, the variety is amazing. And for vegetarians there is an amazing variety, and also VEGANS!! Get in on the Little Tokyo action!! They have such a varied menu!!!

love this place. everything about them is great. there mint green tea ice creams is to die for.

a friend took me to Little Tokyo in dec 08 been back three times already and its still only Jan09!! Great food, environment and staff...love the place

My wife and I ate at Sandinista midweek just recently. To say its January, the place was pretty busy and with the ambient lighting from candles in old rum bottles, excellent background music and the buzz of other customers combined to make it very atmospheric. I opted for sizzling fajitas whilst my wife had a selection of 3 tapas dishes. Both were quite excellent and couldn't be faulted! The service was friendly and relaxed - none of your drilled in, auto pilot 3 minute check back nonsense. Just genuinely natural and welcoming. And as a bonus just as we finished up a really good guitarist started which persuaded us to stay on a for a mojito or two despite it being a school night! Highly recommended!!

Truly awful. One of the worst dining experiences I've had in a long time. We felt pressured to hurry and leave from the moment we sat down. Surly waiters hovering around the table trying to take plates before each course was finished. Even after asking them to stop they still pounced as soon as we'd finished (and I mean before the cutlery hit the plate). Our waiter brought out our main course while we were still eating our starters and insisted on shoving it onto the table. I asked him to wait and he said "I'll give you 2 minutes". Obviously, that went down like a lead balloon. Never going again. I eat out regularly and I'm not hung up on service generally as waiting staff, like all of us, have a myriad of faults, but this place was simply terrible... the food was actually quite nice but enjoying it in that environment is impossible. Awful.

We visited at around 6pm on a Saturday evening for pre-concert drinks & food. Fairly quiet at that time but the atmosphere was still good. Service was very friendly and efficient. Food was excellent and reasonably priced, 6 Tapas and a couple of drinks was £34 for the two of us. We left about 7:15 and it was just starting to fill up.

The perfect refuge if you long for genuine Italian food... La Besi gives what you'd expect in Sicily: local flavours, friendly but discreet service and high standards of cooking, so high in fact that they've impressed even the local reviewers. Certainly the best pizzas in the whole University area, but being Sicilian, the seafood pastas and risottos are outstanding. That said, no veggie will ever feel neglected...

It was a by far the worst meal we have ever had

I dine here every couple of months and am never disappointed. Consistently great food. The staff are amazing and the atmosphere is relaxed. Made the effort to get there for brunch last Sunday. Revelation. Had truly wonderful eggs Benedict for a fiver.

This is the best place in Leeds to eat on a lunchtime. The food is wonderful and cheap. Forget anywhere else, just eat here.

This isn't a standard curry house menu. It's different, subtle and exotic. I eat some meat but this makes a lovely change. We have been several times now for outings from work and if you request a meal for the group to share, you really get a treat !

Stunning. Simply stunning. Every time I visit it gets better. Gorgeous food, great service, and always always busy so great atmosphere. In my opinion, still the best restaurant in Leeds by a long way. Love it!

The food is of first class quality and the service, throughout the week is very good. It probably has to be the best value for money food and drink establishment in Leeds. Raph, the Chef and Daniel the Manager are a great team and provide a good ambiance for my lunch most days. - Thanks lads!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this place is an oasis in a city of madness, the food is exquisite and the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and friendly. i would say that it is the best pizza i have had outside of italy. i would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves itallian food and a taste of the warm itallian culture.

Akbars is one of the best restaurants I've come across in United Kingdom. You sure will enjoy the food with a touch of excellent service. A must to try place if you are a food lover.

went on 7 th November with friends and found this place and its food really nice! very good atmosphere and music, the candles on the tables beautiful. Would recommend La Vina always.

I had a party for my birthday of 30 people at labesi restaurant, it was an absolute amazing time. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere brilliant and the food incredibly delicious. I am regular at LaBesi but everytime i got there it is always a thrill. They also have their Christmas menu on which i'm planning on having another party. This place is as close to Italian as you can get. Thank You LaBesi and to all the staff, you are amazing.