The Oliver Awards were first launched in 2008, with the aim of showcasing the incredible talent from our city’s diverse and vibrant hospitality sector. There were hundreds of entries this year, our 14th awards, and our panel of judges had the tough job of whittling them down to a shortlist, with the winners across 16 categories announced at a glitzy ceremony at Headingley Stadium last night.
There were three new categories this year - Best Dog-Friendly, Best Hotel Restaurant and the return of the popular Best World Restaurant. At the end of the evening, the prestigious Overall Restaurant of the Year award was announced, before guests enjoyed the official after party at Green Room.
Here is every Leeds business to have won an Oliver Award 2023.
Here is every Leeds business to have won an Oliver Award 2023.
. Every winner of the Oliver Awards
Here are the winners of the Yorkshire Evening Post's Oliver Awards 2023 Photo: National World
. Best Cafe/Deli
Gray’s scooped the Best Cafe/Deli award. The Rothwell coffee and gift shop, founded by Giles and Heather Amos (pictured), has built up a fiercely loyal base of customers. It offers a fabulous range of coffee and food, as well as selling cards and gifts from independent makers and hosting events. The finalists were: Bean & Gone Espresso Bar; Bruschetta by Food Cabaret; Residence 74; The Collective Inc and The Little Deli Co. Photo: James Hardisty
. Best Bar
Best Bar was awarded to Bar Fibre. The Lower Briggate party hotspot has recently undergone a £1million refurbishment, and judges praised its legacy on the Leeds bar scene for the last 20 years - led by Terry George and his partner Michael Rothwell. The finalists were: Farrands; Green Room; Saint Jude; Salon Privé, Dakota Leeds and Tailors Gin. Photo: Joe Rendell
. Best World Restaurant
Chaophraya scooped the Best World Restaurant award. Founded by Kim Kaewkraikhot (pictured) and her partner in 2004, the lavish restaurant serves a contemporary take on traditional food from every corner of Thailand, washed down with a range of cocktails, wines and beers. The finalists were: Dastaan Leeds, El Gato Negro, Fleur Restaurant and Bar, Prashad and Sakku. Photo: Tony Johnson
. Best Takeaway
Sabroso Street won the Best Takeaway category, judged by Rate My Takeaway host and social media star Danny Malin. Originally founded as a street food van in 2017, the authentic Mexican eatery opened its bricks and mortar restaurant and takeaway in Farsley in 2019. The finalists were: AfroSpice; Manjit’s Kitchen; Poco Sicilian Street Food & CULTO; Pizza Loco; The Bearded Sailor. Photo: Gary Longbottom
. Best Speciality
The winner of Best Speciality is The Oxford Place. The family-run city centre restaurant is 100% gluten free and serves fine-dining British dishes using locally-sourced ingredients, with gluten free accreditation from Coeliac UK. The finalists were: Bundobust; byMolly Private Chef Hire; Issho; Prashad and Tharavadu. Photo: Tony Johnson
7. Best Hotel Restaurant
Dakota Grill scooped Best Hotel Restaurant, a new category for 2023 - sponsored by the Leeds Hotels and Venues Association. Led by inspiring executive chef Craig Rogan, the lavish restaurant is passionate about using Yorkshire ingredients and is recommended in the Michelin Guide. The finalists were: Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar, Malmaison; Fire Lake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, Radisson Blu Leeds; Grand Pacific at the Queens Hotel; The Lock Kitchen & Bar, DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds; Thorpe Park Hotel Restaurant. Photo: Simon Hulme
8. Best Pub or Brewery
The winner of the Best Pub or Brewery category is Whitelock’s Ale House. First licenced in 1715, its history is rooted in tradition and it has an extensive range of beers from independent brewers, as well as showing innovation with a new monthly dinner club, collaborations and a high-standard of food, led by head chef Nick Robertson (pictured). The finalists were: Amity Brew Co; Duck and Drake; Granville’s Beer and Gin House; Kirkstall Brewery Taproom & Kitchen; The Flying Duck and Wharfedale Brewery. Photo: James Hardisty
9. Best Family Friendly
Grumpy’s Bar + Wood Fired Pizza scooped Best Family Friendly for the second year running. The venue is deeply embedded in the Farsley community, taking part in a fantastic range of events for all the family - from a Diverse Books for Schools campaign to offering a children’s play area and activities in the restaurant. The finalists were: Epehsus Rodley; La Cantina44 Restaurant; Mill Kitchen & Bakery; Sabroso Street; ZAAP Thai. Photo: Steve Riding
10. Newcomer of the Year
Dijon Boys won the highly-competitive Newcomer of the Year award, sponsored by Eat Leeds. Nicko Lachica, Cameron Sohel and Jamie Layall have found incredible success since launching their business just under a year ago, cooking at pop-ups across Leeds, launching their own kitchen in the heart of Meanwood and even taking their business over to the Philippines. The finalists were: Canal Club; Dastaan Leeds; Hooyah Burgers; The Cut & Craft; Well Oiled/The Meanwood Tavern. Photo: Tony Johnson
11. Best Dog Friendly Venue
Bundobust was crowned the Best Dog Friendly Venue, a new category for 2023. The Indian street food and craft beer venue has its own ‘Bundodogs’ Instagram account to show off its four-legged friends, as well as giving away complimentary Bundobust biscuits and drinks for pooches. The finalists were: Bean & Gone Espresso Bar; Brown’s Greens; Mill Kitchen & Bakery; Slow Rise Bakery; Village Pizza. Photo: Bundobust
12. Outstanding Contribution Award
Printworks Kitchen and Bar was given the Outstanding Contribution Award, highlighting the brilliant work of its young chefs and hospitality staff who are the rising stars of the industry. The judges said that at a time when the industry is crying out for new talent, Printworks, a partnership with Leeds City College, is providing top notch food, drinks and service, supporting the development of up-and-coming talent as well as longstanding staff. The finalists were: Bobby Geetha at Fleur Restaurant; Dave Firth at the Dakota Hotel; Northern Imposters Productions; Singh’s Indian Street Food. Photo: National World