Good Food Guide 2024: Italian restaurants Stuzzi and Zucco 'proud' to be named among the UK's best for pasta

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Two Leeds restaurants have been named among the best pasta restaurants in the country by a prestigious guide.

The Good Food Guide has released its top picks for pasta in Britain ahead of World Pasta Day, which is on October 25.

Founded in 1951, the Guide has a team of 30 inspectors who assess restaurants across the country following readers' tip-offs and suggestions, from a promising new chef in town or a remote country pub that’s upped its game.

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The platform has now unveiled its top 43 restaurants in the UK for pasta, and just two Leeds restaurants - Stuzzi in the Grand Arcade and Zucco in Meanwood - have made the list.

Jimbob Phillips, one of the directors at Stuzzi, which has just marked five years in the city, said to receive the recognition from the Good Food Guide was “class”.

Jimbob Phillips, one of the directors of Stuzzi Leeds, which has been named one of the best pasta restaurants in the country. (Photo by Jonathan Gawthorpe)Jimbob Phillips, one of the directors of Stuzzi Leeds, which has been named one of the best pasta restaurants in the country. (Photo by Jonathan Gawthorpe)
Jimbob Phillips, one of the directors of Stuzzi Leeds, which has been named one of the best pasta restaurants in the country. (Photo by Jonathan Gawthorpe) | Jonathan Gawthorpe

“We take great pride in our pasta,” Jimbob told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

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“We used to make a lot of handmade pasta in Harrogate but we never had the means to make all the pasta we use in-house in Harrogate.

“So when we opened this place with a bigger venue and more prep space, it was our mission statement to make all of the pasta on the menus in-house so it's nice to get the recognition for our endeavours.

“We extrude all of our long and short pastas with our machine, the pasta recipe has been refined over years, and then we make a lot of handmade pasta as well. We are very proud.”

It comes as Stuzzi is set to open on Tuesdays from November 5 to meet the extra demand for an Italian restaurant during the week.

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Owner and manager Matteo Leggiero was equally pleased his restaurant Zucco, which opened in Meanwood Road more than a decade ago, has made the lis too.

Matteo told the YEP: “It’s a lot of years of hard work paying off clearly.

Zucco in Meanwood is also listed in the Good Food Guide's list (Photo by James Hardisty/National World)Zucco in Meanwood is also listed in the Good Food Guide's list (Photo by James Hardisty/National World)
Zucco in Meanwood is also listed in the Good Food Guide's list (Photo by James Hardisty/National World) | James Hardisty/National World

“We are a family-owned restaurant and we have been since we opened, and we are always trying to keep things local or Italian.

“We get our inspiration from the south of Italy, where my nonna [grandmother] came from.

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“We do a range of pastas - we don’t tend to do classic carbonaras or bolognese, we try to do things that are a little bit different, that you're not going to get everywhere else.

“One of our showstoppers at the minute is the Tagliolini nero di seppia, which is a cuttlefish ink pasta.”

The menu at Zucco largely also depends on ingredients available in the season, so customers can always expect something new at each visit.

Find out more information about Stuzzi and Zucco and upcoming events via the official websites and social media channels.

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