Bill’s, Leeds – Restaurant Review
By Graham Clark, December 2025
The restaurant gets its name from Bill Collison, who opened the first Bill’s in 2001 as a café inside a small greengrocer in Lewes, East Sussex. Since 2008, the chain has expanded after being bought by Richard Caring, owner of the upmarket The Ivy. Conversely, Bill’s appears more democratic, aiming for customers who appreciate an appealing, varied menu and good service – without receiving a high bill at the end of the meal.
The Leeds restaurant has plenty of competition, surrounded as it is by an array of other restaurants. On a chilly winter’s evening, with rain lashing down outside, the warm and inviting atmosphere on entering the restaurant was more than welcome.
“Affordable”
The restaurant is housed in a historic Grade II listed building, once home to William Hey, a prominent surgeon at Leeds General Infirmary. The building was later taken over by the Leeds Law Society, with Bill’s moving in during 2015.
Since then, the restaurant has established itself as one of the better restaurants in the city – and rightly so. The menu is affordable, and the service is attentive yet not obtrusive.
With two dining rooms downstairs and one upstairs, the restaurant can accommodate many. I was seated in the bar room; if you are after a cosier affair, with the added benefit of being near the bar, ask to be seated here. Throughout, the décor of soothing greens and restrained orange blends well with the wooden floors.
“Tastefully presented”
The restaurant has a breakfast menu served until 11.30 am, with the main menu thereafter offering meat, fish and vegetarian options.
The Christmas menu currently on offer is a set three-course menu priced at £35.95. The range of starters has been inventively chosen, including a creamy cauliflower and truffle soup. My winter beetroot and Stilton salad was tastefully presented – on a plate that reminded me of the ones my grandmother kept on her Welsh dresser. The ripe, salty Stilton was not too strong, allowing the beetroot to shine, while the rich walnuts complemented it nicely.
A Christmas meal is not really complete unless it includes turkey and all the trimmings. Bill’s does not do things by halves. Wrapped in bacon, the turkey was cooked to perfection. It is a hard meat to get right – cook it too much and it becomes even drier than normal.
“More authentic”
It was served with pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, seasonal greens, and maple-and-thyme roasted root vegetables. The red wine gravy had just the right consistency: not too runny and not too thick.
Other options on the menu include sea bass, mushroom, tarragon and red wine pie, a seriously big Double Dunker Burger, or an 8 oz chargrilled rump steak, which comes with a £4 supplement.
As a big cheese fan, it only seemed fair to try the cheese plate. The three cheeses were mixed in terms of taste, perhaps in an effort to offer a British cheeseboard. A Somerset Camembert was included, although it would have felt more authentic, taste-wise, with a proper French Normandy Camembert. The Somerset version had not matured enough, tasting closer to the mildness associated with Brie.
“Extensive”
Thankfully, the Croxton Manor Cheddar was properly mature, as was the tangy Stilton – and all were served correctly at room temperature. The addition of oatcakes and tomato chutney provided the finishing touch.
Other dessert options include a rich sticky toffee pudding, black cherry and almond cheesecake, and a chocolate and salted caramel tart.
With an extensive wine list, as well as a comprehensive cocktail menu, Bill’s really did seem to be top of the bill when it came to a good dining experience. Good service, staff who are passionate about what they serve, and filling food in a relaxing atmosphere made Bill’s a pleasing experience.
Bill’s, 1 Albion Place, Leeds, LS1 6JL
Monday – Tuesday 8am-9:30pm
Wednesday – Friday 8am-10pm
Saturday 8:30am-10pm
Sunday (& Bank Holidays) 9am-10pm
0204 5126644
bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/leeds
Graham was born and raised in Keighley. A dedicated live music enthusiast, he has attended hundreds of concerts across the North and feels fortunate to have Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester within easy reach — all key stops on major touring circuits. He has also supported Bradford Live, the upcoming 4,000-capacity venue opening in autumn 2025, helping to secure backing from some of the biggest names in live entertainment. Passionate about food, Graham draws on his background in hospitality to offer honest, experience-led insights in his reviews. He’s also a keen traveller, having explored extensively throughout Europe, America and Asia.
