Having only been open since 2019, De Baga has become something of a roaring local favourite over the past few years.
Tables are often fully booked on the weekend, though the team will accommodate as many walk-ins as possible, but given that food here truly blends traditional Indian street food with inventive, modern flavours- it's really no surprise.
Now the food here is going to be recognised on a whole new level after the restaurant has become the 2022 recipient of the 'Taste of the Year' award, representing the North in the 7th annual Asian Food and Restaurant Awards International.
The team were nominated for the first time and came up top for what is known as the 'gastronomical innovation and excellent customer service'.
The owner, Mandeep Singh is overjoyed with the award, "It is a proud moment for us to win this prestigious award. A simple thank you does not begin to cover the gratitude I feel towards the whole De Baga team, chefs & front of house staff. Their hard work and resilience has made De Baga what it is today in such a short time.
"De Baga made its name in the industry during the trying times of Covid-19. Within 8 months of our launch, we were the finalist for Oliver awards in 2020 and have been getting Travellers Choice Awards from last 2 years. A huge milestone for us though a little dampened due to Covid-19."
"We have strived for excellence in the culinary world and continue to do so even during the current rising energy costs and inflation."
The team behind the menu. / Image: De Baga
The ultimate goal of the Modern Indian dining restaurant is to be recognised by the Michelin- but in the meantime, this award certainly gives the UK a taste of the high bar that De Baga has set in the city.
You can find the original Headingley restaurant on Otley Road or head over to the Chapel Allerton site which opened earlier this year.
Celebrating the “East Meets West” spirit of Goa at both sites, the menu consists of unique curries and small plates designed in-house by the chefs. The focus is on flavour, rather than size or spice- and it’s this recipe that makes De Baga one of the most-loved curry spots in Leeds.
Everything is beautifully presented, sweet and savoury. / Image: De Baga
Adding a playful twist to classic dishes, expect Cornetto bites, puff pastries filled with eggplant bhartha (aubergine), chorizo cigars and speciality dishes like the Chingaari Kebab, a red hot flame coloured kebabs special in Lucknowi style Lamb mince, crushed pepper tossed bell peppers, whole spice, served with home made mint sauce.
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Mumford & Sons add new Leeds show at the First Direct Arena to sell out UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Sophie Smith -
14th December 2022 
