Forde

Verdict: Good value Michelin-recognised bistro in a Leeds suburb — book when you want neighbourhood quality without city-centre prices

At the £ price point, Forde delivers more than its postcode suggests. Two or three small plates per person is the format, and for that spend you get Mediterranean-influenced cooking backed by back-to-back Michelin Plate recognition in 2024 and 2025 — a signal that the kitchen is consistent, not just having a good run. If you want this kind of quality in a relaxed, wine-bar-adjacent setting without crossing into Leeds city centre, Forde is the right call. If you need a formal occasion venue with white-tablecloth service, look elsewhere.

The Portrait

Chef Matt Healy, a former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant, returned to Horsforth to open Forde on Town Street, and the format suits the suburb well: a rustic bistro with a wine bar dimension, built around sharing plates that draw on Mediterranean technique. The menu is designed for two or three plates per person, which keeps the bill accessible and the pacing relaxed, you're not locked into a set menu, and you're not paying for courses you don't want.

The wine list is deliberately curated rather than encyclopaedic, with craft beers and cocktails alongside to cover the full bar clientele. That breadth matters here: Forde functions as both a dining destination and a neighbourhood wine bar, so the service tone is warm and informal rather than scripted. For some diners that's the draw; if you're spending money and want attentive, structured service, the informality may read as under-resourced. At the £ tier, it earns its approach, the service style is appropriate to the price point, not a shortcut around it.

Two consecutive Michelin Plate awards tell you the kitchen has clarity and technique. The Plate (rather than a star) positions Forde as cooking that Michelin considers worth eating but not destination-grade, honest recognition for a neighbourhood bistro, and the right level of expectation to carry in. Google reviewers back it up: a 4.6 from 192 reviews is a strong local consensus, not a spike driven by a single press moment.

For diners who have visited once: the small-plates format rewards return visits because you can work through the menu progressively rather than committing to the same order. The wine and cocktail list gives you a different entry point if you want to eat lighter on a second visit. Healy's Mediterranean influences cover enough ground, think shared plates built around seasonal produce and technique rather than a single regional cuisine, that the menu has room to shift without feeling repetitive.

Horsforth is a residential suburb northwest of Leeds city centre, and Forde's address at 7 Town Street puts it in the middle of the local high street. That context shapes expectations: this is not a destination restaurant in the way that Moor Hall in Aughton or L'Enclume in Cartmel are destination restaurants. It's a well-executed local spot that happens to have external validation behind it. For anyone based in or around Leeds, that's a better proposition than driving further for something only marginally better. For anyone travelling in from outside, pair it with a wider Leeds stay rather than making it a standalone trip. You can find more options in the area through our full Horsforth restaurants guide, and if you're planning an overnight, the Horsforth hotels guide covers your accommodation options. For pre- or post-dinner drinks, the Horsforth bars guide is a useful reference alongside the venue's own wine bar offer.

For Mediterranean-focused dining at a comparable price tier internationally, La Brezza in Ascona and Il Buco in Sorrento show the broader category range; Forde's northern English neighbourhood context is its own distinct proposition within that tradition.

Ratings and Recognition

• Michelin Plate, 2024 and 2025
• Google Reviews, 4.6 from 192 reviews
• Chef Matt Healy: MasterChef: The Professionals alumnus

Booking and Practical Details

Booking difficulty is Easy, Forde does not require weeks of lead time. A few days' notice is typically sufficient for weekday tables; aim for a week ahead on weekends to be safe, particularly Friday and Saturday evenings when the wine bar trade fills the room. The format is relaxed enough that walk-ins may be possible on quieter evenings, but calling ahead removes the risk.

Reservations: Easy to secure; a few days to one week ahead is sufficient. Budget: £ per head, two to three small plates per person. Address: 7 Town St, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5LJ. Cuisine: Mediterranean small plates. Drinks: Curated wine list, craft beers, and cocktails available.

How It Compares

Explore More

• Bavette, French Steakhouse, Horsforth
• Our full Horsforth restaurants guide
• Our full Horsforth bars guide
• Our full Horsforth hotels guide
• Our full Horsforth wineries guide
• Our full Horsforth experiences guide
• Moor Hall, Aughton
• L'Enclume, Cartmel
• Hand and Flowers, Marlow
• Opheem, Birmingham