LIVIN'italy in Leeds

Lovely food but it wasn't hot enough! The taste was delicious we had a shared pizza as a starter but the plates were cold which meant the pizza was luke warm. Shared a tasty pasta but once again was not hot so sent it back to be heated up! Served on cold plates! This could be 5 stars for taste just needs to be hot!

Visited for lunch with my friend, as always a great atmosphere, lovely menu which is always good fun as it’s printed on a newspaper, a nice quirky touch and laid out very simply. Plenty of choice without being overwhelmed. Our waiter was very, very helpful and could not do enough for us. The food was delicious , I had swordfish which was amazing and my friend had a pizza which she loved. Wine , coffee and liquors were excellent.I can only say good things about this restaurant it’s my go to place when I take friends and family to Leeds, no one is ever disappointed and everyone always wants to come back. Thanks for a great lunch and for the lovely food that you serve, it’s exceptional.

Yesterday we were in small Italy restaurator in Leeds, close to the train station. Delicious food ,atmosferę and services. IF You want to spend a good time and eat well, we strongly recommend You to go to Livin’ Italy. Big thank You from Poland.

Our experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional! The food was nothing short of divine—every dish was a delight, prepared to perfection. The service was absolutely outstanding, turning my son’s birthday into an unforgettable celebration. A special heartfelt thank you to Kunal and Karolina, whose kindness and warmth made our evening magical. They went above and beyond to ensure we had the best time, even surprising us by singing Happy Birthday in Polish! Their genuine hospitality made us feel so welcome and cherished. This place is an absolute gem, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. We left with full hearts and wonderful memories, and we can’t wait to return!

Really enjoyed our afternoon tea. Everything was lovely and every member of staff was friendly and smiley. Would definitely visit again and will recommend.

This restaurant is a hidden gem. It was busy both on both visits this week we were accommodated downstairs on stools which was perfectly fine. On my first visit I was with colleagues and had a starter and pizza. The pizza was amazing it was called something like the Northern Truffler. It had a pumpkin base in stead of tomato, gorgonzola cheese, nduja, a type of pork and truffle shavings. It was perfectly cooked, a good size and really tasty. The second visit I took my partner as it had been so good. We oped for 3 of the antipasti (a goads cheese, and two types of meat), small dishes of pasta lollipops, mushrooms with truffle and some garlic bread with cheese and tomato. Everything was absolutely amazing. Clearly great quality. The service was good throughout both visits too. I'll definitely be back when I'm in Leeds again. Just a tip. Make sure you book. It gets very busy.

Great food and service. Best pizza in Leeds!..perfecto!

lovely place lovely people delicious food

Livin Italy is the perfect Italian restaurant. To start with the atmosphere is perfect. Low lighting and the occasional train passing above you really adds to the experience. To start, the carbonara arranchini was so peppery and creamy. The ciabatta bun with marscapone and fried veggies was the perfect starter. Main courses of the short rib parpadelle, which was so rich and melt in your mouth, alongside the tender lamb chops paired perfectly with the potato terrine, capers, and olives were the real stars of the show. The gin collins was the perfect refresher against the richness of the food. Would definitely recommend checking it out!

Thanks to all the Livin'italy staff. Keep it up!!

I'm a bit torn with this review... I really enjoyed the food, but there's a few negatives that affected my experience. I do a lot of solo dining as I travel weekly for work, and sometimes you're treated the same as every other group/couple but often you feel like you're tucked away into a dark corner, and unfortunately that's what happened at this little Italian. Sitting in the high and uncomfortable bar stool, I'm given 3 separate menus... 1 for wine 1 for cocktails and 1 for food and standard drinks. Given I've got a space no bigger than a dinner plate, this is a real inconvenience.. exacerbated by the food menu which takes the form of a double spread newspaper... Why!? Just use a normal menu! Once I've figured out which page of the broadsheet contained the pasta dishes, I opted for the sweet pumpkin tortellini and an Italian IPA as a pairing. Now when I say the food came fast.. I mean it literally arrived in less than 5 minutes.. it was early and not overly busy, but still impressive. The tortellini was cooked perfectly and the sweet pumpkin and sage filling was absolutely delicious, the accompanying IIPA was a perfect pairing. Only issue with the pasta is there wasn't enough... 5 tortellinis as a main course is rather miserable, especially when it tastes so damn good. The service was... Well, minimal.. not rude at any point but certainly not as welcoming or engaging as you'd expect from a decent Italian restaurant. I mean, I was in and out in about 20 minutes, and it felt like that was their aim. Again, I think a lot of this comes from being a solo diner, but it's always a little frustrating when it happens. The bill came to £25 for the tortellini and 1 non draught beer. Now, had the portions been a bit more generous and the service friendlier, it would represent good value. Unfortunately, as it was.. I'd judge it as overpriced. Maybe I'm being harsh, and if you go as a couple or group, you'll probably have a great time.. but on this occasion ,I left feeling a bit deflated.

Fantastic Italian restaurant. Lots of charm.. awesome wine list and the food is amazing. Staff always so friendly and attentive. It gets busy so I recommend you book!

We were waiting almost 35 minutes before we were seated. Food is average and nothing special other than the pork. The manager who had taken care of us was absolutely lovely but the rest of the staff are not welcoming especially the lady at the reception near the door.

Especially great for special evenings and celebrations. I enjoyed the ambience and the location by the docks is spectacular. Food was fresh and delicious, portion sizes were perfect as you get full but not stuffed. Special commendation for the excellent service. The staff were friendly, attentive and prompt. Glad to have tried this place out and I’ll definitely be recommending and coming back!

We've been here a few times over the past 10 years. Lovely food, great service and fantastic location. We'll be back.

Visited for the first time tonight, had the beef ragu it was incredible. Service was really good the staff are fantastic. Will return soon!

Fantastic restaurant with such a great cosy atmosphere and delicious, authentic Italian food - a real gem in Leeds!

Catch up dinner with fellow professionals. The pizza was fabulous but have to confess that it was so good I forgot to take a photo. Service was great as well as the help make a birthday a bit more memorable. Thank you to the Italian waiter that served us.

Livin well in Livin Italy Livin Italy has been on my radar for ages, but somehow, I always ended up at San Carlo or somewhere on the Headrow instead. Well, not anymore. Now that I’ve been, I can safely say I’ve been missing out—and I’ll definitely be back. From the moment you walk through the door, it’s clear that the customer journey was front and center in the design process. As you make your way to your table, you’re greeted by the sights of a bustling deli, the sounds of a lively kitchen, and the smells that leave you wondering why you didn’t come sooner. It’s an entrance that sets the scene for what’s to come. We were seated in a charming, cosy nook, where our waiter, Andrea, absolutely stole the show. A fountain of knowledge and charm, he guided us through the menu, sharing recommendations and explaining Livin Italy’s ethos: “Start with the best ingredients, give them to the best chefs, serve the best food. It’s that simple!” His enthusiasm was contagious—and his suggestions were spot on. Now, let’s talk about the food. Simply put, it’s exceptional. No watered-down flavors here—just bold, authentic Italian dishes that sing on the plate. The Crab Meat Pici and Porchetta Crostone were beautifully balanced and exciting, but the Carbonara? A total showstopper. Every bite was a testament to the quality and care that goes into each dish. Livin Italy has officially won us over. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an experience—warm people, stunning food, and a little slice of Italy tucked away in Leeds. Or as the Italians might say: La vita è troppo breve per mangiare male! (Life is too short to eat badly!)

Been here before. Really loved the atmosphere. Staff very welcoming. Food great 😊

Perfect, lovely atmosphere and amazing food!

A cozy place, I liked everything I ate. I can't wait to return for more dishes

Me and my partner had a delicious breakfast at Livin' Italy. The produce is so delicious and the service was fantastic. I'm not much of a coffee drinker but the coffee was amazing. The right balance of bitterness and sweetness. We really liked the unique decor and layout as well! We're definitely looking forward to heading back for an evening meal when we next visit Leeds.

Had a wonderful affordable lunch to start a trip into visiting the city! Would highly recommend! Kunal and Alisha were excellent.

Lovely cosy venue, great food, will come again

Great little Italian restaurant underneath the arches behind the central station in Leeds. Very authentic, good menu choices and decent value for money. We visited for lunch on 2nd January. It was quiet but we enjoyed a catch up with our in-laws who travelled over from Manchester on the train. The restaurant was a bit cold, but it was a cold day and not too busy, so that was probably why. We've been a number of times before and look forward to returning.

Loved it. Nona's meatballs are amazing and the pizzas...ooft

Ever morsel you eat, wine you sip and moment you spend at Living Italy is best. So pleased we were able to come back for more!

There’s a reason this place is my favourite Italian! The ambience and food are just incredible. Everything is so tasty, particularly the Arancini to start and the beef ragu parpardelle. I would also highly recommend the Italian afternoon tea as I’ve had this twice and it beats any English one hands down.

Great food though on the expensive side. The pizzas were thin and crisp. The staff were excellent.

Excellent food and friendly professional staff

Small cosy restaurant in heart of city centre canal area. Super fresh food. Run by Italians. Full Italy experience. Loved it.

Beautiful little place, staff are amazing, very attentive. The food was amazing. We will definitely be back. Hats off to the chef and all of the staff.

Amazing as always, great food, good service and handsome server

I recently visited Living'Italy Restaurant with my girlfriend, and we were thoroughly impressed by the exquisite dining experience. I had the steak, which was cooked to perfection tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. My girlfriend ordered the pork belly, and it was equally outstanding, with a perfect balance of crispy skin and succulent meat The attention to detail in each dish was remarkable, and it was clear that the chefs are passionate about delivering authentic and delicious Italian cuisine. The ambiance of the restaurant was cozy and inviting, making it the perfect setting for a lovely evening out The staff was attentive and friendly, ensuring that we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. Overall, Living'Italy provided us with an exceptional dining experience that we won't soon forget. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for top-quality Italian cuisine. Five stars!🌟

Came her for my works christmas do. Had a lovely time. The whole process for booking us in was quick and easy, and ran smoothly one the day. The staff were brilliant throughout and the food was delicious. Thank you!

Nice place, nice atmosphere and decent food. Wasn't anything special but it was nice

Wonderful if you dine out in Leeds go here!

Very great food. The atmosphere was nice and festive. The staff were super helpful and big shout out to Silvi- great customer service

So tasty ! Good portions lovely staff came back for breakfast panini next morn and was sensational

Has such a lovely meal! Delicious food and speedy welcoming service throughout. Couldn’t recommend this enough!

Courteous and friendly staff. The food was priced great, with generous portions and lots of flavour!

Lovely place to visit, Great ambience. Resident is nice and cozy. Food was lovely and staff went to great effort to make sure you were satisfied.

A fantastic little spot in the heart of Leeds and my favourite Italian restaurant in Leeds. A fantastic freshly cooked menu using the finest ingredients complimented by Italian draft beers and a fantastic wine menu . A great atmosphere/ambience with wonderful, communicative and attentive staff. Keep up the good work and see you soon!

An authentic little gem of a place and my favourite Italian restaurant in Leeds . Great quality fresh food with a great vibe and ambience.

One of my fa jotted restaurants in the world!

Me and my girlfriend choose to come here for her birthday meal. The staff were lovely however the food was not up to par, I ordered the fresh crab meat pici and chose to upgrade to lobster for an extra £16 on top of the already £16 meal. The pasta was very chewy and under cooked and the lobster was lacking any meat on it at all, a miniscule portion for the price. My girlfriend got the Carbonara and barely touched it as it did not taste like a carbonara at all and the sauce was just egg yolk. The employees were lovely however the food was over priced and not very nice. We also mentioned it was my girlfriends birthday when booking and this was not acknowledged either. Would not recommend.

Little Gem 💎 great Little Italian, great atmosphere, great food and the staff could not do enough to make it a great night, thank you 😊

Wonderful place, great food, good atmosphere

Lively and funky Italian restaurant with a nice menu and great staff

Good ambiance, lovely food, would like some more vegetarian pasta dishes.

It is a very cozy and nice Italian restaurant and bar. We come twice here for our lunch during 2 days staying.

I’ve always enjoyed visiting Livin’ Italy, but unfortunately, my most recent experience left me disappointed. There was a miscommunication with our booking, and when we spoke to the manager, he was unexpectedly rude and dismissive. When we were finally seated, one of our party’s orders was misheard, and rather than correcting it, the manager insisted she take the dish as it was, saying, “This is what you ordered.” It felt unnecessary and unfair, especially since it could have been easily resolved. That said, the rest of the staff were kind, attentive, and welcoming, and the food was as good as ever. I’ve had great experiences here in the past, which makes this all the more disappointing. It soured the experience for me, and I hope it was just an off day.

Food is decent but definitely not worth the price they are charging. Portions are pathetically small for what you are paying. For example, I ordered the beef ragyu pappardelle which barely had any pieces of beef ragyu in it, so it was essentially eating pasta with sauce. Chips were scarce, as was the fresh lemonade I ordered as they filled the glass 3/4 with ice to the point I took a single sip of my drink and noticed it already being less than half full. On the other hand, my friend ordered a pizza and it was cheaper and much more fair/filling than the pasta, so go for that I guess. But at that point, just go to an actual pizza place? Although what is unacceptable/scummy is their pricing. VAT is apparently not included in the price on their menu's and there is a service charge added to the bill. The service charge is optional and can be removed, fair, but the VAT not being included in the final price on the menu and or disclosed to be added onto the final bill is completely shady and definitely intended as a way to rip off their consumers even more - because what restaurants doesn't bake them INTO the price? Nowhere was it ''clear or transparent'' (as the owner loves to gaslight people who have also said this in the reviews) that VAT was excluded from the prices. Nowhere at all. So a bill for £47 went up to £62 because of a service charge and VAT, which means something like the Beef Ragyu which is advertised as £17.90 would be close to 22/23 with the VAT, but the VAT is excluded from the price and deliberately hidden and not disclosed - beyond scummy. So yeah, go somewhere else, food is mediocre and the owner seems intended to rip off their consumers. I won't be returning nor recommending this restaurant to others in the area.

A real Sunday afternoon treat, live music too.

The food was nice and the staff were very attentive. The restaurant itself is very cool inside and decor is amazing. But to add a service charge of 10% on a bill is not right! If I was to tip, i would like to add the amount myself to what the service and food reflects.

Amazing food, a great bubbly atmosphere, and such kind and attentive staff! Can't wait to come again

Such an amazing day for my mums 50th, staff were lovely and even gave my mum a complimentary birthday cake. Food was incredible as were the drinks. Will definitely return thank you

Came here for my anniversary and it was wonderful, service was spectacular, food was delicious and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend my anniversary. Our server Ben was particularly lovely! Highly recommend

Nice comfortable place, good vibe, excellent service. The food quality was great, but let down because it was barely warm when it arrived. My stuffed beef was served on a bed of mash, on a cold plate (stone cold, not even tepid). The pasta dishes were delicious, but again, let down my the fact that all 3 were barely warm. We will return on the proviso that something changes ref food temperature. Overall, it's very good, but let itself down.

As always fantastic service and food

Awesome food and great service with a chilled warm relaxing atmosphere

The beef ragu was amazing. Portions were great and the ratio from pasta to meat was excellent. The staff were all attentive and polite without being smothering, would highly recommend.

Nos topamos con esto por accidente, y nos encontraron una mesa a pesar de que no teníamos una reserva. Menú absolutamente fantástico y único. Comimos bocadillos con patatas asadas, pero no podemos esperar a volver a Leeds y probar la cena aquí. ¡Hay tantas cosas que quiero probar!

Este solía ser nuestro italiano favorito en Leeds! ¿Qué ha pasado? Era un martes por la noche pero bastante ocupado, genial de ver. Pero el personal ha parecido cambiar desde las últimas visitas y simplemente no funcionó bien. El camarero un hombre nos sentó a nuestra mesa y tomó nuestros pedidos de bebidas y le dimos nuestros entrantes, le preguntamos si podíamos hacerle saber nuestra red, una vez que el entrante llegó. Llegó el entrante, pero aún no hay bebidas. También recibimos platos adicionales que no solicitamos. Cuando le dijimos que queríamos pedir nuestra red eléctrica frunció el ceño y parecía confundido. No es el saludo que queríamos. Para cuando terminamos nuestros entrantes llegaron las bebidas. No es ideal. Cuando nuestra red llegó de nuevo nuestros vasos estaban vacíos. Pedimos bebidas, y una vez más no llegaron hasta que terminamos nuestra red. Todos nuestros servicios parecían estar llenos de pan, para cubrir la falta de queso o carne. No puedo recordar cada plato previamente con tanto pan. Que se desperdició. Cuando llegó nuestra red, ni siquiera recibimos un plato cada uno. Hasta que la amable señora Selina fue la única que pareció amable y preguntó / notó que no teníamos un plato cada uno. Selina parece un mérito para su equipo, en ambas ocasiones cuando le preguntamos dónde estaban nuestras bebidas, se disculpó y fue a perseguir las cosas por nosotros. Pero tristemente nuestro camarero hombre parecía grosero, y no muy bien entrenado en el servicio al cliente o asegurándose de que las cosas estaban bien. Sí quité el cargo por servicio de la factura, pero aún así una comida para 2 con 2 bebidas cada uno que ni siquiera estaban junto a comer llegó a £ 92. 00 ! Lamentablemente no volveremos de nuevo, lo cual es una pena, ya que a menudo celebramos ocasiones especiales aquí. Es triste ver que no son del personal antiguo...

Este fue un lugar realmente encantador servicio rápido y deliciosa comida, la carbonara es una buena opción sin duda súper delicioso!

Amazing place from walking in to walking out. Great time, wonderful atmosphere and delicious food and drinks.

Amazing food and excellent service from start to finish. Well worth a visit!

Did not live up to its expectations, pasta was overly thick and stodgy and lacking in sauce give the price

As close as you can get to Italy without boarding a flight

Lovely place with lovely atmosphere and food, Simone was a great server.

Great place to eat. Lovely food and atmosphere

Simone was incredible! such a great waiter, food was also incredible, great place xx

Called in for a quick drink Friendly staff nice atmosphere

Superb place, great food and our waiter Simone was excellent

Lovely food, service was amazing especially from Simone 100 percent visit again

Great food, lovely atmosphere and friendly staff. Reasonable prices.

What can I say when you go to an authentic Italian restaurant every thing made brilliant Will be going again

Went for a belated birthday meal, great atmosphere friendly service and great food. What more would I ask for 😉😀

Honest did not book just turned up, however table upstairs had a buzzing noise that was not helpful, asked to change tables lots of issues So said that’s it pay for the beer and they had the cheek to charge service charge Never down before it never again. Ever!!!!

Good pizza and pasta. Quick service.

Definitely a drinks place. Food is average at best and not worth the premium or the compulsory service charge. Atmosphere is great, service is good. Could do with a deep clean / smells of stale beer in places. Your service charge is not to ensure your staff are fairly paid for their work, as per your other review responses. Pay your staff fairly and correctly to begin with and factor it into your prices, rather than a stealth charge.

Food was amazing quick service Ferdin in particular was very attentive not just with us but we watched him and he was lovely with all the customers

Absolutely amazing food, very authentic Italian food with really good service. Superb :)

Came here with my two friends for my birthday and everything was perfect from the moment we walked in until when we left!

Everything about Livin Italy is perfect. Our favourite restaurant in Leeds. Its like stepping into Italy

Visited for a work lunch and was a whole bunch of us. Food was insanely good. Had the seared tuna focaccia that was out of this world my colleagues were pretty chuffed too. Place is lovely.

Usually love Living Italy but the meal tonight was really bad!!! We had two dishes which were just not palatable. The truffle mushroom starter was really awful in a thick, dark brown sauce.. heavy and not a hint of truffle which is why we ordered it. The texture was strange and slimy and just not nice. And the presentation was really off putting as it honestly looked like poo! Had to leave that. The vegan gnocchi had a really odd, off taste to it, I couldn’t any - my husband forced half of it down so it wasn’t a total waste of money. I ate the salad but it did have way too much dressing on, but to be honest I was hungry. No freshness or the nice Italian flavours you would expect. Such a shame as this used to be a favourite restaurant and tonight really let it down for me.

We were recommended this place by some friends. The food was superb. We were looking for an authentic Italian pizza, and were not disappointed. Firstly, we had three starters to share between the two of us, all of which were as good as you would get anywhere. Then we moved on to the pizzas which could have come straight out of Rome or Milan. They were excellent. We had no room left for desserts but will definitely go back again and try some. The service was brilliant. Ben was our server and could not have been more helpful or friendly. He managed to organise a very decent glass of sangria for me, even though it wasn't on the menu. We sat upstairs and the atmosphere was lively and friendly, just to our liking. Downstairs the atmosphere seemed a little more subdued and probably suited people who were looking for a quieter time.

Food was good but overall expensive and too high service charge. It says in their website & menu "10% OPTIONAL service charge added to the bill of guests dining with 6 people or more". However, we were dining as 4 people and was charged 12.5% regardless, which already on top of 20% VAT charge on prices already showing on the menu. Should the prices not include VAT already? Bizarre & baffling. Pizza and a few starters = £149 on issued receipt - this is way too high.

This was the best pizza I have had in years! Fresh tasty ingredients. Staff were very friendly, restaurant great atmosphere… we will definitely be back.

Always fantastic food from the excellent chefs, but the table service is also what makes it a special place... thank you Sasha... super warm, lots of smiling and friendly eye contact, and also very speedy.

Excellent seasonal menu choices

Are here with 5 work colleagues after a meeting. Very friendly staff and buzzing atmosphere. Very good menu and fantastic food. I would heatedly recommend

We have been to Livin Italy before and as our last visit the food was simply delicious. Fantastic choice on the menu for both lunch.& dinner Visit you won’t be disappointed.

Everyone I take here LOVES it. Authentic, flavorful, Italian food with great wine choices! You can have anything from a build-your-own pizza to lobster or a really yummy beef ragu. The staff are exceptional as well. Cool setting under the train so nukes and crannies, no harsh lighting with exposed brick and nothing but good smells!

One of the best Italian restaurants out there!

you have to visit this gem of a place. Truly outstanding food and service. We were temporarily transported to Italy for SURE!

Great service from Ben! Food amazing!

Fab food and the coffee was good.