By Jill Stocks
Horsforth’s best venues are in the spotlight once again with multiple nominations in this year’s Oliver Awards.
The awards, which are in their 17th year this year, celebrate the city’s best hospitality venues and their staff with awards across several categories presented at a glittering event in mid March.
Leading the way for the Horsforth venues with nominations in four categories is Mexican restaurant Hooleos.
Nominated for Best Customer Service, Best Cafe Deli, the Community Impact Award and the Sustainability in Action Award, this is the second year the venue has been nominated having opened on Town Street just over two years ago.
“I’m so proud and honoured being nominated for the second year in a row to these prestigious restaurant awards. Firstly as Newcomer of the year 2025 and this year being the only finalist on four full categories including best customer service and Community Impact.
“It’s been a long and amazing journey since I opened two years ago and I’m happy that all the tireless effort and hard work is paying off with customers enjoying a unique experience when they visit us.
“As a local independent restaurant, getting this recognition reflects the dedication and commitment that Hooleos and its team have not just to customer satisfaction but to help improve the area we live in, represent quality and at the same time love what we do.
“Also other surrounding restaurants and bars have been shortlisted finalists in other categories as a proof that Horsforth is an area that has too much to give offering the best food and drink venues in the city, something to be proud of.
“It would be amazing that the winners could all be Horsforth based independent businesses.”
Following closely with three nominations is a very popular restaurant just a few doors down, Bavette.
The restaurant is nominated this year for three awards; Best fine dining experience, best restaurant and Chef of the Year for Sandy Jarvis. The restaurant, which Sandy opened with husband Clement Cousin, recently celebrated its second birthday.
Sandy said: “I’m really honoured to be nominated this year. Some great chefs nominated too and anyone would be a deserved winner.”
Also up for the best restaurant award again this year is Forde.
The restaurant on Town Street was opened by 2016 Masterchef finalist Matt Healy and last month announced that it had kept its place in the Michelin Guide for the fifth year in a row.
New Road Side venue The Three Swords is this year nominated in the Best Pub category.
One of the ever expanding portfolio of Kirkstall Brewery pubs, The Three Swords opened in 2023, bringing a winning combination of real ale and authentic Indian street food to Horsforth.
Emma Shannon, is the assistant manager at the venue.
“We’re really pleased. We’re still relatively new. We’ve only been around two and a half years so it is really good to get [a nomination] like that early on in our being open.
“We have a lot of regulars now that keep us going really through the week when it’s quiet. We’ve got quite a strong connection with a couple of bars on New Road Side and Town Street as well so we’re all in a Horsforth group together.
Food by Karobar, who were themselves nominated for three Oliver awards last year, has proved to be a huge part of their success and popularity at the venue.
“I think without the food and the brewery coming together we wouldn’t have been nearly as busy as we are. It’s such a good combination.”
A few doors down on New Road Side is Hoc Loco which has become a much loved part of the community in a short space of time. Hoc Loco is nominated in one of the new categories in this year’s awards, Best in Glass, reflecting its varied and beautifully curated wine and beer selection.
Owner Emma Kerrawn is delighted to be nominated.
“It’s really great to manage to make it as a finalist against some of those really big names like Latitude. To even be nominated and be recognised amongst those massive names who have been known in Leeds for a long time is pretty good going isn’t it?
“Little old me getting a nomination. It still feels really weird to say it a year and a bit on – I own this place and it’s all me! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.”
“I really didn’t think I’d get through to the finals so it was really interesting to see who else was on it and think maybe I am doing something right! I think maybe it’s the way I approach it. At the end of the day it’s just a drink. It should be fun and it shouldn’t be intimidating. And that’s where I come in I suppose against the big guns.”
Beyond the Red Door on Town Street opened just nine months ago and is nominated for the Best Newcomer award, having made a big impression in a short time, with a range of entertainment and activities that has something for everyone.
The team are excited to be in the running for the award. They said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be named a finalist in the Yorkshire Post Oliver Awards!
“As we head into just our ninth month of trading, we’ve been truly overwhelmed by the incredible support from the Horsforth community. As first-time bar owners, this journey has been a huge learning curve for our family, and we’ve thrown ourselves into every aspect of the business alongside our amazing team.”
“While we’re absolutely thrilled to be finalists (and of course we’d love to win!), we also want to congratulate all the other amazing finalists.
“We’re so excited about continuing to establish our bar as a real fixture in Horsforth, and we remain committed to delivering a vibrant, welcoming, and memorable experience for everyone who walks through our doors”.
The winners of the Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver awards will be announced at a ceremony on March 16 at the Royal Armouries New Dock Hall.
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