Vesuvius

The menu opens with a strong selection of starters rooted in southern Italian home cooking. The parmigiana — a grandma recipe of oven-baked aubergine layered with fior di latte mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, parmesan and basil — sets the tone, while the arancino, a deep-fried rice ball filled with mozzarella, bolognese and peas, is a consistent favourite. For something with heat, the gamberoni Vesuvius brings pan-fried tiger prawns with white wine, garlic, fresh chilli, cherry tomatoes and parsley, served with artisan bread.

Pizzas form the heart of the menu, all built on that fresh daily dough and stone-baked to order. The bufala tops San Marzano tomato sauce with buffalo mozzarella, basil and extra virgin olive oil for a clean, classic Neapolitan base. The diavola layers ventricina and nduja for a spicy hit, while the carrettiera pairs provola (smoked mozzarella) with friarielli — a leafy Neapolitan green — alongside napoli black pig sausage and chilli-garlic oil. For a sharing centrepiece, the maialosa stacks five Italian meats including napoli salame, ventricina, ham, napoli sausage, pepperoni and nduja across a single base.

Stone-baked calzone offers a folded alternative — the calzone Napoli fills the pocket with napoli salami, buffalo ricotta, fior di latte mozzarella and black pepper.

Vegetarian and vegan options run throughout the menu. The vegetariana loads chargrilled aubergine, courgette, artichokes and portobello mushroom onto a classic base, with a vegan version available using vegan mozzarella. A gluten-free pizza base is also offered — check with the venue on preparation.

Desserts include tiramisu, dark chocolate profiteroles, chocolate fudge cake and strawberry cheesecake.

The bar serves wine, cold lager and a selection of spirits — open bottle shelving behind the counter displays the range, with several gin bottles among the lineup. A dedicated drinks menu covers the full selection alongside the food offering. Soft drinks include Coke, Diet Coke and Fanta Orange. Delivery orders through Deliveroo can also include alcohol.

The drinks list complements a pizza-focused menu well, though the emphasis here is firmly on the food. You can settle in with a cold lager alongside your pizza or browse the wine selection for something to match the Italian flavours on the table.

The Forni Castello stone oven dominates the room. Handmade in Naples, its cast-iron arched mouth carries the maker’s name in engraved relief, and the deep amber-orange glow of the fire is visible from every seat in the house. Grey mosaic tiles frame the oven surround, while clean white metro tiles line the prep kitchen walls behind.

A copper pendant lamp hangs over the service counter, casting warm downlit light across honey-oak wood tables and counter surfaces. On the side of the counter, a panoramic mural of the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius rising behind ties the brand story into the physical space — the same mountain that names the restaurant and the volcanic soil where the San Marzano tomatoes grow.

Black hardcover menus with gold VESUVIUS lettering sit stacked on the counter between services. The black-and-gold palette carries through everything — menus, branding, social content — a dark, considered identity that stands out in a suburban high street setting. The space is compact and intimate, with an unhurried atmosphere that encourages staying a little longer at the table.

Garforth sits approximately seven miles east of Leeds city centre, and Main Street is the town’s primary high street lined with independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Garforth Station, on the Leeds–York line, provides direct rail access for those travelling from the city centre or further afield.

VESUVIUS has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating area.

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 4:30 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 4:30 – 9:30 PM