Rudy’s opened their first pizzeria in 2015, and since then they’ve been working hard to develop their Neapolitan pizzas. I had the pleasure of trying out their new restaurant in Headingley for myself.
The table was booked for 5:45pm on Wednesday evening. I wanted a midweek treat and an opportunity to catch up with a friend. Rudy’s is in the Arndale Centre, just off Otley Road. It is easy to find, especially with the great outside eating space.
I arrived a little early, giving myself time to check out the menu and décor. The first thing that caught my eye was the cool, “unfinished” look, which added a rustic feel to the restaurant. The walls were decorated with exposed brickwork and raw concrete, giving the place a rustic yet edgy look. The vibe was lively and upbeat, with a great mix of people of all ages enjoying meals together.
Rudy’s menu is not huge and is pretty much just pizza – which I really like. It shows that the restaurant is confident about their offerings and means that customers are not overwhelmed with choice. After a little deliberation, my friend and I decided to share two pizzas.
First, we opted for the Romannola, which is a tomato-based pizza with prosciutto ham, rocket and shaved parmesan. We also added some sundried tomatoes for a nice tangy addition. The pizza itself was delicious. The toppings were generous and well balanced. The crust was thin and crispy, with just the right amount of chewiness, and the pizza was cooked to perfection in the quick-working kitchen.
We also tried Rudy’s Rosa Bianco pizza, which was a special and a twist on the famous Chris Bianco special. This pizza had a white, parmesan base and was topped with a sprinkling of goat’s cheese, toasted pistachios, sliced red onions and rosemary. Whilst we really liked the flavour combination, with the nutty taste of the pistachios complementing the creamy goat cheese and the tangy parmesan, we did think that it was better suited as a sharing or starter pizza. However, saying that, I would happily order it again alongside another pizza!
As we both love a good dip, we also ordered the nduja aioli. The dip came in a little plastic pot, which I didn’t love, but the dip itself tasted great. It was a smoky, hot and creamy all at the same time. A fab dip to dunk our crusts into.
As well as great food, the staff were friendly and welcoming. They were attentive and helpful, making sure we had everything we needed and providing recommendations for our meal when we asked for them.
Overall, I would highly recommend Rudy’s to anyone looking for a great pizza experience in Headingley. The pizzas were fab, and when combined with the cool decor, young vibe, friendly staff, and quick-working kitchen – a meal at Rudy’s is sure to be a great evening out.
0113 834 9604
