2021 brought a lot of new contenders to the Leeds foodie scene, but 2022 is set to be the biggest year yet: with everything from high-end restaurants to drive-thru Greggs, the future is here, and it's delicious.
Here's everything we've got to look forward to this year.
A giant Roxy Lanes venue will open at The Light
Roxy Lanes new location at The Light will open in early 2022. / Image- Roxy Ballroom
Roxy Lanes will be relocating from their Bond Street location to The Light on Headrow. Although the mammoth new venue will not be open to the public until early 2022, the wait will be more than worth it. The new venue is a whopping three times the size of their Bond Street predecessor and will incorporate all elements of existing Roxy venues to date inside.
The company were overwhelmed by local support after launching the for a Libations Rum distillery onto a crowdfunding platform and received 96% of donations needed towards their £150,000 budget in just twenty four hours. The plans for a dedicated production house comes after twenty months of careful planning and temporary stents around Leeds at various venues, so the rum makers will be delighted to land themselves a permanent home soon.
Yorkshire's first drive-thru Greggs will open near Bradford
There are less than ten drive-thru Greggs in the country at present but the existing few have been a big hit with locals and visitors alike. Image: Martin Wallace
The one we've all been waiting for... The drive-thru Greggs will be the first in Yorkshire and only the ‘sixth or seventh’ to open in the country. The popular chain opened their first drive-thru to the public in Manchester back in 2017 but is now expanding at a quick pace, with new drive-thru branches opening in both Cumbria and Wales earlier this year. Construction of the new building is likely to begin in the new year after the former pub on the site has been demolished.
Due to open, unknown, but building will commence in 2022.
Cut & Craft Steakhouse will open in the Victoria Quarter
The bright flowers and pastel soft furnishings are perfectly in keeping with the existing bars and restaurants in the Victoria Quarter. / Image: Cut & Craft
The Cut & Craft are known in York for their comfortable yet stylish bar and restaurant, but the popular eatery have now announced they will be opening another venue in Leeds in 2022. There very little information about the specific details of the Leeds restaurant but visitors can expect the same beautiful interior and mouthwatering delights as their flagship York restaurant.
Due to open, unknown, but plans suggest in early 2022.
Slap and Pickle will leave The Fleece for another residency
The Fleece in Horsforth have worked with Slap and Pickle since lockdown. / Image: Slap and Pickle
Beloved chefs from Slap and Pickle will be leaving their residency at The Fleece in Horsforth at the end of the year. The news came earlier this month after the chefs thanked the pub for their hospitality, before announcing that the ongoing success of their flavoursome burgers and exciting menu h
ave brought the brand new opportunities for 2022. “Sadly though, we’ve outgrown the pub’s kitchen – so we’re moving on to pastures new and *VERY LOCAL*".
In early 2022, the Canal Cafe, a further daytime cafe space will open at the same location. Of course, a new cafe-bar-club concept couldn’t open in Leeds without a bottomless brunch option, and we can’t wait to see the full menu. Having only opened in December, Canal Club will has already confirmed its place on the Leeds food and drink scene, but we can’t wait to see how the cafe-bar-club presents itself in 2022 when it’s concept is complete.
A Charity Dinner from local award-winning chefs will open for one night only
Raise money for an important cause at this charity dinner. / Image: West Park Hotel
To bring in the new year and raise money for Hospitality Action, a national charity supporting workers in the face of adversity, the West Park Hotel in Harrogate will play host to a charity dinner prepared by some of our county’s finest chefs. Grab a seat, splash out on the £100, because a whopping 75% of the ticket will be donated to charity, and the menu has been hand-crafted by some of Yorkshire’s top chefs.
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Sophie Smith -
24th December 2021 
