The Canary is one of the latest additions to Leeds waterside, and comes with a host of delicious food and drink.
As one of Leeds newest bars, you'd think that The Canary is up for some serious competition- until you see the waterside views, luxurious interior and are welcomed by their accommodating staff.
Sat on the verge of Leeds Docks, opposite Mumtaz Leeds, The Canary is an innovative bar built entirely from shipping containers. Split across two floors, an intimate, cosy space leaves ample room for guests to unwind from a cold wintry day in the city.
The exterior is hard to miss. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Everything from the inviting seats with waterside views to the carefully considered Mediterranean menu speaks of the creative concept behind the bar, which wanted to incorporate as many local products as possible.
Watch the swans laze around in the river whilst sipping on Northern Monk IPA or grab a seat at the bar and chat about God's Own Country whilst supporting the local hospitality scene (which really does need our support after a turbulent Christmas period). Management here are proud to continue to support local suppliers and others within their industry, and this has only continued to drive up the popularity of The Canary.
All the seats come with waterside views. / Image: Canary Bar
If that's not enough to pique your interest, the bar has devised plenty of pub quizzes every Wednesday and live music evenings on Sundays to keep us entertained- and warm, away from the grey skies and freezing temperatures outside.
To drink, there's your Canary Lager and choice of Squareball or Northern Monk IPA, as well as plenty of wines and spirits to choose from, many of which feature on the refreshing cocktail menu.
The Spiced Pear Fizz and a mocktail. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Spiced Pear Fizz is the ultimate twist on a classic gin-flavoured drink. Made from Portobello gin, pear liqueur, lemon, sugar and cardamom seeds before being topped with a slice of lemon, it carefully balances sweet tastes with alcoholic-infusions and it's got us hooked.
For those doing Dry January or that just don't want to have a drink, there's plenty of non-alcoholic options too, including off-the-menu mocktails that can be made upon request. The management here are all too accommodating when it comes to the drinks menu and are clearly committed to helping you find the perfect drink for your stay.
Mocktails are available upon request from the bar. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The food menu carries the same level of consideration and leaves you feeling just as refreshed (forget that post-food coma, you'll just feel incredibly full and satisfied instead). The Mezzes, both meaty and vegetarian come with a fresh Greek-inspired salad with plenty of olives, as well as warm pitta bread, smooth hummus and tzatziki. In addition to these small plates, the meaty version comes with meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, as well as chicken gyros, whereas the vegetarian option swaps the meat out for halloumi strips, butter beans and stuffed vine leaves.
Both the Mezze options come highly recommended. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
There's plenty more on the menu to choose from though. Think Greek salads, wraps, burgers and mezze, all available with sides of halloumi fries and Greek olives- and all equally as fresh. Even the water for the table comes with lemons, and served in an ice-cold carafe, a far cry from the lukewarm water from other pubs in the nearby area.
Chicken gyros and pitta bread from the Meat Mezze. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for a quiet spot to waste away the afternoon, or want to embrace the hustle and bustle of a winter's evening in a beautiful location, all whilst supporting a whole chain of local businesses, we're sure you'll lose track of time in great company and spend far longer here than you ever intended to.
For more information, including how to book a table at Canary Bar (which is highly recommended at the weekend), visit their website or pop down to Leeds Docks to check it out for yourself.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
One of Leeds’ most loved sushi restaurants has just opened a second location in the city
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
A pub in Leeds has been crowned the third best in Britain by The Good Food Guide
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pub has been crowned one of the very best in the country by The Good Food Guide.
The trusted guide has just released its 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, and we're very chuffed with the results indeed.
Taking the coveted number three spot is our very own The Highland Laddie, a 100-year-old city centre institution that reopened in April 2025 in the hands of new owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton.
These guys also run the Empire Cafe, so you just know it's going to be good.
Last year they soared straight to the top of the list and were crowned the best pub in the whole of Britain by the guide.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This time, the Queen's Arms over in Eccles came number one followed by The Cow in Notting Hill.
We still think bagging third place is quite the achievement, and if you've visited The Highland Laddie yourself you'll know just how much of a special place it is.
Don't just take our word for it, The Good Food Guide labelled the Laddie as 'a true pub with a genuine community vibe'.
They also said: "Reenergised by the team behind the Empire Cafe in 2025, this is everything that a proper English pub should be – 'oh, and they have a mustard menu!'
"Inside, the Laddie ticks all the boxes, preserving the essentials of a traditional old-school boozer and maintaining a genuine sense of community while letting the good times roll. As for the food, it’s ‘both high-end and accessible’, pulling in ideas from all over, whether you fancy a freshly shucked Lindisfarne oyster, a keema toastie or an elevated ham roll with bread cooked over the coals.
"Dig deeper and you might find a lobster madeleine with Yorkshire chorizo butter, a treacle onion tart or pork schnitzel with two fried eggs. Club steaks are served by the inch, there’s no creative let-up when it comes to sides, and the nostalgia is ramped up with the likes of strawberry and Champagne trifle with ‘sprinkles’.
"But never forget that this is a self-proclaimed ‘drinkers’ pub’ dispensing everything from ‘properly served’ British brews and ’the best Guinness in Leeds’ to a staggering line-up of whisky optics."
Sophie Smith -
12th January 2022 
