Family-run Italian restaurant Pranzo are serving up deliciously authentic Calabrian cuisine to the hungry people of Leeds' suburbs.
Sometimes only a steaming hot bowl of pasta can really hit the spot, and Pranzo Italian are dishing up some of the best in the area.
Opening their flagship restaurant in Ilkley back in 2018, they quickly opened another location in Harrogate after Pranzo became a smash hit with locals and tourists alike.
Inspired by founder Marco's Italian heritage and his Nonna's traditional Calabrese cooking, you can really taste the authenticity in the cooking and homely dining experience.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
On an early weekday evening, the cosy restaurant was already filling up and inviting smells were wafting out from the kitchen.
The menu offers a wide range of Aperitivo, Starters and Homemade Pasta as well as a seasonal list of specials which they change regularly.
After kicking things off with an Aperol Spritz (because when in Rome), we opted for the Special Sharing Antipasto Platter and the Bruschetta with mushrooms, gorgonzola, parma ham and homemade basil pesto.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
To the table came a plate overflowing with delicious Italian produce. We’re talking freshly baked focaccia, nduja butter, olives, sun dried tomatoes, a selection of cured meats and huge hunks of cheese which we dove into immediately.
The bruschetta was rich, creamy and herby in equal measures - the perfect way to start off an amazing meal.
Now onto the pasta, this is all made in house and almost all of the dishes can be made Gluten Free on request.
The Seafood Bigoli was the star of the show, it was absolutely outstanding and any seafood lover’s dream.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Perfectly al dente pasta was jam packed with fresh mussels, juicy tiger prawns, anchovies and calamari in a white wine sauce, topped with a seasoned pangratatto which gave it that perfect bite.
The Mafalde in 4 hour braised beef shin ragù also deserves a special mention, the sauce had such a depth of flavour with meat that melted in the mouth - showing it was made with bundles of love.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If we had enough room left, we would have absolutely ordered a side of toasted focaccia to mop up all of the delicious goodness left in the bowl.
With locations in Ilkley and Harrogate, Pranzo is well worth the trip out of the city centre next time you're craving an authentic taste of Italy.
To find out more and to book your table, take a look at their website.
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Yorkshire pub ‘delighted’ to be crowned the best in the region for 2026
Clementine Hall
There's no denying that Yorkshire does pubs properly, but one in particular has been crowned the very best.
This year's National Pub and Bar Awards have been announced, where each year a team of experts pick the very best pub in the 94 counties across the UK.
Taking the number one spot for Yorkshire and the Humber is a fabulous little pub nestled in the bustling market town of Skipton.
The Woolly Sheep Inn is an award-winning, dog-friendly pub that is known for its huge selection of Timothy Taylor's cask ales and hearty pub grub.
Not only can you eat and drink here, but they've also got a few cosy rooms for you to stay in if you're planing on a quick staycation in North Yorkshire.
But don't just take our word for how brilliant it is, here's what the National Pub and Bar Awards had to say about it: "The Woolly Sheep Inn is a vibrant town-centre pub in the heart of Skipton, offering an exceptional combination of high-quality food, outstanding drinks and comfortable accommodation – all delivered with genuine Yorkshire hospitality.
"The team prides itself on creating a warm, welcoming environment where guests can enjoy everything from a relaxed drink at the bar to a celebratory meal or overnight stay. The offer blends traditional pub values with a progressive approach to quality and service, ensuring the site appeals to both loyal locals and visitors to the area."
Announcing the exciting news, The Woolly Sheep Inn said: "We're delighted to share that The Woolly Sheep Inn has been named Yorkshire and the Humber regional winner at the National Pub and Bar Awards 2026.
"This award is a proud moment for everyone at the pub and reflects the years of hard work, care, and commitment that Andy, Drea, and the team have put into making The Woolly Sheep such a special place to eat, drink, and stay in Skipton."
You can have a look at all of the pubs that won in the awards here.
Clementine Hall -
11th May 2023 
