The renovation plan promised a ‘bigger, and better, luxurious offering’ to the City Square eatery - and it delivered that and more.
Restaurant Bar & Grill has undergone a whopping £2m refurbishment this summer, and the results are astonishing.
Honey onyx marble, olive-green leather banquettes and deep walnut panelling - just stepping inside the newly refurbished restaurant located in the bustling City Square immediately transports you to New York’s affluent upper east side.
Located in the historic Old Post Office building opposite Leeds train station, the new Restaurant Bar & Grill is the perfect spot for a lunch date, post-work drinks or slap up evening meal.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Customers can expect innovative cocktails, phenomenal service and an amazing array of food which is perfect for any time of day. Brunch, lunch or dinner - the menu caters for all and every occasion.
Once sat, don’t forget to look up at the spectacular ornate ceiling decorated with grand chandeliers - it truly is a sight to behold.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Famous for their steaks, RBG has prioritised its focus on ageing, sourcing, and cutting its steaks to perfection. Also boasting a great array of fish and vegetarian options, this really is the perfect spot for large groups to get together in one of their comfy booths and find something for everyone to enjoy.
We sampled the Ribeye steak which was cooked to perfection, drenched in a silky smooth peppercorn sauce which also acted as the perfect dipping sauce for the ultimate chunky chips.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Halloumi Burger was a brilliant vegetarian option, served in a soft brioche bun with extra gooey cheese melted on top because why not?
The Black Miso Cod was utter perfection, a sticky sweet glaze coated buttery fish which flaked away effortlessly.
The cocktails are the perfect meal accompaniment, go for a summer spritz to feel refreshed or an expertly mixed espresso martini for that kickstart to the evening.
With a gorgeous Al Fresco dining area, make the most of the summer months and basque in the sunshine whilst enjoying RBG’s deluxe food and drink offering.
So what are you waiting for, head down to Restaurant Bar & Grill, marvel in its beauty and let their lovely staff take care of you for the evening - we promise you won’t regret it.
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."
Clementine Hall -
21st August 2023 
