Much-loved pizzeria Pizza Loco has announced it will be closing at the end of the month after four and a half years in Oakwood.
The independent has said it's been 'excruciating to come to terms' with the news, but hopes to make 2024 the year with lots of new ventures, and losing the Oakwood store is just part of the process of moving onto bigger and better things.
Pizza Loco will still be slinging out dishes seven days a week over inside the Meanwood Tavern in Meanwood, and hints that there will be 'two large and exciting new projects and a new food concept to launch this year' to look forward to in 2024 - so it's not all bad news.
The local pizzeria opened back its Oakwood 2019 and became a hit for its standout pizzas, sarnies (panuozzi) and has been spotted at pop-ups across the city ever since.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Pizza Loco really has become a staple of the local independent community during this time, and even had a collaboration with Rabbit Hole coffee last year.
But of course, we've all about all aboard the 'pizza train' for over a decade now. The pizzeria has gone from strength-to-strength in this time: starting off as a pop-up with a train structure before opening a permanent venture in 2019.
The Jamie Thiccc-erton became not just a local but national sensation, when the real Jamie Theakston got to hear about his namesake sando on Heart radio. The combination of mortadella, finocchiona, whole burrata, pepper slice, lemon basil aioli, gherkin and escarole has had locals cramming through the door - and will still be available for the next few weeks at the Oakwood venue.
Old favourites like the Marinargherita and Alla Norma will also make a limited return to the menu for the final weeks of trading in Oakwood.
Owner Oli Reynolds announced the news on Instagram:
"Dear Oakwood. Ollie here… I’ve been putting this off for a while, but I have to let you all know that at the end of the month, I will be permanently closing the pizzeria in Oakwood.
"It’s been excruciating to come to terms with closing here as I owe so much to all my Oakwood customers and staff old/new, but I have face facts that to keep the Oakwood site running, I’d need to work there full time. And with two large and exciting new projects and a new food concept to launch this year, this is the only way to have a fighting chance of making them successful.
"4 and a half years in this amazing little neighbourhood. It’s been an absolute whirlwind! From barely open pizzeria, to lockdown takeaway factory, to @rabbithole.coffee collabs, to crazy busy, to cozzie livs, to 9 months as solo chef 🥵.
"Whilst I feel sad to write this, I know there’s big things to look forward to (for you too hopefully 🤞🏼). We’ll still be firing out the goodness @meanwoodtavern too so please come say hello!
"For these last few weeks, I will be mostly bringing back old menu favourites (Marinargherita, Alla Norma to name a couple), staff specials, old Pat Butchers, and bits that never made the menu. Plus a burns night special little haggis number 🥸.
Famed for its pizza sarnies, the news has been met with heartfelt comments from local indies like "Best pizza in the UK hands down !!! Can’t wait to keep on eating your food wherever you will be!" from OWT and "One of the main reasons for moving to Oakwood was to be closer to your sweet pies x will miss you, excited for the future good luck" from neighbours The Melbourne.
The news has been met by over 100 different comments from locals mourning the loss of the pizzeria, with people even making plans to travel across the country for one last slice in Oakwood:
"This is a big loss for Oakwood but glad to hear you have new projects on the go. Your pizzas got us through that 1st lockdown"
"Are you shitting me?! So sad and yet utterly delighted for you. We will take a trip up from Warwick before the end of the month for one last pizza loco hurrah."
It doesn’t take long to see why this place has become such a firm favourite with the Farsley crowd.
We finally took a trip to Grumpy's Bar and Wood Fired Pizza and safe to say, you were absolutely right about this one.
Tucked away inside Sunny Bank Mills, Grumpy’s has built a huge reputation for its incredible wood-fired pizzas, laid-back atmosphere, that more or less has a proper community feel at the forefront.
Created by sisters Alex and Cassie, the family-run restaurant was even named after their dad, 'Grumpy' himself, and that personal touch runs through everything they do.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From supporting local community events to creating a genuinely welcoming space where you can rock up in trainers or stay for hours without realising, it feels like much more than just somewhere to grab food. It feels like part of the neighbourhood’s personality.
And then there’s the pizza.
Everything is made fresh in-house, and watching the team stretch out the dough before piling on all the toppings adds a bit of theatre to the whole experience.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The wood-fired pizzas are definitely the stars of the show, coming out with that perfect crispy base, soft airy crust, and smoky finish that makes you immediately think, “yeah, that’s the good stuff.”
They also offer a gluten-free base, so there’s something on the menu for everyone to dig into.
But the small plates deserve their flowers too. Dishes like their burrata are a proper crowd-pleaser, served with fresh seasonal tomatoes and bread perfect for scooping up every last bit of creamy goodness.
Add in dough balls and arancini, and suddenly the table starts looking less like a couple of starters and more like a full-on sharing feast.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
One thing we loved? The personality behind the menu. A lot of the pizzas are named after famously grumpy TV and film characters, which gives the whole place a bit of humour and fits the vibe perfectly.
And while we came for the pizza, one surprise standout was the banana split dessert. Fun, nostalgic, slightly over-the-top in the best way, and exactly the kind of thing you don’t think you’ll order… until it shows up and suddenly everyone’s fighting for the last spoonful.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes Grumpy’s special, though, is that it never feels like it’s trying too hard - it’s casual, friendly, and welcoming.
Add in the sunny terrace, a few drinks, and a table full of pizzas shared between mates, and it’s easy to see why people end up staying way longer than planned.
There’s no rush here, just good food, good company, and a place that quietly gets everything right without making a fuss about it.
We finally get why Grumpy's Bar + Wood Fired Pizza is such a Farsley favourite… and trust us, we’ll definitely be back.
North Star Coffee announces opening date for new site – and they’re giving away 200 coffees to celebrate
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding with two city centre openings.
Coffee lovers, you're going to love this one.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
One of their brand-new locations inside the Victoria Quarter will be opening next Monday 1 June.
Their new kiosk will be located outside Jo Malone London and marks the brand’s third site in Leeds.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To celebrate the launch, North Star will be giving away 50 free coffees a day from Tuesday 2 June until Friday 5 June - a total of 200 free drinks across the opening week. Customers will be able to claim any coffee from the menu, with one free drink per person available on a first come, first served basis, each day.
Their other new site is expected to be on Great George Street, and we'll keep you updated with any news on that one as and when we know more.
Speaking about the opening, Holly Kragiopoulos, Co-founder of North Star, said: “Opening a third site in the centre of Leeds feels incredibly special for us. Leeds has always been at the heart of North Star, so being able to bring our coffee into Victoria Quarter is a huge milestone.
"We wanted to celebrate by giving something back to the city and welcoming both loyal regulars and new customers with free coffee throughout our opening week.”
Sophie Smith -
8th January 2024 
