Leeds is bursting at the seams with new openings, and we’re here to tell you all about them.
We can't quite believe it, but 2025 is almost drawing to a close and the past few months have seen some fabulous new openings touch down in the city.
From a new local pub to a specialist Portuguese ceramic shop, Leeds is well and truly flourishing and we love to see it.
If you're struggling to decide where to visit next, allow us to fill you in on our top five picks to make your life that little bit easier.
Mondego
Wellington Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It’s not often we see queues down the street for new openings in Leeds, but it seems that everyone is going mad for Mondego – a Portuguese ceramic outlet where you pay by weight.
There’s a new tavern in town and it’s celebrating all things Leeds.
Introducing the Brewery Wharf Tavern, a new riverside pub from the absolute masterminds behind Whitelock’s Ale House, The Meanwood Tavern and White Cloth Hall.Â
Overlooking the River Aire taking over the spot previously occupied by Home on Brewery Place, the Brewery Wharf Tavern boasts an absolutely banging beer garden with fantastic views of the river.
But the inside is just as great, with a striking mural by Nicolas Dixon wrapping around the interior and plush maroon booths and 70s-inspired seating filling the space.
Say hello to HYGGE, the new Scandinavian-inspired cafe that’s just touched down in Leeds. After taking Sheffield by storm, HYGGE is now bringing its speciality coffee and Scandi comfort food to Leeds for us all to enjoy and we’re absolutely buzzing about it.
Located in the Merrion Centre on Woodhouse Lane, this all-new cosy cafe chain is serving up some of the best Danish delicacies in town with an equally inviting interior.
Crowded House
Trinity Shopping Centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Three’s A Crowd comes Crowded House, a swanky new rooftop bar and restaurant that has taken the coveted spot where Angelica’s and Crafthouse used to stand.
Think incredible panoramic views of the city, great cocktails and a well curated all-day dining menu for every occasion.
There's' a new vendor inside White Cloth Hall, and it's bringing bold East Asian cuisine to the centre of Leeds. From the masterminds behind Ox Club and Galleria comes RAKKU, serving up a menu full of stuffed bao, stacked sandwiches, gyoza and more.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
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Inside Proof – Sheffield’s new bookshop, bar and cafe all rolled into one
A beloved Sheffield bookshop is back but this time, there's booze.
You may remember back in January when Novel sadly had to close its doors due to circumstances beyond the team’s control.
Since opening in Crookes in 2024, co-owner Katie and the team had experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment, eventually leading to the decision to close the much-loved bookshop and bar indefinitely.
It was a heartbreaking turn of events for a business that had quickly become a much-loved part of the Crookes community.
Images: The Sheff
At the time, it felt like it might be the end of Novel but thankfully, it wasn't. Because Novel is back - but not quite as you might remember it.
Introducing Proof, your new bookshop/cafe/wine/beer bar.
It's basically everything we love in this world rolled into one, and we're big fans of it along with the rest of Crookes.
Of course the book selection is just as brilliant as it was at Novel, with shelves stacked with some of the hottest books around, all hand-picked by Kate, so you know you’re in safe hands when it comes to the reading recommendations.
Images: The Sheff
Great coffee is on hand courtesy of Cloud so you can settle in for a brew and a browse, but if that won't quite cut it they've also got a selection of natural wines and beer on offer. Genuinely, what more could you want?
Just grab a brew, pick up a book and settle in for a while. Is this one of the coolest new openings to hit Crookes? We reckon so.
They're open Fridays and Saturdays 12 - 10:30pm, so make sure you swing by and welcome Proof back to Crookes.
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Clementine Hall -
6th November 2025 
