It's been an incredible year for new openings in and around Leeds, with plenty of independent restaurants, pubs and bars springing up all over the place.
As we come to the end of the year, it's always nice to reflect on the fabulous places that have opened in our city.
What's set this year apart is the sheer amount of independent businesses that have opened their doors to a resoundingly positive reception of punters looking to show their support.
From bakeries and pubs to rooftop bars and shops, we've been ever so lucky to welcome so many great businesses to Leeds.
We've highlighted 10 spots that have made the most impact on our community and got the city talking.
So, without further ado...
BAKE
Mustard Wharf, Lockside, Holbeck, LS1 4EY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Completing the all-things-dough trilogy alongside Things In Bread and Doh'hut was BAKE - a nostalgic British bakery that captured the hearts of pastry lovers across the city when it opened back in January.
From outrageously cheesy cheese twists to sticky, cinnamon bun focaccia slices - everything here is so good that it sells out before finish.
Federal
34 Boar Lane, LS1 5DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Famed over in Manchester, Federal is an Aussie-inspired cafe bringing a slice of sunshine to Boar Lane.
French toast, steak and eggs, matcha in a can, fabulously friendly service, the list as to why we love this place could truly go on and on.
We already love Bottle Chop over in Headingley, and this year it gained a city centre sibling called Rinse.
Here you'll find enough natural wine to sink a ship alongside charcuterie and sandwiches to go with it. Just perfect.
The Victoria & Commercial
28 Great George St, LS1 3DL
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Technically this isn't a brand-new opening as The Victoria first opened in 1865, but it's a re-opening. And a very good one at that.
Leeds beer powerhouses Whitelock's and Kirkstall Brewery joined forces to bring The Victoria back to life and we're so glad they did, it's a pub that oozes charm with maybe the cosiest interior we've ever seen.
Another newbie from Whitelock's is the Brewery Wharf Tavern, the new dockside pub with killer views of the canal. Think trendy 70s inspired interiors, a huge beer garden and a brilliant drinks list to make your way through.
Azotea
2 Sovereign St, LS1 4DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking to feel like you're on Love Island in Leeds, then get yourself to Azotea. This new rooftop bar is probably the biggest and most boujie in the city, and they're serving up Mexican-inspired food and drink as well to really make you feel like you're on holiday.
Mondego
The Tank Room, Roundhouse Business Park, LS12 1AH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Homeware lovers nearly lost their marbles when this Portuguese ceramics shop opened up just outside of the city centre. Here you pay by the weight of your items, and you can grab some absolute bargains from ramen bowls for a couple of quid to jugs for under a fiver,
Crowded House
70 Boar Ln, LS1 6HW
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Taking over the top spot that Angelica used to have above Trinity was Crowded House, an all-day dining and drinking destination from the team behind Three's A Crowd.
Here you'll find stellar views of the city alongside a menu full of elevated classics.
Vinyl Grounds
30 Central Road, LS1 6DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now we think this one is a little bit special. Vinyl Grounds is a coffee, wine and vinyl bar that's opened on Central Road and to be honest we could spend all day in here.
It's got a really chilled atmosphere where you can transition seamlessly from day to night, we'll leave it up to you on when to swap the coffee for a glass of vino.
The Savvy Baker
27 Albion St, LS1 5AT
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We all know and love The Savvy Baker, but this year Sav and the team opened up their very first city centre cafe and we couldn't be happier for them. This one not only has all her signature bakes on sale, but there's also a dedicated matcha bar and an onsite bakery where you can watch all the magic happening.
Whether your hangover cravings are a full english or a stacked tower of pancakes, we've found the best places in Leeds to visit to cure your hangover.
Look, we've all been there. A hangover is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you use it as an opportunity to pig out on some delicious food the next day.
Luckily, the Leeds food scene is full of salty, chocolately, carb-loaded dishes that will sort you right out. So grab some paracetamol and some water and head to one of our top picks to get rid of your hangover.
Fat Hippo
Fat Hippo, Otley Road, Headingley and Boar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after proper dirty, stacked, greasy burgers to get your chops around - then the answer is, and always will be, Fat Hippo burger. Forget about calories, and get stuck in.
Find them in Headingley and in the city centre on Boar Lane.
Federal
Boar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Pretty much anything at this Aussie-inspired brunch spot will cure your heavy head, but our personal favourite is the steak and eggs. Perfectly pink and dripping in gooey egg yolk, it's a complete winner.
Nothing will soak up the sins of yesterday more than a stack of fluffy American pancakes. Top them off with crispy streaky bacon and super sweet maple syrup, and you can kiss that hangover goodbye.
At Moose you'll also find plenty of other hangover cures like huevos rancheros and fluffy french toast.
Meat:Stack
Bishopgate Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Another one for the burger lovers, this Newcastle-born indie spot serve up some banging smash burgers, milkshakes, tenders and loaded fries. It's a gamble whether this will make you feel better or worse to be honest, but it's a risk we're willing to take.
Homeboy Pizza
Burley Road
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The way to cure a hangover? Carbs, carbs and more carbs. So you can't go wrong with one of the best pizzas in Leeds at Homeboy Pizza. Order it straight to your house so you don't even have to get changed out of your pyjamas.
Alfonso's Deli
Grand Arcade
Image: The Hoot Leeds
You can't go wrong with a proper hefty sub sandwich on a hangover, and Alfonso's is serving up the best in the business. They also do some incredible breakfast bagels that paired with a strong coffee will have you back on form in no time.
Souvlaki's Corner
Dixon Lane, Leeds
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for something a little bit lighter then get your hands on a gyro from Souvlaki's Corner. This way you've got your meat and carbs, but you're also getting a few veggies to make you feel better about yourself. A win if you ask us.
House of Koko
Oakwood, Chapel Allerton and Leeds city centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
When I say hangover, you say brunch. And there's no where better than the brunch GOAT's, House of Koko.
Turkish eggs, French toast, stacked breakfast burgers, you name it and they've absolutely got it. Oh and obviously you've got to order their legendary hash browns, we don't make the rules. Washed down with a Bloody Mary and you'll be ready to get back in the pub.
Noodlesta
Blenheim Terrace
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now I don't know about you, but on a hangover there's nothing that sorts me out more than a steaming hot bowl of spicy noodles. And the only place to go for this is Noodlesta where they pull your noodles fresh to order.
Located right opposite the University of Leeds' Parkinson Steps, students - this one is specifically for you after a late one at the student's union.
Chinese Salt & Pepper
New Market Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
When you're a bit worse for wear, salt and pepper chips are always the answer. This new hatch in the centre of town are serving up stacked boxes full of crispy chips, springs rolls and wontons all tossed in that magical seasoning dust that's got us in a chokehold.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
There’s a restaurant in Leeds serving hand-pulled noodles made fresh to order
Clementine Hall
If you're after some seriously delicious, chewy noodles - then Noodlesta is the place to be.
When the weather is a bit chilly outside there's really nothing better than a steaming hot bowl of noodles.
In a rich broth, in sizzling oil, topped with tender meat or packed with veg - we'll take the lot.
Noodlesta is an unassuming restaurant located on Blenheim Terrace directly opposite the University of Leeds' Parkinson Steps.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's completely no frills, with bench seating and one menu plastered on the wall behind the till where you make your order.
But you can't deny that the food is brilliant, and the packed-out restaurant full of students at 11am when the doors have just opened proves just that.
It's not often you can get hand-made noodles made fresh to order, but that's exactly what you're getting here.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Chef George pulls them in front of your very eyes into various shapes, from flat chewy noodles to thin round ones, you can trust that George can make it happen. It's quite a sight to behold too.
They're cooked perfectly, still maintaining that satisfying bite to them and the toppings, you can tell, are handled with just as much care as the noodles themselves.
We tried the braised beef brisket noodles (where the beef basically melted in your mouth) and the tomato with egg thin noodles, and they’ve got to be some of the best we’ve had in Leeds - hands down.
Clementine Hall -
17th December 2025 
