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.
New York-style pizza pop-up, Edges Pizza, is set to open in Leeds.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residences across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason it seems.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June in a vacant railway arch at Fourth Court on Bridge Road in Leeds' Holbeck area.
It won't be your average pizza shop though, you'll have to preorder for now but trust us - it's worth it.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Edges said: "WE FINALLY HAVE an opening date, Thursday 18th June! All pizzas are pre-ordered like we have always done, and are slightly limited for now (still looking for helping hands!!!). The pre-orders will open the day before at 12pm via our Storekit link.
"We’ll be then opening Wednesday to Friday, 4-9pm and Saturday & Sunday 3-9pm. If there are still remaining slots left on the day, you can order up to an hour before the collection time. We have limited seating, for those who travel and would like to eat in. There is plenty of car parking space, to pick up your pizza, too.
"We can’t wait to see you all soon & more importantly, we can’t wait to start making some good food for you again."
We can't wait to get our hands on a coveted Edges pizza slice again, so you best believe we'll be there at the opening with bells on.
The 80-year-old Wakefield butchers that won Jane McDonald’s heart
Declan Kelly
When Wakefield's queen of the cruise ships recommends a pork pie in Yorkshire, you listen.
TV presenter, singer and national treasure Jane McDonald has never hidden her love for her hometown. While her career has taken her around the world, from luxury ocean liners to sold-out theatre tours, Wakefield has always remained close to her heart. And among the many things she proudly champions from her hometown, one local institution receives more praise than most: Allums Butchers.
In fact, Jane has often joked that one of the reasons she still lives in Yorkshire is because of their famous pork pies. Most recently, Jane was once again singing their praises during her album launch at HMV when we interviewed her. She has also recently spoken fondly about the butcher's legendary pies on Alan Carr's podcast.Â
Hearing her enthusiasm sparked our curiosity, so we decided to make the trip to Wakefield and discover for ourselves what makes these pork pies so special.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located on Brook Street, Allums Butchers is more than just a place to pick up your Sunday roast. It's a business woven into the fabric of Wakefield's history, with a story stretching back more than 80 years.
The journey began in 1945 when Albert Allum started trading from Wakefield Market.
At a time when local communities depended on independent traders, Albert Allum built a reputation for quality produce, expert craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Those values helped establish a loyal customer base and laid the foundations for a business that would stand the test of time.
More than eight decades later, the same principles continue to guide the company.
Today, Allums remains proudly family-owned and is run by third-generation butcher Jonathan Allum. While much has changed since Albert's early days on the market stall, the commitment to quality remains exactly the same. The business has grown into one of Yorkshire's most respected independent butchers, yet it continues to place traditional butchery, carefully sourced produce and customer service at the heart of everything it does.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Speaking to us about his relationship with Jane McDonald, Jonathan shared memories that stretch back decades. The pair first met as teenagers when Jane would visit the market alongside her mother. Like many local families, they regularly stopped by the Allum stall and, more often than not, left with one of the butcher's famous pork pies.
Jonathan remembers chatting with Jane as she collected her order.
"I'd often say, 'See you next week,'" he recalled. "And every so often she'd reply, 'No, you won't - I’m off cruising.'"
Jane has gone on to become one of Britain's most recognisable entertainers, known by millions for her television programmes and her successful career at sea and most recently her iconic Mighty Hoopla performance . Yet despite the fame, she never forgot her Wakefield roots. To this day, she remains one of Allums' most loyal supporters and regularly speaks about the business with genuine affection.
Allums' pork pies have become something of a Yorkshire institution in their own right. Handmade using a traditional recipe that has been refined over generations, each pie is crafted using seasoned pork, rich savoury jelly and a perfectly baked hot-water crust pastry. There are no modern gimmicks, just a commitment to making a classic product exceptionally well.
Naturally, we couldn't leave without trying the pork pies ourselves.
Sometimes the best food stories aren't about reinvention or chasing the latest trend. They're about preserving traditions, maintaining standards and doing one thing exceptionally well for generations.
More than 80 years after Albert Allum first opened for business in Wakefield Market, Allums Butchers continues to embody exactly that philosophy. And after finally experiencing their famous pork pies for ourselves, we can confidently say that Jane McDonald might just be right.
Clementine Hall -
17th December 2025 
