Eats

Beloved Leeds Malaysian cafe known for its authentic home cooking announces sudden closure

"It's been our pleasure to serve Malaysian food to the community."

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 15th October 2026

A much-loved independent restaurant in Leeds has announced it will be closing its doors.

Kuala Lumpur Cafe opened its doors in Headingley in 2019 by Bart and Hirman, who wanted to bring authentic Malaysian cooking to the city of Leeds.

Throughout the years, they'd built up a reputation for their beautiful curries and vibrant street food dishes, all of which were made using Hirman's family recipes.

So much so, that in 2024 they opened a kitchen inside White Cloth Hall in the city centre when the Grade II listed food hall first opened.

Their kitchen sadly closed a year later, but their Headingley restaurant remained open serving the students and locals with their famous beef rendang, nasi lemak and more.

Sadly, Kuala Lumpur Cafe have taken to social media to announce that they will be closing their doors for good as of this Saturday 17 October.

Their statement reads: "Thank you to all our customers and team that made Kuala Lumpur Cafe possible across the last few years. After a long consideration, we have decided that our last trading day will be Saturday 17 October.

"If you have a booking after this date, we'll be calling you over the next few days to try to move it to an earlier date before we close.

"It's been our pleasure to serve Malaysian food to the community. Best regards, KL Cafe."

Of course, in true Leeds fashion, local businesses and customers flocked to the comments to express their sadness and show their support.

One comment reads: "Such a shame. This was genuinely the best Malay food I had outside of Malaysia. Will be missed greatly", whilst another thanks the cafe for "all the delicious food over the years".

If you want to visit Kuala Lumpur Cafe one last time, then you have until this Saturday to do so. Go and wish them a proper farewell.

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Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.

Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.

They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.

Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.

New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.

And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.

Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.

So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.

Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

‘This recognition belongs to you’ – Leeds restaurant added to the Michelin Guide just months after opening

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A newcomer to the Leeds foodie scene has been added to the coveted Michelin Guide.

You may remember back in April when a Leeds icon was reborn under a different name.

The Smithfield took over the site that was home to The Reliance for more than two decades, and it's safe to say it exceeded expectations.

The team transformed the site to its former glory, taking the site's exterior back to its memorable dark red. But the efforts to recapture the essence of the iconic old venue go way beyond that.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The Smithfield, a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and Chef James Donovan, offers simple dining with seasonal food and natural wines.

It's the sort of place where you can rock up for a plate and a glass people watching through the huge window on North Street, or really get stuck into a sharing pie and chips with friends on a Saturday afternoon.

Either way we love it, and it seems we're not the only ones as The Smithfield has been added to the Michelin Guide just five months after opening.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Announcing the great news to Instagram, The Smithfield said: "We’re very pleased and grateful to have been included in the Michelin Guide.

"To get this kind of recognition so early in our journey is a real honour, and one we certainly don’t take for granted.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

"Thank you to our wonderful guests for your continued support. Also, huge thanks to our brilliant team. The Smithfield is what it is because of your hard work, enthusiasm, energy and diligence. This recognition belongs to you.

"We’re just getting started, and our focus remains the same: creating a welcoming space for our community, serving food and drink we’re proud of, championing great British and local produce, and contributing our small part towards Leeds’ brilliant hospitality scene. The Smithfield."

Read more: Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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