Eats

Beloved Leeds brunch spot Olive & Rye announces major expansion plans

This calls for a Bloody Mary

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 23rd January 2026

A much-loved Leeds cafe and brunch favourite has announced a major expansion, with bags more seating both inside and out.

Independent cafe Olive & Rye has announced that it's expanding into the unit next door in the beautiful Queens Arcade.

The local brunch spot has already started work on the neighbouring unit and is set to be back up and running in just a few weeks.

It's great news for the arcade, which is already home to businesses like Pop Boutique and Art & Soul, as well as Olive & Rye's sister business, the authentic little Thai cafe, Olive & Thai.

The cafe has a seasonal menu, so there's always a new special to try, as well as a core menu of classic brunch favourites like homemade granola, eggs on sourdough, and pancakes.

They're also famed for their huge full breakfasts, which feature items like crispy pork belly, homemade beans, black pudding, and hash browns.

Announcing the news yesterday, Olive & Rye said: "It’s finally official !!!

"We’re expanding into the unit next door. We so excited for a bigger dining area and kitchen. That means we will have more inside and outside spots for brunch

"We will be closed on February 3rd & 4th for construction, but back up and running on the 5th."

Read more

Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Six of our favourite cosy pubs in Leeds City Centre to hide away from the rain

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

When the weather is rubbish, there’s nothing better than tucking away in the corner of a cosy pub with a good pint and a bowl of chips.

Thankfully, Leeds is blessed with many.

Roaring fires add extra comfort, as do old-fashioned characteristics like low-slung wooden beams and wood panelling, whilst big windows serve to let in a bit of light on the darker days.

To help you pick where to go, we’ve put together a list of our favourites below.

The Victoria & Commercial

Great George Street, LS1 3DL

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Newest and maybe the most festive is The Victoria, originally opened in 1865 this historic pub has recently been reborn courtesy of Kirkstall Brewery and Whitelock's Ale House.

The interior here is absolutely beautiful, even without the decorations it feels festive. So if you're looking for that Christmas feeling all year round, this is the place to be.

Whitelock’s Ale House

Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Of course it wouldn't be a cosy pub guide without the iconic Whitelock's Ale House. The oldest pubs in Leeds, Whitelock’s is easy to miss – tucked away down a side alley off the main high street, but once you find it it's well worth the hunt.

A former marketman’s pub, inside you’ll find historic features like an old wooden bar and stained glass windows as well as good selection of beers, ales and traditional British dishes.

Crowd of Favours

 4-12 Harper Street, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7EA

This laid back spot in Leeds is the perfect spot to get nestled in, enjoy a few pints and escape the dreary weather.

Food-wise, think lemon and thyme chicken wings, braised beef cheek and hearty stews. As for the drinks, there’s a solid wine and cocktail menu as well as a good selection of beers on draught.

The Highland Laddie

38 Cavendish Street, LS3 1LY

Images: The Hoot Leeds

From the team behind Empire Cafe, The Highland Laddie is one of Leeds' newest pubs but it's as cosy as it gets.

Fabulous traditional interiors with a proper homely feel to it, and of course the food is absolutely banging. Think oysters, ham and chips and belting sausage rolls.

The Lamb and Flag

1 Church Row, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7HD

Housed in a renovated 19th-century building, The Lamb and Flag boast a locally-sourced menu and a strong selection of local ales. A stone’s throw from Leeds Minster, there are two bars – one upstairs and one down. Between them, you’ll find ten different hand pulls pouring some of the best beer in Leeds..

The Brunswick

82 North St, Leeds LS2 7PN

Images: The Hoot Leeds

This absolute gem at the top of town has everything you could ever want in a pub. Great drinks, a warming atmosphere, a pool table and brilliant food.

The staff are always lovely and there's usually an adorable dog knocking about too.

Read more: All the places in and around Leeds for a Sunday roast dinner

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

The Franco Manca ‘pizza run’ explained – here’s how you can get a free pizza

Danny Jones Danny Jones

If you’ve been wondering why you’re seeing a lot of free pizza lately, we’re here to explain the current Franco Manca pizza ‘run trend’.

And yes, we were the foolish ones enough to have not quizzed any of our jogging chums until now, meaning we’ve missed out on more money and free pizza. Sigh.

Nevermind, though, because at least we spotted it before the end of the month (this being Franco Manca’s main January deal), and we dare say that now you’ve heard about it, you’ll see plenty others popping up on social media with their free slices.

Including us.

That’s right, it may be a very thin slice with a very long and thin slice, but that is as much of a pizza slice outline as we needed to qualify for the current deal.

Yes, we’re aware that the actual pepperonis on ours are more square than most – listen, we did our best, and we’ve certainly seen people pulling off better overall shaped pizzas than us; that’s part of the fun/and or challenge.

For instance, we didn’t mean for our picture to come out with one long crust running down either…

So, how does it work, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple, to be fair. All you have to do is run a pizza-shaped route (any pizza shape works, by the way), map your route on the likes of Strava or Apple Fitness, etc., then show your creation at your nearest and claim a quid off for every kilometre you run.

As advertised on the ‘Map My Pizza Run’ page on their website, the aim isn’t about putting pressure or hitting a strict target; you simply get rewarded the longer you go.

Here’s a handy example from a local running content creator for you:

There are some stipulations, such as not being used in conjunction with any other offer, one pizza map being valid per person, and the route has to have been run in January. You can find the full terms and conditions HERE.

Oh, and technically, you can do it however you like: run, walk, cycle – you name it. Other than that, we’ve pretty much given you all the info you need to know, so go and get yourself some free pizza.

Read more: January 2026 deals, discounts and offers at restaurants and bars across Leeds

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Franco Manca/MRR

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