Insomnia Cookies is officially ready to open in Leeds city centre, serving up fresh-out-the-oven cookies into the early hours.
This brand-new bakery for the city already has sites over in Manchester, as well as in Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham.
At Insomnia Cookies, it's all about American-style cookies that are served at the perfect melt-in-the-middle temperature, pulled out of the oven to order.
As well as those super-soft, super-sweet cookies, there's a menu of ice cream, shakes, brownies and blondies.
And you get get your cookies squashed around scoops of ice cream for the ultimate 'cookie 'wich' sweet treat.
The best news of all? Insomnia Cookies is open until 3am, seven days a week.
Classic flavours include white chocolate and macadamia, churro cheesecake, and M&Ms, with a whole menu of deluxe cookies and specials.
Look out for the red velvet filled with cheesecake, the French toast frosting filled, and the 'Mary Jane' with sprinkles and Oreo, when the new Leeds store opens this weekend.
Insomnia Cookies is opening in Leeds this week. Credit: The Hoot LeedsInside the new Insomnia Cookies in Leeds. Credit: The Hoot LeedsA cookie ice cream sandwich. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Insomnia Cookies will have a huge giveaway to celebrate its opening on Merrion Street.
The first person in the queue will be given a year's supply of cookies, then the first 50 people will be given Insomnia Cookies merch.
And there'll be free cookies for everyone who turns up, plus prizes up for grabs.
Insomnia Cookies opens on Saturday 21 June from 4pm at 2 Merrion Street - don't miss it.
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
Daisy Jackson -
17th June 2025 
