Eats

Grade-II listed city centre bar to open East Asian-inspired street food kitchen

A match made in heaven.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 7th May 2026

Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.

HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room, will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.

If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.

First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.

Image: Supplied

Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.

First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.

An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.

Image: Supplied
Image: The Hoot Leeds

Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.

Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.

"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.

Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”

Read more: Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.

Beer lovers, this one's for you.

Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.

The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.

Images: Supplied

Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.

Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.

And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.

Images: Supplied

Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.

Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.

"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”  

Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.

Read more: A breathtaking giant sculpture of the sun is coming to Yorkshire for the summer

Featured image - Supplied

Eats

All of the best places to get matcha in Leeds City Centre

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The Japanese green tea is having its moment, and we're absolutely here for it.

So, we've taken it upon ourselves to venture out and explore the city for the best matcha spots and trust us, we've found some good ones.

From your classic matcha latte to blue banana matcha, there's a tea-riffic matcha beverage to suit everyone (sorry).

So keep reading and pick out your next spot which you're keen to try.

RAW Coffee

10 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ

Images: The Hoot Leeds

If you're a bit of a matcha snob then this is the place to go as owners Anya and James pride themselves on serving up only real, authentic matcha.

And they're constantly coming up with unique specials too including the beautiful banana blue matcha which is the perfect gateway matcha for those of you who find the green stuff a bit too 'grassy'.

It's such a lovely spot and the staff are super friendly and will be happy to help you decide which matcha you're going to go for, to drink-in or takeaway.

Federal

Boar Lane, LS1 5DA

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Not only does this Aussie-style brunch spot make fantastic food but their matcha is flipping fantastic too. Coming in a range of flavours and perfect for on the go as they come in these adorable cans that look almost too good to crack open.

MADE

165 Lower Briggate, LS1 6LY

Image: The Hoot Leeds

New to Lower Briggate, this lovely new opening is home to super fresh acai bowls, hand-whisked matcha, Erewhon smoothie dupes, split cups, tuna-cado sarnies and wonderful staff to help you decide on your order.

Tsujiri

Leeds Kirkgate Market, Ludgate Hill, LS2 7HZ

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Now it wouldn't be a guide to matcha without Tsujiri, would it? These guys are committed to giving the people of Leeds some of the highest-grade Japanese green tea you can get your hands on.

It's the most authentic you'll find in the city, and you can even get it in the form of soft serve ice cream and decadent crepe cakes. Yum.

Cup + Lid

29 The Headrow, LS1 6PU

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Four words - White Chocolate Matcha Latte. Yep, that's what these hot chocolate specialists on The Headrow make and they're absolutely delicious.

You can also get your hands on loads of other matcha lattes, both hot and cold, including strawberry matcha, matcha milkshakes and vanilla matcha.

The Savvy Baker

27 Albion Street

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Famed for their epic bakes, The Savvy Baker on Albion Street also has a dedicated matcha bar inside it serving up some of the most creative flavours in the city. I mean they even do a cereal milk flavoured matcha, need we say more?

Pole Pole

60 North Street

Image: The Hoot Leeds

This calming little spot is serving up beautiful homemade cakes alongside fresh matcha; nestled just outside the city centre, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle.

Sonder

27-28, Grand Arcade, 20 Merrion St, LS1 6PG

Images: The Hoot Leeds

For the most aesthetic matcha in Leeds, head to Sonder. The interior here will get you feeling like you've been transported to Ibiza as you relax on their beautiful boucle sofa and drink out of trendy glasses.

But it's not just all for show, the matcha is expertly made and you can even treat yourself to a matcha croisssant whilst you're at it.

Hii Grind

King Edward St, LS1 6BR

Matcha is known for its multiple health benefits, but if you want to multiply that then head to Hii. GRIND. This new spot inside Flannels specialise in bright, colourful and most of all healthy dishes that make you glow from within.

We're talking matcha lattes, vibrant acai bowls, juice and smoothies.

Read more: Bavette is awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin just one year after opening

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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