A slice of Puglia has landed in Pudsey and people are already flocking to the scene.
It's rare in the UK (let alone Leeds) that you find a real, authentic gelateria like you'd find on a cobbled corner in Italy.
But luckily for us, an Italian-inspired cafe serving up just that and more has opened over in Pudsey.
Meet Pino, a beautiful spot created by Fabio who has drawn inspiration from his hometown of Puglia - a region on the southern coast with a vast coastline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Named after his father Giuseppe, at Pino you'll find proper punchy Italian coffee, pastries and homemade pizza which they'll warm up for you fresh. But what we're really interested in is the gelato.
Yes it may not be what you're craving during this time of year, but we're in no doubt that come summer there will be queues out the door full of punters looking to grab a scoop.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fabio makes it fresh in the kitchen every single day in a variety of flavours, and you can have it in a cone, tub, takeaway tub or even via affogato. We can't think of a better afternoon pick me up.
The space is light, airy and inviting, and the service has that perfect Italian charm that you'd expect.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a really honest spot that comes from humble beginnings, and it's exactly the type of place that we need to be supporting right now.
You can find Pino on Robin Lane in Pudsey, and you'll probably see us there. Take a look at their socials here.
The Lunar New Year is here - how are you planning to celebrate the Year of the Horse?
Tuesday 17 February is a date you'll want to have marked in your calendar, regardless of whether you're celebrating the Lunar New Year or not. The date marks the first day of the the year in the lunar calendar, and as such is a time to celebrate.
Leeds, as always, is bringing the best of the new year in with hearty menus, killer cocktails and a whole range of dining options made especially to help you celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Here's our top picks for foodies to enjoy during the Lunar New Year.
Bánh & Mee
Open from 11am | Inside Leeds Kirkgate Market
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up traditional Banh Mi with Siagon Noodles, Pho and summer rolls aplenty, Banh & Mee has become a real city centre staple - and it's easy to see why.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year with a giant balloon mascot called Chilli, hungry diners are invited to head down for a taste of authentic Vietnamese food this weekend, and make sure to try some of Mama Nguyen’s 3rd generation broth, noodle soup.
A hidden gem sitting in plain sight, Wen’s feels like one of those ‘if you know, you know’ spots and we are certainly all the better for knowing.The menu is extensive and allows for multiple visits to try out all of the goodness on offer, and we are certainly not complaining.
The portions are generous and perfect for sharing, Wen’s is the place to bond with friends and family over wonderful food that won’t set you back a pretty penny. And if you need any help choosing from the menu, The Dandan Noodles can only be described as a hug in a bowl, served swimming in a bowl of rich, savoury broth and topped with a mound of delicious pork mince and crunchy spring onions.
Tattu
Open from 12pm | East Parade, Leeds city centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
As one of four locations in the UK, Tattu Leeds hosts a range of cuisine, including the Char Sui Monkfish with a delicious honey glaze, served with morning glory, caramel orange and pickled cucumber, which is due to land on their menu soon. Cocktail-wise, you're really spoilt for choice, but one to take advantage of during the new year celebrations is the gin, almond, lemon, umeshu and jasmine tea combination that makes up Firecracker, which is said to be inspired by the dance of the dragons.
Little Bao Boy
North Brewing Tap Room, Leeds city centre
Those steamed dumplings that we all know and love are a variation of a dish called mantou from Northern China and Little Bao Boys have got the modern version down to a tee. You'll find them at either North Brew Co venue in the city centre and we guarantee their small but tasty menu will have something for everyone.
MANS Market
Friday 20 January - Sunday 22 January 2023 | West Point, Wellington Street
Celebrating Chinese New Year with traditional cuisine is our favourite hidden Chinese restaurant, Mans Market. Tucked away downstairs in the city centre, their authentic menu has always got us wanting more and no doubt their new year menu will be just the same.
Crown Hot Pot
Open from 12pm | Back Blenheim Terrace, Woodhouse
Hidden inside a supermarket across the road from University of Leeds’ Parkinson Building, Crown Hot Pot is the true definition of a hidden gem.
Here, you get the chance to cook your own food- and all within seconds of entering the boiling dish. The idea is that each table orders from a seemingly endless choice of meats, served by the metre, and then select smaller portions of noodles, salads and dumplings to compliment the serving.
Take your heatproof chopsticks and dunk each meat into the bubbling pot and watch an near-instant transformation from raw pinks to juicy cooked meats. We’re talking 10-20 seconds for pork, and just a few minutes for sausages and meatballs: it’s truly a blink and you’ll miss it experience. Prawns and pork belly both come highly recommended, but Crown Hot Pot truly match your meaty preferences to ensure that each member of your table is well-fed.
Maxi's Rotisserie
Open from 11am, Kirkgate market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for some real authentic Cantonese cuisine then there's no where better than Maxi's in Kirkgate market. The best roasted meats, french toast and comforting steamed dumplings. Make sure you've got your wallet with you though, as they only take cash.
Noodle House
Upper Briggate
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for fresh, handmade noodles and banging roast meats then you can't go wrong with Noodle House. It's got a huge menu to choose from and plenty of seats for you to sit back and relax whilst tucking into some authentic grub.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Stuzzi team to open brand-new sandwich shop and diner in Farsley
Daisy Jackson
The team behind Stuzzi - one of Leeds’ best-loved Italian restaurants - are set to launch a brand-new concept in Farsley this week.
La Grassa will be a new Italian-American ‘Paninoteca’ and diner concept, where you’ll be able to get your hands on paninos filled with house-made meats, cheeses and sauces.
The new concept comes from Stuzzi Leeds co-founders Jimbob Phillips and Brett Lee, and is set to open in Amity Brew Co.
They’ll be taking over the former brewing area at Sunnybank Mills, after Amity moved their brewery operations over to a new site in Greengates.
This new collaboration between Stuzzy and Amity Brew Co will bring Italian-American flavours to Farsley with quick-service dining - hearty sandwiches and light bites by day, and more substantial plates by night.
Jimbob Phillips of Stuzzi Leeds said, “La Grassa is about bringing people together over food that’s indulgent, fun and full of flavour. Working with Amity gives us the perfect space to explore that in a new way.”
Brett Lee added: “We wanted to create a place that feels lively and approachable, where people can enjoy the quality of Stuzzi Leeds in a quick-service format without compromising on taste.”
Verity Clarke, Director at Amity Brew Co, said: “While we were brewing on-site at Sunny Bank Mills, it did limit the hospitality experience. We could only open four days a week, and there wasn’t a weekday that went by without mill visitors wanting to pop in for a daytime drink or bite to eat.
"Over the past five years, we’ve collaborated with food vendors, and it’s always added another welcome dimension to the experience at Amity. We’re very excited to have such a high-quality team joining us to really fulfil Amity’s potential.”
La Grassa at Amity Brew Co will officially open on Friday 13 February 2026 with new extended opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday every week.
Clementine Hall -
18th February 2026 
