Federal, one of the most popular brunch spots in Manchester, is set to open its very first Leeds cafe.
The Australian/New Zealand-style cafe is famed for its brunches, ranging from giant French toast stacks to colourful corn fritters, and halloumi and shrooms on toast - as well as their viral canned matchas and iced lattes.
There's a Portuguese influence on the menu too, thanks to founder Claudio Ribeiro, with some of the best pastel de natas in the UK.
Federal Cafe Bar is wildly popular over in Manchester, where it has three cafes that all have queues all day long.
And now it's finally Leeds' turn, with plans lodged for a new Federal in the city centre.
Federal is set to open at 34 Boar Lane, as part of a contemporary new Kinrise workspace that's taking shape.
The plans for Federal were announced alongside The Commons, a new business space with studios, a large boardroom, meeting rooms and event spaces.
George Aberdeen, co-founder and director of landlord and developer Kinrise, said: "We're delighted to welcome Federal Bar & Cafe, opening their first location outside Manchester on our ground floor, a real statement of confidence in the building and in Leeds."
Victoria Harris, associate with global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, which is advising Kinrise, added: "The launch of The Commons and the arrival of Federal underline the on-going success of 34 Boar Lane and is another resounding endorsement of the major investment Kinrise has made in the building."
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Daisy Jackson -
24th July 2025 
