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Look inside MADE as viral matcha spot opens up in Leeds

Absolutely made up with this one.

Daisy Jackson - 29th April 2026

Leeds’ matcha scene is about to get a serious upgrade, because MADE, the viral Sheffield favourite, is officially ready to open its second site right in the heart of the city.

Taking over a spot on Lower Briggate, the new café lands on Thursday 30 April, and if its Sheffield success is anything to go by, it'll be pretty popular from day one.

Since launching less than a year ago, MADE has built a loyal following thanks to its aesthetic drinks, inventive flavours and a menu that goes far beyond your standard coffee shop offering.

This pastel-toned, checker-floored, light-filled space brings something genuinely fresh to the table in Leeds.

At its core, MADE specialises in hand-whisked matcha, with a rotating lineup of seasonal specials that are as photogenic as they are drinkable. Think strawberry shortcake matcha, sticky date lattes, and the much-hyped banana bread matcha that’s already gained a cult following over in Sheffield.

Alongside that, you’ll find iced coffees, 'split cups' for indecisive sippers, and smoothies inspired by the cult-favourite Erewhon.

Acai bowls at MADE in Leeds

Inside the new MADE in Leeds — Acai bowls at MADE in Leeds

MADE is also serving up generous açaí bowls, fresh sandwiches (including their popular tuna-cado option), and other grab-and-go bites.

Taking over the former Nice Things unit, the arrival of MADE brings a new energy to Lower Briggate just in time for summer.

And judging by the queues they regularly draw in Sheffield, it’s safe to say Leeds locals are about to become very familiar with that signature green hue.

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Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

Eats

The North Leeds Food Festival returns for 2026 and special anniversary edition

Danny Jones North Leeds Food Fest 2026

North Leeds Food Fest 2026

The much-loved North Leeds Food Festival is back for 2026, and its spring return marks a very special anniversary.

We're getting hungry just thinking about it.

Taking place in less than a fortnight, North Leeds Food Fest marks its 10th birthday early next month, with this year's programme set to be one of the biggest yet.

We're lucky enough to see a lot of wonderful things within Roundhay Park every single year, but this might just be one of our absolute favourites.

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A post shared by North Leeds Food Festival (@northleedsfoodfestival)

Not to speak for all of you, but we're sure plenty of West Yorkshire would agree.

Held on the expansive Soldiers' Field section of the stunning outdoor space, more than a full decade on from the very first iteration of the festival, punters can expect free-flowing drinks, music rolling across the park, and LOTS of food to be enjoyed.

Both dog and family-friendly, too, it's already shaping up to be one of the best fun-for-all-ages weekends of the entire year.

Writing in a teaser on socials, the organisers said: "We’ve been working away behind the scenes to bring a fresh look and feel for 2026, so you can expect some surprises for our big birthday."

Consider our interest piqued and our tummies already rumbling...

The same spotlights will be shining on native independents serving up some of the region's best street food, and you can expect some top-notch drinks from Leeds locals, too.

It's pretty hard to believe it's been 10 whole years since this first started and how far it's come. Here's a longer look at how the last edition went down:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqSxSj-dQsA&t=2s

Some of the indie enjoyment being teased includes wood-fired pizza, crispy fried chicken, fresh cocktails and a full 'Ale House' pouring from start to finish, as well as "vibrant curries and desserts worth saving space for".

There'll also be artisan markets, a live cookery theatre hosted by Yorkshire chef, consultant and Great British Menu star, Stephanie Moon, lots of live tunes, a whole host of kids' activities, stand-up comedy and tonnes more.

Scheduled for Saturday, 9 May 2026 from 10am and wrapping up on the following (10 May) around 7pm, the doors will be open from 10am on the first day, so you'd better make the most of the celebrations.

You can grab your tickets right HERE.

savvy baker menu — Credit: The Hoot

hash brown town leeds — Credit: The Hoot

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

A new cocktail and record bar has opened in the former mills at Farsley

There's another new opening in Farsley - this time an incredibly cool listening bar and cocktail bar.

Tucked away in Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is a bar built around 'music, atmosphere, and detail'.

Bartenders here create well-made cocktails and pour natural wines in front of a wall of vinyl records, while a playlist of hip hop, soul, jazz, funk, deep house, and disco soundtracks your evening.

The stylish space features a considered sound system that's been built around Danley speakers.

Pardon Me has opened with the intention of creating a space where 'sound sits at the centre, and everything else supports it'.

It's been launched by Scott Rapson, who grew up in the Scottish Highlands and fell in love with music around the time of the arrival of hip hop in the early 80s.

He then spent time travelling for raves, and visiting venues like Glasgow’s Sub Club and London’s Plastic People, giving Scott an appreciation for how 'music can shape a room, not just fill it'.

Scott and his partner Laurie have then spent the past three years travelling Europe, visiting listening bars across the continent to shape the foundations of Pardon Me.

Inside Pardon Me in Farsley

Cocktails at Pardon Me — Inside Pardon Me in Farsley

They say that sound, look, atmosphere, service and style are treated with equal importance.

Whether it's for coffee during the day, or drinks into the evening, they want Pardon Me to be a place to spend time, looking out across Sunny Bank Mills.

Scott says he's built the bar with the support of family and friends, plus Laurie helping to bring the idea to life, already finding a warm welcome within the Farsley community.

Pardon Me is open now at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley.

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Featured image: Supplied