Eats

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

We'll cheers to that.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 5th May 2026

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

Eats

Beloved Leeds bistro ‘over the moon’ after being named one of the best restaurants in the UK

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

It's just another accolade for Bavette as the neighbourhood bistro is crowned one of the best in the UK.

And they're just as excited as we are.

Voted for by the industry's best, the National Restaurant Awards include a list of the country's top 100 restaurants every single year.

Although the official awards ceremony and numbered list will take place in June, last week the restaurants that will be included received an adorable box of confetti through the post.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Bavette (@bavettebistro)

And one of our very own, unsurprisingly, received just that.

Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.

It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.

The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.

And now, they've earned themselves a coveted spot in the top 100 restaurants in the UK.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Here's what Bavette had to say after discovering the news: "Over the moon to get the news we’ve made it into @nationalrestaurantawards top 100 for this year.

"A list we’ve long since hugely admired and such a massive honour to make it this year. Voted for by industry grandees, the full list will be announced at their awards ceremony in June which we’ll be there for. Allez."

Congratulations Sandy, Clement and the wonderful team - this is absolutely so well deserved and we'll be cheering you on in June from the sidelines.

Read more: Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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