Wrapping up the year with one of the most exciting openings we’ve seen in a very long time, it’s Federal.
You've most likely heard us talk about Federal more times than we'd care to admit, but trust us when we say it's all for good reason.
Federal is an Australian-style cafe made famous in Manchester, you'll often see snaking queues forming out the doors of their three locations dotted around the city.
They announced a few months ago that their first location outside of Manchester would be here in Leeds, and we were very glad that they did.
And now it's finally here, Federal is now open on Boar Lane bringing a slice of sunshine to the city centre.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right, so what can you expect?
It's pretty simple - brilliant brunch dishes, banging coffee and maybe the friendliest service we've ever experienced.
Food wise you're spoilt for choice, their French toast is fluffy and perfectly sweet, the steak and eggs juicy and rich and the halloumi and shrooms on sourdough is drenched in their signature Federal sauce which you've got to try out for yourselves. We'd drink it if we could.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
But speaking of drinks, as well as coffee they serve fabulous matcha lattes in a can, fresh juices and even a few cocktails if you're really looking to get the party started.
We can really see this place becoming our new favourite hangout, whether we’re scooping up a quick coffee before the train or getting stuck into brunch with the girlies on a weekend.
So next time you're after a banging brunch to set you up for the day ahead, try out Federal and we can guarantee your day will be that little bit brighter.
Whether your hangover cravings are a full english or a stacked tower of pancakes, we've found the best places in Leeds to visit to cure your hangover.
Look, we've all been there. A hangover is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you use it as an opportunity to pig out on some delicious food the next day.
Luckily, the Leeds food scene is full of salty, chocolately, carb-loaded dishes that will sort you right out. So grab some paracetamol and some water and head to one of our top picks to get rid of your hangover.
Fat Hippo
Fat Hippo, Otley Road, Headingley and Boar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after proper dirty, stacked, greasy burgers to get your chops around - then the answer is, and always will be, Fat Hippo burger. Forget about calories, and get stuck in.
Find them in Headingley and in the city centre on Boar Lane.
Federal
Boar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Pretty much anything at this Aussie-inspired brunch spot will cure your heavy head, but our personal favourite is the steak and eggs. Perfectly pink and dripping in gooey egg yolk, it's a complete winner.
Nothing will soak up the sins of yesterday more than a stack of fluffy American pancakes. Top them off with crispy streaky bacon and super sweet maple syrup, and you can kiss that hangover goodbye.
At Moose you'll also find plenty of other hangover cures like huevos rancheros and fluffy french toast.
Meat:Stack
Bishopgate Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Another one for the burger lovers, this Newcastle-born indie spot serve up some banging smash burgers, milkshakes, tenders and loaded fries. It's a gamble whether this will make you feel better or worse to be honest, but it's a risk we're willing to take.
Homeboy Pizza
Burley Road
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The way to cure a hangover? Carbs, carbs and more carbs. So you can't go wrong with one of the best pizzas in Leeds at Homeboy Pizza. Order it straight to your house so you don't even have to get changed out of your pyjamas.
Alfonso's Deli
Grand Arcade
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You can't go wrong with a proper hefty sub sandwich on a hangover, and Alfonso's is serving up the best in the business. They also do some incredible breakfast bagels that paired with a strong coffee will have you back on form in no time.
Souvlaki's Corner
Dixon Lane, Leeds
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If you're looking for something a little bit lighter then get your hands on a gyro from Souvlaki's Corner. This way you've got your meat and carbs, but you're also getting a few veggies to make you feel better about yourself. A win if you ask us.
House of Koko
Oakwood, Chapel Allerton and Leeds city centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
When I say hangover, you say brunch. And there's no where better than the brunch GOAT's, House of Koko.
Turkish eggs, French toast, stacked breakfast burgers, you name it and they've absolutely got it. Oh and obviously you've got to order their legendary hash browns, we don't make the rules. Washed down with a Bloody Mary and you'll be ready to get back in the pub.
Noodlesta
Blenheim Terrace
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Now I don't know about you, but on a hangover there's nothing that sorts me out more than a steaming hot bowl of spicy noodles. And the only place to go for this is Noodlesta where they pull your noodles fresh to order.
Located right opposite the University of Leeds' Parkinson Steps, students - this one is specifically for you after a late one at the student's union.
Chinese Salt & Pepper
New Market Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
When you're a bit worse for wear, salt and pepper chips are always the answer. This new hatch in the centre of town are serving up stacked boxes full of crispy chips, springs rolls and wontons all tossed in that magical seasoning dust that's got us in a chokehold.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
There’s a restaurant in Leeds serving hand-pulled noodles made fresh to order
Clementine Hall
If you're after some seriously delicious, chewy noodles - then Noodlesta is the place to be.
When the weather is a bit chilly outside there's really nothing better than a steaming hot bowl of noodles.
In a rich broth, in sizzling oil, topped with tender meat or packed with veg - we'll take the lot.
Noodlesta is an unassuming restaurant located on Blenheim Terrace directly opposite the University of Leeds' Parkinson Steps.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's completely no frills, with bench seating and one menu plastered on the wall behind the till where you make your order.
But you can't deny that the food is brilliant, and the packed-out restaurant full of students at 11am when the doors have just opened proves just that.
It's not often you can get hand-made noodles made fresh to order, but that's exactly what you're getting here.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Chef George pulls them in front of your very eyes into various shapes, from flat chewy noodles to thin round ones, you can trust that George can make it happen. It's quite a sight to behold too.
They're cooked perfectly, still maintaining that satisfying bite to them and the toppings, you can tell, are handled with just as much care as the noodles themselves.
We tried the braised beef brisket noodles (where the beef basically melted in your mouth) and the tomato with egg thin noodles, and they’ve got to be some of the best we’ve had in Leeds - hands down.
Clementine Hall -
15th December 2025 
