The warmer weather and the longer nights have got us all craving an ice cold glass of sangria, so here's five of the best places to grab one in Leeds.
Sangria - the perfect fruity beverage which just screams lazy summer afternoons in the sun with friends.
Originating in Spain, the delicious punch usually consists of wine, chopped fruit and brandy or vermouth and is the ultimate shareable thirst-quencher.
Even the satisfying sound of the wooden spoon mixing the ice and fresh fruit together is enough to get our mouths watering, so we've cherry picked a few of our favourite spots in the city where you can enjoy a glass, or a jug, or jugs.
Bomba Paella
1 Saw Mill St, Holbeck
Image: Bomba Paella
Bomba Paella is an independent Spanish restaurant and tapas bar located in Holbeck, Leeds.
They’re known for serving up authentic paella and a range of classic tapas dishes so you can get your Spanish fix right here in Leeds – and of course with that comes amazing sangria, right?
They serve up sangria by the glass or by the jug, in white, red or rose. Laden with fresh fruit and served ice cold, it's the perfect tipple to share amongst friends on their gorgeous outdoor terrace. Oh, and they also host a bottomless brunch with bottomless sangria, weekend plans sorted? We think so.
El Gato Negro is a fantastic little neighbourhood tapas spot located on Park Row. Not only do they serve up brilliant sangria but they have fantastic deals on tapas dishes throughout the week.
So if you fancy a casual, Spanish-inspired lunch then this is the place to be. We recommend the Cava Sangria, a sparkling wine concoction topped with fresh fruit, limoncello and lemonade - we challenge you to find a more refreshing drink in all of Leeds.
They only serve one style of sangria, but boy oh boy do they do it well. The Classic Sangria is jam packed with seasonal fresh fruit, orange juice, cinnamon, red wine and lemonade. A special drink for a special occasion.
A much-loved independent restaurant in Leeds has announced it will be closing its doors.
Kuala Lumpur Cafe opened its doors in Headingley in 2019 by Bart and Hirman, who wanted to bring authentic Malaysian cooking to the city of Leeds.
Throughout the years, they'd built up a reputation for their beautiful curries and vibrant street food dishes, all of which were made using Hirman's family recipes.
So much so, that in 2024 they opened a kitchen inside White Cloth Hall in the city centre when the Grade II listed food hall first opened.
Their kitchen sadly closed a year later, but their Headingley restaurant remained open serving the students and locals with their famous beef rendang, nasi lemak and more.
Sadly, Kuala Lumpur Cafe have taken to social media to announce that they will be closing their doors for good as of this Saturday 17 October.
Their statement reads: "Thank you to all our customers and team that made Kuala Lumpur Cafe possible across the last few years. After a long consideration, we have decided that our last trading day will be Saturday 17 October.
"If you have a booking after this date, we'll be calling you over the next few days to try to move it to an earlier date before we close.
"It's been our pleasure to serve Malaysian food to the community. Best regards, KL Cafe."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, local businesses and customers flocked to the comments to express their sadness and show their support.
One comment reads: "Such a shame. This was genuinely the best Malay food I had outside of Malaysia. Will be missed greatly", whilst another thanks the cafe for "all the delicious food over the years".
If you want to visit Kuala Lumpur Cafe one last time, then you have until this Saturday to do so. Go and wish them a proper farewell.
A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb
Clementine Hall
After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.
They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.
Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.
New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.
And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.
Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.
So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.
Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.
Clementine Hall -
20th June 2023 
