Eats

Five of the hottest new openings coming to Leeds before the end of the year

How lucky are we?

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 18th November 2025

We may be coming to the end of the year, but there's still plenty of new arriving in the city before 2025 is over.

It's safe to say we've have some fabulous new openings touch down in the city this year.

From new pubs by the canal to Scandinavian-inspired cafes, we really have been very lucky.

But we're not done just yet, as there's more to come before the year is out and we're here to tell you about five that we're most excited about.

So, let's see what's making its way to Leeds shall we...

Pop Mart

78 Briggate

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Leeds Labubu lovers (try saying that three times), your beloved Pop Mart is on its way.

Pop Mart has officially been granted permission for alterations and the fitting of a new sign for the building at 78 Briggate. So get ready, as the viral toy and collectables shop is just around the corner.

Read more: Pop Mart is officially coming to Leeds as store is approved for Briggate

Vinyl Grounds

30 Central Road

‘Vinyl Grounds’ will be serving up three of our favourite things rolled into one – coffee, wine and vinyl.

The brain child of Saroop and Jay, two Leeds locals with a passion for starting a business, the new spot is currently undergoing major renovation with an aim to open at the end of November.

So, what can we expect from Vinyl Grounds? During the day Vinyl Grounds will be a place to work or sit back and relax with friends whilst enjoying a fabulous coffee or matcha, all to the soundtrack of some smooth jazz played via vinyl of course.

Read more: A trendy new coffee and wine vinyl bar is set to open in Leeds City Centre

Once Upon A Vine

Otley Road, Headingley

Image: Once Upon A Vine

Once Upon A Vine is a gorgeous independent wine shop and bar nestled in Horsforth, known for its fabulous tasting room and cheese boards to match.

And after applying for a license to open in Headingley that has just been approved, they’re about to open their second site on Otley Road.

The Victoria

Great George Street

Image: Supplied

You may remember back in January 2024, two of Leeds beer powerhouses announced they’d be collaborating and bringing an iconic pub back to life. Well after a few set backs, it is finally happening.

Kirkstall Brewery and the owners of Whitelock’s Ale House are set to breathe new life into The Victoria & Commercial Pub on Great George Street, located behind Leeds Town Hall.

It is set to open this Christmas, and we absolutely cannot wait.

Read more: Kirkstall Brewery and Whitelock’s are joining forces to bring a legendary Leeds pub back to life

The Savvy Baker

Trinity Shopping Centre

Image: The Hoot Leeds

The Savvy Baker is opening its first ever city centre cafe, and we couldn’t be prouder.

The cafe will be located on Bond Street next to Boots, a stone’s throw away from the train station and Trinity Shopping Centre.

Of course you’ll be able to grab all your favourite brownies, blondies, cookies and other bakes, but there’s some other exciting stuff in the works too.

For the first time ever the shop will feature a dedicated cookie bakery where customers will be able to watch (and smell) all the magic happening through the window. How class is that?

Read more: The Savvy Baker is opening a cafe in Leeds City Centre

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds / Supplied / Once Upon A Vine

Eats

Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.

Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.

Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.

Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.

Images: The Manc Group

Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.

So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.

Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."

They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.

It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.

We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Manc Group

Eats

Leeds has been crowned the best city in the UK for foodies outside of London

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

It's fantastic news for our city as Leeds has been crowned one of the best cities in the UK for foodies.

It's news that we've been pretty certain of for some time, but it's still nice to be recognised isn't it?

It comes from a new study carried out by credit card brand Aqua who analysed 30 major UK cities across a range of dining and social media metrics, including cuisine variety, restaurant availability, meal affordability, Michelin recognition and TikTok hashtag volumes. 

Coming in at number on was, of course, London.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

With 47 cuisines, 22.5 restaurants per 10,000 residents and 81 Michelin-starred establishments, the capital unsurprisingly continues to dominate the UK’s culinary scene.

But in at number two was our glorious city of Leeds, supported by the highest restaurant density in the study, with 38.5 establishments per 10,000 people, and strong affordability compared with cities in the south.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

We will absolutely take that.

Other northern spots to feature on the list include Sheffield and Bradford in sixth and eighth place.

The top ten UK cities for foodies are:

  1. London
  2. Leeds
  3. Nottingham
  4. Edinburgh
  5. Wolverhampton / Leicester
  6. Sheffield
  7. Birmingham / Glasgow
  8. Bradford / Swansea
  9. Preston
  10. Milton Keynes

Here in Leeds we've got so many fabulous food spots, with new openings cropping up every month it's hard to keep track.

From the multi award-winning Bavette Bistro in Horsforth to the highly acclaimed indie Bundobust that started off in Leeds - you certainly won't find yourself hungry or at a loss for somewhere to eat here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds


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