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Five of the most exciting new openings coming to Leeds City Centre this year

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Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 10th September 2025

We're almost into the last quarter of the year, and it's safe to say 2025 is leaving the best til last.

Although Leeds has seen some heartbreaking closures this year, we've also had a massive influx of new openings that we've loved welcome to the city.

And it's not stopping just yet, as we delve into the final few months of the year there's plenty of new spots ready to open their doors.

From high end shops in the Victoria Quarter to brunch spots famed over in Manchester making their way across the Pennines, we've handpicked five new openings coming to Leeds this year.

Federal

Boar Lane

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Federal, one of the most popular brunch spots in Manchester, is set to open its very first Leeds cafe...and we absolutely cannot wait.

Established in the iconic Northern Quarter in 2014, Federal is inspired by Kiwi and Aussie neighbourhood cafés, and has built a global reputation for serving exceptional
coffee, standout brunch dishes and offering a warm, welcoming service.

The new 1,500 sq ft Leeds venue will seat 70 guests and will be located on Boar Lane, expect queues out the door and us firmly stood at the very front.

Read more: Manchester’s favourite brunch cafe, Federal, announce exciting expansion to Leeds

HYGGE

Woodhouse Lane

Images: The Hoot Leeds

HYGGE, the much-loved Sheffield-based brunch and coffee spot, is setting up shop right here in Leeds.

Located on Woodhouse Lane, the new 2,000 sq. ft venue will be HYGGE’s fourth site and its first outside of Sheffield. Known for its inviting, chilled out atmosphere, HYGGE has become a staple for Sheffield students and locals alike.

Offering a selection of artisan coffees, matches and smoothies as well as a perfectly curated brunch menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Trust us, you're going to love it.

Read more: Beloved Scandinavian-inspired cafe to open first Leeds branch at the Merrion Centre

Madre

Wellington Street

Image: The Manc Group

The north’s favourite Mexican is bringing not one, but two venues to Leeds City Centre this summer. Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street.

And not only that but Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, will open just around the corner. Now that’s a double whammy we can get behind.

Read more: Manchester’s favourite Mexican restaurant and bar, Madre, is opening two venues in Leeds this summer

Alo

The Victoria Quarter

Image: Publicity Picture

For all your yoga bunnies, this one’s for you. The luxury activewear brand is opening one of its first stores outside of London right here in Leeds. Taking over the old Ted Baker site, it’s going to be a big one too.

Read more: Luxury beauty brand to open first UK store outside of London right here in Leeds

Dough Club

Burley Road

Images: The Manc Group

Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.

Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they'll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.

Read more: Manchester’s favourite Detroit-style pizza shop set to open in Leeds

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.

It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.

Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.

Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.

Food and drink from Salon Madre in Manchester.
Image: The Manc Group

Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.

There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.

If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.

Images: The Manc Group

Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”

Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.

We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.

Read more:

Featured image - The Manc Group

Eats

Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.

Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.

Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.

To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.

But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.

Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by emba (@embagastrobar)

She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.

"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.

"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."

She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”

Emba will remain open until Saturday 1 March.

Read more:

Featured image - Emba

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