The best things to do during the week and long weekend.
Yet again, it's a busy week in Leeds, despite being a five day week (we could get used to these four day ones). Whether you're celebrating pay day at the weekend or looking forward to some R&R as the kids return to school, we've rounded up all the best things going on in and around Leeds to get involved in.
Keep reading to find out what our top picks of things to do in Leeds are.
Sukhothai 2002 menu
Regent Street Chapel Allerton | Tuesday 26 April – Sunday 1 May 2022.
Image: PGHL
It’s been 20 years since much-loved Thai restaurant Sukhothai opened its doors for the very first time. To celebrate their milestone anniversary, the restaurant is throwing it back to 2002 and bringing back their original menu to celebrate.
Dishes making a comeback include the Gae Kiew Wan Gata Lon, succulent lamb stir-fried with green curry paste, sweet basil, lime leaves, green beans and chilli, served on a sizzling hot plate. The Som Tum Supparod Pla Tod consists of crispy haddock served with a spicy Som Tum salad and fruity pineapple.
Tuesday 26 April – Sunday 15 May 2022. Find out more here.
90s Bottomless Brunch at Manahatta
Merrion Street, Leeds city centre | Friday 29 April 2022
Image: Manahatta
Introducing a one-off bottomless brunch to the menu, Manahatta is set to host a boozy experience that’ll bring the likes of the Spice Girls, Barbie and TLC back to the DJ deck. Fancy dress is optional but encouraged: think scrunchies, crimped hair and sporadic neon and acid wash designs are likely to make an appearance on Greek Street, Merrion Street and in Headingley during this bottomless 90s party- the only rule Manahatta impose is ‘No Scrubs’.
Manahatta Headingley, Merrion St in Leeds and York will all host the 90s bottomless on Friday 29 April 2022 at 19.30pm, whilst those visiting the nearby city of Harrogate will have to wait until Sunday 1 May at 16.30pm to pair their old crimpers and capri pants with cocktails and Coors. Tickets cost from £30.95, but are extremely limited, so booking is heavily advised.
Royal Armouries, Leeds Dock | Saturday 30 April 2022
Image: Sausage and Cider Festival
There’s a multitude of flavours, spices, sizes and shapes on offer at the Sausage and Cider Festival and Leeds’ foodies are encouraged to take advantage of the vast options available. Hosted at Royal Armouries for a one-day-only festival, meet meat lovers and cider conesseuirs alike.
If that’s not enough, local musicians and some of the UK’s best tribute acts will be taking to the stage to keep visitors on their feet all afternoon and evening long. The final tickets are now on sale and with many slots now filled, you will be more limited if you’re booking last minute. From £15 each, find out which tickets are still available on the Sausage and Cider Festival website.
Waterlane Boat House, | Saturday 30 April – Sunday 1 May 2022
Image: Sabroso Street
This three day event will have plenty to tuck into all bank holiday weekend. Each day food, live music and the all important tequila shots will be lined up from 12pm, with free entry all day long. Bringing the food to Waterlane Boat House on the Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May is Sabroso Street, a causal Mexican in Farsley that’s big on flavour.
Produced in the highlands of the Jalisco Mountains in Mexico, Cazcabel Tequila is a Blue Weber Agave crafted spirit that’ll provide the perfect shot for the occasion. This said, they’re pretty passionate about tall drinks and cocktails too, so we imagine the pop-up Cazabel bar will stock everything needed to make the perfect sunny afternoon tipple: whatever your preference.
Saturday 30 April - Monday 2 May 2022. Find out more here.
SALT Leeds Bottomless Brunch
East Parade, Leeds City Centre | Sunday 1 May 2022
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Opting for a sophisticated selection of cheese and charcuterie, SALT has joined forces with The Cheesy Living Co., a local independent that strive to bring the tastiest, smelliest and most exciting cheeses from around the world to our city. Drinkswise, choose from classic sunshine-inspired drinks like Aperol Spritz and Blood Orange Margaritas alongside gin-infused Bramble cocktails and free-flowing Prosecco. Lager lovers will be delighted to see both Jute Session IPA and Yøn lager on the bottomless menu too.
Launching during the May bank holiday on Sunday 1 May with the added advantage of a Monday off-work the following day, the SALT Leeds City bottomless brunch is available at the set times of 12pm, 12.30pm, 1pm and 1.30pm, each lasting ninety minutes each with a cost of £34.95 per person.
Temple Arches, Leeds City Centre | Thursday 28 April – Sunday 1 May 2022.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
After a full line-up over Easter weekend, the newly-renovated Chow Down will be hosting a range of incredible events until September, there’s going to be so much to enjoy for 2022 at Temple Arches.
Hosting a summer themed haven with a new food village, three-tier sun terrace, DJ huts and crazy golf: Chow Down is the giant beer garden with far more to offer than just drinks. A nine-hole alfresco crazy golf course is making an appearance for the very first time for those looking to make a tee whilst sipping on cocktails and pints in the sunshine.
Of course, Chow Down’s foodie line-up is equally as important to Leeds as its musical headliners, and this year, there’s plenty of new street food to tempt you over to Temple Arches too.
Thursday 14 April – Saturday 30 April 2022. Find out more here.
Feature
The best bakeries in Leeds serving everything from crusty loaves to flakey croissants
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Fat Pigeon Bakery
406 Broad Lane, Leeds LS13 3DF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Pigeon is a micro-bakery in Bramley that opens every Saturday to queues of adoring fans. And it’s no surprise why, as here you’ll find some of the very best bakes - from croissants to cinnamon buns - that Leeds has to offer. Oh, and owner Ruth is about as lovely as they come too.
Fold
62 Brussels Street, LS9 8AB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the absolute masterminds behind The Cheesy Living Co. comes Fold, a hidden bakery serving up from under the arches every Saturday morning.
You can get your chops around their famous focaccia, stuffed sausage rolls, cookies, sarnies, bagels and the creme de le creme for us: the foot-long three-cheese twist.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
These guys have really made a mark for themselves since opening, and have cured all of LS6’s sweet tooth cravings and caffeine fixes.
You'll find everything from stacked brownies and blondies to incredible red velvet cookie pies, and how could we forget their savoury options too?
Chunk
174 Kirkstall Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
The Leeds Chilli Shop selling sauces so hot they come with a warning
Clementine Hall
If you think you can handle your spice, then there’s one shop in Leeds that will put that to the test.
Tucked away on Merrion Street, Chilli Shop has been a staple of the Leeds high street for over a decade.
First opening back in 2014, Chilli Shop was founded by Frank Jay and has built a reputation as one of the city’s most wonderfully niche (and hottest) destinations.
It's basically a shrine to all things hot, a proper haven of everything spicy to get your tastebuds tingilng.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking everything from chilli hot sauces and jams to chocolate, cheese, dried chillies and even novelty gifts perfect for the chilli lover in your life.
But what they're most famous for is a shelf fully dedicated to the Youtube hit Hot Ones, a show where celebrities are pushed to the limit and served hot wings coated in a variety of hot sauces from mild to blow-your-head-off hot.
So if you've ever watched that show and wanted to have a go yourself, this shop stocks all the sauces so you can be the star of your own Hot Ones episode.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Best of all, you can try before you buy. Free, heat-rated tasters are available, meaning you can work your way up from “that’s got a bit of a kick” to “I can no longer feel my face”.
We can't promise there's any milk or ice cream on hand though, so get tasting at your own risk.
So whether you’re looking for a new sauce, a spicy gift for your mate or simply want to discover exactly how much pain your tastebuds can withstand, the Chilli Shop is one Leeds independent that deserves a visit.
Sophie Smith -
24th April 2022 
