Just around the corner from Leeds train station, this new underground cocktail speakeasy is well worth checking out.
Called Underbelly, it's tucked away underneath Friends of Ham - a little gem in its own right with a delicious menu of cheese toasties, delicious things on toast, charcuterie, and cheese boards.
Open on the weekends only, this gorgeous little drinking den is easy to miss but well worth seeking out.
Underbelly can be found underneath Friends of Ham / Image: Friends of Ham
Serving up some fabulous cocktails that you just can't get your hands on in the restaurant upstairs, choices on the menu include classics such as espresso martinis, daiquiris, margaritas and negronis alongside some signature 'Underbelly twists'.
The twists menu features a twist on the classic French martini, or as they're calling it here a 'Parisienne martini', made with plantation pineapple rum as the base alongside raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice.
There's also a divine sounding Pedro's iced tea, perfect in a heatwave, made with Element 29 vodka, Portobello Road gin, curacao, lemon and smoked cola and Pedro Ximinez sherry.
The Delirium Old Fashioned, made with Wild Turkey Rye and a Delirium red syrup / Image: Underbelly
Give it to me now. We also like the look of the afternoon tea, a sweet tea infused gin concoction made with added lemon, apple presse and soda. The perfect long and fruity drink on a hot day (and let's be honest, we've been having a lot of those lately).
Not for you? How about the Herbie's pub - another rum heavy cocktail made with Plantation Fiji, alongside watermelon, lime and pineapple juice, or the El Damasco, a tequila-based drink with apricots, lime and agave?
Last but not least, we have to talk about their Delirium old fashioned, which blends a red syrup made from the iconic Belgian beer with Wild Turkey's rye to create a distinct finish.
An example of some of the delicious charctuerie and cheese places on offer both upstairs and down / Image: Friends of Ham
Of course, if cocktails aren't for you (or maybe they're not for your friends), there is also a handful of beers on tap here including some bits from local brewery Kirkstall. Starting from £4.80 a pint, you should be pretty happy with the craft selection on offer.
Out favourite thing about Underbelly, though, has to be the fact that you can also order food from the restaurant upstairs - a charcuterie board and those bar snacks are the perfect set-up for a night of drinking if you ask us.
Find Underbelly underneath Friends of Ham at 4-8 New Station St, Leeds LS1 5DL.
Feature image - Friends of Ham.
Eats
New Sheffield pizzeria named one of the world’s best
A Sheffield pizzeria has been named one of the world’s best in a prestigious global ranking.
Forbici, the restaurant where all pizzas are served with a pair of scissors, is the only northern pizzeria to be recognised at last week's Best Pizza Awards 2026.
The awards took place in Milan, and are said to be the Michelin equivalent of the pizza world.
Forbici was named as creating one of the world’s best pizzas, with its master chef recognised as one of the top pizza chefs in the world.
It’s one of just two UK pizzerias listed in the coveted top 100 this year.
Images: The Sheff
Forbici opened in Manchester back in 2024, and has since expanded across to lovely Sheffield on Millennium Square back in March.
It was also once named by Marco Pierre White as ‘the best pizza’ he’d ever had - quite an accolade.
Biga pizza dough at Forbici is slow-fermented to create a light, risen crust, before being topped with quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and Italian produce.
It also has a lot of northern flavour, thanks to local specials like the Lancashire Hotpot – a pizza topped with crisps.
And all pizzas are served with scissors, inspired by the pizzerias of Naples, to be cut into quarters.
Master baker Davide Argentino is a fifth-generation baker from Napoli. While his family runs two bakeries on his behalf back home, Davide brings a true taste of authentic Neapolitan pizza to the UK.
Commenting on the recognition, Davide said: “It is a huge honour for Forbici to be recognised as one of the best pizzerias in the world.
“Baking has been in my family for five generations, so this is a really proud moment. In crafting Forbici’s signature dough we challenged convention pushing the fermentation process to the limit. Every bite reflects the patience, precision and expertise behind our approach.
“This recognition belongs to our entire team, whose passion, skill and commitment to the craft of pizza-making make Forbici what it is every day.”
An intimate Japanese katsu bar with only 15 seats is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Chef Fern is taking on another venture, and this time it's all about Katsu.
If you know anything about the Leeds food scene, then you'll know the absolute legend that is Chef Fern.
Her first restaurant, Fern Modern Sushi, is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Known for their expertly crafted sushi made with only the freshest fish on offer.
Nestled in the Central Arcade, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant captured the hearts of many foodies since opening in 2024.
This year, Chef Fern set her sights on another restaurant on Vicar Lane.
Image: O Katsu
Tori Nori opened just a couple of months ago, a modern Japanese grill centred around the fiery robata where guests can watch the chefs cook everything from grilled fish to delicious yakitori skewers right in front of their very eyes.
Unsurprisingly, Tori Nori has also been a huge hit.
But there's just no stopping Fern as she goes on to open yet another restaurant in the city centre.
Introducing O Katsu, an intimate restaurant with only 15 covers serving premium katsu.
Katsu is basically a breaded, deep-fried piece of meat, seafood or vegetables. Served with steaming hot rice, shredded cabbage, miso soup and dipping sauces, it's nothing short of delicious and a popular meal enjoyed in Japan.
We don't know much abut the opening just yet, but what we do know is that it'll be located just opposite her first restaurant in the Central Arcade.
There will be no bookings, and the space will feature an open kitchen so guests can watch the magic happen.
One things for sure, if Chef Fern is involved you just know it's going to be brilliant. We'll keep you updated on the opening of O Katsu as and when we find out.
Georgina Pellant -
23rd July 2021 
