Eats

Federal confirms opening date for Leeds location with 1,000 FREE drinks up for grabs

One of the most exciting new arrivals in the city.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 2nd December 2025

Manchester's famous Antipodean cafe and brunch spot, Federal, has finally confirmed its opening date here in Leeds.

Better still, they're giving away a whopping 1,000 completely FREE drinks to celebrate.

For anyone unfamiliar with the favourite Anzac brand, which already has three different and equally busy branches in Manchester - not to mention a pop-up in Altrincham Market - it brings Australian and New Zealand cuisine to the bustling city centre.

Some of you might not know much about Aussie and Kiwi food (many of us didn't before we first visited this place, to tell the truth), but with unreal eggs, bagels, bakes, coffees and more, there's plenty of 'tucker' to tuck into.

Credit: The Hoot

Confirming their first-ever Leeds location back in the summer, the brand wrote on social media: "Choosing Leeds as our first cafe outside of Manchester felt like the natural next step...

"Leeds has the same buzz and a growing independent brunch scene similar to Manchester. We don’t expand for the sake of it; we wait for the right time and the right energy for Federal!

"Everything we do is fuelled by passion for great brunch, great coffee and crafting the perfect space to ensure every one of our guests leaves brighter."

They said it themselves: they've been waiting for the right time to set the date, and giving Yorkshire an early Christmas present sounds as good a time as any to us.

Now 11 years on from their first site opening in Manchester city centre, Federal lands in Leeds on Monday, 15 December.

Better still, they'll be celebrating their first weekend in the region with the aforementioned free drinks.

They're even promising some exclusive Leeds-centric merch and a special new martini inspired by the city, too...

Opening doors to their new venue at 34 Boar Lane on Saturday and Sunday from 8am, there'll be a total of 1,000 free coffees available to the public.

Speaking ahead of the Leeds launch, Ribeiro said: “We’re incredibly excited to officially
announce 15 December as our opening date. There’s a real buzz around Federal coming to Leeds, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in.

“Leeds shares so much of the energy we love about Manchester, a thriving independent scene and a genuine passion for great food and coffee.

"Bringing Federal to Yorkshire feels like the perfect next chapter, and we’re gearing up for an amazing launch."

See you in the queues - which, by the way, you can soon expect to line up almost every weekend for the foreseeable future.

@the.manc Canned iced drinks including matcha, Milo and lattes just dropped in Manchester 😱 📍 @Federal Cafe & Bar on Deansgate #themanc #manc #manchester #federalcafe #matcha #matchalover #icedlatte #milo #mcr ♬ Sauti - Francis Mercier & Faul & Wad & African Children's Choir

Read more:

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Eats

The popular Manchester brunch spot serving all things viral is coming to Leeds  

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A brunch spot made famous across the pond is opening a site in Leeds.

If you're a fiend for all things brunch, then this news is going to get you a little bit excited.

Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its innovative watermelon sandwiches.

Oh, and they also went viral for serving a Labubu French Toast...but we'll let the photos do the talking on that one.

Images: The Manc Group

They've currently got one site in Manchester city centre with one more almost ready to open its doors, and now they're making their way across the Pennines and opening their first Yorkshire cafe right here in Leeds. Aren't we lucky.

Announcing the exciting news to Instagram, Bruncho said: "We’ve been keeping a HUGE SECRET, but now it’s finally time to share… LEEDS CITY CENTRE WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!!

"Keep your eyes peeled on our socials, we’ll be announcing our opening date SOON!!"

Images: The Manc Group

With queues constantly forming at their cafe in Deansgate, Manchester - we're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.

It's not the first brunch spot to make their way over, with Federal opening on Boar Lane earlier this year that has been packed out ever since.

We'll of course keep you in the loop with opening dates as and when we find out but for now, Bruncho we can't wait to welcome you to our city.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Manc Group


Eats

Where to find the best sandwiches in Leeds city centre and beyond

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

There’s nothing better than a good filling between two fluffy slices of bread, and we’re here to tell you the best places to find them in Leeds.

From hot roast sarnies and hefty subs as long as your arm, to solid breakfast butties and fluffy focaccias, if you’re a sandwich lover in Leeds then you’re well catered for.

Keep reading to find some of the best places to get a butty in Leeds and beyond.

Loosen your belts a little, folks.

Cheesy Living Co.

The Corn Exchange, Oakwood and Pudsey

Images: The Hoot Leeds

If you're working in the city and fancy something special for your lunch, then popping into The Corn Exchange to pay a visit to the legends at Cheesy Living Co. is just the thing.

Their fluffy focaccia is baked fresh every day and packed with their delicious cheeses, cured meats, local chutneys and topped with tangy pickles to take the edge of. Have in or takeaway, it's completely up to you.

Alfonso's

Grand Arcade

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Relatively new on the sandwich scene, Alfonso's Deli in the Grand Arcade is serving up ultimate toasted Cuban sandwiches as well as stacked subs. They're also dishing out unreal breakfast bagels which are the perfect hangover cure if you've had a couple the night before.

Silver's Deli

268 Stanningley Rd, Bramley, Leeds LS13 3BS

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Fancy a big fat hoagie as long as your arm? Then get yourself to Bramley as soon as possible.

The moment Silver's touched down on the Leeds food scene it's truly been the talk of the town ever since, with people flocking from far and wide to queue for their ridiculously delicious subs.

Stacked breakfast buns good enough to cure any hangover and New York-style hoagies all made using the very best, quality ingredients.

Here Comes The Bun

77 Otley Road, Headingley, LS6 3PS

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Just when you think you can’t love The Swine Bistro and the team behind it anymore, they relaunch their sandwich hatch, Here Comes The Bun.

Open on Fridays and Sunday, you can pre-order and get your mitts on a different sandwich every single week. Chef Paul is pulling out all the stops, think lamb merguez with harissa mayo, chicken fried steak and the ultimate brekkie buns all on homemade potato rolls

Granny G's

36 Wellington Street, LS1 2DE

Images: The Hoot Leeds

If fully-loaded subs get you going, then Granny G's inside Green Room is the one to beat.

Choose from shrimp po’boys, spicy deli meats, and our personal favourite - the OG chicken parm (which is 100% worth the mess).

Things In Bread

15 Boar Lane, LS1 6EN

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Things In Bread is now a proper Leeds classic, and their concept is perfectly simple. Classic sandwiches which you might find in your average meal deal but elevated to the next level.

The bread is specially created to make the best ever sandwich, crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, perfectly square and baked fresh on the daily. 

With a cracking selection of seasonal specials, you'll constantly be coming back for more to have a taste of what's new.

La Grassa

Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley

Images: The Hoot Leeds

From the team behind Stuzzi comes La Grassa, located inside Amity Brew Co. inside Sunny Bank Mills they're serving up everything Italian American. Expected sandwiches bigger than your for arm which pair perfectly with a pint or two.

Brød Sandwich Bar

31 Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3BB

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Brod sandwich bar is an institution. This family-run independent sandwich shop has been serving us hungry lot for 20 years now, filling our lunch hour with the tastiest, freshest sarnies that you can get your hands on.

Fully customisable with a HUGE range of ingredients, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and all at really affordable prices too.

Friends of Ham

4 - 8 New Station Street, LS1 5DL

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Friends of Ham don't just serve up banging charcuterie boards, but they're really good at serving unreal toasties too.

The sourdough is perfectly buttery and jam packed with layers of meat and salty, melted cheese. And of course served with a pile of pickles on the side for good measure.

Eat Your Greens

42 New York Street, LS2 7DY

Image: The Hoot Leeds

There's no denying we love this special spot that champion the very best local produce in everything they do, but their sandwiches are also seriously something to shout about.

Grab to go or savour every mouthful in their light drenched space. The flavours rotate with the season but if you have chance to sample the pork mince sandwich with black pudding, house smoked bacon and bunt apple ketchup then it'll be the best decision you have ever made.

Morty's Focacceria

White Cloth Hall

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Inside Leeds' newest food hall you'll find Morty's, a dough haven serving up Sicilian style slices and of course, sarnies.

These bad boys are made with freshly-made panuozzo bread that is baked on-site every single day, filled with two big stacks of fried mortadella and topped with melted provolone, mustard mayo, pickles and a drizzle of garlic oil.

You'll need a nap after, but it'll be worth it.

Shokupan

27 Wellington Street, LS1 4EA

Images: The Hoot Leeds

This absolute gem on Wellington Street are serving up delicious, Japanese katso sandos that you'll want to fit into your weekly routine.

Husband and wife team, Alan and Alison, took inspiration from trips around the world to bring Leeds a menu of delicious Japanese-inspired sandos on Shokupan- a Japanese milk bread known for its light, fluffy texture, golden crust and a subtly sweet flavour. 

Get a side of the crispy karaage chicken on the side too, you won't regret it.

Livett's Coffee Shop

6 St. Peters Square, LS98AH⁠

Image: The Hoot Leeds

If you're round that side of town, then grabbing a sarnie from Livett's is a no brainer.

There’s a flavour combo for everyone to get their chops around, from fresh Caprese, Falafel and Houmous, and a packed out Italian Deli sub. ⁠But keep your eyes pealed because these flavours are always changing.
⁠
All served on a satisfyingly soft demi baguette from the best of the best, Balzersen Bakery, and made fresh daily, you already know these bad boys will blow your bog standard meal deal out of the water.⁠

Read more: One of Leeds’ best brunch spots has a brand new menu – and it’s absolutely banging

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

More Eats

Eats

A Japanese-inspired cafe serving spam sandos and traditional tonkatsu has opened in Leeds

Eats

Vinyl-only 1970s-inspired cocktail bar coming to Leeds from team behind some of the city’s best bars

Eats

Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years