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Eats

Huge Latin American rooftop bar and restaurant to open in Leeds

A rooftop hacienda is coming.

Daisy Jackson - 28th January 2025

Leeds is set to get a new rooftop restaurant this year, with a stunning new Latin American venue just announced.

Azotea, set to open this spring, will be taking up a space on the 12th floor of Sovereign Square, promising sweeping views of the Leeds skyline.

The restaurant will be taking inspiration from 33 countries across Latin America, whether it's Mexican street food or the vibrant grills of Brazil.

The Azotea team say their inspiration comes from traditional haciendas - expect Latin flavours, music and dance.

Describing itself as an urban rooftop Oasis, the brand-new spot will have both an indoor restaurant space as well as two outdoor terraces.

Azotea is a new rooftop bar and restaurant coming to Leeds in 2025

Jared Webb, Head Chef at Azotea, said: "This opening is sure to be an exciting addition to Leeds city centre.

"Azotea’s atmospheric rooftop setting is expected to be a jewel in the Leeds crown and the most talked about restaurant opening in 2025.

"With the news of a number of restaurant closures over recent months, a vibrant new rooftop restaurant and bar with authentic Latin cuisine and entertainment is exactly what Leeds needs right now, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Azotea."

Azotea's rooftop bar and restaurant will open in Leeds city centre in March 2025.

You can see the latest HERE.

Read more: Famous Louisiana fried chicken chain Popeyes is coming to Leeds city centre

Featured image: Supplied

Eats

Five of the best new openings in Leeds recently – from ice bath cafes to listening bars

Clementine Hall

It's been a brilliant couple of months for new openings in Leeds.

We don't know about you, but we think our city is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment.

There's been a flurry of new spots opening up, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out.

But first, allow us to tell you all about them...

Domo

Tower works, 2 Globe Rd, Holbeck, LS11 5QG

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Introducing Domo, an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.

Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.

Located right on the water's edge, we've got a feeling this is going to be our go-to spot this summer for long lunches fuelled by spritzes.

Read more: A look inside Leeds’ first Sardinian restaurant serving soul food on the water’s edge

Made Matcha

165 Lower Briggate, LS1 6LY

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Also born in Sheffield, this one's for the matcha lovers and we know there's a lot of you. Think iced banana bread matcha, superfood smoothies and refreshing acai bowls served in a super cool setting.

Kontrast

84-86 Railway Street, Saxton Gardens, LS9 8HB⁠

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

After already making a big name for themselves over in Manchester, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath cafe concept over to Leeds.
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Located under the railway arches, Kontrast features two traditional saunas, one infrared sauna, and four ice baths, each varying in temperature between three and 13 degrees. It's the perfect space to enjoy solo or with a group of like-minded wellness-loving people.⁠

Read more: Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch

Pardon Me

Sunny Bank Mills, Pudsey LS28 5UJ

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Scott and his partner have opened the coolest, 70's inspired record bar that is full of his massive record collection alongside a carefully curated cocktail menu with a twist.⁠
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With the best view of Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is just the most chilled out place to watch the world go by whilst sipping on a coffee or a glass of wine whilst hearing everything from hip hop and soul to deep house, and disco. We loved our visit and we know you will too.⁠

Read more: Inside Pardon Me – Leeds’ newest neighbourhood record bar inspired by Japan

Silver's Bakehouse

62 Town Street, Farsley, LS28 5LF

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

We all know and bloody love Silver's Deli over in Bramley, but now they’ve branched out to Farsley and opened the wonderful their very own bakery which is already a sell-out.

The all-new neighbourhood bakehouse is slinging out the likes of homemade focaccia, buttermilk brownies, sausage rolls, cookies, tiramisu and, of course, the ever-so-famous sandos but this time in homemade, fluffy focaccia.

Read more: Inside Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli

Featured images - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

The best restaurants in Yorkshire named at prestigious National Restaurant Awards

Clementine Hall

The best restaurants in the UK have been named at the National Restaurant Awards – and Yorkshire has done pretty well for itself.

The prestigious awards took place last night, listing the top 100 places to eat in the entire UK.

Four restaurants in Yorkshire managed to make it into the top 100 of the country’s best restaurants.

Coming in at a very impressive number 13 is Sheffield restaurant JÖRO, who's year has gone from accolade to accolade after being awarded none other than a Michelin star back in February.

Often hailed as the city's best restaurant, JÖRO is run by husband-and-wife team Luke French and Stacey Sherwood.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

They recently relocated into a bigger space near the edge of the Peak District in Oughtibridge, which has allowed them to expand their offerings.

Here's what the judges had to say: 'A much larger and better-equipped kitchen has allowed French - whose CV includes Midsummer House in Cambridge - to evolve his already finely-tuned and distinctive cooking style.'

JÖRO announced the news to Instagram, saying: "To be sat in a room filled with incredible people from across the industry is truly inspiring and being listed is something our younger selves only dreamed of achieving."

Over in Leeds, beloved neighbourhood bistro Bavette placed at number 83 where owners Sandy and Clement stated they were "Over the moon" to have made it onto the list.

Elsewhere in Yorkshire, The Angel at Hetton came in at number 47 being declared as a 'Yorkshire institution' whilst The Star Inn at Harome took number 78 as one of the first pubs in England to be awarded a Michelin star.

To read the full list of the top 100 restaurants, visit The National Restaurant Award's website.

Read more: Beloved Leeds bistro ‘over the moon’ after being named one of the best restaurants in the UK

Featured image - JÖRO