The news has been out for a few months that POCO Sicilian is coming to Leeds city centre - but now all we need to do is count down the days.
The team have just announced the new location of POCO Sicilian Street Food - and us based in the city centre are in for a treat.
Opening on Friday 9 June, the much-loved Italian street food venue will be taking over a kiosk spot on Lands Lane in Leeds city centre.
Located slap bang in the heart of the city, the new POCO will take over the former Yorkshire Bank unit and bringing copious amounts of pizza al taglio to the masses in the process.
Image: POCO Sicilian / The Hoot Leeds
The team never fail to have a huge selection of eat, including pizza slices with flavours that change by the day: the vegan slice with mushrooms, peppers and copious amounts of spinach is a standout favourite, but there’s everything from ham and potato slices to fennel sausage to choose from. The menu doesn’t stop there, choose from lasagna, chicken and salads, calzone stuffed with ham or tomato and loads of cheese and some of the best arancini in the city (there, we said it). Those with a sweet tooth will love the bombolones: soft and fluffy Italian donuts with creamy icing and custard running through the middle – but that’s not all. Be sure to check out the cannoli or marzipan shapes on offer too.
With two sites in Headingley and Kirkstall, foodies flocking to the suburbs for quite some time now- but now there’s going to be another spot to grab your slice of authentic Sicilian treats.
The team announced the news with the following statement:
"Poco Leeds City Centre Opening Party. We have the date, guys!
"FRIDAY, JUNE 9th, from 12PM until 2PM (or until we run out of food so you better hurry!) 24a Lands Lane, Leeds City Centre, LS1 6LB
"Come say hi, meet the team, check out our brand new kiosk and enjoy all your Poco favourites ON THE HOUSE!
"That’s your Friday lunch sorted (we will be serving a cheeky Prosecco too - it’s Friday, after all)
"So guys please find a minute in your busy schedule this Friday lunchtime and come see us in the city centre. And tell your friends about the opening too. We really need all your support
"After the party on Friday, we are planing to open for business from Saturday June 10th, working hours to be confirmed.
"The first week will be a soft opening as we still need to finish off some bits. So, please bear with us, we are nearly there!
"And see you all (hopefully) this Friday, June 9th for the Opening Party!
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Sophie Smith -
6th June 2023 
