All your favourite pub classics are on the menu- but presented in a beautiful fine-dining style.
Known as one of the hidden gems of Thorner, Beehive is the country pub that's an absolute must-visit for any serious foodie in Leeds.
Located just 20 minutes from the city centre, the dining style here is 'unconventional twist on classic British dishes presented in a sophisticated way within a relaxed environment'- and it shows.
A range of seasonal produce form a small but clearly considered menu with copious Yorkshire cheese throughout (not that anyone is complaining).
Split into six sections, for starters and nibbles, snack on artisan bread ad oils with churned salted butter, confit garlic and aged balsamic, or opt to warm up your stomach with small plates of crab stuffed pasta parcels in a dill basque.
The Wild Pea Risoni is another home-grown dish: with Kalamata crumb, whipped ricotta and foraged cress from Thorner- it doesn't get much more local than that.
Wild pea risoni. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
This simple but sophisticated menu offerings extends onto the 'pub classics' and main course section. Between Wild Nettle Gnocchi and loin of Yorkshire lamb, you'll find the ultimate British staple: fish and chips.
Served as Ale battered market fish with beef dripping chips, this mouth-watering combo comes with both curry sauce and pea puree (so you never have to choose again), presented in a fine-dining splattering of pastel green.
Fish and chips. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Meat eaters will be delighted to see additional pub classics like Yorkshire sirloin on the menu, neighbouring the house-favourite, Beehive 6oz Burger.
Build high with pilings of saurkraut slaw, wild garlic mayo, crispy bacon and Harrogate blue cheese between layers of meat and brioche bun, this mammoth meal comes with fistfuls of fries on the side and still manages to deliver the same level of finesse in its presentation as the other dishes- a rarity for burgers.
The Beehive 6oz Burger. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
For those with a sweet tooth, there's plenty of Yorkshire classics to choose from.
Think Baked Rhubarb Cheesecake with rhubarb and custard compote, candied buckwheat and marigold, as well as a selection of Yorkshire cheeses, Sticky Toffee Pudding with maple glazed pecans, porter toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream and a Torched Italian meringue on Lemon Tart-Alaska.
With ample outdoor seating wrapping around the pub from front-to-back and a cosy intimate dining space, there's room to lounge in the beer garden by day and move into the cosy corners of the restaurant area during the twilight hours.
Indoor dining and seating area. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking to impress with an unconventional British dinner without the cooking, we really can't think of a better than The Beehive to while away the weekend.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Iconic Leeds venue The Reliance to be brought back to life under new name ‘The Smithfield’
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Sophie Smith -
26th April 2022 
