Much-loved Leeds bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as Swine That Dines, has announced a big move to Headingley.
Although it's gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they've been operating out of North Street where it's all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added 'little bit of sunshine'.
But now Swine Bistro is upping and moving to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
We don't have long to wait - they plan to have the doors open in January 2025.
And as for its original North Street site, that will temporarily close at the end of December 2024 for refurbishment and will reopen with a new offer in the new year.
Swine Bistro has been Crowdfunding since July to help fund the move, raising a whopping £42,000 from the community that loves the place so much.
With this new restaurant they'll double their covers to 35, with an additional 12 covers in a private dining room, and still serving their lunch deal of two courses for £18 or three for £22.50.
The seasonal bistro dishes will be paired with wines from Latitude Wines, delicious puddings and the occasional pie.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “We were hugely humbled by the support we had helping us raise the money to fund our next chapter. We are beyond excited about finally moving into a bigger restaurant with a kitchen that has space we can actually move in!
“Headingley is a vibrant suburb full of brilliant independent bars, restaurants, cafes and shops and we’re proud to be joining them.
"Rest assured, we won’t be fundamentally changing our menu, but the new space allows us to be more creative with our dishes as well as offer a fuller wine list, and even cocktails. We can’t wait to welcome people into our new home."
Stu Myers, Executive Chef at Swine Bistro said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Kirsty to our team and working collaboratively to develop unique and exciting dishes that tantalise our guests’ taste buds.”
The Swine Bistro will open in Headingley in January 2025.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Daisy Jackson -
19th December 2024 
