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.
A new cocktail bar is coming to Leeds city centre.
If you know a thing or two about cocktails, or just drinks in general, then you're going to be very excited about this news.
The very talented team behind Roland's on Call Lane and The Domino Club, just to name a few, are setting their sites on a brand-new venture.
Introducing Paper Plane, an intimate new cocktail bar that will be taking over the old Casa site in the city's beautiful Grand Arcade.
Paper Plane will be inspired by the glamour of 1970s air travel and will be a vinyl-only listening bar, serving a world-inspired cocktail menu alongside a carefully curated whisky collection.
The space will be lovely and intimate, with around just 40 covers, designed to transport guests somewhere completely different from the minute they step foot through the door.
And what a location too, joining a whole host of fantastic independents in the arcade such as Alfonso's Deli, Stuzzi and Sonder.
For now, we don't know many more details about the project, but we already know it's going to be exceptional cas anything these guys do turns to gold.
Not only has Roland's been consistently one of the busiest bars on Call Lane since they opened back in 2014, but The Domino Club was recently crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world. Now that is some accolade worth shouting about.
We'll keep you updated with Paper Plane's progress, but Roland's have stated that the site is hoping to open this coming autumn. So we really don't have long to wait.
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
Clementine Hall
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Daisy Jackson -
19th December 2024 
