Hidden inside the Grand Arcade, Better Days is Leeds first and only mental health and wellness bar.
Since opening last summer, the popular cafe-bar continues to be the only bar that offers mental wellbeing support completely for free.
There's walk-and-talk outs, self-care and mindfulness sessions and a whole host of feel-good activities like Mamma Mia themed zumba to get involved in.
Taking care of one's self can also involve plenty of delicious food and drink, so when we heard that a bottomless brunch was on the menu, we couldn't help but have a look at what's on offer.
In short, there's a whole lot of pizza, Prosecco and pints- not that anyone is complaining. Choose from either sweet waffles drenched in Nutella, strawberries and a whole lot of sugar or a sizaeable pizza with all your favourite toppings like.
Let's face it, what's more feel-good than pizza and waffles, really?
Image: Better Days
With the aim of bringing joy to the neighbourhood, this Leeds bar really do know how to fill us with our favourite things.
On the drinks menu, there's unlimited Aperol Spritz, as well as the house lagers and Prosecco offerings- but that's just the beginning.
The amber jewels in this crown of bottomless brunches are the pornstar martinis on the menu. This is the only bottomless in Leeds that includes any and all cocktails on the menu and there's no shame in taking full advantage of that.
Espresso Martinis, Woo Woos and Passionfruit Daiquiris are just a few examples of the offerings here.
Image: Better Days
“Music, honestly brings people together so much, we have strangers meeting, making friends and singing together for the first time,” said the restaurant in an Instagram post.
We can certainly see how a bottomless would make the experience here all-the-more exciting, without losing any of the intimacy of the bar, nor losing its edge as a wellness-based cafe.
At £35 per person, this bottomless is great value given its cocktail options and if you're a sucker for an afternoon pornstar martini or need espresso-based booze to get through the night, this is well worth opting for.
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
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.”
Sophie Smith -
17th February 2022 
