The UK's most dog-friendly cities have been revealed, and Leeds has secured a place in the top 10.
Our city can often be found featured on coveted lists across a wide range of categories, tut arguably no title is cuter than this one - that's right, Leeds has been crowned one of the most dog-friendly cities in the UK.
Recent research has shown that around 36% of British households are dog owners, and apparently the pet care industry is projected to reach £16.5 billion by 2033.
So credit company, Capital on Tap, has carried out a study to reveal which are the best UK cities for dog owners.
Leeds has been crowned one of the most dog-friendly cities in the UK / Credit: Manikuttan (via Pexels) | Rawpixel
The company analysed 30 major UK cities - comparing things like green spaces, dog-friendly venues, the number of pet shops, and more in the process.
Manchester secured the top spot as the UK's most dog-friendly city, thanks to the city being made up of an impressive 34.7% of green space, along with there being 128 pet shops, and 243 pet groomers.
Whether it’s weekend park adventures, or weekday convenience, Manchester was found to 'truly lead the pack' for dog lovers.
But West Yorkshire is also very well-represented on the list.
The UK's Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cites
Manchester
London
Brighton and Hove
Bradford
Swansea
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
Edinburgh
Plymouth
Aberdeen
Both Leeds and Bradford can be found in the top 10 - with Bradford at number four and Leeds at number six.
Leeds is made up of 41.9% of green space, just over 6% of venues and businesses are dog-friendly, and there are dozens of pet shops and dog grooming facilites for pet owners to choose from.
On top of these two Yorkshire cities, other major areas making up the top 10 include Brighton and Hove, Swansea, Edinburgh, and of course, London.
Featured Image - The Pup Up Cafe
Leeds
A new Turkish-inspired street food spot serving homemade shawarma is coming to Leeds city centre
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2025 
