2021 brought a lot of new contenders to the Leeds foodie scene, but 2022 is set to be the biggest year yet: with everything from high-end restaurants to drive-thru Greggs, the future is here, and it's delicious.
Here's everything we've got to look forward to this year.
A giant Roxy Lanes venue will open at The Light
Roxy Lanes new location at The Light will open in early 2022. / Image- Roxy Ballroom
Roxy Lanes will be relocating from their Bond Street location to The Light on Headrow. Although the mammoth new venue will not be open to the public until early 2022, the wait will be more than worth it. The new venue is a whopping three times the size of their Bond Street predecessor and will incorporate all elements of existing Roxy venues to date inside.
The company were overwhelmed by local support after launching the for a Libations Rum distillery onto a crowdfunding platform and received 96% of donations needed towards their £150,000 budget in just twenty four hours. The plans for a dedicated production house comes after twenty months of careful planning and temporary stents around Leeds at various venues, so the rum makers will be delighted to land themselves a permanent home soon.
Yorkshire's first drive-thru Greggs will open near Bradford
There are less than ten drive-thru Greggs in the country at present but the existing few have been a big hit with locals and visitors alike. Image: Martin Wallace
The one we've all been waiting for... The drive-thru Greggs will be the first in Yorkshire and only the ‘sixth or seventh’ to open in the country. The popular chain opened their first drive-thru to the public in Manchester back in 2017 but is now expanding at a quick pace, with new drive-thru branches opening in both Cumbria and Wales earlier this year. Construction of the new building is likely to begin in the new year after the former pub on the site has been demolished.
Due to open, unknown, but building will commence in 2022.
Cut & Craft Steakhouse will open in the Victoria Quarter
The bright flowers and pastel soft furnishings are perfectly in keeping with the existing bars and restaurants in the Victoria Quarter. / Image: Cut & Craft
The Cut & Craft are known in York for their comfortable yet stylish bar and restaurant, but the popular eatery have now announced they will be opening another venue in Leeds in 2022. There very little information about the specific details of the Leeds restaurant but visitors can expect the same beautiful interior and mouthwatering delights as their flagship York restaurant.
Due to open, unknown, but plans suggest in early 2022.
Slap and Pickle will leave The Fleece for another residency
The Fleece in Horsforth have worked with Slap and Pickle since lockdown. / Image: Slap and Pickle
Beloved chefs from Slap and Pickle will be leaving their residency at The Fleece in Horsforth at the end of the year. The news came earlier this month after the chefs thanked the pub for their hospitality, before announcing that the ongoing success of their flavoursome burgers and exciting menu h
ave brought the brand new opportunities for 2022. “Sadly though, we’ve outgrown the pub’s kitchen – so we’re moving on to pastures new and *VERY LOCAL*".
In early 2022, the Canal Cafe, a further daytime cafe space will open at the same location. Of course, a new cafe-bar-club concept couldn’t open in Leeds without a bottomless brunch option, and we can’t wait to see the full menu. Having only opened in December, Canal Club will has already confirmed its place on the Leeds food and drink scene, but we can’t wait to see how the cafe-bar-club presents itself in 2022 when it’s concept is complete.
A Charity Dinner from local award-winning chefs will open for one night only
Raise money for an important cause at this charity dinner. / Image: West Park Hotel
To bring in the new year and raise money for Hospitality Action, a national charity supporting workers in the face of adversity, the West Park Hotel in Harrogate will play host to a charity dinner prepared by some of our county’s finest chefs. Grab a seat, splash out on the £100, because a whopping 75% of the ticket will be donated to charity, and the menu has been hand-crafted by some of Yorkshire’s top chefs.
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The beautiful West Yorkshire valley walk that ends at a top gastropub
Daisy Jackson
If your idea of a perfect Sunday doesn't involve a stroll in the countryside followed by lunch in a country pub - we can't be friends.
And if that does sound like your idea of a very nice day out, we've found a pretty spectacular walk-roast combo for you, right here in West Yorkshire.
You can start your day by strolling through surprisingly varied and very green countryside, with stunning valley views, before resting your weary legs beneath the table of an award-winning gastropub.
If you haven't guessed it yet - we're off to the Shibden Valley, just outside Halifax, where your gentle hike will lead you straight to the warm embrace of the Shibden Mill Inn.
The walk begins in the car park beside the pub, but don't get tempted in for a pint just yet.
There's an easy-moderate 5.6km circular that will lead you along a country lane, dropping down to cross a brook, then heading back up a gentle incline towards the top of the valley.
The views along the Shibden Valley from here are beautiful - lush green fields dotted with trees as far as the eye can see.
Then the route takes you along some wide open fields, with plenty of wildlife to spot along the way, before heading into peaceful woodlands.
You can take a break here to paddle in the stream before continuing on through farmland, with friendly horses to say hello to.
Views along the Shibden Valley Circular. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Then you'll find yourself back at the Shibden Mill Inn, a pub that's consistently finding itself in the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs list.
Dating back to the 17th century, it's a pretty white building converted from a former mill, with ivy climbing all up its walls.
There's a sizeable beer garden - with a live musician playing when we popped in - but it's hard to resist the cosy charm of the pub's interior, where staff have to duck beneath the low ceiling beams and no surface feels totally straight.
The Shibden Mill Inn's Sunday roast offering does a set menu, with two courses for £40 or three for £45, changing seasonally.
You'll find pub classics on the starters, like chicken liver parfait and homemade soup, before delving into the main event - the Sunday roast.
We love a pub that gives you both mashed AND roasted potatoes, which the Shibden Mill Inn does, along with roast seasonal veg and a towering Yorkshire pudding.
The Sunday roast at the Shibden Mill InnChicken liver parfait, and soup Chocolate fondant with torched marshmallowInside the Shibden Mill Inn
There's roasted salt-aged sirloin of beef, cooked perfectly pink (though they're happy to give it a bit longer if you prefer your meat to not be blushing); or an excellent wedge of belly pork with crispy crackling.
And on the side, a portion of cauliflower cheese that is actually more cheese than cauliflower. Perfect.
Puddings are a nice mix of heavy winter favourites and lighter, fruitier desserts - but we go full stodge, with a chocolate fondant dessert topped with torched marshmallow, salted caramel, and sugared pecans, and have no regrets.
If you want to replicate this Sunday walk and roast, you can see the full circular route here.
Sophie Smith -
24th December 2021 
