We've all heard references to 'the secret menu' - an exclusive, under-the-counter selection of dishes only available to those in the know.
Commonly, it's big fast food chains that get the attention for this, but from what we hear there are a few Leeds indies offering similar stylings to their favourite regulars across the city.
But today we're talking about one secret menu in particular, and it happens to come from Leeds' Instagram-famous baking sensation Savannah Roqaa, aka The Savvy Baker.
Image: The Savvy Baker
From lockdown baking in her flat to announcing the opening of not one but two cafes this year, it really has been an exciting few years for the West Yorkshire brownie and brookie magnate.
Her first cafe in Roundhay opened in March, serving all the usual brownies, brookies, cookies, flapjacks, cakes, tarts and 'sticky stuff' alongside Leeds’ famous North Star coffee.
But this week, the cult baker has revealed she also offers a 'secret menu' of hot drinks to guests that know to ask for them.
Packed full of dreamy-sounding winter warmers, it features autumnal treats like orange hot chocolates, pumpkin spiced lattes, gingerbread lattes and honeycomb hot chocolates.
And that's not all, there's also maple spiced oat lattes and a 'Hot Bakewell', which Savannah assures us tastes just "like a Bakewell tart in a drink". It sounds pretty divine to us.
Image: The Savvy Baker
With even more secret menu items said to be pending, to get your hands on one of these under-the-counter treats all you need to do ask for them at the Roundhay cafe, which opens every Tuesday – Sunday from 8.30am-4pm.
Digging into Biscoff brookies, Boost bar brownies, Mini Egg cookies, Freddo brookies, Cornflake brownies, milk choc cookies and more just got even better, thanks to these new hot drinks. We're very much ready for autumn now, thank you.
Feature image - The Savvy Baker
Leeds
Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Georgina Pellant -
14th September 2022 
