It's been an incredible year for new openings in and around Leeds, with plenty of independent restaurants, pubs and bars springing up all over the place.
As we come to the end of the year, it's always nice to reflect on the fabulous places that have opened in our city.
What's set this year apart is the sheer amount of independent businesses that have opened their doors to a resoundingly positive reception of punters looking to show their support.
From bakeries and pubs to rooftop bars and shops, we've been ever so lucky to welcome so many great businesses to Leeds.
We've highlighted 10 spots that have made the most impact on our community and got the city talking.
So, without further ado...
BAKE
Mustard Wharf, Lockside, Holbeck, LS1 4EY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Completing the all-things-dough trilogy alongside Things In Bread and Doh'hut was BAKE - a nostalgic British bakery that captured the hearts of pastry lovers across the city when it opened back in January.
From outrageously cheesy cheese twists to sticky, cinnamon bun focaccia slices - everything here is so good that it sells out before finish.
Federal
34 Boar Lane, LS1 5DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Famed over in Manchester, Federal is an Aussie-inspired cafe bringing a slice of sunshine to Boar Lane.
French toast, steak and eggs, matcha in a can, fabulously friendly service, the list as to why we love this place could truly go on and on.
We already love Bottle Chop over in Headingley, and this year it gained a city centre sibling called Rinse.
Here you'll find enough natural wine to sink a ship alongside charcuterie and sandwiches to go with it. Just perfect.
The Victoria & Commercial
28 Great George St, LS1 3DL
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Technically this isn't a brand-new opening as The Victoria first opened in 1865, but it's a re-opening. And a very good one at that.
Leeds beer powerhouses Whitelock's and Kirkstall Brewery joined forces to bring The Victoria back to life and we're so glad they did, it's a pub that oozes charm with maybe the cosiest interior we've ever seen.
Another newbie from Whitelock's is the Brewery Wharf Tavern, the new dockside pub with killer views of the canal. Think trendy 70s inspired interiors, a huge beer garden and a brilliant drinks list to make your way through.
Azotea
2 Sovereign St, LS1 4DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking to feel like you're on Love Island in Leeds, then get yourself to Azotea. This new rooftop bar is probably the biggest and most boujie in the city, and they're serving up Mexican-inspired food and drink as well to really make you feel like you're on holiday.
Mondego
The Tank Room, Roundhouse Business Park, LS12 1AH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Homeware lovers nearly lost their marbles when this Portuguese ceramics shop opened up just outside of the city centre. Here you pay by the weight of your items, and you can grab some absolute bargains from ramen bowls for a couple of quid to jugs for under a fiver,
Crowded House
70 Boar Ln, LS1 6HW
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Taking over the top spot that Angelica used to have above Trinity was Crowded House, an all-day dining and drinking destination from the team behind Three's A Crowd.
Here you'll find stellar views of the city alongside a menu full of elevated classics.
Vinyl Grounds
30 Central Road, LS1 6DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now we think this one is a little bit special. Vinyl Grounds is a coffee, wine and vinyl bar that's opened on Central Road and to be honest we could spend all day in here.
It's got a really chilled atmosphere where you can transition seamlessly from day to night, we'll leave it up to you on when to swap the coffee for a glass of vino.
The Savvy Baker
27 Albion St, LS1 5AT
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We all know and love The Savvy Baker, but this year Sav and the team opened up their very first city centre cafe and we couldn't be happier for them. This one not only has all her signature bakes on sale, but there's also a dedicated matcha bar and an onsite bakery where you can watch all the magic happening.
A Leeds pub has been crowned one of the very best in the country by The Good Food Guide.
The trusted guide has just released its 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, and we're very chuffed with the results indeed.
Taking the coveted number three spot is our very own The Highland Laddie, a 100-year-old city centre institution that reopened in April 2025 in the hands of new owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton.
These guys also run the Empire Cafe, so you just know it's going to be good.
Last year they soared straight to the top of the list and were crowned the best pub in the whole of Britain by the guide.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This time, the Queen's Arms over in Eccles came number one followed by The Cow in Notting Hill.
We still think bagging third place is quite the achievement, and if you've visited The Highland Laddie yourself you'll know just how much of a special place it is.
Don't just take our word for it, The Good Food Guide labelled the Laddie as 'a true pub with a genuine community vibe'.
They also said: "Reenergised by the team behind the Empire Cafe in 2025, this is everything that a proper English pub should be – 'oh, and they have a mustard menu!'
"Inside, the Laddie ticks all the boxes, preserving the essentials of a traditional old-school boozer and maintaining a genuine sense of community while letting the good times roll. As for the food, it’s ‘both high-end and accessible’, pulling in ideas from all over, whether you fancy a freshly shucked Lindisfarne oyster, a keema toastie or an elevated ham roll with bread cooked over the coals.
"Dig deeper and you might find a lobster madeleine with Yorkshire chorizo butter, a treacle onion tart or pork schnitzel with two fried eggs. Club steaks are served by the inch, there’s no creative let-up when it comes to sides, and the nostalgia is ramped up with the likes of strawberry and Champagne trifle with ‘sprinkles’.
"But never forget that this is a self-proclaimed ‘drinkers’ pub’ dispensing everything from ‘properly served’ British brews and ’the best Guinness in Leeds’ to a staggering line-up of whisky optics."
Popular egg sandwich shop Egg & Co is opening in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
This much loved breakfast spot do one thing and one thing very well...egg sandwiches.
And it may be a familiar name to some of you lot, as Egg & Co recently opened up on bustling Deansgate in Manchester as well as inside Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield.
This will be their first site in Leeds, though, and we're very 'eggsited' about it...sorry.
If you've got been introduced to the wonders of Egg & Co yet, then allow us to fill you in on what to expect.
Images: The Manc Group
From here, you’ll be able to grab their unbeatable breakfast sandwiches, where soft scrambled egg is piled into warm brioche buns.
There are a dozen or so breakfast butties on the menu here (yes, they do all feature egg), with other fillings ranging from beef patties to turkey bacon to caramelised onion.
And there’s more – sides here include truffle hash browns, curly fries, and chicken bites.
Of course it wouldn't be a breakfast spot without some caffeinated beverages as well, so we predict as with their Manchester site you'll be able to grab your morning coffee and matcha as well as freshly squeezed orange juice fresh enough to cure any hangover.
We don't know of the exact location yet, but we do know it'll be in Leeds city centre.
Images: The Manc Group
Teasing the news on their Instagram, Egg & Co said: "LEEDS, WE’RE ON OUR WAY. You heard it right. Eggandco is heading to Leeds!
"Same eggs. Same fresh sandwiches. Same Eggandco experience. Just a new city to call home."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, supporters flocked to the comments to show their excitement and demanding an extra clue on the exact location.
Egg & Co are keeping this under wraps for now, but we'll keep you updated as and when we know more.
Clementine Hall -
17th December 2025 
