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Eats

A bakery serving fish finger croissants is opening in Leeds this spring

Genius.

Clementine Hall - 5th March 2025

Having already made a name for itself over in Sheffield, Le Croissant is getting ready to open its first site here in Leeds.

You've heard of almond croissants and chocolate croissants, maybe even a pistachio croissant, but have you heard of a fish finger croissant?

If you haven't then you're about to, because an innovative bakery dedicated to weird and wonderful croissants is coming to Leeds.

Le Croissant, part of the beloved Cawa bakery group over in Sheffield, has made a name for itself over in the Steel City for its delicious flakey pastries that you can get your hands on at multiple locations across the city.

Images: The Manc Group

Images: The Manc Group

Their viral fish finger croissant loaded with cheese and, of course, fish fingers has made headlines but the wacky creations don't stop there.

You can also get your hands on a wagyu burger croissant, pizza croissant and a strawberry and cream croissant for those sweet toothed pastry lovers out there.

Le Croissant will be opening inside Leeds Bus Station this spring, with the shop fit out taking place over the next three weeks.

Image: The Manc Group

It's the perfect location for those hopping on a bus looking for their carb fix to keep them fuelled for the journey ahead.

We don't have an official opening date yet, but we'll keep you updated when we do.

In the meantime, have a peek at their socials to see what you can expect.

Read more:

Featured image - The Manc Group

Eats

Major plans announced for Leeds Christmas Markets 2026 – food, drinks, stalls and more

Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.

Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.

Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.

This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.

Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds — Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds

Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds — Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds

Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.

In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.

Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.

Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.

La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds — La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds

La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds — La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds

Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.

There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.

If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".

Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.

Read more: Leeds Santa Dash is returning for 2026 and it’s set to be ‘bigger and better’ than ever

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Leeds and West Yorkshire, subscribe to The Hoot Leeds WhatsApp broadcast HERE.

Featured Images - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley

A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.

Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.

The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.

The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.

She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.

Inside Rizia's Bottega

The menu at Rizia’s Bottega — Inside Rizia's Bottega

"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."

That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.

Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.

Schiacciata sandwiches

Breakfast and coffee — Schiacciata sandwiches

Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.

"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."

Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.

There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.

Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega — Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds

Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega — Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds

Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.

The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.

The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.

"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.

Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.

It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.

Read more: The independent Leeds cafe speaking up after massive coffee chain opens opposite

Featured image: The Hoot Leeds