A popular Japanese street food brand is set to open another location at Wellington Place.
Waki Maki, currently located at Leeds University Student Union, is set to open its second location in Leeds' high-end office development Wellington Place.
Known for its fresh, vibrant and fully customisable poke bowls as well as stuffed sushi burritos, Waki Maki is already a popular spot amongst students who are looking for a healthy lunch.
And now, the city's office workers will be able to get their hands on it too.
Taking over a prime ground floor space at 11 Wellington Place, the new spot will span 933 sq ft, offering indoor seating for around 30 people, plus 12 additional seats outside.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Waki Maki is known for its fresh, handmade Japanese street food, including poke bowls and jumbo sushi rolls, crafted in front of customers using premium ingredients.
The menu also features a selection of hot dishes, from katsu curries and gyozas to miso soups and rice boxes, with new items regularly introduced.
The arrival of Waki Maki follows the recent opening of Bean Coffee Roasters earlier this year, further expanding the selection of food venues at Wellington Place which includes Mad Frans, Good Luck Club, Sociable Folk, Hoist House, Café Nero, Pret A Manger, Sesame and Veeno.
Dominique Murray, associate marketing director at MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “At Wellington Place, we are committed to offering an exciting and diverse selection of food and drink experiences for our community. WAKI MAKI brings something truly unique with its fresh, made-to-order fusion menu, and we’re thrilled to welcome them as part of our ever-growing neighbourhood.”
Jonathan Phillips, founder of WAKI MAKI, added: “We are very excited to be joining the Wellington Place community as we’ve wanted to open a site within this vibrant and bustling neighbourhood for some time. We can’t wait to introduce people to WAKI MAKI and share our passion for delicious, high-quality Japanese street food.”
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding with two city centre openings.
Coffee lovers, you're going to love this one.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
One of their brand-new locations inside the Victoria Quarter will be opening next Monday 1 June.
Their new kiosk will be located outside Jo Malone London and marks the brand’s third site in Leeds.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To celebrate the launch, North Star will be giving away 50 free coffees a day from Tuesday 2 June until Friday 5 June - a total of 200 free drinks across the opening week. Customers will be able to claim any coffee from the menu, with one free drink per person available on a first come, first served basis, each day.
Their other new site is expected to be on Great George Street, and we'll keep you updated with any news on that one as and when we know more.
Speaking about the opening, Holly Kragiopoulos, Co-founder of North Star, said: “Opening a third site in the centre of Leeds feels incredibly special for us. Leeds has always been at the heart of North Star, so being able to bring our coffee into Victoria Quarter is a huge milestone.
"We wanted to celebrate by giving something back to the city and welcoming both loyal regulars and new customers with free coffee throughout our opening week.”
Inside Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli
Clementine Hall
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.
Clementine Hall -
28th May 2025 
