Pubs, bars and restaurants are reopening inside today in line with the government’s move to step 3 in the roadmap out of Covid.
It’s a big moment for Leeds indoor hospitality, which sees huge swathes of staff back to work after months of forced closure.
For customers, the relaxation of rules means that groups of six – up to two households – are now allowed to dine and drink together inside.
People will still need to remain seated when ordering, eating and drinking where alcohol is served, and face coverings will still be needed when not seated at a table.
There are also new rules for outside drinking and dining, as groups coming together in these settings now may have as many as 30 people.
It’s an exciting time for the local industry, with many smaller spaces unable to reopen safely until now.
So we thought we’d celebrate our renewed drinking and dining freedom with a list of the bars, restaurants, and pubs we can now – finally – revisit.
This piece will be regularly updated as new information becomes available.
The Owl
Kirkgate Market, LS2 7JL
Named after the symbol of the city, this tap and dining room in Leeds Kirkgate Market is featured in the Michelin Guide and was awarded a prestigious Michelin plate at the start of 2021. A simple pub, head down for ‘locally brewed ales, snacks and seasonal dishes with a strong local ethos’.
La Casita
174 High St, Boston Spa, LS23 6BW
Reopening on Monday, May 17th, Leeds tapas bar La Casita boasts a large selection of Spanish beers and wines as well as some mouthwatering tapas dishes. First opened by Chef Simon Miller and Oliver Renton in 2014, the Granary Wharf is now permanently closed but their Boston Spa location is only a half-hour out of the city.
Senbon Sakura
71 Great George St, LS1 3BR
This cafe and Japanese kitchen has stayed open for takeaway throughout lockdown, but will soon be able to reopen its doors to indoor diners as of Monday, 17th May. Lauded as the best Japanese eatery in the city, get ready for bento boxes, sushi, katsu, donburi and udon – and that’s not even half of it.
1 Call Ln, LS1 7DH
One for the cocktail lovers, this speakeasy bar reopens its doors to drinkers on Wednesday, 19th May. Deposits of £20 are being taken to secure reservations.
Whitelock’s Ale House
Turk’s Head Yard, LS1 6HB
Whitelock’s will reopen indoors and out on 17th May, marking the end of the longest closure in its 300+ year history. Check out the pub’s new-look beer garden and sample some of Yorkshire’s finest independent brewers and distillers.
7-8 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Fans of Michelin-recommended Tharavadu will be pleased to hear it plans to return on Monday, 17th May with its incredible Keralan cuisine. Awarded its Michelin plate in 2019, it’s considered one of the best Indian restaurants in the city.
Outlaws Yacht Club
38 New York St, LS2 7DY
An exhibition space, record shop, hair salon, cafe and bar rolled into one, Outlaws Yacht Club is reopening for indoor drinking and dining from Monday, May 17th. No need to book, just walk straight in.
Crowd of Favours
Harper St, LS2 7EA
This cosy little pub will reopen on Monday, 17th May serving some top craft ales and a locally-focused menu including Swaledale sausages, ‘Leeds best fish and chips’ and steak and red wine pie. Bookings are being taken now.
The Adelphi
3-5 Hunslet Rd, LS10 1JQ
Packed with cosy period charm, this Grade II-listed beauty reopens on Monday, 17th May with fine ales and some solid pub grub on offer.
Shear’s Yard
11-15 Wharf St, LS2 7EH
If you’re after a spot of fine dining, Shear’s Yard is as strong a choice as ever. Reopening on Monday, 17th May with a brand new menu of contemporary British cuisine, bookings are open now with a £10 deposit needed to secure your slot.
The Boundary House
24 Church Side, Methley, LS26 9EE
This country pub in Methley does it all – proper local craft ales and wholesome pub grub made using local Yorkshire ingredients. A £20 deposit is required to secure your booking.
115 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 3PX
This Leeds favourite has been serving up Italian dishes to the city for forty years, so it’s been sorely missed during lockdown. Open from Monday, 17th May, a £20 deposit is required when booking.
Tattu
Minerva, 29 E Parade, LS1 5PS
The modern Chinese restaurant with the pink tree, Tattu is one of Leeds’ most Instagrammable indoor dining spaces. Returning to service with a brand new menu, look forward to twists on Cantonese classics such as Szechuan rock shrimp and the surf and turf shumai.
Carluccio’s
27, 413 Albion St, Albion Pl, LS1 5AT
This high-end Italian chain restaurant has been shuttered since lockdown began but will soon open its doors for indoor dining. Head down for luxurious pasta and pizza dishes, fine wines and more from Monday, May 17th.
Mama Mia
3 Upper Piccadilly, Bradford BD1 3PE
Ok, technically this one’s in Bradford – but it’s such a gem we had to include it. Serving authentic Italian food to the city for over 30 years, it’s been temporarily closed during the pandemic with takeaway only. It will reopen on Monday, May 17th Tuesday to Saturday only, with fixed lunch and dinner hours.
Manjit’s Kitchen
Leeds Kirkgate Market, George St, LS2 7HY
This Kirkstall road faouvrite reopens for indoor dining on Wednesday 19th May, with new opening hours Wednesday to Saturday 12-10pm.
Yo Sushi
419, Trinity, Albion St, LS1 5AY
Throughout the lockdown, Yo Sushi has been open for takeaway only. As of Monday, May 17th, it’ll be welcoming back sit-down customers for lunch and dinner.
Giraffe
414, Trinity, Albion St, LS1 5AY
Based in Leeds Trinity, Giraffe World Kitchen has opened its booking system and will return to full service from Monday, May 17th.
Rosa’s Thai Cafe
27 Albion Pl, Albion St, LS1 5AT
It’s one of London’s best-loved Thai cafes, but it hasn’t had much of a chance to make an impression in Leeds yet. Opened inside Trinity in May 2019, Rosa’s Thai Cafe has been delivery only throughout lockdown but is reopening for indoor dining on Monday, May 17th. Must-try dishes include their pad thai, sticky tamarind fried chicken and green thai curry.
Nandos
Albion St, Trinity, LS1 5AT
Closed to the public with no space for outdoor seating, Nando’s fans have been forced to rely on takeaway only throughout the lockdown. That’s all set to change, though, when it reopens on Monday, May 17th.
The Alchemist
The Alchemist’s Greek Street and Trinity bars reopen on Monday, 17th May serving up their weird and wonderful cocktail concoctions
Jake’s Bar
29 Call Ln, LS1 7BT
This Call Lane mainstay will soon be back in full swing, mixing up special cocktails from their 14th edition menu using homemade spirits and liqueurs. They’ll also be slinging out some tasty craft beers if you want something a bit more chilled out. Open from 17th May for indoor drinking.
Kendells Bistro
3 St Peter’s Square, Leeds LS9 8AH
Offering fine French dining that’s not to be missed, this Leeds gem is a real date night favourite. Now taking bookings from Monday, 17th May.
Ten Bar
TEN BAR, 10 Duncan St, LS1 6DL
This industrial chic venue is well loved for its cocktails. Closed for some time now, it returns for indoor and outdoor drinking from Monday, 17th May.
My Thai
The Merrion Centre, 43 Wade Lane, LS2 8NJ
Open for delivery only throughout lockdown, indoor dining returns at My Thai on Monday 17th May.
The Potting Shed
HSBC, Oxford Rd, Guiseley, LS20 8AA
The Potting Shed in Guiseley is back from 17th May with its botanical cocktails, loaded burgers and pizzas
La Taberna
Britannia House, 16 York Pl, Leeds LS1 2EU
This basement Leeds tapas restaurant has been closed for longer than we’d have liked. Head down from Monday, dishes not to missed include their chorizo al vino and padron peppers.
25 Great George St, Leeds LS1 3AL
One for video game lovers. Pixel Bar has it all: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, craft beer, burgers and more games than you can shake an analog stick at – what more do you want? Open from Monday, 17th May.
Sukhothai
8 Regent St, LS7 4PE
Named as one of the top ten Thai restaurants in the country by The Times, Sukhothai is one of the most popular Thai restaurants in Leeds. it will reopen its South Parade and Chapel Allerton venues for indoor dining and drinking from 17th May.
Fazenda
Waterman’s Place, Unit 4-7 Granary Wharf, LS1 4GL
The ultimate traditional rodizio bar and grill experience. All you can eat steak, plus an incredible salad bar that is worth a visit alone. Book indoors from Tuesday 18th May.
The Rounday Fox
Princes Ave, Roundhay, LS8 2EP
This rustic country pub right next to the park returned with its quality pub grub from Monday, 17th May.
Catch Seafood
For the finest seafood in Leeds, this is where you want to be heading. Both the Headingley or Roundhay restaurants reopen for indoor dining from Monday, 17th May.
Dirty Martini
31 King St, LS1 2HL
This Leeds cocktail favourite has been closed for too long. Long live the martinis. Reopen for indoor drinking from 17th May.
7 Steps
9 Chapeltown, Pudsey LS28 7RZ
This Pudsey bar and restaurant is loved for it great craft beer from local breweries. Book from Wednesday, 19th May to secure your indoor table.
Livin’Italy
Granary Wharf, LS1 4BR
Said by many to be the best Italian restaurants in the city, Livin’Italy’s Granary Wharf and Cloth Hall Street both restaurants reopen on Monday, 17th May.
Both of Revoltuions’ city centre bars are reopening from Monday, 17th May on Call Lane and Cookridge Street.
Tailors Gin
23-24 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG
This traditional tailor conceals a brilliant speakeasy – and it will be back from Saturday 22nd May. We can’t wait.
14 New Briggate, LS1 6NU
If you want authentic greek gyros, this is the place to be. Tavassoli’s reopen with new bottomless brunch service from Monday, 17th May.
Thewlis
18 Park Row, LS1 5JA
This swanky cocktail lounge is back with the bevs from Monday, 17th May.
The Wardrobe
6 St Peter’s Square, LS9 8AH
The home of bottomless brunches, supper clubs, music, great beer and more in Leeds. The Wardrobe reopens from Monday, 17th May. Hallelujah.
Yuzu Street Food
Brew York, 72 New Briggate, LS1 6PQ
From bao to katsu, wings and ramen, the street food heroes are back slinging all your favourites from Monday, 17th may.
Sky Lounge (20th May)
Granary Wharf, LS1 4BR
With floor to ceiling windows offering some unrivaled views over the city, this luxurious hotel bar returns from 20th May for indoor drinks.
Mojo
18 Merrion St, LS1 6PQ
Late night drinking favourite Mojo is back bringing the party for those in the city who just don’t want to go to sleep. Open form Monday, 17th May.
Gusto
151 Otley Old Rd, Cookridge, LS16 6HN
This swish Italian chain has two sites, one in Cookridge, one in the city centre. Both reopen from Monday, 17th May with all the classic favourites and more.
The Decanter
17 Park Row, LS1 5JQ
Head down to this ‘small but perfectly formed bar’ for handpicked wines, craft beers and lovely charcuterie boards from Monday, 17th May.
The Light, 22 The Headrow, LS1 8TL
In competition with Fazenda, Estabulo also offers some delicious Brazilian BBQ over at in The Light. If you’re after an endless supply of meat, they’ve got you covered here – and then some. Reopen for indoor dining from Monday, 17th May.
Crafthouse
Level 5, Trinity, 70 Boar Ln, LS1 6HW
This sleek, industrial-looking modern restaurant serves up some creative small plates from the Josper grill alongside fine wines and cocktails. Reopen from Monday, 17th May.
Las Iguanas
Unit 3 Cloth Hall St, LS1 2HD
This Latin-American chain returns from Monday, 17th May with great rooftop views of the city and some fun dishes.
Hardy’s Cocktail and Wine Lounge
52 New Briggate, LS1 6NU
This dark, atmospheric bar is known for having a menu that’s limited to the best beers, wines & G&Ts in the world. Returning from Monday, 17th May.
Aagrah
St Peter’s Square, Quarry Hill, LS9 8AH
For the finest Kashmiri cuisine in the city, look no further. With multiple Leeds sites dotted around the city you’re spoilt for choice. Reopen from Monday, 17th May.
