The Banksia bar will combine old-world Mediterranean flavours with a modern, vibrant dining experience.
Right guys, it's time to cancel your flight to Mykonos because a Mediterranean bar and restaurant is coming to Leeds City Centre.
Led by award-winning Head Chef Craig Rogan, The Banksia will offer a small plate concept alongside a ‘Fire’ section of the menu giving a nod to traditional Mediterranean cooking methods.
Everything at The Banksia will be designed to share, making it the perfect summer hot spot to catch up with friends over a few delicious plates and drinks.
Image: Supplied
Opening on the corner of Lower Briggate and Swinegate, The Banksia will be linked to the adjoining Hotel Indigo Leeds.
With Craig Rogan at the helm, we already know it's going to blow our socks off.
As a prominent member of the Leeds food scene for the past six years, Craig has trained and worked in some of the UK’s best restaurants and hotels, earning multiple accolades and recognition for his creative approach to modern cooking.
Craig spoke about the opening: “The decision to join The Banksia team and move back into the hotel hospitality world was an easy one for me – I love to lead a large team and curate new menus that will resonate with guests, and just generally bring a smile to people’s faces through food.
Images: Supplied
“We want The Banksia to be a welcoming experience for everyone the minute they walk through the door, with a few additional touches along the way. Whilst the food will speak for itself, dining out is about so much more than that, and we want our guests to experience authentic dishes in a vibrant, comfortable environment.
"There’s a perfect spot in the Leeds food scene for The Banksia, and we’re excited that people will be able to sample the menu in the coming months. It’s the kind of food that I love eating, so it’s even more satisfying to be able to cook it and I look forward to seeing others enjoying it too.”
To find out more about The Banksia, take a look at their website.
The beloved Domino Club is receiving its flowers, and rightly so.
Rapidly becoming one of the industry’s most respected accolade of excellence, The Pinnacle Guide is a worldwide ranking of the best bars across the globe.
Based on a thorough self-application process, rigorous assessment modules, followed by a series of spot check interviews and anonymous in-bar reviews, it's no easy feat to get a spot on this list.
Which is why it makes The Domino Club's achievement all that more impressive.
Known amongst locals and visitors alike as basically one of the coolest bars in town, the hidden speakeasy invites you through a barbershop in the Grand Arcade where downstairs you'll find a dimly lit jazz and cocktail bar oozing sex appeal.
Not only are the cocktails exceptional, but their live music listings is something to behold playing everything from jazz and funk to cabaret and disco every Wednesday - Sunday.
Announcing the news to Instagram, The Domino said: "Listed by The Pinnacle Guide. The Domino Club has been recognised on the global list of the world’s best bars.
"What began as a hidden basement bar in Leeds, built around live music, cocktails and atmosphere, is now being recognised alongside some of the finest bars in the world.
"A huge thank you to our team, musicians, suppliers and every single guest who has supported us over the years. This means a lot. Leeds belongs on the world cocktail map."
We absolutely could not agree more and if you haven't ventured behind the barbershop and discovered the magical Domino Club, then we very much recommend you do.
A Caribbean street food restaurant famed for its jerk chicken is opening in Leeds this week
Clementine Hall
Get ready to enjoy a taste of the Caribbean as Jerk Junction is coming to Leeds.
The street food favourite has made waves in the foodie scene over in Manchester and Liverpool, so it's only right that its making its way into Trinity Kitchen.
Jerk Junction specialises in authentic Caribbean flavours, from dumplings and jerk chicken to curried goat and rice and peas, it's all flame-grilled and packed with island spices.
Gosh, we're suddenly feeling very hungry.
Image: The Manc Group
Jerk Junction will officially be opening to the public from 12pm on Tuesday 12 May 2026, and you can bet we'll be first in line to get our hands on a big tray of jerk chicken and rice.
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “There’s been a lot of interest in the upcoming arrival of Jerk Junction since it was announced. Bringing a taste of the Caribbean to Trinity Kitchen, it’ll be the place to be when it opens its doors next week.”
Jake Shaffi, founder at Jerk Junction, said: “We’re all about good vibes and creating dishes that help bring people together. We’re looking forward to bringing the Jerk Junction spirit to Trinity Kitchen. The brand already holds a special place within the communities in Manchester and Liverpool – and we’re sure the people of Leeds will embrace it in the same way.”
The latest announcement follows the recent launches of schuh and LEGO at Trinity Leeds, which will also welcome the UK’s largest independent boutique bowling brand, Lane7, and Footasylum later this year.
Clementine Hall -
12th June 2025 
