Tacos and tequila- and everything else in between.
Cinco de Mayo is upon us for another year- not that we need another excuse to eat our weight in tacos and wash every mouthful down with plenty of margaritas, but if there is one, we're all for it.
In Leeds we're fortunate enough to have seemingly endless choices of Mexican-inspired cuisine for every occasion. Call Lane is home to Neon Catcus, the only place we need to get our midweek margarita fix, whilst the leafy suburbs host the likes of Pinche Pinche in Chapel Allerton and student favourite Lupe's Cantina in Headingley.
Here's our top picks to curb those Mexican foodie cravings this Cinco de Mayo- and every other day of the year ...
Birria Bandits
Town Street, Horsforth | Open Wednesday - Saturday
Birria Bandits has only been open a week inside the former Arriba Arriba site in Horsforth, but word is travelling fast about the food options here. There’s five different taco options to choose from wrapped up in soft corn tortillas, plus the biggest birria loaded fries and nacho bowls we’ve ever seen!
The specials here are truly exciting: there’s Street Food Dish of the Year 2022 ‘Lets Taco Bao It’: Birria bao buns and a seriously moreish Birria Ramen: an award-winning Birria broth packed in with noodles, cheese, street salsa, sesame seeds and your choice of chicken, beef and jackfruit.
Call Lane favourite Neon Cactus is throwing a Cinco de Mayo special over the bank holiday weekend and pulling out all the stops to do so. In addition to the usual taco and empanadas menu that's always got people talking, the bar will be putting out a series of cocktail specials.
There's options like Space Jam, Big Chilli Style, Fineapple Express, Fawlty Sours and Cinco Swim to choose from as well as a huge El Jimador tequila truck.
Pinche Pinche
Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton | Open 4.30 - 9pm
Image: Pinche Pinche
With a cult following extending right into the suburbs, Chapel Allerton's Pinche Pinche serves up a mouth-watering selection of tacos, quesadillas, burritos, wings and that's before you've browsed through the small plates and nibbles menu.
The traditional Birria tacos, where you dip your dish into the marinated brisket juices into a variety of chiles and spices, come with slow cooked and tenderised beef brisket can be served as a sharing plate for two every Tuesday - Thursday.
Sabroso Street
Town Street, Farsley | Open 5 - 10pm or 12 - 10pm depending on the day of the week
Image: Sabroso Street
Sabroso Street in Farsley is the place to go for delicious Mexican cuisine, friendly service and tasty cocktails. Opened by husband and wife team David and Anika in 2016, Sabroso is a casual Mexican eatery and bar just minutes away from Leeds city centre.
Mouth-watering tacos, burritos and loaded nachos can be enjoyed alongside your favourite tequila cocktail. They host an incredible bottomless brunch from Friday – Sunday where for just £27.50 per person, you can dine on one of their tongue tantalising brunch items whilst sipping on unlimited Prosecco, mimosas or Dos Equis beer for 90 whopping minutes.
You can also upgrade to unlimited margaritas for just £5 a head which we think is an absolute no brainer.
Pop-ups around Leeds city centre | Opening times vary
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Despite not being on the Leeds foodie scene for long, Salma has managed to have quite an impact on Leeds. From the same people that brought the city MorMor, Salma is bringing together soft tacos, corn ribs and some seriously exciting sauce options to pop-ups around the city.
Open Monday - Saturday every week, Lupe's Cantina Mexicana is always packed out with foodies eager to try out every single dish on the huge (and we mean huge) menu. Expect tacos and enchiladas nine different ways with combinations like the Tacos Al Pasto with Chilie Acha, achiote rubbed pork, chilie de albol salsa and grilled pineapple or Enchiladas de Mole Negra: corn tortillas filled with chicken and doused in a black mole topped with cheese, onion, cilantro and radish.
There's a full seafood menu too with Camarones La Diabla (sauted prawns with a creamy chipotle sauce); Mejillones (Mussels with a creamy chipotle white wine sauce) and specialities like the Ceviche Veracruz Mixto: with haddock, shrimp, pico de gallo served in a passion fruit serrano broth.
Jimmy Macks
Pop-ups up regularly inside Trinity Kitchen
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Packed with flavour, grab a meal deal from Jimmy Macks and take full advantage of the three-piece meal for £12. There’s roast squash and black bean soft tacos with charred corn salsa and lime crema or the cult-classic beef brisket birria in crispy folded tacos served with tomato salsa; Mexican chicken with jalapeno salsa and that birria dipping gravy that’s got everyone talking. Every meal deal is served with seasoned fries and a soft drink of your choice, or there’s side portions like loaded nachos and fries to choose from too.
Serving from Leeds Dock, Central Square and Wellington Place, The Mexican Pilgrim is the pop-up food truck that Leeds' just can't seem to get enough of. On the ever-changing menu, you'll find pork in homemade red wine and chipotle BBQ sauce and spiced chicken or avocado, amongst other one-of-a-kind options.
Other days, you might from lamb wrapped between layers of guac, salsa, sour cream and salad. To keep up to date with the whereabouts of the food truck, you can follow The Mexican Pilgrim on Twitter.
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
The best rooftop bars in and around Leeds to enjoy a tipple in the sunshine
Clementine Hall
The sun has got his hat on and there's no better place to soak it up than on a rooftop.
We've already been blessed with some beautiful weather this summer (touch wood), and here in Leeds there's plenty of sun-soaked spots to enjoy it.
To help you make the most out of the sun, we've taken it upon ourselves to do some in-depth research on the very best rooftop bars in Leeds to enjoy a drink or two.
You know, because someone's got to do it.
Whether you want to dress up and treat yourself to a swanky cocktail, jam out to a DJ whilst enjoying a craft beer or catch up with friends over some good food washed down by a refreshing beverage, there is a rooftop for you.
Let's get into it then shall we?
Green Room
36 Wellington St, Leeds LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one definitely won't come as a surprise, having made a name for itself as one of the city's best nights out Green Room leads the way as the best rooftop in town.
Expect banging drinks, a buzzing atmosphere and New York style pizza - need we say more?
Headrow House
Bramleys Yard, 19 The Headrow
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Possibly the biggest rooftop in Leeds and set over two floors, this terrace promises a fantastic night out where you’ll be boogying on until the sun goes down. The first floor offers long picnic style tables, colourful parasols and overhead heaters to counteract the evening chill. The second floor has more benches amidst charming little covered huts, ideal for larger groups as they can be reserved in advance.
A huge neon sign is propped up amongst the skyline which comes alive when the sun goes down, setting the scene with a reddish tint as the DJ provides groovy tunes to take you into the early hours.
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you like craft beer and good music, this is the rooftop for you. Belgrave’s iconic rooftop is always jam packed in the Summer and it is no surprise why; the vibes are always immaculate and the drinks are ace. Kirkstall Brewery and Five Points Ale are just a taster of what’s on the pumps and there’s also a great cocktail menu which are well priced and mega tasty.
If you get peckish you can order some ‘session loaded fries’ from Patty Smith’s burgers or a huge sharing pizza from Dough Boys. Both vendors are just downstairs and are a good enough reason to make a trip to Belgrave alone. Live DJs play all day and there’s an authentic friendly atmosphere meaning you’ll all be bopping heads and soak in the views together.
Azotea
2 Sovereign St, LS1 4DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you want to feel like you're on the set of Love Island then get yourself to Azotea and gather round the fire pit.
This Mexican-inspired rooftop is the perfect spot if you're feeling a little bit fancy and want to dress up with the girls and treat yourself to a couple of cocktails.
IF Rooftop
10 - 12 Park Cross Street, LS1 2BH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one's a little bit hidden, but if you can find the secret door and enter the code to the secret paradise then it's most definitely worth it.
Think incredible panoramic views of the city, banging cocktails and groovy DJs to get you grooving as the sun goes down.
Roland's
39 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Just when you thought Roland's on Call Lane couldn't get any better, head upstairs to their glorious sun terrace and be prepared to be proven wrong.
This small but mighty sun trap is a great spot to enjoy the best cocktails in town, and you can even watch the trains go by as you sip.
The Woods
5, Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located in the heart of Chapel Allerton, this roof top is a firm favourite and it's easy to see why.
Great drinks, plenty of space and banging food by The Kerbside Kids. We can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night to be honest.
Headingley Heights
8 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 2AD
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're over in Headingley, then this is the spot for you. Upstairs at BOX you'll find this huge sprawling rooftop equipped with its own bar with exclusive cocktails, two huge HD screens showing all the sports and all the usual food and drink locals have come to know and love from BOX.
Sophie Smith -
1st May 2024 
