Leeds has welcomed a whole host of new places to eat and drink recently, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
We all love our food, and it's safe to say we love writing about it.
So please, allow us to indulge by telling you all about five of our favourite new foodie openings that have popped up in and around Leeds over the past few months.
But fair warning, continuing to read on may cause extreme hunger...
Moods
98 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Just over a month ago, one of Leeds' most historic buildings was transformed into an all-day cafe, bar, restaurant and events space.
Moods is the brainchild of husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo.
They do it all, whether you're popping in for a coffee and a spot of brunch or swinging by for a few carefully curated cocktails and some small plates to share with friends. With a kitchen led by Head Chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred restaurant group, you know you're in good hands.
Taking over the old Flannels site on Vicar Lane, Dishoom Leeds is nothing short of beautiful and has been in the pipeline for quite some time.
Dusty pink exteriors welcome you into a huge dining room complete with gold picture frames, baby blue walls and huge arched windows. They've really thought of every little detail, even down to the relaxing incense burning on the windowsill.
The menu is large and can seem overwhelming, featuring everything from breakfast naan rolls and small plates and to big sharing curries, but the staff are keen to lend you a helping hand.
If you order anything - let it be the lamb chops (thank us later).
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road on the outskirts of Ilkley, 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.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots, which always has queues down the street, has made its way across to Leeds at last.
Bruncho has opened on The Headrow, bringing its hit products like French toasts, Middle Eastern brunches, and iced matchas, to Leeds city centre.
Bruncho has also made a name for itself with its viral creations, including Labubu Dubai pistachio French toast (how many 2025 buzzwords can you get in one menu item?) and its collection of drinks served at -86°C. We're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
Domo is an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, you could do a lot worse than plonking yourself on the terrace with mates, ordering a selection of their cocktails and tucking into a heaping plate of fried calamari and prawns or a carefully curated plate of Sardinian cured meats and cheeses.
The time has come, Light Night Leeds is about to transform the city into a dazzling array of illuminated artworks.
And this year, for the first time in its history, the beloved, free light trail will take place during half term, making it more accessible than ever to families across West Yorkshire.
The streets will be filled with projections, immersive artworks, and light installations across two nights - Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October 2026.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Happily, that also means it will fall a week after the clocks have gone back, which means the full programme can benefit from the darker evenings and begin from 6pm.
So, if you're heading to Light Night - here's everything you need to know.
Theme
The theme for this year's Light Night will be centred around tales of the city's past and future.
With the theme 'A City Speaks…', this year's trail will form part of Leeds 400, marking 400 years since Leeds was granted its first Royal Charter by King Charles I.
Contemporary art installations like performances and projections across city landmarks will explore the stories, people and places that have shaped Leeds over the past four centuries.
Familiar streets and buildings will be totally transformed for two very special evenings, with more than 40 artworks to discover.
Areas
The stunning light installations will span across eight zones around the city.
These locations are:
Millennium Square
Briggate
Leeds train station
SOYO near Quarry Hill
Wellington Place
South Bank (Aire Park)
University of Leeds
Stourton park-and-ride sites
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Highlights
There's plenty to see at Light Night... and we mean plenty.
So we've handpicked five instillations that you don't want to miss.
Far, Far Away
Briggate
'Follow a trail of light along Briggate and step into an enchanting fairy-tale adventure inspired by the British Library’s collections. Classic stories by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen meet ideas imagined by Leeds schoolchildren, brought vividly to life at an extraordinary scale.'
Call My Name, Call Me Home
Queen's Hotel, Station Zone
'A figure arrives by train to begin a new life in Leeds. Over six minutes, the façade of The Queens Hotel transforms as five decades of memories unfold across roads, streets, bars, hospitals and homes. Buildings appear and disappear, mapping one person’s journey onto the changing landscape of the city'
Butterflies
The Tetley, Aire park
'Look out for four enormous butterflies roaming freely through Aire Park. Lit from within by glowing LEDs, these spectacular puppets float, turn and dance among the crowds to their own musical soundtrack.'
Leeds Bridge 1880/2026
The Light, The Headrow
'See Leeds Bridge shift between past and present in Emily Allchurch’s contemporary response to a painting by Atkinson Grimshaw. His atmospheric 1880 view of the Victorian cast iron crossing, held by Leeds Art Gallery, slowly dissolves into a digital photographic collage of the same scene today.'
Foster 4 Leeds Neons
Cookridge Street
'Look up to discover children’s drawings glowing above Cookridge Street. Each neon artwork began as an image created by a child in care, capturing something they enjoy doing with their foster carer.'
Travel
To help you get there and back safely, there will be park-and-ride facilities at Elland Road and Stourton to accommodate visitors to and from the event, with buses running until later than normal every 15 minutes from both to the city centre at peak times.
There will also be additional buses running throughout the event from these locations with the last bus to Elland Road leaving Trinity P (Boar Lane) at 23:16 GMT and the last bus to Stourton leaving Trinity K (Lower Briggate) at 23:36.
Do I need a ticket?
Nope! Entrance and all the instillations are completely free.
Though the council have warned visitors that there may be some queues for the busier attractions.
You can find out more about Light Night and read about all the instillations here.
Read more: One of the UK’s cult-favourite burger chains is coming to Leeds city centre
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
One of the UK’s cult-favourite burger chains is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
An award-winning burger chain is expanding and opening in Leeds city centre.
If you don't know Burgerism, then get to know.
The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties, funky branding, and quick, reliable service.
Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order. Delicious.
And it's not just burgers, they've also got some great wings and fries available too with a range of homemade sauces on offer for dunking, drizzling and devouring. We're a particular fan of the buffalo wings with their garlic ranch dip.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The chain opened their first Leeds site in Meanwood just last month, and now they'll be opening a takeaway in the city centre on the bustling Boar Lane.
Just moments away from Call Lane, you just know there'll be plenty of punters popping in after a couple beers and we don't blame them, as we'll be doing the exact same.
Highlights on the menu will, as always, include the fan-favourite Cheesed (two smashed patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and the brand’s signature sauce, served in a seeded brioche bun), as well as a range of chicken burgers, fries, and wings.
Everything is made fresh to order, and even their sauces and dips are made entirely in-house.
We don't know the exact opening date just yet, but we do know that it's taking over the old Gyros Greek Food spot.
We will of course keep you updated as and when we find out more.
Coincidentally, it will be opening right across from another new burger restaurants named Urban Fresh Burgers. Did someone say...battle of the burgers?
Clementine Hall -
16th September 2026 
