Leeds has already welcomed some fantastic new openings this year, and it's only getting better.
We’re already spoilt for choice for incredible restaurants, shops and things to do here in Leeds.
But our cityscape is about to get even better and it’s all thanks to a whole host of new openings cropping up over the next few months.
From a retail giant coming to Briggate to a couple of fabulous restaurants that the city can't stop nattering about, we're all in for an absolute treat.
Let's have a look then shall we?
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: Dishoom
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it.
Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
Madre
Wellington Street
Image: The Manc Group
The north’s favourite Mexican is bringing not one, but two venues to Leeds City Centre this summer. Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street.
And not only that but Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, will open just around the corner.
In news that will most definitely get you a little bit excited, a new canal-side pub is in the works from the iconic team behind Whitelock’s Ale House.
The pub is called the Brewery Wharf Tavern and is located at (shock) Brewery Wharf and it’s taking over the old Home spot by Liz Cotham which sadly closed a couple of months ago.
We don’t know much else, but we’re sure it’s going to be class.
Uniqlo
Briggate
Image: Uniqlo
Even though us Leeds lot are already fashionable enough, we will soon be able to deck ourselves out in top to toe Uniqlo as the Japanese clothing brand is coming to the city.
The news comes after planning documents have appeared for new ‘Uniqlo’ signage on the Store House building on Briggate with the CGI suggesting the store will take over one of two ground floor units in the building.
For all your yoga bunnies, this one's for you. The luxury activewear brand is opening one of its first stores outside of London right here in Leeds. Taking over the old Ted Baker site, it's going to be a big one too.
American pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo has outlined her ambitions for 2026 - and one of them involves a trip to Leeds.
It's safe to say the concept of Olivia Rodrigo taking a stroll down Briggate or waiting for a train at Platform 16 is one we're struggling to get our heads around, but we're absolutely not mad about it.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is known for her love of the UK, having been spotted spending chunks of time in both Manchester and London over recent years.
But in a recent interview with Hits Radio UK, Olivia Rodrigo stated she wanted to explore more of the UK. And the city at the top of her list? Leeds.
When asked if she has a favourite area of the UK, she said: "I spent some time in Manchester which was really nice. Very inspiring, so many great bands from there.
"I spent some time in Wales too, which was fun. I've been around but I need to go and see more things. I really want to go to Leeds this year. I think that'll be fun. Just like as a spectator, I think that'll be cool."
You know what Olivia, it absolutely will.
Interviewer Will Best then suggests she attends a Leeds match to which she responds "yes" enthusiastically.
So next time we're at Elland Road we'll definitely be keeping a firm eye out for Miss Rodrigo who we've no doubt will look exceptional in a Leeds United jersey.
The Leeds bakery serving up fresh pastries straight from their backyard
Thomas Melia
In case you missed it, a bakery in Bramley has received lots of attention recently after people have sampled some of its impressive bread and pastries before raving about it online.
Since then, Ruth, the mastermind behind it all, has generated queues from her summer house-turned bakehouse with people coming from far and wide to sample her flaky favourites and doughy delights.
Baking for more than 10 years and opening The Fat Pigeon just outside of Leeds city centre three years ago, there's no denying that the pastries and more produced here are some of the best.
This micro-bakery has a mighty menu and although Ruth's personal tastes might lean more savoury, the menu heavily favours sugary baked goods.
Anyone who loves a good sweet treat will be glad to know there's croissants, traybakes, cinnamon buns and the star-studded kouign-amann, a French-originating buttery pastry that covers all bases as it's sugary, sweet and slightly salty - heaven in baked form.
Ruth posing with a pigeon statue alongside some of her delicious golden creations / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
There's plenty more dough-based delights that cater to the savoury palate too. Think sourdough loaves, baguettes and focaccia that's oozing with perfectly paired herbs and generous amounts of oil.
What makes this place even more special is the fact that not only the products being created and consumed made by a Leeds local, most if not all of the offerings are made using Yorkshire produce.
Ruth has made sure to keep local produce at the heart of all her bakes with Met's in Farsley who providing cheese, Whiteley's contributing fresh vegetables like parsley and rhubarb, flour from East Yorkshire's own Stringers and The Organic Dales for any dairy items - it really doesn't get more Yorkshire than this.
Enough from us, social media user's are singing this bakery's praises too as one commented "Delicious. Delicious. Delicious" and another going as far to say, "Beats every pastry I had in Copenhagen".
The sourdough loaves and bloomers at The Fat Pigeon are homemade and look as good as they taste / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
Hopefully you're reading this on a Friday or early Saturday morning, otherwise all I can do is apologise for tempting you with all this bakery's homemade golden goodness so far in advance.
The Fat Pigeon is open from 9am to 12pm every Saturday meaning you can stock up on some of Leeds' best bread and pastries to tie you over until the next weekend, depending on your will power.
Clementine Hall -
5th August 2025 
