Fleur Cafe is the first to call itself the most Instagrammable spot in Leeds, proudly stating on its website that it is the "most Instagram-friendly cafe restaurant" in the city.
As the name suggests, the theme here is floral - and they have gone all out on the aesthetic. Think cascading wisteria draping down from every spare corner of the ceiling, which is also covered in 10,000 pink and purple butterflies.
It's also just as lush from the outside, with pink signs draped in more pink and purple flowers and flanked by large green areca palms, ferns and peace lilies.
Add in hanging spotlights hidden amongst the flowers and luminous pink neons declaring their own hashtags like #BrunchatFleurs and #FleurCafe and you've got yourself a proper Insta trap if ever we saw one.
But whilst we're quite taken with the decor, we also want to talk about the brunch offering - which features the likes of wagyu pretzel bun burgers, baked coconut pancakes, spaghetti pasta and harissa chicken depending on what time you take yourself down.
The boozy brunch offer stretches across most of the day, broken into two sessions: the first running from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm, the second from 4 - 8 pm.
Available to enjoy with unlimited prosecco for £27.95 a head, if you head down for the morning you'll be treated to all the classic breakfast favourites: smash avocado toast, masala baked beans, shakshuka, french toast, pancakes or a breakfast bowl plus your choice of side.
Whilst the breakfast mains sounds pretty wholesome, it gets a bit naughtier when you look at the side options - which include the likes of cheesy chips, cauliflower cheese, 'drooling' fries and macaroni and cheese. That's our two personalities on one menu right there.
As for evening options, the aforementioned wagyu pretzel bun burger definitely catches our eye - but if that's not up your street there's plenty more to choose from too.
Think grilled beef short ribs, skewered kebabs, foccacia sandwiches, cauliflower and chickpea curry, Dubai beef biriyani and a harissa chicken pretzel burger. It's quite the feast, once again priced at £27.95 for unlimited prosecco - or £24.95 if you'd like to sample their bottomless mocktail offering instead.
Often, mocktails can be quite unimaginative - but not here at Fleur cafe. Alongside your standard virgin mojitos and pina coladas, you'll also find a raspberry sherbert drink made with additional elderflower, lime, grapefruit soda, a honey and mint concoction, and a tempting-sounding fruit punch thrown into the mix.
Available Monday to Sunday, with the bottomless evening offer extended to 9 pm on Saturdays, there's never a bad time to visit Fleur Cafe.
To find out more, head over to their Instagram page here.
Temple Newsam will be transformed into a brand-new immersive festive story event.
Following a second successful winter, Leeds’ spectacular immersive light show Northern Lights is returning with a brand-new journey.
The Lost Light of Christmas is a narrative driven adventure that will lead visitors around the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam this winter, running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026.
With over 100,000 visitors each year, Northern Lights Leeds has been completely reimagined this winter with a showcase of exclusive art installations from some of the UK’s leading light artists.
Image: Supplied
There'll be special effects, interactive elements and bespoke audio compositions all tied together with an illuminating new narrative theme.
Visitors will follow a glowing trail through enchanted forests, along sparkling pathways and around shimmering lagoons with plenty of hidden surprises along the way as you help the fairies on their quest restore the Lost Light of Christmas before it goes out forever.
Approximately one mile in length, the light trail will host over a dozen illuminations with a curated selection of vintage fairground rides and a variety of classic festive treats, including mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Images: Supplied
Ben Robinson - Director, From The Fields said: “After two incredible years at Temple Newsam we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds. The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas.
"Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Tickets for The Lost Light of Christmas will go on sale Thursday 2 July with prices starting at £12.00 for children and £17.00 for adults. Get yours here.
A ‘Mini Mall’ full of independent food traders and local brands is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The Merrion Centre is set to become the home of an exciting new retail and food destination this summer.
Introducing The Mini Mall, an innovative retail concept designed to create a flagship city-centre destination for local brands, artisan producers and independent food traders.
The new 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will be completely dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands, artisan producers, and local food creators.
Operating as a premium 'satellite department store', The Mini Mall provides established independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.
Image: Supplied
Shoppers can expect a carefully curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers, and street food vendors under one roof.
The Mini Mall will open on Saturday 25July with an official public grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases, and the full launch of the Mini Food Hall.to meet the makers behind the brands.
Shaz Westfield, founder of Eventszo, said: "The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.
“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive. We're delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship."
Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of The Merrion Centre, said: "What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We've always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won't find elsewhere on the high street."
You can find out more about Leeds' new Mini Mall here.
Georgina Pellant -
14th September 2021 
