A Hollywood great has been seen dining at UYARE, the luxury rooftop restaurant in the heart of Leeds city centre.
Mads Mikkelsen, who has starred in roles such as Hannibal as well as portraying arguably the best James Bond villain yet in Casino Royale, visited the new Leeds spot over the weekend.
It wasn't just Mikkelsen bringing a taste of Hollywood to the restaurant, either.
He was visiting UYARE with Oscar-winning editor Lee Smith, who edited Dunkirk and Inception, and producer Pascal Degove.
The trio visited the South Indian restaurant and bar to discuss their upcoming project, Sirius, a new Arctic action-thriller that will be Smith's directional debut.
Mads was seen posing for photos with staff, and personally thanked Chef Ajith Kumar and Chef Francis.
Mads Mikkelsen and his crew feasted on a spread of fiery starters like masala fried cauliflower, crispy fried fish, and punchy Kanthari chicken.
Then he tucked into Pothu Koonu Masala - a buffalo curry - Kunjaadu curry, and a king prawn Chemmeen roast for mains, with Kerela parathas and carrot coconut rice.
UYARE is the beautiful new rooftop restaurant from the team behind Tharavadu, taking over the sky-high former Issoh site at Victoria Gate.
The team have a knack for attracting some serious star power, with visits from Simon Pegg, Rebel Wilson, and the entire Indian cricket team across at Tharavadu.
But Mads Mikkelsen is the biggest name to grace the new rooftop restaurant.
The UYARE team said: "Our staff aren’t new to high-profile guests. After all, our sister restaurant, Tharavadu, has seen the likes of Simon Pegg, Rebel Wilson, Virat Kohli, and the entire Indian Cricket Team over the past 11 years.
"We’re proud to bring that same hospitality and excellence to UYARE."
Chef Fern is taking on another venture, and this time it's all about Katsu.
If you know anything about the Leeds food scene, then you'll know the absolute legend that is Chef Fern.
Her first restaurant, Fern Modern Sushi, is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Known for their expertly crafted sushi made with only the freshest fish on offer.
Nestled in the Central Arcade, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant captured the hearts of many foodies since opening in 2024.
This year, Chef Fern set her sights on another restaurant on Vicar Lane.
Image: O Katsu
Tori Nori opened just a couple of months ago, a modern Japanese grill centred around the fiery robata where guests can watch the chefs cook everything from grilled fish to delicious yakitori skewers right in front of their very eyes.
Unsurprisingly, Tori Nori has also been a huge hit.
But there's just no stopping Fern as she goes on to open yet another restaurant in the city centre.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing O Katsu, an intimate restaurant with only 15 covers serving premium katsu.
Katsu is basically a breaded, deep-fried piece of meat, seafood or vegetables. Served with steaming hot rice, shredded cabbage, miso soup and dipping sauces, it's nothing short of delicious and a popular meal enjoyed in Japan.
We don't know much abut the opening date just yet, but what we do know is that it'll be located just opposite her first restaurant in the Central Arcade.
There will be no bookings, and the space will feature an open kitchen so guests can watch the magic happen.
One things for sure, if Chef Fern is involved you just know it's going to be brilliant. We'll keep you updated on the opening of O Katsu as and when we find out.
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
Daisy Jackson -
23rd June 2025 
