Federal, one of the most popular brunch spots in Manchester, is set to open its very first Leeds cafe.
Get ready girlies, because canned matchas are coming.
Manchester’s number one brunch spot, and the UK’s most popular independent café, Federal is heading over the Pennines to open its first Yorkshire outlet right here in in Leeds. How lucky are we?
Established in the iconic Northern Quarter in 2014, Federal is inspired by Kiwi and Aussie neighbourhood cafés, and has built a global reputation for serving exceptional coffee, standout brunch dishes and offering a warm, welcoming service.
Image: The Manc Group
The new 1,500 sq ft Leeds venue will seat 70 guests and will be located on Boar Lane, it is due to open this autumn.
Diners can expect an all-day brunch menu including favourites such as French toast, steak and eggs, halloumi and shrooms and regular specials. Drinks will range from expertly crafted coffee and teas to fresh juices, wine, beer and cocktails.
Images: The Manc Group
In a recent study by bookmakers Betway, which measured the popularity of over 300 coffee shops worldwide, Federal was named the UK’s most popular independent café. It was also ranked fourth in the world with more than 1.1 million TikTok views and almost 400,000 annual Google searches, firmly establishing its reputation on the global brunch scene.
Speaking about his decision to expand Federal to Leeds, Ribeiro, said: “Choosing Leeds for our first café outside Manchester felt like the natural next step. Leeds has many similarities to Manchester with the same buzz and a growing independent brunch and coffee scene.
Image: The Manc Group
“We don’t expand for the sake of it; we wait for the right time and the right energy for Federal. Everything we do is fuelled by passion for great brunch and great coffee and creating the perfect space for every occasion and every type of customer. Now feels like the perfect time to bring the Federal experience to Yorkshire and join Leeds’ growing independent food and drink scene.”
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Clementine Hall -
27th August 2025 
