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.”
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."
Clementine Hall -
27th August 2025 
