Leeds has suffered yet another gutting loss as OWT restaurant has closed its doors for good after six-and-a-half years.
Starting out in Kirkgate Market before relocating to the Corn Exchange and then taking over the legendary old Corner Cafe site on Burley Road back in November 2023, this beloved canteen-turned-mini-bistro garnered a passionate local following.
Receiving countless positive reviews for the ever-changing menus, the small but regularly rotating dishes were always top-notch and the expansion not only into a bigger space but evening service was no easy feat for this small team.
Sadly, after well over half a decade of building their local reputation and brand, James and Esther confirmed that the restaurant has closed with seemingly immediate effect, posting a lengthy and understandably emotional statement.
Sharing a page for each year they've been in business, the husband and wife duo's goodbye message begins: "After six-and-a-half-years delighting you with James' menus and my French sassiness, we've decided to put an end to our chapter in Leeds.
"We have been following our hearts since 2018 and do not wish to put our physical and mental health through more hospitality-related hurdles.
"We welcomed thousands of you in three different locations tirelessly trying to make it look effortless. Sometimes the simplest concepts are the hardest. Providing top quality in a clean and cool environment takes a lot. We are very proud we lasted this long.
"A few years ago our mate Mike gifted us a print that says: everything is easy, if you want to do it badly". It was never easy at OWT, but boy was it done well!"
They go on to explain that they are now looking to enjoy a "softer pace of life" and spend more time together as a couple - and who could argue with that?
You can find the farewell in full above; it's truly touching and as Esther wrote in the caption, "Comments on this post are disabled as I am not ready for the digital wave tonight! Send us a message or an email if you want to catch up, I will reply once ready."
It goes without saying that we encourage you not just to read their moving words but do go ahead and send them some love and support if you've ever been lucky enough to eat their wonderful food. They deserve it.
Whether it was James' crowd-pleasing chicken, mash and gravy or a simple toastie, this place never missed or slumped on the quality.
OWT might have closed but Leeds will always have the memories and we hope this isn't goodbye from James and Esther forever. Merci.
If it's good enough for Anton Stach, then it's good enough for us.
Well, it really is the signing that nobody saw coming...and it’s happening right opposite the station.
Meat:Stack, the Newcastle-born, award-winning burger joint on Bishopgate Street in Leeds, is giving the people what they want - a burger with Anton Stach’s name on it.
Introducing ‘The Moustachi Burger', officially launching Tuesday 18 August where Anton Stach himself will be down at Meat:Stack to meet United fans, sign autographs and, of course, tuck into his very own creation.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Even better, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Elhadj Diouf Foundation (EDF), a charity chosen by Stach that supports children through education.
Not only that, but it's a great opportunity to support Meat:Stack that has been suffering from the ongoing road works for months on end now.
So really, you've got no excuse to come down and tuck into the special which will be available through the opening weeks of the season.
Anton Stach, Leeds United and Germany midfielder, added: “Leeds has felt like home from very early on, and a lot of that is the people and the places around the ground, the businesses fans go to before and after a game. Meat:Stack is one of them, and they’ve had a hard time with the building work on their doorstep. The Moustachi Burger is a lovely nod to my YouTube channel too.
"This is a team on the rise in a city on the comeback, and support has to go both ways. I wanted to back a business Leeds fans care about and raising money for a foundation my family has given so much to at the same time means everything. I’ll be there on the 18th, bring your appetite.”
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
Clementine Hall
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.
Danny Jones -
24th January 2025 
