Famed for its outrageous flavours and stacked patties, Fat Hippo is already a local favourite over in Headingley.
And now, another hippo could be coming to town as planning permission has been submitted for another site on Boar Lane.
Fat Hippo Group has applied to take over part of a grade II-listed building at 23 Boar Lane and turn it into a restaurant.
They've applied to convert the site, making alterations to the empty ground floor and basement near Leeds train station.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Leeds City Council will now consider the planning application which is part of the City Centre Conservation Area.
The restaurant is famous for its signature PB& double J burgers, which combine all the comfort of your favourite childhood sandwich with two big, beefy patties encased with chunky peanut butter, American cheese, bacon jam and smoked chilli jello in a brioche bun.
Other must-tries include a ‘Hangover III’ burger with buttermilk chicken, smoked bacon and American cheese with pickles, ranch and BBQ sauce, and a monstrous ‘4×4’ burger which has – you guessed it – a whopping four patties inside, plus Fat Hippo’s signature burger sauce, American cheese and smoked bacon.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The report by John Taylor Architects claims the building's internal works would not harm any historical features of the grade II-listed site.
The report said: "The site is within a sustainable location and appears to be a natural fit for the proposed use....The decorative framed plaster ceiling with decorative cross beams will be fully retained and exposed."
“Internally, the premises will be fitted out to provide a high quality, modern, fit-for-purpose restaurant.”
We'll keep you up to date with all decisions but in the mean time, you can have a look at Fat Hippo's menu here.
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Clementine Hall -
17th February 2025 
