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.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Clementine Hall -
17th February 2025 
