The new opening has combined multiple units on Otley Road's Headingley Arndale to bring a taste of the Neapolitan sunshine to the suburbs of Leeds.
The relaxed neighbourhood pizzeria has over 100 covers in the bustling heart of the area offering interior and al-fresco dining - and it's already making quite the impression with locals.
Grab a seat in sun-lit corners and choose from selections like portobello mushrooms, salami, prosciutto and porchetta to top huge Neapolitan style pizzas created before your eyes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The open plan kitchen showcases the huge brick pizza oven at the heart of the venue, with kitchens spreading the scent of freshly cooked tomatoes and mozzarella around the restaurant - and this alone is enough to get your stomach rumbling in anticipation.
Following on from the success of Leeds' second Rudy's site, which opened last year in Chapel Allerton, Rudy's is continuing to bring Leeds a true Italian feast that has been known and loved in the city for a good few years now.
Born in 2015 in Ancoats, Manchester, the foodie favourite has since expanded across the north to bring Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese to Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and even the capital.
Portobello pizza with chilli honey and a burrata. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
And it's no surprise really, with fresh pizzas made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella - there's something for all pizza lovers to find on the menu.
And there's plenty more besides just pizza on the menu too. Choose from creamy burrata and Caprese salads, huge portions of meats and cheeses, the Campana, as well as sweet treats like gelato and affogato to compliment your meal.
As for drinks, you’ll find a classic Italian-dominated wine list, popular aperitivos like Aperol Spritz and Campari soda, and a selection of different beers and softs.
The Campana sharer for two. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Affogato, gelato with a double espresso. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
From today, Monday 13 April, Rudy's Headingley officially opens so you can taste test the pizzeria for yourself- and whilst the restaurant does take walk-ins, the new opening is already booking up fast.
To find out more about this exciting new opening, and to book yourself in for a true taste of Neapolitan Italy in the suburbs, visit the Rudy's website.
Feature Image-The Hoot Leeds
News
Leeds’ first sauna and ice bath cafe is coming to the city centre this spring
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
Image: Supplied
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
Leeds city centre crowned one of the best places to live in the north by The Sunday Times
Clementine Hall
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
Sophie Smith -
13th March 2023 
