The best things to do in Chapel Allerton at the weekend

3rd October 2023

Categories: Feature, Guides, Leeds, News, Suburb Guides, What's On

As one of the top ten places to live, as voted by The Sunday Times, Chapel Allerton is a hive of community-spirit with green spaces, hipster cafes and green spaces to explore.

Back in 2021, The Sunday Times judges said that Chapel Allerton is: “a well supported independent high street – with a fishmonger, bookshop, cheese shop and much more – and an inspiring and imaginative community group, CA Spaces, make this urban village our favourite corner of Leeds.”

They’re not wrong. One of our favourite points about Chapel Allerton is its strong focus on supporting local businesses- there aren’t many places in Leeds, or indeed the UK, that you can visit a separate butchers, greengrocers, cheese mongers, wine store and more to complete your food shop with all locally grown and sold produce.

That’s not all that Chapel Allerton has to offer: there’s a host of indie cafes, plenty of green space and even a posh Aldi (whatever that means) that keeps this a family favourite place to visit.

Keep reading to find out what The Hoot recommends for a weekend in the leafy suburb…

Paria

180 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4LA

The newest coffee shop in Chapel Allerton has plenty to look at whilst you’re grabbing your morning cup of Joe. Originally a bike clothing brand, Paria has grown from an online side hustle to a full time business online and in Chapel Allerton. There’s coffee from local roasters Hard Lines and sweet treats from Laynes Bakery to choose from, all whilst you browse the cool collabs on the wall.

Find out more here.

House of Koko

62 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4LA

The overwhelming success of the cafe is well-known about Leeds- and it comes with a whole host of raving reviews.

Bringing fine-dining to a laid back setting is a winning combination that House of Koko have got down to a tee in Chapel Allerton. The menu here comprises beautifully presented dishes like pancakes drenched in syrup and even the scrambled tofu is good enough to photograph for the ‘gram (who knew?).

Rudy’s Pizza

10-12 Stainbeck Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3QY

The popular Neapolitan pizza chain is coming to Chapel Allerton and will be opening it’s doors on Stainbeck Lane on 23 July 2022. If you’re looking to be transported to the heart of Naples for the evening, then this is the place to go.

Following the traditional Neapolitan method of pizza making, their dough is made fresh daily using Caputo ‘00’ flour which is fermented for at least 24 hours. Topped with ingredients imported from Italy, the glorious pies are then cooked in a wood fire oven for just 60 seconds, leaving them soft and floppy with a leopard patterned crust.

Get cosy in this relaxed, neighbourhood pizzeria and do as the Italians do by washing down your chosen slice with a Campari Soda or Aperol Spritz.

The Mustard Pot

20 Stainbeck Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3QY

A visit to The Mustard Pot for a Sunday Roast is essential if you’re visiting Chapel Allerton on the last day of the week. There’s a roaring fire for cold wintry nights and a beer garden to bask in the summer sun: making it our all-year-round pick of pubs to visit.

Every weekend, you’ll find a choice of 12-hour Yorkshire beef rump, Yorkshire rare breed pork loin with crackling, or a Mustard Pot nut roast served with giant Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, mixed seasonal veg, creamy leeks and gravy. The menu’s pretty big, too, so if you don’t fancy a roast you can tuck into other pub favourites like fish and chips, lentil shepherdess pie, beef burger or steak.

Sir Captain Tom Moore Statue

Chapel Allerton Hospital Chape, Chapeltown Road, Leeds LS7 4SA

After spending a few months on a detour to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Captain Tom Moore statue has finally made its way to its permanent home in Leeds.

Located at the newly refurbished courtyard garden at Leeds Chapel Allerton Hospital, the statue is likely to be seen by patients who may have to stay in hospital for many months undergoing lengthy and intensive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury, long-term neurological conditions or following a stroke. As it’s located just outside of the hospital entrance, it’s within walking distance for visitors wanting to simply visit the statue itself too.

George and Joseph Cheese Mongers

140 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4NZ

Ever heard of a cheese wedding cake? Neither had we until we walked into George and Joseph, an incredible Cheesemongers on Chapel Allerton high street. If you’re not up to buying three tiers of cheese: there’s a selection of three for £6.50 (which works out to be great-value when you look at the selection available).

Clearly these guys know their cheese and it’s not just special occasions they’re catering for. Grab everything from truffle brie to charcuterie essentials like cooked meats, fresh sourdough and local low-batch bottles of booze to accompany your dishes. This truly is the place to shop local and experience some brand new tastes you’d never pick up in the supermarket.

Chirpy

148 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4NZ

This home decor shop champions all things Leeds and there’s not a ‘Prosecco O’Clock’ sign in sight. Browse through prints from local artists or design your next indoor garden space with their array of plants and pots.

Think Pinterest-style, bohemian, minimalistic but edgy and one-of-a-kind pieces, all carefully selected by the owners for your choosing. For us, it’s got to be the Leeds prints that we’re taking home, but there really is something for every taste and occasion here.

Gledlow Valley Woods

Gledhow Park Drive, LS7 4JU

Popular walking route, Gledhow Valley Woods is a stunning ribbon of woodland that wraps around the suburbs of North Leeds over 1.5km.

It’s one of those spots that truly changes with the seasons, so there’s always a new view every time you visit. In the autumn months, feel the crunch of crumpled leaves beneath your feet as shades of amber and copper surround you; whilst in the winter, views of North Leeds can been seen whilst climbing on icy steps and walkways.

The Little Bookshop

47 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD

Dedicated to children’s books, including some rather incredible novels on young activism and social justice, The Little Bookshop is a one-of-a-kind bookshop that is guaranteed to get your little ones turning the pages. The quaint little store is full of enough books to allow a child’s imagination to run wild and the selection is varied enough to be challenging and bring up different topics of discussion. There’s an adults section too, just through the back of the store- so there’s something for all ages to find.

On International Women’s Day, Wednesday 9 March, the bookshop will be joined by special guest, Kate Pankhurst, a British author and illustrator and the woman behind the phenomenon ‘Fantastically Great Women That Changed The World’.

Pinche Pinche

116a Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4NY

Mexican-inspired dishes fly out the door here, Pinche Pinche’s reputation has city socialites travelling over to the suburbs for their tacos every day of the week.

On the menu, there’s everything from marinated free-range chicken burritos to cauliflower wings, loaded Mexican nachos and churros: an epic selection of courses that combines the best of Mexican food with quality drinks. Food is also available for collection and delivery if you’d prefer to dine in your PJs.

Country Crust Sandwich Shop

489 Scott Hall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS7 2EF

Country Crust in Chapel Allerton received the award for ‘Sandwich shop of the year’ at the 2021/22 Prestige Awards – taking home a certificate noting them as ‘2 x’ winners.

Known across Leeds for its specially-cured bacon and superb menu of cakes and hot drinks, the cute little cafe was bought by husband and wife team Michelle and Jason Burns on a whim seven years ago – and it’s proven a great investment, not just for the couple but for the local community, too. There’s one product, in particular, that keeps pulling people back in – and that’s their specially cured bacon. Acquired specially from some friends in Scunthorpe, Country Crust is the only place to sell it.

Chapel Allerton Tennis and Squash Club

Wensley Avenue, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3QX

Founded back in the nineteenth century, Chapel Allerton residents have been hitting rackets since 1880, back when there was just 17 members in attendance.These days, the club has grown into a huge sports hub for the local community. Over the grounds, there are five grass tennis courts and a wooden pavilion, to three indoor tennis courts, nine artificial tennis courts, four grass courts and a Clubhouse, complete with drinks terrace for whiling away those summer days. If Tennis isn’t your game, there’s also six squash courts and a gym to take advantage of here.

Feature Image- The Mustard Pot