This leafy suburb has far more to it than meet the eye.
Just ten minutes away from Leeds city centre lies Meanwood, a bustling leafy suburb full of fantastic independent shops, bars and restaurants.
Fancy a trip out of Leeds this weekend? Here are our top picks of what to see, where to eat and where to go in the up-and-coming town of Meanwood.
Terminus Tap Room& Bottle Shop
Image: Terminus Tap Room & Bottle Shop
Established in 2017 by brothers Baz and Graeme Philips, The Terminus Taproom otherwise known as The Meanwood Brewery, offers customers the finest craft beers, wine and cocktails from the best local producers and beyond.
Pop in and try one of their own hoppy creations which take inspiration from different styles and flavours from around the world. Or try one of their fabulous, salted caramel espresso martinis which are two for £10 during their happy hour at 3-6pm on Monday to Friday.
Stonegate Rd, Meanwood.
Number 8 Cocktail Bar
Image: Number 8 Cocktails
Previously located over in Manchester at the independent urban village Hatch, Number 8 Bar has made quite a name for itself with its fun takes on classic cocktails.
The building certainly isn't hard to miss with a multicoloured, floral mural painted on the outside. Inside you are met with trendy, industrial inspired interior with cosy leather sofas to nestle down in. Enjoy any of the classic cocktails which are perfectly executed or sample one from their ever changing, seasonal menu items to spice up your Friday night.
10-14 Stonegate Rd, Meanwood.
Tandem Gallery and Shop
Image: Tandem
Tandem opened in 2017 by owners Hannah and Hetty who created the shop of their dreams with their shared passion for homeware.
The store is a beautiful space and is full of gifts, homeware, plants and much more. Locally sourced artists' work line the carefully curated shelves and there is also a refill station where you can fill up on all your kitchen and cleaning essentials. Their in-house coffee shop makes it a relaxing, creative hub for everyone to enjoy any, including your dog.
574 Meanwood Road, Meanwood, Leeds.
Humbl Coffee
Image: Humbl
From an up-cycled horse trailer to a coffee shop, Humbl is the UK’s first battery powered mobile coffee shop with a lockdown success story that started off, and continues to be, an entirely self-funded small business. Their location around Meanwood varies but you can track them down by following their socials or visiting their website.
Owners and coffee enthusiasts, Matt and Georgia, are now hoping to give the suburb that has taken in Humbl for the past twelve months, a permanent home in the form of a coffee shop. Having just received the keys for their brand-new digs, watch this space to find out about their upcoming opening.
Opening soon, Meanwood.
Zucco
Image: Zucco
This small-plate, Italian restaurant is one of Meanwood's longest standing independent businesses. Their menu changes according to the seasons and always uses fresh, quality ingredients.
Think chargrilled octopus with saffron potatoes or braised beef pappardelle with gran padano cheese. The menu has lots of options so there is definitely something for everyone to indulge in and enjoy. The restaurant has a lovely, light and family friendly atmosphere where the staff are bound to make you feel right at home.
603 Meanwood Rd, Meanwood, Leeds.
Alfred
Image: Alfred
Slap bang in the middle of Meanwood, minutes from Meanwood Park, Alfred is the perfect local hang out for fans of great beer, wine and spirits. An extension of the beloved Leeds favourite, North Brewing Co. Alfred is home to knowledgeable and friendly staff who are happy to take you through their huge range of drinks.
Stop by after a walk round the park for a well-deserved beer surrounded by stylish decor with a 1950's twist.
Take a stroll around this beautiful park which includes woodland, meadows, a flowing stream and stretches of mown grass. Not only is there a gorgeous nature trail to discover, there's a children's play area and two public tennis courts which are free to play on throughout the year.
There's a cafe serving hot and cold refreshments to keep you going and the park is doggy friendly making it the perfect place for a family day out.
Hana Matsuri
Image: Hana Matsuri
This intimate, Japanese restaurant is widely acclaimed and holds a well earned place on the Michelin Guide. Seating only 7 guests, chef Kaoru Nakamura serves up an Omakase tasting menu of authentic, fresh sushi made from good quality, imported seafood.
Japanese memorabilia and sake line the walls of the restaurant making you feel as though you're in the heart of Tokyo, in Leeds. The price point isn't cheap, however it is the place to go to celebrate a very special occasion and is certain to be a night to remember.
580 Meanwood Road, Meanwood.
Myrtle Tavern
Image: Myrtle Tavern
This pub was crowned pub of the year in the British Pub Awards 2021, so, if you're in Meanwood, you should definitely check it out. Stop by for a cosy Sunday Roast or bask in the sunshine with a cold pint in their extensive garden and sun terrace.
If you don't fancy a full Sunday roast then why not sample some of their tapas dishes, including southern fried popcorn chicken and wild mushroom arancini balls. They also have a menu solely dedicated to gin, featuring lots of fantastic local gins from Leeds and the surrounding areas.
Parkside Road, Meanwood.
Culto
Image: Culto
Culto is an authentic Italian kitchen and takeout based on Stainbeck Road. Their aim is to showcase how fantastic Italian cuisine can be by using only the best ingredients delivered directly from Italy. There is a relaxed dining area where you can enjoy their delights or you can take the food away to enjoy at home, all at an affordable price.
Whether it's a toasted panini sandwich made with homemade focaccia that you fancy or a creamy burrata and tomato salad to enjoy alongside a cold glass of Italian white wine. If it's something sweet you're after then why not make a pit stop at Poco, their sister cafe on Kirkstall Road, who serve homemade Sicilian cannolis filled with fresh cream.
97 Steinbeck Rd, Meanwood.
Read More: The best things to do in Meanwood this weekend
A 20-year-old man from Bradford has been sentenced to time in prison this week after admitting to numerous child sex offences.
Following an investigation initially by West Mercia and Lancashire Police, Kasey Fitton, aged 20 of Amundsen Avenue in Bradford, was arrested in February 2025 on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with four children residing outside of West Yorkshire Police force area.
An investigation was then launched by Bradford Safeguarding Unit, who went on to uncover large-scale sexual offending against children.
In February 2026, Fitton was charged with 16 counts of sexual communication with a child and 20 counts of making/possession of indecent images of children - with police confirming that five child victims have been identified.
At Bradford Crown Court, Fitton admitted to all 36 counts, and then earlier this week (7 September), he was jailed for seven and a half years, plus a five year extension on licence. He will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for life, and he has been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.
Speaking following the sentencing this week, Detective Superintendent Alan Weekes of Bradford District Police, described Fitton as a 'very dangerous individual to children'.
"There are further investigations ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have been a victim to come forward to us," DSI Weekes said.
"We are keen to speak to anyone who interacted with the Snapchat accounts Kaseyfitton23, Kaseyfitton24 and MyCroft110.
"We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and they are treated with sensitivity. We have specially trained officers who will guide you through the process and do everything we can to get justice."
Featured Image - West Yorkshire Police
News
History has never been this fun – Operation Mincemeat at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House | Review
Declan Kelly
Don’t judge a book by its cover... or in this case, a musical by its posters.
Going in completely blind, I really didn’t know what to expect from Operation Mincemeat. In fact, after the first number, I found myself thinking, I’m not sure this is quite my cup of tea.
How wrong I was.
Watching Tuesday night’s performance at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, I was quickly proven wrong about what I thought a musical needed to be. There are no huge sets, endless costume changes, or hundreds of performers filling the stage. Instead, Operation Mincemeat delivers a genuinely funny, surprisingly heart-warming story with just five performers, while somehow teaching you a bit of history along the way.
If I had to sum this show up in two words? Belly laughter.
Based on the real-life British intelligence operation during the Second World War, the musical follows the unlikely group tasked with convincing Hitler that the Allies were planning to invade Greece rather than Sicily.
And honestly, if you didn’t already know it actually happened, you’d probably think someone had made it up. That ridiculousness is exactly what makes the show work. The comedy comes thick and fast, with characters, accents, and personalities constantly changing as the five-strong cast jump between roles.
And this is where the production really impressed me.The multi-roling is incredibly slick. A pair of glasses, a change in voice or a small shift in posture can completely transform a character, and somehow it never feels like a gimmick. Instead, it becomes part of the magic of the production. It’s a brilliant example of how much can be achieved on stage without throwing money at elaborate sets or costumes.
Credit: Matt CrockettCredit: Matt Crockett
But underneath all the comedy is where Operation Mincemeat really surprised me.
One of the standout performances for me came from Christian Andrews as Hester Leggatt. During ‘Roses’, Andrews completely captivates the audience while portraying an older woman writing about the experience of wives waiting for their loved ones away at war.
What makes the moment so effective is its simplicity. With little more than a pair of glasses, Andrews transforms into Hester, but there is never any sense that the character is being played for laughs. Instead, there is real care and respect in the performance.
Andrews captures the loneliness, vulnerability, and uncertainty of a woman whose life has been put on hold while her partner is away fighting. After so much laughter, the sudden change in tone really lands. For me, it was one of the clearest examples of the craftsmanship behind the show. Both the writing and performance manage to find genuine emotion without losing the production’s personality.
The music follows the same balance, moving between big, energetic numbers and quieter moments that give the characters room to breathe. It never feels like songs have been added simply because this happens to be a musical; they actually help tell the story.
And despite being based on a historical event, it never feels like a history lesson.
Operation Mincemeat at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House / Credit: Matt Crockett
In fact, I left the theatre wanting to find out more about the real Operation Mincemeat, which is probably the biggest compliment I can give it and definitely will be watching the film very soon.
If you’re heading to the theatre expecting huge dance numbers, powerhouse ballads and elaborate sets, then this might not be the show for you. But if you want something different, something that will have you laughing at one of the strangest stories in British history while leaving you amazed at just how slick a production can be with only five cast members, then this is absolutely worth seeing.
What I initially thought wasn’t my cup of tea ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the evening.
Funny, clever, completely bonkers at times and unexpectedly moving, Operation Mincemeat proves you don’t need a massive production to make a big impression. I have seen a lot of theatre productions in my life, but I have never seen anything as slick as this production, and that is pure talent at its finest.
Sometimes, all you need is a ridiculous true story, five brilliant performers and a whole lot of belly laughs.
Clementine Hall -
7th April 2022 
