The Savvy Baker is opening a cafe in Leeds City Centre
They grow up so fast.
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26th September 2025
The Savvy Baker is opening its first ever city centre cafe, and we couldn't be prouder.
But first, let's go all the way back to the beginning.
Savannah Roqaa became an overnight sensation after sending her friends brownie care packages in lockdown back in 2020.
Since then she has captured the attention of the entire city with her innovative brownie flavours, charismatic demeanour and cafes in our suburbs and beyond.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now with cafes in York and Chesterfield, we love making a special trip to get our hands on Sav's seasonal drinks and brownies.
But now we won't have to go so far, because The Savvy Baker Cafe is officially coming to the city centre.
The cafe will be located on Bond Street next to Boots, a stone's throw away from the train station and Trinity Shopping Centre.
Of course you'll be able to grab all your favourite brownies, blondies, cookies and other bakes, but there's some other exciting stuff in the works too.
For the first time ever the shop will feature a dedicated cookie bakery where customers will be able to watch (and smell) all the magic happening through the window. How class is that?
There will also be a special matcha bar integrated into the counter as well as North Star speciality coffee available for those looking for their caffeine fix.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Savvy Baker will also be offering a small selection of puddings for you to tuck into like banana pudding, old school cake with custard and more.
You'll also be able to buy your own brownie boxes in store as well as get your brownie slabs personalised, trust us - they've really thought of everything.
We don't have an exact opening date yet, but we'll keep you in the loop when we know more.
We are so proud of Sav and the team, and we can't wait to visit when your doors to The Savvy Baker open.
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.”
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26th September 2025 
