Pom's Kitchen is one of the most colourful bakeries in Sheffield.
If you're on a search for Instagrammable food and don't mind a short train journey then you're in for a treat.
Inspired by Australian cuisine and bold colours, Pom's Kitchen is a bright, fun-filled cafe where everything, no matter how small, is extravagent.
Since we won't be travelling to Australia any time soon (thanks, Covid), the laid-back vibes inside Pom's Kitchen are the closest you'll get to Byron Bay this year. Luckily, the tasty menu has channeled all your favourite Aussie classics as well as including some colourful new favourites that Down Under only wish they could get their hands on.
The Rainbow Bagel is made up of a multi coloured bagel and sweet fillings. / Image: Pom's Kitchen
Rainbow bagels only made up one item on the menu, but they're example enough of the flair and innovation demonstrated by Pom's menu.
The rainbow outer layer hides the layers of Biscoff spread and sliced banana inside, before the entire bagel is sprinkled with hundreds and thousands and neon sprinkles- just incase it wasn't colourful enough already.
That's not all, the Green Goddess Bagel is a pom pink bagel (yes, you can get pink bagels here too) with cream cheese, avocado, pom kale and cucumber and pairs wonderfully with a beetroot latte.
Get a pink lunch every day of the week. / Image: Pom's Kitchen
These incredible flavours of savoury and sweet are complimented perfectly by an equally instagrammable breakfast menu.
Think vegan hot sausage butties with garlic mushrooms, granola pots with seasonal fruit and the Pom Breakfast Bagel: a swoon-worthy pink bagel filled with egg, sausage, hash brown, cheese and ketchup.
As you'd imagine, the hot and cold drinks carry the same finesse and include freakshakes and smoothies with inspiring names like Sydney Sunset, with raspberry, pineapple and orange, or Sun Salute, made from mango, orange, ginger and turmeric.
Pink bagels are freshly made using a secret recipe. / Image: Pom's Kitchen
There isn't anything quite like this in Leeds (that we are aware of), so even though Sheffield may be a trip across the Pennines, we're convinced it will be worth it for the 'gram if nothing else.
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Sophie Smith -
14th December 2021 
