With no less than two new rooftop bars, a huge new M&S store with its own garlic bread fridge and new bars and eateries springing up every single week – this really is Leeds’ time.
The drinks are flowing as the summer sunshine finally makes it’s first proper appearance of the year and it’s got us wondering – what’s new in the city to explore?
Here’s twenty different options to get you started…
Just opened this month…
Tamatanga
The Headrow | Opened Friday 16 May 2023
Indian restaurant tamatanga, known for its hearty, home-style Indian food, has announced the opening of its fourth restaurant. Founded in Nottingham in 2008, tamatanga is a casual, laid back Indian eatery serving up delicious home-style food.
Following the roaring success of their Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester restaurants, they will be moving from the Midlands and bringing their spice up North to Leeds. The brightly coloured, fun restaurant is located at The Light on The Headrow, having just opened this past weekend.
Find out more here.
POCO Sicilian
Lands Lane, Leeds | Opened Friday 9 June 2023
Located slap bang in the heart of the city, the new POCO will take over the former Yorkshire Bank unit and bringing copious amounts of pizza al taglio to the masses in the process.
The team never fail to have a huge selection of eat, including pizza slices with flavours that change by the day: the vegan slice with mushrooms, peppers and copious amounts of spinach is a standout favourite, but there’s everything from ham and potato slices to fennel sausage to choose from.
Find out more here.
Libations Rum
Armley Nano Park | Opened May 2023
Libations Rum has opened its doors right here in Leeds and you can now see how one of the city’s favourite indie rum suppliers creates its award-winning spirits.
Founded in 2019, by ex-industry professionals Chloe Potter and Rory Armstrong, the pair have been slowly bringing the city a whole new spirit experience, sharing their name with pop-up events aplenty over the past few years.
Now settled in their very own distillery, you can take a peek behind the closed doors once a week and find out exactly what goes into making the popular spirit.
Find out more here.
K-Cube Karaoke Bar
Merrion Centre | Opened Thursday 19 June 2023
The new VIP K-Cube venue comes from the same owners as Blue Sakura, has just opened having been undergoing renovations over the past year or so, 82-90 Merrion Street.
The karaoke bars has space for up to 65 guests with each room able to take on 6, 8, 10 or 20 ‘aspiring rockstars’ at a time. There’s also be drinks packages and light bites to order via waiter service to enjoy whilst singing in the private karaoke rooms.
K-Cube also notes that an a la carte Chinese restaurant is expected to open on site by September.
Find out more here.
Opening this summer…
Hyde Park Picture House
Brudenell Road, Leeds | Opening Friday 30 June 2023
Bringing back the last remaining gas lit cinema in the country, doors will open in spring (hopefully summer 2023) following an extensive renovation to introduce modern amenities that bring the building into the 21st century whilst preserving and protecting its history for generations to come to appreciate.
Find out more here.
Slim Chickens
Top floor of Trinity Shopping Centre | Opening July 2023
Leeds is about to get its very first Slim Chickens. The casual fast food joint is taking over the former Carluccio’s site to bring the city fresh tenders, juicy burgers, wings and shakes.
And if this isn’t exciting enough, Leeds’ favourite brownies will be available onsite from The Savvy Baker over the opening weekend with the first 30 customers will receive three free chicken tenders and a Savvy Baker brownie.
Find out more here.
Get Baked
Cross Hall Street, behind Leeds Corn Exchange | Opening July 2023
Get Baked has been serving Leeds up with some of the most impressive sweet treats for quite some time now. Bringing the city the ‘Bruce’, a huge chocolate cake that’ll set you back £12 a slice, as well as sell out brownies, cookies and Frankenpies – Get Baked has a huge following, with many swearing by owner Rich Myer’s desserts for all occasions.
And now, following the success of the takeaway bakery in Headingley, Get Baked has announced it will be coming to Leeds city centre to bring an eat-in dining concept with pancakes, French toast and poached eggs.
Find out more here.
Project House
Location unknown | Opening July 2023
Brudenell, Belgrave Music Hall and Welcome, Project House have joined forces to bring the city a brand new gig spot. The 1,000 person capacity venue is set to bring together far more than just a new space to jam out on a Friday night.
Named Project House, expect a multi-purpose venue that combines music, markets, parties, even adding in a new restaurant concept and exhibition and conference space. Naturally with a big new opening comes an impressive list of events ready to go for the opening season, including a performance from Bombay Bicycle Club – and this certainly won’t disappoint.
Find out more here.
Bini Brew Brewery
Sheepscar, Leeds | Opening soon
Last week Bini Brew Co. announced the news that it will be opening a second location close to the city centre, stating: “Exciting news! Bini Brew is expanding and setting up in Leeds!
“Our new brewery in Sheepscar is up and running. With more space, we’ll be able to increase our beer production and have a taproom opening in the coming months.
“But don’t worry, our Ilkley location is still going strong and we’ll continue to host our monthly pop ups with the next one this weekend. Cheers to new beginnings and more beer!”
Find out more here.
Karobar by Kirkstall Brewery
New Road Side, Horsforth | Opening summer 2023
Much-loved local brewers Kirkstall Brewery has joined forces with five star Indian restaurant Dastaan, based in Adel, to bring together a fusion of Indian street food and IPAs, in a brand new setting.
Kirkstall Brewery announced it would be taking over the former Banyan site on New Road Side in Horsforth last month. Karobar, the working name for the new bar partnership, plans to bring together the best of Kirkstall Brewery’s beers with ‘modern fusion’ Indian street food that’s been inspired by trends seen back in India.
Find out more here.
The Foundation
Adel | Opening summer 2023
Following on from the success of The Meanwood Brewery’s boozy offerings, The Foundation will be opening a modern contemporary taproom over in Adel. Serving up everything from our signature breakfasts and coffees to a range of craft beers, wines, cocktails and more – this is certainly going to be one to watch!
Little Leeds
Chapeltown | Opening date unknown
The Leeds Deli has certainly been providing the city with more than just a kid-friendly hangout spot. The popular deli hosts monthly Mum Club with different themes each week for little ones and grown ups to socialise with likeminded individuals with plenty of soft play and treats involved.
Not only this but they ensure that family-friendly activities are at the forefront of everything they do. But now the owners are taking one step further in supplying the city with child-friendly spaces and will be opening a brand new space called Little Leeds.
“This isn’t your ordinary soft play” we’ve been told… “It’s going to be a modern and chic cafe with a beautiful, design led and purpose built space for grown ups to enjoy whilst little ones play.”
Find out more here.
Kirkgate Market Hotel
Proposed new opening
Leeds City Council has revealed that plans for a new hotel in Kirkgate Market this week.
The initial proposals are going to go before the council’s city plans panel at a meeting next Thursday 22 June 2023. The council reports that it has been exploring the potential for a hotel on George Street as part of ‘the wider regeneration of the area’.
Find out more here.
More recent openings…
Jamrock
Kirkgate | Now open
Supplying Leeds with frozen rum cocktails and a host of Caribbean style food, Jamrock promises to be the place for a drink that’ll have you dreaming of warmer days. Having just opened over the May bank holiday, Jamrock’s new home on Kirkgate (formerly Call Lane) is going to be one to remember when cocktails are on the brain.
Find out more here.
Olive & Thai
Inside Grand Arcade | Now open
The newest Thai restaurant in Leeds has taken over the former Simpatico building inside the Queens Arcade – right next door to the original Olive & Rye cafe. There’s takeaway lunch options downstairs, whilst upstairs is home to a more formal seating area, perfect for an impromptu evening out.
Find out more here.
Headingley Heights
Now open | On top of BOX, Headingley, Otley Road
Headingley’s new rooftop bar has JUST opened on the third floor of BOX – and going to be such a sun trap. Headingley Heights as it will be known is full of everything you need and more – equipped with its own bar with exclusive cocktails, two huge HD screens showing all the sports and all the usual food and drink locals have come to know and love from BOX.
Yes, even Otley Run folk will be able to take full advantage of this huge new space – there’s over 200 seats that have just been added to the space!
Find out more here.
Fearns
Inside Department, Leeds Dock | Now open
Called Fearns, the new social dining concept got its name from the small parcel of land, known locally as Fearns Island, nearby to its home in Department. The land will house an allotment for the kitchen team to grow seasonal produce, herbs, and flora in the coming months.
Headed up by Jade Crawley, former Head Chef at The Tetley Bar and Kitchen and Eat Your Greens, the new foodie spot promises a brand new sustainable hospitality process that centres around local produce. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Fearns will be a new destination for every meal. The menu comes has been strewn together using Yorkshire ingredients, taking creative influence from kitchens across Europe.
Find out more here.
IF… Rooftop
Cross Park Street, Leeds city centre | Open from May 2023
IF… Rooftop has taken over the former East Parade Social site on Cross Park Street. A brand new rooftop terrace that offers tasty cocktails, a fun atmosphere, panoramic views of Leeds’ skyline and a reyt good space to boogie.
The space boasts breathtaking, panoramic views of the city and is a perfect spot to sip a tipple whilst basking in the sun. The new bar promises IF’s tasty cocktails, live DJ’s and a fun party atmosphere against the atmospheric city skyline.
The menu spans from your usual lagers and cocktail menu to frozen alcoholic slushies, including the super cooling frozen margaritas, all served to the beat of soft house music and well known anthems as the sun goes down.
Find out more here.
The Savvy Baker at Elland Road
Elland Road | Now open
The Savvy Baker is continuing to distribute its sellout brownies and sweet treats across Leeds, and will now be adding its very own Elland Road stand to its locations.
Sharing the news on Instagram last night, The Savvy Baker said: “Exciting news guys!!!! We’re going to have a stand at ELLAND ROAD!! Inside the turnstiles at the East Stand on match days AND supplied to the brew bar and coffee shop at the east stand too!! This is HUGE for us!!! If you’re attending the last 2 home games, come and show us some support too Brownies while you watch the match”.
Find out more here.
Marks & Spencer Megastore
White Rose Shopping Centre | Now open
The Leeds-born supermarket chain announced earlier this year the company will be creating a total of 3,400 new jobs across the country with a total of twenty new stores opening, including a brand new spot in Leeds’ own White Rose Shopping Centre.
The new superstore has taken over the former Debenhams site and features an incredible food hall, Beauty Edit, Flower Shop, Deli and loads more. But what’s got us really excited, is the addition of an entire fridge which is solely dedicated to the wonderful creation that is garlic bread.
You’ll also be able to pay for your clothing items in the changing rooms, making your shopping experience as smooth and seamless as possible. If you can’t wait to visit the incredible new store, you can find the entrance to M&S at the new ground floor car park 3 entrance.
Find out more here.
Feature Image – The Hoot Leeds / Ollie Jenkins
