All the new openings coming to Leeds this month | December 2023
We’ve still got five new openings before the year is out.
Wondering where to tick off over the Christmas holidays, or want a hint as to what Leeds will look like in 2024? We’ve rounded up all the most exciting new openings coming to Leeds, or that have recently opened their doors.
Keep reading to find our top picks around the city centre.
Opening this month…
All the new places opening before the year comes to a close.
The Cheesy Living Co.
Opening Friday 1 December 2023 | Roundhay Road, Oakwood
Taking over the former The Pantry site on Roundhay Road in Oakwood, The Cheesy Living Co. is going to be bringing a new multi-storey store to the suburbs, and it’s set to bring everything we love about the flagship Corn Exchange store, and plenty more besides.
Think cheesemongers meets ‘posh off licence’, with fresh coffee in the daytime, fondue in the afternoon and cosy nights with a bottle of sustainable wine.
Find out more here.
The Olive Tree
Opening Wednesday 6 December 2023 | South Parade, Leeds City Centre
Expect a modern take on Greek cuisine to South Parade this December. The stylish new restaurant will be the fourth Olive Tree branch, joining the likes of locations in Lytham, Chester and Stockton Heath, with the brand planning further expansion across the North.
Following an incredible £700k investment, the South Parade location will mark a new iteration for the brand’s interior. Where usually the restaurants are modern and highly Instagrammable, the Leeds restaurant will transport you to the idyllic Mediterranean holiday destination.
Find out more here.
Galleria
Opening Thursday 7 December 2023 | Project House, Armley Road
A new woodfire restaurant and bar promises to bring the food in at new gig and event space Project House next month – and it sounds like there’s going to be a lot to love. Brunch will be served with ‘pancake stacks, breakfast flatbreads and the obligatory Bloody Mary to boot’ whilst evenings promise a host of meaty, doughy, sweet, sour and savoury delights – we can’t wait to find out what’s on the menu.
Find out more here.
Chance & Counters
Opening Friday 8 December 2023 | Merrion Street, Leeds City Centre
Chance & Counters is known down south for its inviting setting, and seemingly endless supply of board games. And now the cafe company is taking over the former Yard & Coop site on Merrion Street.
The cafes are all centred around a library of 500 board games: there’s everything from old-school family favourites to new releases, and everything in between. It’s not just games here too – all that competitive spirit is bound to work up an appetite. By day, you’ll be able to grab a coffee and light lunch and craft beer or cocktail in the evening, with hearty pub grub like smash burgers, tacos, loaded fries and wings.
Find out more here.
TRåd Collective
Opening Saturday 9 December 2023 | Vicar Lane, Leeds City Centre
Headingley’s sustainable clothes and lifestyle store is moving to the city centre this week and it’s going to be your one-stop for alterations, Christmas gifts and it’s going to be a proper treasure trove filled with one-off clothing designs.
Announcing the news, Trad said “after two years it really does feel like home and I have met so many amazing people and loyal customers since we opened up our door it feels a bit like a heartbreak leaving the amazing community of Headingley behind! However we try to look forward, and as sad as it is to leave Headingley it also feels incredibly exciting to start a new chapter in the city centre. We will have a bigger space with more opportunities to expand (and I get to decorate a whole new place which is just loads of fun!) so with very mixed feelings we take the first steps towards our next chapter and I really hope all of you will follow us along the way. without all of you we would not be where we are today”.
Find out more here.
Chunk Cookies
Opening soon | 406 Burley Road, Kirkstall
Chunk Cookies is your friendly local vegan cookie supplier, and if you’ve been eating out and about around the city centre over the last three years, there’s good chance you’ve sampled some of these sweet stuffed treats.
Find out more here.
Just opened
All the best spots that have opened their doors in November 2023 and are well worth a visit.
Flat Iron
Church Institute, Lands Lane, Leeds City Centre | Opening date unknown
New affordable steakhouse Flat Iron has opened in Leeds, continuing the restaurant’s expansion beyond the capital. Launching to fame back in 2012 with accessible feather blade steaks served at £10, Flat Iron has since expanded across London to a total of 12 sites.
The fairly priced steak restaurant has taken over the former Church Institute on Lands Lane in what will be a 110-cover eatery.
Find out more here.
Blue Pavilion
Now open | Inside Leeds Merrion Centre
Blue Pavilion has been in the works for quite some time. Having first advertised its opening well over twelve months ago, the restaurant is now ready to open to the public, having poured £3 million into the Merrion Centre restaurant space.
From the owners of Japanese dining experience Blue Sakura, Blue Pavilion hopes to build on its raving reviews from foodies across the city and expanding its offering with a menu packed with Chinese culinary favourites.
Find out more here.
Fluffy Fluffy
Now open | The Headrow, Leeds City Centre
These Japanese souffle pancakes are unlike anything else you’ll have seen in Leeds. They’re at least twice the size of your classic pancakes, light and airy for that soufle-style texture.
Apparently the secret behind each pancake is egg whites whipped to soft peaks before being cooked at a low temperature – and now you’ll be able to get a taste for yourself.
Find out more here.
Pizza Pilgrims
Now open | Boar Lane, Leeds City Centre
The London-born pizzeria is expanding, and Leeds is lucky enough to have been chosen as its next stop.
Taking over the former Beer Hawk site, expect fluffy ‘bready’ bases, slightly charred for that authentic Neapolitan taste, dusted off with fresh tomato marinara sauce and mozzarella – each paired with a different combination of toppings.
Find out more here.
Northern Market
Now open | Great George Street, Leeds City Centre
Popular Leeds brewery Northern Monk has announced it will be taking over the former Assembly Underground site, and set to open in just a few weeks time.
‘The Northern Market’ – a brand new city centre venture from the famous brewery will feature a bustling food market, beer hall and of course a fully stocked bar pouring the freshest Northern Monk beers from 10 tap lines and on-site beer tanks.
Food vendors so far include Falafel Guys, Big Buns and Six Slice Pizza with more set to be announced over the next few weeks.
Find out more here.
Cinnabon
American cinnamon roll specialist Cinnabon has landed in Leeds and you can bet that everything in-store is already going down a treat!
The concept originally started with a father and son duo trying to create the perfect cinnamon roll from scratch in the 80s, and now almost 50 years on, you can find Cinnabon across the world – including 12 sites in the UK alone.
Find out more here.
Opening in 2024 and beyond…
The new year will bring a host of new spots to Leeds, from fancy champagne and seafood bars to
iKaro
Opening January 2024 | Victoria Quarter, Leeds City Centre
The fire and ice themed bar has just opened in Manchester, and now has begun work to open in Leeds early next year. The swanky bar will be opening inside the former East 59th site, and whilst very little has been released about the Leeds opening apart from its location, we’re in for a proper Champagne bar with everything from Grilled Lobster Tails to Australian Wagyu Tomahawk and Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye on the menu if the new Manchester site is anything go by.
Find out more here.
Maki & Ramen
Opening early 2024 | Bond Street, Leeds City Centre
Although there is no official opening date yet announced, Maki & Ramen Leeds has started work to take over the former Pret A Manger site on Bond Street toward the end of the year, and we think it will be a fantastic addition to the city’s flourishing food scene.
Their extensive menu is set to include platters of fresh sushi, Katsu curry, bao buns, stir-fried noodle dishes and a range of popular Japanese side dishes such as gyoza, takoyaki and edamame.
They also serve a range of cocktails, beers, wine and soft drinks for diners to enjoy alongside their food. The interior of other branches is light and airy, with relaxed booth seating and cherry blossom branches cascading from the ceiling.
Find out more here.
Flannels Flagship Store
Opening date unknown | Briggate, Leeds City Centre
Work is now underway for the former Debenhams site on Briggate to become a new flagship Flannels store. The news was announced back in August following the whopping 120,000sq ft, seven storey store opening in Liverpool.
Find out more here.
White Cloth Hall
Opening early 2024 | Cloth Hall Street, Leeds City Centre
The owners behind one of Leeds’ most-loved pubs is bringing a brand new opening to the city centre: our very own food and drink hall.
This exciting new opening is set to bring together a whole host of independents, including Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology Brewery and Whitewood Distilling, amongst other food traders. Expect all the charm from the oldest pub in Leeds, but the idea is that this new opening won’t be a replica of Whitelock’s Ale House, it’s going to be far from it.
Find out more here.
Kirkgate Market Hotel
Opening date unknown | George Street, Leeds City Centre
Plans for a new hotel and gym to be built around Leeds Kirkgate Market has been given the green light by the council. It comes after Leeds City Council submitted a planning application in the summer for the hotel scheme on the George Street side of the Grade I listed market building.
The hotel will fill the top five floors of the new building, with 143 rooms as well as a bar and restaurant for guests. It is believed that the hotel will create approximately 50 new full and part-time jobs, with around 80 jobs being supported during construction.
Find out more here.
Get Baked
Opening date unknown | Cross Hall Street, behind Leeds Corn Exchange
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. The spot was due to open in July 2023, but the opening date is now unknown.
Find out more here.
The Tetley
Hunslet Road, Hunslet | Opening date unknown (2026)
When The Tetley announced their shocking closure last month, the shattering of hearts amongst Leeds locals could no doubt be heard across the Pennines. And now, the first plans to transform the historic 92-year-old building have been released, including a roof terrace and a cellar restaurant and bar area.
VASTINTUK is in control of the project, and will be placing The Tetley as the focal point for the Aire Park district which includes up to 1,400 new homes and 85,000 m2 of office space.
Find out more here.
Feature Image – The Hoot Leeds