Leeds is bursting at the seams with new openings, and we're here to tell you all about them.
The start of 2025 has brought a whole lot of newness to the city, from a brilliant new bakery to a gorgeous independent book shop, it's giving us lots to brag about.
But if you've been living under a rock for the past two months (and to be honest we don't blame you for doing so), then allow us to show off for a minute about five of our favourites.
So, without further ado...
Next Chapter Books
Ground floor of The Corn Exchange
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Whether you fancy yourself as a bit of a book worm or reading more is one of your goals for 2025, then you’re going to want to pay a visit to Next Chapter Books.
Located inside the wonderful Corn Exchange, this cosy spot celebrates women-led books and businesses and it's truly something special.
Serving up coffee and soon wine, we can’t think of a better way to browse books and to interact with like minded people.
BAKE
Mustard Approach, Lockside, Holbeck, LS1 4EY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the mastermind behind Things In Bread and Doh'hut comes BAKE, a nostalgic British bakery concept serving up all your classic bakes with a refined twist.
We're talking cheese twists, vanilla slices, chicken bakes and weekly specials which will get you forgetting Greggs ever even existing.
Get there early though, because it's so good that their bakes are selling out day in and day out.
Aesop
25-29 County Arcade Victoria Leeds, LS2 7AU
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Aesop has chosen Leeds for its first ever northern store, and we're very excited about it indeed.
This beautiful new store has everything you already know and love about Aesop including their iconic soaps, incense, shampoos, home fragrances, hand creams and skincare - the list goes on.
So if you're feeling a bit smelly, get yourself to Aesop and they'll sort you right out.
Sostrene Grene
4 Commercial St, LS1 6AL
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The iconic Danish homeware store has finally landed in Leeds, and yes we have already spent most of our pay check in there.
From crafts to crockery to cooking equipment, and with a gorgeous range of stationery and gifts too, here’s where you can buy yourself loads of well-deserved treats and still have money to spare at the end of it.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to visit this weekend, make sure you check it out.
Green Room
36 Wellington St, LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everyone's favourite night time venue is back and literally bigger and better than ever before after a sparkling new refurb.
We're talking an extended bar area, a groovy basement cocktail bar as well as improvements to their already amazing rooftop terrace.
It's the place to be for a great night out in the city, go check it out for yourselves.
This modern restaurant in the heart of Leeds is redefining how we enjoy Indian cuisine.
If you haven't already dined at Kerala Canteen, then you are sincerely missing out.
Offering South Indian dining like you've never seen before, Kerala Canteen is the world's first Kerala tapas restaurant where guests can enjoy multiple dishes in one sitting.
And it's not just us who thinks it's class, the restaurant has earned recognition as one of the Top 100 Indian Restaurants in the UK, ranked among the Top 3 Indian restaurants in Leeds & Yorkshire, and awarded Best Restaurant by North Magazine — cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations.
Image: Supplied
So, how does it work? Kerala Canteen isn't your traditional curry house, but the concept means you get to try more of the menu in one go.
Guests are encouraged to start with small plates and move onto curry bowls before sharing a biryani per person and ending with a delicious dessert.
The kitchen is led by renowned chef Bobby Geetha, known for appearances on MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu.
Image: Supplied
Working alongside him is Abdulkhader Allingal Siddique, whose Michelin-starred kitchen background and deep-rooted Kerala heritage promise authenticity.
Together, they make the perfect dream team in the kitchen.
There's a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu too so no one in your party has to miss out, with dishes like the chilli and tamarind cauliflower and gunpowder hasselback potatoes being standouts on the menu.
Visit on a Saturday and get involved in their iconic Bollywood Bottomless Brunch where for just £36 per person you can enjoy one bowl and one side alongside 90 minutes of free flowing drinks.
Image: Supplied
You can choose from prosecco, draught beer, cocktails, mocktails - trust us, the list is endless. And you can enjoy it all whilst bopping along to the best Bollywood beats. Find out more about the brunch here.
Visiting on a Sunday? You have to try their iconic T-Bone Sunday Roast experience, featuring a slow-braised T-bone steak finished in rich beef & bone marrow curry, paired with Yorkshire pudding and gunpowder potatoes. You'll never look at your mum's Sunday roast the same again.
Image: Supplied
Kerala Canteen also offers a private event space for your next big celebration that seats up to 100 guests with custom tapas menu and corporate dining packages available.
Located right next to Leeds Playhouse, it's the perfect spot for those visiting the city centre.
To book your table, take a look at Kerala Canteen's website - thank us later.
Salon Madre – the new tequila bar and pool hall that’s just opened in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
We’ve been waiting for this one and trust us, it’s just as good as we’d hoped.
If you’re a fan of a cheeky margarita, a taco and a bit of a boogie then this is the spot for you - and let’s be honest, who isn’t.
Introducing Salon Madre, made famous over in Manchester and now with another spot in Liverpool, think late nights fuelled by margaritas, cosy dates over tacos and lively game nights.
The new Leeds site is located on Wellington Street, perfect for those wrapping up work over on Wellington Place and looking to blow off some steam.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is huge, with floor to ceiling windows letting loads of light in during the day and plenty of red neon lights setting the vibe for the evening.
There's about 20 different variations of margaritas and tequilas on the menu, as well as fresh Mexican beers on tap if you're not ready for a shot just yet.
But it's not just about the drink, the food menu is top notch too.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There's tacos and quesadillas all made with hand-pressed tortillas, twice-cooked chicken wings in a range of flavours from Mexican cola to Yucatan buffalo, and of course there's stacked nachos which are perfect for snacking on between sips of margarita.
If you're feeling competitive then they've got six pool tables as well as darts, and Lucha Libre on the big screens if you'd rather watch the play happen than play yourself.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Salon Madre will have DJs on in the evening and on a Friday and Saturday they'll even be open til 1am.
Welcome Salon Madre, we can't wait for this to become our new late-night party destination. You can take a look at their menu here.
Clementine Hall -
21st February 2025 
