But it turns out the property isn't going to be vacant for long.
Longtime friends and Leeds indie business owners Paul Bolster and Nick Julian have announced they will be joining forces and putting their combined experience to good use to take over the former Pizza Loco site on Roundhay Road and open a new pizzeria.
Paul Bolster is the owner of Tasty Kitchen & Coffee, a local family-friendly brunch spot on Roundhay Road that's been offering coffee, cake and catering since 2008 next door to the site, meanwhile Nick Julian's experience comes from his current NYC pizza venture Pizza Freak in Kirkstall, but was previously the man behind Simpatico in Queen's Arcade, Primo's Hot Dogs in the Corn Exchange and Union Square in the Merrion Centre.
Named Ottimo, the pizza concept is focused on quality ingredients, balanced flavours and a 'tried and tested dough process, focusing on the small details to create a really special product'.
Owner Nick Julian comments: "Paul and I have always shared the same values around creating products that really exceed expectations and now this opportunity has given us the chance to work together."
"When Paul's next door neighbour announced their re-location it felt like this was the moment!"
Ottimo is set to offer a range of wood fired pizza and small plates, with a focus on seasonality, flavours and textures, ensuring Oakwood has an indie pizzeria on Roundhay Road once more.
The exact opening date is yet to be revealed, but all information is said to be announced via Instagram here.
Feature Image - Pizza Freak / Pizza Loco
New Openings
10 brilliant new bars, restaurants and cafes that have opened in Leeds recently
Leeds has welcomed a whole host of new places to eat and drink recently, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
We all love our food and drink, and it's safe to say we love writing about it.
So please, allow us to indulge by telling you all about our top 10 favourite new openings that have popped up in and around Leeds over the past few months.
But fair warning, continuing to read on may cause extreme hunger...
Rotisserie Club
22 Wellington Street, LS1 4EA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A new rotisserie chicken spot has landed in the city centre, serving everything from full and half roasted birds all served with their crispy house dripping roasties, as well as viral chicken Caesar wraps and rice bowls.
Dip or drench your chicken in their range of sauces and you’ve got yourself something worth licking your fingers over.
From the team behind Domino Club and Roland's comes Paper Plane, your newest cocktail bar that is a love letter to an analogue time where everything was made by hand.
The interior is inspired by 1970s Hollywood and Japanese listening bars complete with music played exclusively on vinyl to match, and the menu is perfectly curated, coming alongside its own martini menu served straight from the freezer.
After multiple pop-ups around the city, Acai Social Club has finally found a permanent home in Leeds, meaning getting your acai bowl fix is about to get a whole lot easier.
And the best bit? Unlimited toppings. There's also matcha, coffee and smoothies on the menu, plus new toppings dropping every week to keep things interesting.
Tahin
10 Kirkgate, LS1 6BY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
One of the city’s favourite Turkish takeaways is back in the city and we couldn’t be happier for their return.
Formerly located in The Core, Tahiis a family-run takeaway that is whipping up the freshest dishes for you to eat on-the-go. Even at 4pm they’ve got queues out the door for authentic Turkish flatbreads Pide, Za’atar, Shawarma and more.
With fresh chicken and lamb ready to be shaved, warm, welcoming faces to greet you and prices you just can’t turn down because most dishes are under a tenner.
Alfonso's Deli
New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QD
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Famed for its toasted Cuban sandwiches, coffee and stacked deli subs, Alfonso's Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches in the city.
And now they’ve opened a second site in the suburbs with Horsforth providing all the good stuff we know and love it for, plus fresh bakes which they’re making downstairs - oh, and you can also get yourself a cigar.
If you don’t know about Burgerism then get to know. The cult burger brand is famed over in the North West for their juicy, crunchy-around-the-edges smash burgers and now they’ve brought them to Meanwood.
Rizia's Bottega
114 Bolling Rd, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley LS29 8PN
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road on the outskirts of Ilkley, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots, which always has queues down the street, has made its way across to Leeds at last.
Bruncho has opened on The Headrow, bringing its hit products like French toasts, Middle Eastern brunches, and iced matchas, to Leeds city centre.
Bruncho has also made a name for itself with its viral creations, including Labubu Dubai pistachio French toast (how many 2025 buzzwords can you get in one menu item?) and its collection of drinks served at -86°C. We're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
Vietnamese powerhouse Pho opened a permanent spot on Boar Lane and it's serving up the likes of beef brisket pho, crispy spring rolls, three meat combo rice bowls, and chicken curries - yum.
Mandy's Barbecue
3 Sheaf St, Leeds LS10 1HD
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A new Yorkshire barbecue spot has taken over the kitchen at The Attic near Aire Park serving up sourdough sarnies by day, with fillings cooked over fire. Expect your lunchtime to be levelled up with BBQ rump steak, Korean chicken and plenty of other local produce on the menu. Then, come evening, things switch up with small plates - including jerk mackerel, BBQ sirloin with kimchi, and lamb neck.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
New Openings
Inside Leeds’ newest cocktail bar inspired by 1970s Hollywood and Japanese listening bars
Clementine Hall
If you're a fan of a swanky cocktail, then this spot is the place for you.
When we heard earlier this year that a new bar was on the horizon from the team behind some of the city's best hospitality venues, we couldn't quite believe our luck.
Paper Plane is the newest venture from hospitality group Palagander, who run The Domino Club, Roland's and The Woods over in Chapel Allerton.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
But Paper Plane might just be their best spot yet, based in the beautiful Grand Arcade this cocktail bar is offering something different to anything else we've seen in the city.
Stepping through the doors here and you'll feel like you've been whisked to time gone by.
The bar is dubbed as a a love letter to an analogue time where everything was made by hand.
The interior is inspired by 1970s Hollywood and Japanese listening bars, complete with music played exclusively on vinyl to match.
The menu is of course perfectly curated, made up of signature serves and classics alongside its own martini menu served straight from the freezer.
Every single detail has been thoroughly thought through, from the bar equipment coming straight from Japan to the bespoke wooden seating.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As you take a seat, you'll be greeted with a paper menu that you're asked to order with. Everything is table service, the staff you can tell are truly passionate about their job, and everything just feels that little bit special.
The space is perfectly sized, seating around 40-50 guests and bookings will be taken over the phone rather than online.
In an age where everything feels so digital and fleeting, Paper Plane is a welcome reminder of proper connection and long lasting moments.
We think this new spot is going to go down an absolute treat, and it's a welcome addition to the city's nightlife scene.
Sophie Smith -
26th February 2024 
