The best new openings to visit in Leeds, according to Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon: April 2022
With so many new openings popping up in Leeds, we’re losing count of where to visit next.
It really does feel as if Leeds has hit its post-pandemic stride. New venues are opening by the week, each bringing innovative ideas; expansion projects and never-seen-before events to the city centre and beyond- and we love that we’re able to share each new opening with you.
The faces behind the glamorous parties and all of the running around that’s involved in a new launch is the team at Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon. Whilst the team don’t handle every single opening in the city, they’re responsible for the majority of big events and are locally known as the ‘go to’ for all things PR social events.
We sat down with owner Jordan Odu and PR and Events Assistant, Lydia Kirton to find out where we should visit this spring.
House of Koko, Oakwood
Opened March 2021.
Bringing fine-dining to a laid back setting is a winning combination that House of Koko have got down to a tee in Chapel Allerton and now Oakwood locals can understand the hype as the company opened its second site in the leafy suburb last month.
The overwhelming success of the cafe is well-known about Leeds- and it comes with a whole host of raving reviews. By April, House of Koko intends to channel a little of Owner Rosita’s other venue, too – Distrikt bar in the city centre. They will open in the evenings, offering a supper menu of small plates alongside wine and cocktails – and perhaps even DJs.
Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon recommends: “House of Koko has definitely proven to be one of Chapel Allerton’s favourite brunch spots, so it is very exciting that they are opening a second branch in Oakwood.
“House of Koko is renowned for its healthy and indulgent brunch dishes, alongside plenty of delicious vegan options! Our favourites have got to be the Turkish eggs and the Maple syrup smothered banana and pecan pancakes. If you are ever in the area – House of Koko is one of our favourite brunch spots!”
Read More: House of Koko has opened a second venue in Oakwood
The Savvy Baker Cafe, Roundhay
Opened March 2021.
Located in the leafy suburbs of Roundhay, The Savvy Baker has opened its first cafe on Lidgett Lane. The new cafe, open from 8.30am Thursday 31 March, will be stocking all of Leeds’ favourite baked goods, expect all their usual brownies, brookies, cookies, flapjacks, cakes, tarts, sticky stuff and serving up Leeds’ famous North Star coffee.
The cafe is beautifully decorated with photographs of The Savvy Baker treats: think close up brownie shots oozing with caramel framed on coffee-coloured walls; cozy seating and intimate lighting creating a warming atmosphere from the moment you step inside the cafe.
Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon recommends: “We have absolutely loved working with Savannah throughout all of her major milestones since starting The Savvy Baker back during the first lockdown in 2020…
“Nothing beats Savvy Baker Brownies alongside delicious North Star Coffee. The recently launched brownie tubs and the snickers brookies are our favourites!”
Read More: The Savvy Baker cafe is opening in Leeds
Meat:Stack, Leeds City Centre
Opening May 2021.
Few have managed to achieve the right balance of meat and carbs, but since MEAT:STACK launched back in 2016, they have quickly become a cult favourite for American-style burgers and shakes.
The success of their burgers followed them onto the main streets and now they’re bringing their attention to detail, authentic preparation methods and moreish flavour combo to Leeds. With ten different burger combos to choose from, including a pork and beef patty breakfast burger, vegan fried ‘chicken’ burger and a regularly changing monthly special, we have to say the menu really does look immense. It’s a cheat day treat if ever we saw one.
Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon recommends: “Meat:Stack is definitely the new American Cheeseburger joint that the city needed… The independent burger restaurant will be arriving from Newcastle in May… bringing Leeds classic American cheeseburgers, the ultimate American breakfast and a range of fries…
“Our favourite is definitely the parmesan truffle fries. If you are in Leeds over summer you should definitely visit Meat:Stack!”
Read More: Cult indie cheeseburger joint MEAT:STACK to arrive in Leeds this spring
Sukhothai, Chapel Allerton
New menu Tuesday 26 April – Sunday 15 May 2022.
To celebrate their milestone anniversary, the restaurant is throwing it back to 2002 and bringing back their original menu to celebrate.
Back in 2002, there weren’t many Thai restaurants around but Ban Kaewkraikhot opened her very first Sukhothai restaurant (named after the small-town north of Bangkok where she was raised) in Chapel Allerton in April 2002, bringing with her a lifetime passion for Thai cuisine which began at an early age with her mother’s cooking in rural Thailand.
Diners will be able to pair these nostalgic dishes with the current specials on the modern day menu for a true time-travelling experience through the senses.
Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon recommends: “Sukhothai is one of Leeds most iconic Thai Restaurants, I remember clearly when it first opened in Chappel Allerton back in 2002 – since then it has grown to be one of Yorkshire’s most respected Thai Restaurants and we are delighted to be working alongside them to celebrate their 20th Birthday.
“Sukhothai are bringing back lots of their most loved dishes to celebrate this huge milestone, one of my personal favourites is the Gae Kiew Wan Gata Lon – succulent lamb stir-fried green curry, served on a sizzling hot plate… Delicious!”
Coming soon…
We’re expecting some huge new openings over the coming months and we can’t wait to hear more from Jordan, Lydia and the rest of the PGHL team will be able to tell us all about them soon.
Feature Image- Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon