You’ve spent over three years studying and now it’s time to say cheers. We’ve rounded up some of the best places in Leeds for you to celebrate.Â
Those all-nighters in the library are now a distant memory.
It’s time to celebrate all the hard work you’ve put in over the years and what better way to spend it than eating delicious food and raising a toast to yourself.Â
Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends or a loved one. We’ve sorted you some of the best deals on offer, from free glasses of beer Prosecco, to 2 for 1 cocktails and discounted set menus.Â
The Cut & Craft
Available Monday - Friday throughout July | 23 King Edward St, Leeds LS1 6AX
It’s time to say cheers to the class of 2024, and where better than Cut and Craft.
For just £45 per person, enjoy three courses plus a complimentary glass of Prosecco to toast to the class of 2024 with your loved ones on your special day.Â
Of course their steaks are a cut above the rest, but there’s an option to suit everyone from a delicate fillet of sea bass to sizzling halloumi fajitas.
To find out more and to book your table for the big day, take a look at their website.
Tattu
Available Saturday, 12 to 2.45 pm, and Sunday to Friday from 12 to 4.30pm until the end of July 2024 | Minerva, 29 E Parade, LS1 5PS
Image: Tattu
Enjoy two courses for £28.50 or three courses for £33.50 from Tattu's special graduation menu in their beautiful cherry blossom-filled dining room. And to celebrate the big day your whole table will be gifted a Golden Dragon sharing cocktail.
Mans MarketÂ
Available 8th July - 23 July | Unit F, West Point, Wellington St, LS1 4JJ.
Image: Mans Market
Mans Market are offering a free drink for every graduate. Use code GRAD24 to claim the offer.
Bibis
Available from 1 to 31 July | Sovereign St, LS1 4AG
Image: Bibis
Bibis are offering a complimentary glass of prosecco for your entire party. You can gather together around the table and raise a glass for your hard work.
Olive Tree Brasserie
Available 11 – 26 July | 8 S Parade, LS1 5QX
Image: Olive Tree Brasserie
Olive Tree Brasserie are offering a free bottle of prosecco when all guests order a main meal. Get the drinks flowing and celebrate all your hard work over the past few years.
Banyan
Available July 2024 | Toronto Square, 2 City Square, LS1 2ES
Image: The Hoot
Banyan is offering 2 for 1 cocktails for graduates. Why celebrate with one drink when you can have two?
Mowgli
Available July 2024 | Unit C, 32 Boar Ln, LS1 5DA
Image: The Hoot
Mowgli are offering a graduation feasting menu at £35 per person including glass of bubbles. Say cheers before celebrating with a three course meal of Indian cuisine, from chat to gunpowder chicken.
Angelica & Crafthouse
Available 8 -28 July | Level 5 & 6, Trinity, 70 Boar Ln, LS1 6HW
Image: Angelica & Crafthouse
Say cheers at Angelica & Crafthouse with a complimentary glass of fizz. To claim the offer quote 'graduation' on your booking.
Lost and Found
Available July | 3 Albion Pl, LS1 6JL
Image: Lost & Found
Enjoy a FREE glass of Prosecco when dining at Lost & Found. Give yourself a pat on the back and raise a glass to yourself.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Inside the new Italian bottega bringing a taste of Italy to Ilkley
Daisy Jackson
A new family-run Italian deli and coffee house has opened in Ben Rhydding, bringing a little taste of Italy to the outskirts of Ilkley.
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road, 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.
The idea for the bottega was inspired by founder Fabrizia Wagstaff-Pignanelli's own childhood memories of Italy and the role her local bottega played in everyday life.
She said: "The idea for Rizia's Bottega was brought to life whilst me and my family were watching our family videos and sharing memories of how we would spend our days in our local bottega in San Giovanni.
Inside Rizia's BottegaThe menu at Rizia’s BottegaRizia’s Bottega is now open in Ben RhyddingCredit: The Hoot Leeds
"The Bottega was the heart of our little town, where you would pop in for a quick coffee but unknowingly spend hours catching up with old friends and leave with freshly baked bread, pasta and all the weekly essentials."
That sense of community is central to Rizia's Bottega, which aims to recreate the friendliness and relaxed pace of a traditional Italian neighbourhood shop.
Rather than simply being a deli or coffee shop, the idea is to create a space where people can meet friends, enjoy good food and coffee, and take their time.
Schiacciata sandwichesBreakfast and coffeeCredit: The Hoot Leeds
Fabrizia said: "Rizia's Bottega is a reflection of the values that have shaped me growing up in the world of hospitality and what I have been taught in the many years I have worked in my family's restaurant.
"Furthermore the ideals ingrained in me through my Italian upbringing, such as the art of experiencing life at a slower pace, the importance of community and making sure everyone is well fed."
Inside, visitors can expect a deli-style offering packed with Italian products and ingredients, alongside freshly prepared food and bakes.
There are sandwiches and other bites to eat, including a spicy La Calabrese sandwich with both spicy and fennel sausage, plus sweet Romano peppers and nduja lemon butter.
Italian provisions at Rizia's Bottega. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Other fillings you'll find on the menu include burratta and black pepper porchetta, avocado and olive tapenade, and mortadella with pistachio cream.
The shelves are also stocked with Italian provisions and goodies to take home, from olives and oils to pasta and cookbooks.
The family hopes the bottega will become a familiar part of life in the local community, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere they remember from Italy.
"You can think of the Bottega as your neighbourhood space to meet up with friends, enjoy a great coffee, share a bite to eat or pop in to pick up some high-quality Italian provisions," Fabrizia said.
Rizia's Bottega is now open on Bolling Road in Ben Rhydding, offering a relaxed slice of Italian life just outside Ilkley.
It's open Tuesday to Friday, 7.45am–4pm; Saturday, 8.30am–4pm; and Sunday, 10am–2pm.
Emily Johnson -
8th July 2024 
