There's everything you need from the city in such a teeny green pocket.
Just a stone's throw from Leeds train station, Wellington Place is home to endless places to eat, drink, work out and is known to be one of the oldest hangout spots in the city.
Think landscaped gardens, table tennis and giant deckchairs to unwind on - it's an area of Leeds that's perfect for meeting friends and catching up on work emails in a beautiful setting alike.
Just under 2% of the Leeds city centre population reside here at present, but with the injection of The Junction, a brand new apartment complex boasting over 650 apartments, the neighbourhood is growing in popularity as a place to work, play and live.
The new living space has everything you could want from your city centre home, including a choice of gorgeous one, two and three bedroom apartments, co-working spaces, private dining rooms and plenty of events - all without leaving the comfort of The Junction.
But naturally, when you do want to venture out, you won’t have to go far to find some of the city’s best dining spots and things to do.
With the area gaining so much interest, we've got a complete guide to everything you'll need at Wellington Place. From bottomless brunch with unlimited pizza to finding fusball tables and saunas - we've got you covered.
Food and Drink
Hoist House
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hoist House is Wellington Place first independent pub, and with 17 draught beers available to choose from, it's the ideal spot for a post work pint.
The menu spans across wines and cocktails aplenty with the bottomless brunch offerings providing a whopping 180 different combinations so you'll never get bored. Choose from unlimited pizzas and drinks for 90 minutes for just £32.95 per person, every Tuesday to Saturday.
Hoot recommends: BBQ Pulled Pork pizza (and go bottomless to eat as many pizzas as you can manage in the 90 minute sitting)
Sociable Folk
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Need to be fully caffeinated before starting the day? Sociable Folk has one of the earliest opening times in the city and has everything you need to start the day right. Grab a cuppa Joe and foodie options like bagels, breakfast wraps and granola pots to fuel the day.
Best of all, this place is completely laptop friendly with decent wifi and plenty of plugs, ideal for remote workers or those just wanting to reply to their emails in peace.
Hoot recommends: Tuna melt bagel and iced oat latte
Veeno
Image: The Hoot Leeds
There's pages of different wine options to choose from at Veeno, and the little Italian is the perfect place to grab a glass or two. The bottles of red and white travel from family vineyards in the Trapani province in Italy, with founder Nico keen to serve up a taste of quintessential Italian life here in Leeds.
There's a carefully curated foodie menu here full of pastas, summer salads and light bites to snack on, perfect for an evening aperitivo.
Hoot recommends: the lunch menu offers one course and a drink for £9.50 on weekdays until 4pm
The Good Luck Club
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A New York inspired bar and restaurant with a truly impressive interior. Grab a seat next to bright neon signs or tuck yourself into an intimately lit corner with a drink or two.
The menu here all focuses around the huge charcoal grill that cooks meats from Sykes House Farm and a selection of small plate dishes, including loaded fries, Panko coated halloumi, salads - and if all this isn't enough, there's a full burger menu too.
Hoot recommends: Good Luck Club is part of The Junction Neighbourhood Heroes, so anyone living in the new neighbourhood is given an exclusive card with offers, discounts and loyalty points
Boom Food Co. inside Mad Frans
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Mad Frans has been a staple Wellington Place spot for wining and dining with an imaginative cocktail selection, but now you can grab your morning drink and lunchtime snack from new venture Boom Food Co. Expect fresh coffee, Bakeri Baltzersen cronuts and granola pots as well as filling lunches like jacket potatoes, focaccia sarnies and Nutella croissants.
Hoot recommends: Chicken tikka jacket potato and salad
Health, Fitness and Wellness
Outdoor gym, table tennis and games
Is there anything you can't find at Wellington Place? The outdoor gym space allows locals to make the most of their green surroundings and work up a sweat on the machines. Complimented by an array of garden sports tables and games, get ready to unleash your competitive side and work out in the funnest way possible.
Spirit Health & Fitness Club
Image: Crowne Plaza Hotel
The Crowne Plaza Hotel is home to an impressive health and fitness club with full fitness suite, swimming pool and spa room, steam room and sauna.
The facilities are used by both locals and those staying within the hotel with a range of peak, off peak, corporate and student memberships available to locals. All members are offered access to a qualified gym instructor, so whether you're a gym newbie or have been working out for years, there's someone on hand to answer all your questions.
Canalside walks
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Leeds Liverpool Canal and River Aire run adjacent to each other passing through the back end of Wellington Place, and both make an ideal walking spot. Get away from the city lights and wander down the waterways with plenty of goslings and other baby ducks as company.
Don't Settle. Live
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To make the most of all this, it makes sense to live somewhere that's just a few footsteps away, right? The Junction boasts a whopping 667 apartments that have everything you could want or need from a place to stay. Revolutionising rentals with gorgeous interiors and exciting on-site amenities like private dining rooms, co-working spaces and a resident lounge to take advantage of.
Based on the Monk Bridge Viaducts, The Junction is soon to host a new food, drink and retail hotspot. You'll soon be able to grab post-work drinks and watch movies under the stars in a hidden part of Wellington Place, open to both residents and non-residents.
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 it's safe to say we love writing about it.
So please, allow us to indulge by telling you all about five of our favourite new foodie 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...
Moods
98 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Just over a month ago, one of Leeds' most historic buildings was transformed into an all-day cafe, bar, restaurant and events space.
Moods is the brainchild of husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo.
They do it all, whether you're popping in for a coffee and a spot of brunch or swinging by for a few carefully curated cocktails and some small plates to share with friends. With a kitchen led by Head Chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred restaurant group, you know you're in good hands.
Taking over the old Flannels site on Vicar Lane, Dishoom Leeds is nothing short of beautiful and has been in the pipeline for quite some time.
Dusty pink exteriors welcome you into a huge dining room complete with gold picture frames, baby blue walls and huge arched windows. They've really thought of every little detail, even down to the relaxing incense burning on the windowsill.
The menu is large and can seem overwhelming, featuring everything from breakfast naan rolls and small plates and to big sharing curries, but the staff are keen to lend you a helping hand.
If you order anything - let it be the lamb chops (thank us later).
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.
Domo is an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, you could do a lot worse than plonking yourself on the terrace with mates, ordering a selection of their cocktails and tucking into a heaping plate of fried calamari and prawns or a carefully curated plate of Sardinian cured meats and cheeses.
Here’s 10 of the best student-friendly cheap eats in and around Leeds
Clementine Hall
Just moved to lovely Leeds for uni? Here’s how to eat out for less than a tenner.
With Freshers’ Week fast approaching, you're probably trying to work out exactly how far your student loan is going to stretch.
But don't worry, we're here to help.
Whether you’re after a cheap lunch between lectures, somewhere to grab dinner with your new flatmates or a bite to eat before heading out for the night, Leeds city centre is packed with places where you can eat well without blowing your budget.
So, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite places where you can grab a bite for under £10.
Let’s get into it...
Bundobust
Mill Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It wouldn't be a cheap eat round up without Bundobust. These Indian street food legends are the GOATS of dishes for under tenner, because every single thing is.
We recommend the Vada Pav - a deep-fried mashed potato ball stuffed in a springy bun. It'll fill you up good and proper and you can get two Vada Pav sliders for just £8. Class.
Mommy Thai
Duncan Street and Vicar Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Okay you may have to forgive us on this one...but we couldn't not include it.
For just £10.95 (close enough) you can get two courses at one of Leeds' best Thai restaurants. And there's loads to choose from, from chicken satay and Pad Thai to corn cakes and Pad Grapow - you won't be going home hungry. The perfect fuel before a mad night out on Call Lane we think.
Brod
Great George Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Brod is a staple for those looking for a lunch in the city, famous for their stacked sandwiches for super low prices. Most sandwiches are around the £6 mark, using fresh and homemade ingredients prepped daily.
Karpaty Bakery
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now this one really is a bargain. In the market hall of Kirkgate Market you'll find Karpaty Bakery, a wonderful Polish bakery serving traditional baked goods for under £3. They're absolutely massive and such great value for money.
Bánh and Mee
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Another classic from the market is Bánh and Mee, a brilliant lunchtime option for those wanting hot and fresh Vietnamese food all for under a tenner.
Our favourite is the lemongrass chicken rice box or the aromatic pho that'll warm you up in an instant.
Eastern Oven
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you hadn't gathered by now, Kirkgate Market is an absolute honeypot for cheap eats in the city centre where you'll find hundreds of dishes for under a tenner.
Another one of our favourites is Eastern Oven, a family-run stall selling fresh falafel wraps and pittas.
Meat:Stack
Bishopgate Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking to be a bit naughty and get stuck into a burger and chips, then Meat:Stack is the spot for you.
American smash burgers, loaded fries and thick milkshakes all for great prices. They do a lunch deal where you can get a burger for just a fiver, or you can add on chips, a dip and a drink for a total of just £10. Available Monday - Friday from 11 - 3pm, it doesn't get much better then that.
Bakery 164
164 Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Based in Headingley just opposite the Parkinson Steps, this spot is the OG of great student deals. Gourmet sandwiches, all made fresh in-house for great prices - we wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself here every day of the week.
Kefiyo
17 Ash Rd, Headingley
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a sweet treat, then look no further than Kefiyo in Headingley. Here you can get a large tub of frozen yoghurt with unlimited toppings (yes, unlimited) for just £6.49.
Dough Boys
Belgrave Music Hall
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As a student in Leeds you will no doubt find yourself in Belgrave Music Hall, but don't sleep on their food options. Dough Boys specialise in unusual flavours for their pizza, with one standout, the Queen Brie, featuring roasted grapes to complement its namesake French brie.
All the slices are under a fiver, and between 12-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 12-5pm Friday and Saturday they're all half price. Class.
Sophie Smith -
22nd June 2023 
