Whilst travelling to the big apple is now a possibility thanks to the relaxation of travel restrictions, we can't exactly hop over the pond every time we crave some American-style cuisine.
Having recently launched their spring menu, any of Manahatta's venues in Leeds offer a taste of New York inside their bar without the six-hour flight.
The bar chain is already well known around the city for its bustling ambience, holding a reputation for being a favourite amongst those seeking an escape from the 9-5 and a refreshing menu of food and drink, so naturally their updated spring menu is no exception to this.
Channeling their New York influence even further, Manahatta has upgraded their sandwich section to become NYC-style sourdough bagels and light and fluffy bao buns with toppings of your choice.
The Rueben bagel is also a must-try authentic New York classic and is stuffed with pastrami, cheese, sauerkraut, gherkins and sweet mustard.
Discerning Leeds foodies will notice the return of the huge Empire State Chicken stack.
The lunch and dinnertime option comes as a towered stack of crisp coated chicken, waffles, American cheese, purple slaw and maple syrup, with a serving of barbecue sauce or thick gravy to pour over the stack and fries. Thick, juicy and tender- this is the ultimate chicken dinner inspired by the USA.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Carnivores will also be delighted to see indulgent upgrades like Manahatta’s new and improved recipe for the Steak Frites: sliced 8oz rump steak, fried onions, garlic mushrooms, Monterey Jack cheese and peppercorn sauce, loaded onto skin-on fries.
Elsewhere on the menu, guests are finally welcoming the return of dishes designed to be shared. Their updated selection of small plates includes the Mojo Cod Tacos, topped with salsa verde, mojo sauce and crunchy slaw and the Beet ‘n’ Goat Bruschetta, bursting with colour, creamy English goat’s cheese and red, candy and golden beetroot.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
These are light, summer-inspired options that are bursting with zesty flavour, perfect for an afternoon in the beer garden.
The halloumi fajitas are just as colourful and packed with flavour: create your own combinations using sizzling slices of halloumi, toasted wraps and a whole host of toppings like tomato salsa, guac and bright salads.
The new Manahatta brunch menu is available until 4pm each day, whilst the main menu takes guests into the evening with larger portions and incredible flavours that truly do resemble a bite of New York City.
To get your foodie fix, Manahatta have multiple bars in Leeds: two in the city centre on Greek Street and Merrion Street, as well as a large venue in Headingley.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Leeds United’s Anton Stach has launched his very own burger at a local indie – and it’s all for a good cause
If it's good enough for Anton Stach, then it's good enough for us.
Well, it really is the signing that nobody saw coming...and it’s happening right opposite the station.
Meat:Stack, the Newcastle-born, award-winning burger joint on Bishopgate Street in Leeds, is giving the people what they want - a burger with Anton Stach’s name on it.
Introducing ‘The Moustachi Burger', officially launching Tuesday 18 August where Anton Stach himself will be down at Meat:Stack to meet United fans, sign autographs and, of course, tuck into his very own creation.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Even better, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Elhadj Diouf Foundation (EDF), a charity chosen by Stach that supports children through education.
Not only that, but it's a great opportunity to support Meat:Stack that has been suffering from the ongoing road works for months on end now.
So really, you've got no excuse to come down and tuck into the special which will be available through the opening weeks of the season.
Anton Stach, Leeds United and Germany midfielder, added: “Leeds has felt like home from very early on, and a lot of that is the people and the places around the ground, the businesses fans go to before and after a game. Meat:Stack is one of them, and they’ve had a hard time with the building work on their doorstep. The Moustachi Burger is a lovely nod to my YouTube channel too.
"This is a team on the rise in a city on the comeback, and support has to go both ways. I wanted to back a business Leeds fans care about and raising money for a foundation my family has given so much to at the same time means everything. I’ll be there on the 18th, bring your appetite.”
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
Clementine Hall
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.
Sophie Smith -
22nd March 2022 
