There's very few steakhouses we trust to get our cooking preferences right each time but Blackhouse on East Parade is serving up some seriously mouthwatering brunches.
Specialising in blending causal lunches with sophisticated fine-dining options, Blackhouse remains the sole venue venture from Living Ventures for good reason. Their intimately lit restaurant provides a lunchtime spot where leaving 'well fed' is an understatement.
Blackhouse’s menu brings out the best of meat. Think Half-Roasted Chickens, huge steak portions, fish and chips and plenty of veggie options too. With so many worldwide-inspired dishes to choose from, there is something for every dietary requirement, even vegans and vegetarians- a rarity at steakhouses.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The portions here are plenty, but don't compromise on quality- even on the weekends when the special lunch menu is combined with a boozy bottomless brunch experience.
On the menu, guests can choose from the likes of warm chicken and chorizo salad; the classic fish and chips with tartare sauce and mushy peas or opt for classic favourites like the half-roast chicken.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Half-Roasting Chicken is the ultimate winter warmer for anyone looking for a cosy lunchtime treat and paired with a glass of bubbly. Served with skinny chips, stuffing and mouth watering gravy, the half chicken is plenty to keep you going on a cold windy day.
Those wanting to test out the famous Blackhouse-steak without committing to an English Tomahawk won’t be able to resist the Blackhouse Steak Sandwich.
We’re talking fillet steak, tenderly cut into chunks and topped with onion, mushroom, burnt onion mayonnaise, horseradish cream and mature cheddar, all between two soft pieces of bread. Served with skinny fries, this is another winter warming dish that is perfect for an afternoon treat.
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Turning this incredible lunch menu into a boozy afternoon of unlimited tipple, the bottomless brunch offerings come with a choice of Prosecco, beer or wines.
Each guest chooses their selection on the day and can choose to stick to their sophisticated beverage of choice or mix and match according to the palette's needs throughout the full 90 minute sitting.
Available 12-3pm every Saturday from East Parade at £36.50 per person, make sure that you book a table in advance to avoid disappointment as during the weekend when you'll be competing with those looking for a lunchtime option in the city centre as well as the bottomless brunchers.
Looking for the best bagels in Leeds? Look no further.
In honour of National Bagel Day, we've chosen five of our favourite cafes, shops and bodegas to get our hands on a delicious bagel.
Thought of as an iconic New York food, the big apple has done wonders for the reputation of this chewy, boiled breakfast snack - and it's even come over to Leeds, where there are plenty of bakers turning their hand to the humble bagel.
Whether you like yours slathered in cream cheese and loaded with smoked salmon, or kept simple with a lick of butter, keep reading to discover some of our top picks for the best bagels in Leeds.
Slow Rise Bakery
2a Sunnybank Ave, Horsforth, LS18 4LZ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In the bagel game since 2014, where they learnt their trade assisting Berlin's formidable Fine Bagels, Slow Rise knows what they're doing when it comes to boiling bagels. Whilst they already supply wholesale to quite a few different places in Leeds, you can also find their famous bagels at their own cafe in Horsforth.
Served freshly toasted and stuffed with your choice of hummus, turkey, salt beef, pastrami; or salmon, or simply slathered in the likes of butter, cream cheese, or avocado, there are over twenty different ways to enjoy a bagel here. These are some of the best bagels in Leeds, no doubt about it.
Streetlane Bakery
Caretakers House, 399 Street Ln, Moortown, LS17 6HQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This community bakehouse seemingly does it all, bagels included. These can be bought individually or in packs of six and are made fresh daily to a classic Jewish recipe, with flavours including plain, onion and poppy seed. Filling choices are quite limited if you're eating in, with options including Nutella and smoked salmon.
Fika North
94 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 4BA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Situated in the leafy suburb of Far Headingley, this speciality coffee shop also knows a thing or two about bagels. Served from 9 am - 3 pm daily, there are nine different options to choose from including nduja and avocado, rose harissa chickpeas with pink pickles and pea shoots, peanut butter and banana.
Alfonso's Deli
Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you've got a hankering for a proper New York-style breakfast bagel, then the Grand Arcade is where you should be heading.
Relatively new to Leeds, Alfonso's breakfast bagels are the perfect hangover cure - loaded with hash browns, perfectly cooked eggs and dripping in melted cheese.
The Cheesy Living Co.
Oakwood and Pudsey
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You already know by now that everything that Jake and team at Cheesy Living Co. does is absolutley stellar, and their bagels are no exception.
Baked and boiled at their own bakery in town, they're then filled with whatever your heart desires and served with a coffee of your choice for just a tenner.
Suburb guide: Ten things to do in Headingley at the weekend
Clementine Hall
From completing the infamous Otley Run to sipping on a glass of natural wine, there's so much to do in the vibrant neighbourhood of Headingley.
Sandwiched between the two largest universities in Leeds, Headingley is known nationally as the playground of the young professionals, and internationally as the place in the North to watch the cricket.
Just minutes away on the bus from Leeds City Centre, Headingley is a great place to visit on the weekend with plenty of brilliant independents to support from coffee shops to restaurants.
So, here's ten things to do in Headingley over the weekend...
Watch a game at Headingley Stadium
St Michael's Lane, Headingley
Home of Yorkshire Country Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos, Headingley stadium is the main reason that this little suburb is known worldwide. In the winter, Leeds Rhinos season will keep you entertained, whilst the summer usually sees international test matches on the pitch.
This is the ultimate crowd-pleasing event for anyone interested in sports, and for those that aren’t- there’s plenty of food, drink and activity options within walking distance instead.
Drink a glass of wine at Bottle Chop
14 Weetwood Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Maybe our favourite wine bar in the whole of Leeds, Bottle Chop is a pastel pink paradise serving up a huge selection of natural wine, craft beer and irresistible deli bits.
Stop by for a couple glasses and dive into a charcuterie board alongside it, it's the perfect afternoon activity if you ask us.
If you're looking for some authentic Japanese cuisine in an elegant yet casual setting, then get yourself to TADA.
It's a fantastic independent restaurant serving up fresh sushi and the most comforting bowls of ramen ever. The staff are always lovely and happy to guide you with what to order on their extensive menu.
Watch a film at Hyde Park Picture House
Brudenell Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now this is a proper bit of Leeds history. The Hyde Park Picture House is a Grade II listed building that dates all the way back to 1914 and is known for being the last gas-lit cinema in the whole of the UK.
They are community focused and are determined on providing an inclusive space for everyone to learn and discover. Showing a selection of bigger as well as indie films, it's a great spot for cinema lovers to stop by and immerse themselves into a flick.
Shop vinyls at Vinyl Whistle
12 Otley Road
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If you're into vinyls, then Vinyl Whistle is the spot for you. Not only do they stock plenty of records for you to browse, but they also host open decks and gigs for you to get involved with.
Oh and they serve great beer and banging coffee too, what more could you want?
Tuck into traditional Mexican food at Lupe's Cantina
204 Cardigan Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Lupe's Cantina is one of those 'if you know, you know' sort of spots and now thanks to us, you do know.
It's a family-run restaurant that's been feeding the people of Leeds for a decade, using traditional recipes passed down from head chef Rudy's family. Here you'll not only find your classic tacos, margaritas and guacamole but it's the standout dishes like the mussels in a creamy chipotle white wine sauce that'll have you going back time and time again.
If you haven't heard of Get Baked, then you've most likely been living under a rock. Famed nationwide for their mammoth Bertha cake, their original shop is right here in Headingley and you'd be silly not to take advantage of this indeed.
If you can't stomach a whole slice of Bertha, then they've got slices of pie, stacks of cookies and so much more for you to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get your caffeine fix at one of the many coffee shops
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Okay we might be cheating with this one, but there's so many great coffee shops in Headingley that we couldn't just choose one.
From the experimental brews at Caffeine Addict to a cosy catchup at Loaf followed by a bagel and brew at Fika North, you're really spoilt for choice if you're looking for that morning pick me up. Trust us, just take a stroll through town and you'll find a cracking coffee in no time.
Enjoy a Sunday roast at The Swine Bistro
77A Otley Road
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As the weather takes a turn for the worst a roast dinner is the only right way to spend a Sunday, and you'll find a fantastic one at The Swine Bistro.
This beautiful restaurant is loved by Leeds locals and it's not hard to see why, run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers who are basically legends at this point for providing the city with fantastic seasonal food at an affordable price point. And I mean...look at that Yorkshire pud.
Complete the Otley Run
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yep, it wouldn't be a Headingley guide without the Otley Run now would it.
It is a true rite of passage to any students who find themselves in Leeds during their studies and a firm favourite for societies and clubs from the various student unions across the city.
Starting at Woodies, the route takes you through fourteen boozers from Far Headingley, into Headingley itself, then towards Hyde Park before heading right into the centre of town – if you get that far.
Officially the route hosts the first eight pubs in Far Headingley and Headingley: Woodies, The Three Horseshoes, New Inn, Headingley Taps, Manahatta, The Box, Skyrack, The Original Oak before runners move onto Hyde Park pubs like The Hyde Park pub, The Library, Pack Horse, The Eldon and The Fenton before arriving at the final pub: The Dry Dock in the city.
Sophie Smith -
6th April 2022 
