They say the best pizza in the world is from New York- apparently there's something in the water that makes the slices taste so good. Here in the UK, we don't have special water that you find in NYC, but we do have a lot of contenders that could take either NYC or even Italy's pizza for the crown- and it's all in the topping choices.
Here in Leeds, our best ideas come from the weird and the wonderful. The wackier, the better. And that certainly doesn't stop with pizza.
Here's our favourite places to grab some of the most unusual slices around.
Marmite Pizza from Cuckoo
Image: Cuckoo
The flavours at Cuckoo are truly out of this world and better yet, they come free with every single drink purchased after 5pm. There’s no room for classics- these pizzas are truly unique. The Love or Hate pizza is just one example. Naturally, you’re either going to think this is the world’s greatest pizza or take one bite and nothing more. It’s a marmite base topped with sun-dried tomatoes and cheese.
The Dillmatic is a dill and onion creamy based pizza with mozzarella, Lengonberry Jam, Parmesan and topped with Swedish meatballs or mushrooms, depending on your preference- and sounds like it came straight from the IKEA food canteen. The Homeboys is another of our city’s lockdown success stories and it’s clear that their experimental style and creative flair is continuing to allow them to cook up a storm in the city and beyond.
Thanks to this new pizza, we’ll never have to choose between our favourite varieties of carbs again. Traditionally made from eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper, the age-old favourite of carbonara has made its way onto the menu for good reason- if anything we can’t believe it’s not come to Leeds sooner. A white-sauce base with creamy cheese, parmesan and cured pork meat makes up this tasty meal that will no-doubt have foodies flocking in by the masses.
This new Leeds spot has brought an unusual Italian delicacy, serving Panozza pizza sandwiches. Using Neapolitan Sourdough and traditional Italian fillings, these are really putting Mozza on the map. Popular fillings include a Ricotta cheese, Spianata Calabrese salami, grilled courgettes and extra virgin olive oil – sounds unreal. Also the Italian sausage and Neapolitan broccoli looks delicious, to be honest I want to try them all.
Read More: New Leeds restaurant with pizzas as sandwiches and a mozzarella bar
The Yorkshire Deli’s menu, the metre-long versions will comfortably feed six – so make sure to come hungry. Priced at £40, it’s actually a steal too if you split it six ways. They also have another tempting looking big pizza on their menu, called the Mezzo (£25). A mix between a calzone and a pizza, the menu says: “this one is for the hungry or maybe to share, a ‘HUGE’ pizza combined with a calzone, what’s not to love?”
Known as a panzerotto, the traditional Italian dish is deep fried pizza dough stuffed with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and a choice of toppings- and they’re going down a treat. Luigi's Street Food was up in Trinity Kitchen in January and was paid a visit by Rate My Takeaway legend, Danny Malin. The YouTuber stopped to try out the deep-fried pizza, chicken parmi and other authentic Italian treats and was highly impressed: you can't get a better recommendation in Leeds really.
Disco Kitchen is a new restaurant in Halifax with an ever-changing menu, where everyone is welcome and nothing is off limits. Owners Lisa and Brian opened Disco Kitchen in April as an inclusive space with a unique menu and laid-back atmosphere that makes it the perfect place for unwinding and partying alike. The spaghetti pizza is no exception to the unique menu on offer, we've seen garlic bread burritos, hangover poutine and loads of unique concepts that you wont' see anywhere else.
The dishes at Cuckoo are so incredibly unheard of they've made it on to this list multiple times. There’s also a range of dessert pizzas for those with a sweet tooth. Think Wonka Calzones with Nutella, marshmallows, fudge sauce and cinnamon sugar and PB&J pizzas with peanut butter and jelly spread across. Still not a margarita in sight.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!