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.
If you’ve ever fancied living in something that feels halfway between a fairytale cottage and a period drama set, this one might do it.
Tucked away in Gledhow, The Clock House isn’t your typical Leeds terrace. In fact, calling it a terrace feels a bit like calling a castle 'a nice semi'.
Built around 1657, the two-bedroom property is part of the historic Gledhow Hall Estate, a site once owned by none other than Queen Elizabeth I.
It's a beautiful home, inside and out, with Yorkshire stone walls, cobbled courtyards, and the striking clock tower that gives the home its name.
With wrought iron gates and space for up to four vehicles, it feels like you're miles away from the city, while still being firmly in LS8 (and just moments from vibrant shops, bars and restaurants).
The interiors of the clock tower home have been beautiful renovated, with plenty of character but modern comforts, like a deVOL-designed kitchen with quartz worktops, vaulted ceilings, and Crittall-style doors that open straight onto the garden
Other features include a marble fireplace, oak flooring, and calming sage tones.
The clock tower over the house in LeedsThe courtyard spaceThat incredible kitchenInside the clock tower house in LeedsInside the clock tower house in Leeds
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, including a principal suite with its own spa-like ensuite, plus a second bedroom complete with dressing area.
And then there’s the garden - south-west facing, private, and complete with a sun house that could double as a home office, studio, or just somewhere to hide with a coffee.
The property is currently on the market for offers over £500,000, which, for a Grade II-listed home with this much character and history, feels like it could be a real steal.
The Moot Hall Arms might be one of the best football pubs not just Leeds, but the whole country
Danny Jones
That's right, you heard: The Moot Hall Arms, a dyed-in-Peacock-feathers pub, isn't just one of the best spots to watch Leeds United in the city, or even Yorkshire, we believe it might just be one of the best sports bars in the whole country.
If you've ever been, you'll know why, and if you haven't, keep reading...
Located over in Mill Hill on the corner of Bishopgate and New Station Street, The Moot Hall is an unadulterated, uncensored and utterly unapologetic lovely letter to all things Leeds - both the team and the place.
Owned and operated by the Stonegate Group, but lovingly run by landlords Claire and Ross, a.k.a. 'Mr and Mrs Moot', this tribute to all things Elland Road is about as die-hard a Whites stronghold as you'll ever come by.
Claire took over the venue back in 2022, not long after cult icon Marcelo Bielsa led his Leeds side back to the Premier League for the first time in more than a decade and a half away from the top flight.
'Boss Lady' Claire fell became a fan not just of the beautiful game but of Leeds United when she fell in love with watching the late, great, Gary Speed.
What started as a teenage crush has gone on to become a lifelong love affair, and despite not hailing from the region herself, you won't find many bigger supporters of the local culture in the city centre.
You only have to see how many people filter through the doors, not only on a matchday, but throughout the week, even whether or not there's any football on the box.
Though, to be honest, there's also something on.
Glance around, and you'll see countless bits of sporting heritage hung on the walls, with tonnes of authentic pieces of paraphernalia, all situated pride of place across nearly every square inch.
As a passionate project that has seen the pair become popular local figures in their own right, the majority of this stuff has actually been gifted to them by fellow supporters and Leeds natives.
From the people who walk through the door, to the steady supply of merch they hand over to make this the Peacocks' paradise that it is, they live, breathe and bleed white, yellow and blue.
Previously, it was known as the Princess of Wales, the Waiting Rooms, and an old beer house known as Baht'ap, but this most recent iteration looks set to be the start of a dynasty.
Fans will be hoping that's a sign of things to come as they continue a period of rebuilding and expansion back in the first division, including a stadium redevelopment.
While there are plenty of places that hang up a flag or two, it isn't just a sporting allegiance for these lot; similar to the loyal matchgoers who follow Leeds home and away, it's quite literally a way of life.
It's also worth noting, by the way, that while sharing its namesake, the Arms isn't located in the same area as the original Moot Hall (the old town hall, courts and council building) up on Briggate, but it is only a roughly five-minute walk away if you want to make a sort of publicans' pilgrimage.
For most Whites, every match is just as massive as the last one, but we need to tell you how huge the game coming up at Wembley is for the club.
Put simply, it could be one of the biggest days in Leeds United's modern history - that is, if/when they make it through to the final itself.
With that in mind, make sure you don't miss a second of the action, and even if the Moot Arms is packed, there are plenty of places to cheer on Daniel Farke's side. Roll on the weekend, marching on together.
Sophie Smith -
8th February 2022 
