🗞️ The Leeds Bloom: New openings Part 4

Let’s face it, it’s been a while since we last looked at the new, fresh and inventive openings in Leeds. Read our take on some recent openings (since the last article), to the brand new. This autumn, a wide range of fresh and intriguing bars, restaurants, shops, and pubs—from thirst quenchers to brunch chefs—are coming to town.

Galleria

Armley Road, Leeds

The Galleria, a ‘Wood-fired restaurant and bar Open for breakfast, lunch and supper’, will be the hottest new thing on the block. It is located right within the brand-new Project House. After working in North Yorkshire, head chef Andy Castle is returning to Leeds, but this is one to keep an eye on. Ahead of opening up fully, find them offering up excellent flatbreads and much more if you stop by one of the regular markets or gigs. Additionally, they recently concluded a pop-up at Ox Club and the reviews were glowing. 

Pizza Loco takes over Meanwood Tavern 

Meawood Road 

Well Oiled, has said goodbye to the Meanwood Tavern (but we don’t think it’s a full goodbye for as they are expected to be back in Leeds again). From one Pizza boy to another, Well Oiled have handed the reins to Pizza Loco. The wood fired pizza restaurant specialises in Neapolitan-style pizza & wood-fired sandwiches called panuozzi, bringing their mouth watering menu to its brand new store on Meanwood Road. Pizza Loco has a restaurant in Roundhay, offering their fantastic pizza selection both inside and or sometimes you can catch them in their hugely popular ‘Pizza Locomotive’ – a pop up stall designed to resemble a train, with a pizza oven replacing the firebox. Serving from early September. 

Restaurant Bar and Grill 

City Square – Leeds City Centre 

The iconic Restaurant Bar and Grill is renowned in the area for its boujee take on Leeds dining, offering up a menu of fine food and delicious cocktails. Situated in the heart of Leeds, attracting locals and tourists alike, the venue is reopening to the public after a summer-long closure for refurbishment. Now back and better than ever, you can expect to see a brand new restaurant accompanied by a brand new menu, welcoming more flavours and more glamour than before. 

Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, you can expect the finest ingredients and highest quality service at the brand new Restaurant Bar and Grill and a hefty splash of gold leaf.

Six by Nico

East Parade – Leeds City Centre

Six by Nico is no stranger to publicity, and for good reason too. The unique restaurant offers a six course tasting menu, paired with specially selected wine, inspired by a theme, destination or concept. The selling point? The menu changes every six weeks, meaning you have to catch their iconic dishes whilst you can. 

The latest menu at Six by Nico follows a ‘Once Upon A Time’ theme, bringing a magic touch to the table with its bespoke dishes. Based on a handful of children’s stories, including Goldilocks and Matilda, you can expect a variety of dishes made fun, including pork roulade, goats cheese parfait and a chocolate cremeux for dessert. Remember the menu changes every six weeks. 

Club Atomic 

Lower Briggate – Leeds City Centre

Lower Briggate welcomes the brand new ‘Club Atomic’, which takes over the Hedonist bar following its closure back in March. The nostalgic themed bar is lined with UV lighting, adding a pop of colour around every corner. With a branch already open in Selby, the dance bar is expanding into Leeds, bringing with it endless options of drinks and music. The neon themed party also features a fantastic selection of murals from the Northern Mural Company, amplifying  the cool and retro feel of the club. 

Farmhouse 

Lands Lane – Leeds City Centre 

Harrogate restaurant ‘Farmhouse’ is branching out into neighbouring Leeds, introducing locals to its tasty breakfast, brunch and all-day menu. Taking over the former ASK Italian restaurant on Lands Lane, the independent restaurant is offering homemade food, tasty drinks and a family friendly atmosphere. 

Diners can tuck into some of the restaurant’s iconic dishes, including Farmhouse Eggs Benedict, chilli scrambled eggs and cinnamon Graham french toast. These tasty treats can be served alongside hot coffee,  fresh smoothies, or even a delicious cocktail.

Ginger Beer Bar 

Railway Street – Leeds City Centre 

Leeds will soon be home to the UK’s first ever alcoholic ginger beer bar, opening in two Leeds railway arches in the city centre. Brought to the city by husband and wife Giuseppe ‘Gez’ Romano and Ele Romano, who put the idea into action when the current ginger beer on the market wasn’t quite to their taste. 

On the back of this, Gez and Ele founded DMC Brewery in Wakefield, and have spent the last three years perfecting their recipes. Now, the couple turned business owners are bringing to the table a unique range of alcoholic ginger beers, blending in flavours such as lemongrass, star anise and cinnamon, and ancho chilli and cacao nib. 

Bird and Blend 

Queen Victoria Street, Leeds City Centre  

Tea lovers can rejoice as Bird and Blend is introduced to Leeds for a shop like no other. Whether you’re a casual drinker or a tea enthusiast, this unique shop brings to the table over 100 blends of the Nation’s favourite drink. 

The store offers one of a kind flavours including Gingerbread Chai, Rhubarb and Custard, Carrot Cake and Strawberry Lemonade, as well as the Leeds-favourite Butter Toffee Popcorn blend. With loose teas and tea bags sold within the shop, you’ll be sure to get your fix and spice up your morning cuppa in style.

Victoria Leeds

The high end fashion quarter of Leeds has unveiled 5 new stores, treating shoppers to an even bigger selection of places to buy. Situated in city centre, the shopping district is home to a range of fashion, design and accessories retailers, as well as a host of restaurants and bars. 

Amongst the shops coming to Victoria is women’s fashion retailer Phase Eight, which offers a selection of midi and maxi dresses, bold hats, and stylish jumpsuits. Townhouse Nails will also be joining the mix, extending its hugely successful nail and beauty business within Leeds. Other retailers expected in Victoria include fashion retailer Whistles, French eyewear brand Jimmy Fairly, and premium Whisky seller The Whisky Shop.

Slim Chickens

Trinity Leeds 

For those of you who like your food fried, look no further. Slim Chicken Spot joins a host of other restaurants in the Trinity Centre, bringing a range of fried chicken items to the table for shoppers and restaurant goers alike. From breaded wings to buttermilk tenders, the Slim Chicken Spot is set to deliver everything you’ve been craving straight to your table. With locations across the entirety of the UK, the iconic chicken restaurant is set to take over Carluccio’s restaurant on floor three of the Trinity Shopping Centre. 

Maki & Ramen

Bond Street, Leeds City Centre

You can soon get a taste of Japan as Leeds unveils the brand new Maki and Ramen, set to deliver their authentic menu to diners in Leeds. With noodles, broth and sushi delivered fresh to the table, the restaurant has received high praise from its stores across the country, including Manchester, Glasgow, Leith and Richmond. Founded in 2013 by chef Teddy Lee, the restaurant has an aim to deliver delicious, accessible, and high-quality dishes to all of their guests.The launch of Maki & Ramen is yet to be unveiled, but you can expect to see it in Leeds later this year.