Leeds in Bloom: New Openings Part 15

Just when it seems the city can’t possibly squeeze in another opening, Leeds delivers all over again. From long-awaited debuts to independents becoming institutions, the city’s food, drink and lifestyle scene keeps finding new ways to surprise us. From wellbeing-led communities and matcha spots to exciting new dinner and drinks venues, here’s what’s new across Leeds city centre and beyond.

Food and drink

Dishoom – Vicar Lane

The wait is finally over. Bombay-style Indian restaurant Dishoom has opened its hotly anticipated Leeds location in the former Flannels store on Vicar Lane. Expect Bombay’s Irani café culture brought to life, complete with cult classics such as Bacon Naan Rolls, House Black Dahl, and a dish made just for Leeds, with rich flavours, cinematic décor, and queues out the door. If you didn’t bag a table for the soft launch, don’t worry. Dishoom reserves 50% of tables for walk-ins, so you’ll never miss out.

The Cut and Craft – Victoria Quarter

The Cut & Craft has just completed a £1.5m expansion of its Victoria Quarter site, nearly doubling in size with a new luxurious cocktail bar, two private dining rooms and a dedicated stage for live entertainment on Thursdays and Sundays. The Grade II-listed venue now spans over 12,000 sq ft and seats up to 370, with interiors that nod to Wallace Hartley, the talented bandleader who played at the venue in its early-1900s heyday, before famously orchestrating the last musical moments of the RMS Titanic.

Jasper – Grand Arcade

Tucked inside the beautiful Grand Arcade, Jasper, Leeds’ new Parisian-style date-night destination, is getting steak frites spot-on. Choose a rump steak and chips for £19.50, or splash out on a 28-day-aged ribeye, and tuck into 90 minutes of endless fries. Simple, indulgent, trés chic.

Broaster Club – New Briggate

Leeds’ first taste of Saudi-style ‘Broaster’ chicken has arrived on New Briggate with Broaster Club. Pressure-fried for maximum crunch, Broaster’s golden-coated chicken is prepared with spice blend, marinade and sauce recipes sourced directly from Saudi Arabia, including a UK-first ‘infused chicken’ injected with sauce before cooking. The mouthwatering menu also runs to broasted prawns, wraps, burgers and sides. 

Moods – Kirkgate

Moods, a relaxed luxury all-day café, bar and events venue, brings new life to Leeds’ Grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall. An all-day food service led by Chef Craig Rogan (Hotel Indigo’s Banksia, L’Enclume, Fera at Claridge’s, Manchester House and The Grand in York) will offer speciality coffee, in-house patisserie, and elevated daytime dining with cocktails, wine, and beer. A fuller restaurant and private dining area are planned from Autumn 2026. Founders Will and Hayley have created a space that’s luxurious in its simplicity. Just drop in (open every day, except Monday, until 11 pm and 9 pm Sundays); you’re always welcome.

City Taproom – Sovereign Street

Kirkstall Brewery has teamed up with street food favourites Little Bao Boy to relaunch the former North Taproom as the City Taproom, named after a long-gone city-centre pub. Expect 16 taps of Kirkstall classics, Veltins, Double Diamond and Guinness, plus bao buns from Little Bao Boy, plus a ‘modern boozer’ restyling of this big-windowed corner plot. Open seven days a week from midday.

Made – Lower Briggate

Sheffield’s viral matcha and açaí bar Made has landed in the former Nice Things unit on Lower Briggate, bringing its pastel-toned, checker-floor café to Leeds. Expect hand-whisked matcha in seasonal flavours (strawberry shortcake and banana bread are cult favourites), fresh açaí bowls and superfood smoothies. This is Made’s second site, and we’ve seen the queues. It’s already in demand. Open every day 9 am until 8 pm (6 pm on Sundays). 

North Star – Great George Street

Leeds-born speciality coffee roaster North Star is opening a takeaway-focused kiosk and retail store on Great George Street this July, serving breakfast and lunch sandwiches, bakes and retail coffee to take home. It’s the roaster’s second new opening this summer, hot on the heels of its Victoria Quarter site – proof, if any were needed, that Leeds can’t get enough of them.

M Plus Matcha – Woodhouse

Right opposite the Parkinson Building, M Plus Matcha serves up ceremonial-grade matcha sourced directly from Japan and matcha gelato served in four intensities. Watching them on rotation is kind of hypnotic. Founders Josh and Jennifer have built a top-class menu with lots to explore: Try the Blue Curaçao or Lavender matcha, and the gelato, made with ingredients imported from Italy. It’s some of the best in the city. Open every day of the week, 9 am until 8 pm.

Edges Pizza – Holbeck

New York-style pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has finally found a permanent home, opening under the arches at Fourth Court in Holbeck. Owners Grace and Edge have transformed the railway arch into a love letter to the Big Apple, serving eight massive 18-inch pizzas and three dips via a pre-order collection system. Choose from classics like Margherita and American Hot to Spicy Vodka and Burrata. The stripy boxes are pretty nice, too. Preorder for pickup. Simple. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 4 pm (3 pm Friday and Saturday) until 9 pm (8 pm on Sundays).

La Grassa – Farsley

The team behind beloved Italian restaurant Stuzzi has launched La Grassa, an Italian-American ‘paninoteca’ and diner, inside Amity Brew Co’s former brewing space at Sunny Bank Mills. Expect stacked semolina subs loaded with grilled pork, meatballs or buttermilk chicken, plus pressed sandwiches piled with dry-aged beef or hot honey and cheese, all made to pair with a pint from the brewery. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 12–9 pm, and Sunday, 12–8 pm.

Bluebird Bakery – Meanwood

York’s award-winning Bluebird Bakery opened its seventh site on Stainbeck Lane on 16 July, bringing organic, slow-fermented sourdough and hand-crafted pastries to Chapel Allerton. Bluebird already has a loyal following at Kirkgate Market, and this new café and bakery (complete with Roost Coffee) is set to become a firm neighbourhood favourite. Open 8:30 am until 3 pm Monday-Saturday and 9 am until 3 pm on Sunday.

Burgerism – Meanwood

Award-winning smash burger joint Burgerism has rolled permanently into Meanwood following the previous success of its Leeds delivery kitchen, a short walk from the Meanwood Tavern. Expect smashed patties, wings, fries and house sauces from the Manchester chain that’s already built a cult following across the North – now within stumbling distance of a decent pint, too.

KefiYo – Headingley

Filling the gap left by Sixes, KefiYo has opened in Headingley, serving smooth scoops of frozen yoghurt under the motto ‘eat clean, feel light, live better’. Expect fresh, fruity flavours like raspberry and blueberry alongside classic chocolate, plus açaí bowls, smoothies and coffees. Open 10 am until 11 am every day of the week. Pardon Me – Farsley

Farsley’s drinking scene has gained a serious talking point in Pardon Me, a Japan-inspired record bar where ‘the music is front and centre’. Owner Scott Rapson has built the space around Danley speakers and a wall of vinyl, serving organic wines, cocktails, and coffee to a soundtrack of hip-hop, soul, jazz, funk, and disco. Open Thursday to Sunday, this one’s worth clearing your evening for.

Wellbeing

STRONG – City Square

The North of England’s first STRONG Pilates studio has opened at The Majestic. Originally launched in Australia and now with over 100 studios worldwide, STRONG combines reformer Pilates with either rowing- or cycling-based cardio on its signature Rowformer machines, a high-energy, low-impact workout for anyone looking to shake up their routine.

Arch & Olto – Wellington PlaceArch has opened its first luxury reformer Pilates studio at 11 Wellington Place, designed as a welcoming sanctuary where expert instruction aims to leave members feeling strong, confident and connected. Sitting above Arch, Olto is a brand-new health and wellbeing space that brings together world-class coaching, infrared saunas, ice baths, and hands-on support to help members hit their goals sustainably. Together, the pair are putting the well(ness) firmly into Wellington Place.

Shopping and lifestyle

K-Pop Korner – Merrion Centre

K-Pop Korner has opened its first Northern store at the Merrion Centre, bringing merchandise, fan events and community trading days to Leeds. The launch weekend included dedicated Stray Kids and Xikers events, announcing the first accessible K-pop hub outside London and the Midlands to fans across the region.

Footasylum – Trinity Leeds

Streetwear and sportswear giant Footasylum opened its new 12,471 sq ft flagship at Trinity Leeds on 20 June, taking over the former Superdry unit opposite Mango. Expect menswear, womenswear, and junior ranges from Nike, adidas, Asics, and Converse, alongside Footasylum’s own exclusive labels, plus mobile payment points dotted throughout for quicker checkout.

The Fragrance Shop – Trinity Leeds

The UK’s largest independent fragrance retailer, The Fragrance Shop,  has opened a flagship store in the former LEGO Store unit at Trinity Leeds. Expect hundreds of luxury, niche, and designer scents, along with interactive digital consultations to help you land on a new signature scent.

Diamonds Factory – Trinity LeedsTrinity Leeds has added a little sparkle, too, with luxury jewellery retailer Diamonds Factory opening its doors at Unit 301 – joining the centre’s recent run of arrivals including The Fragrance Shop, Footasylum and Lane7.

Coming Soon

Shopping

Moida – Trinity Leeds

Korean beauty retailer Moida is set to open on the second floor of Trinity Leeds, next to Vision Express, later this summer. Expect an extensive range of authentic K-beauty products from cult brands, including Dr Althea, Beauty of Joseon, Tirtir, Medicube and Biodance, at what will be Moida’s fifth UK store, following its success in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Rolex – Victoria Gate

Good things come to those who wait: the Rolex boutique at Victoria Gate has confirmed a £7m investment to treble in size, creating a 6,770 sq ft flagship across two floors with private consultation rooms, a lounge and bar area, and an accredited Rolex Authorised Service Centre with an on-site watchmaker. Fit-out begins later this year, with completion scheduled for October 2027 – so pop it in the diary now.

Food and drink

Mezza – Eastgate

A taste of the Eastern Mediterranean is heading to Leeds city centre with Mezza, the Bradford-based restaurant group crowned Britain’s Best Lebanese Restaurant in 2025. The new site is preparing to open next door to Etci Mehmet on Eastgate, specialising in fresh, colourful Levantine dishes from Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Think open-flame grilled meats and vibrant sharing plates. It’s best to bring an appetite.

Hayy – Eastgate

Also landing on Eastgate, in the former Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery site, Hayy is a new café concept designed to bridge the gap between a morning espresso bar and an evening cultural hub. Expect great coffee, flavour-packed food, music and community. Hayy means ‘neighbourhood’ in Arabic, so this is a spot built for lingering longer than planned.

Once Upon a Vine – Headingley

Already loved in Horsforth and Wetherby, independent wine shop and tasting room Once Upon a Vine will open its third site on Otley Road in Headingley. Expect shelves stacked with hand-picked bottles from around the world, cheese and charcuterie boards, and a promise to steer well clear of the Otley Run. This will be a grown-up wine stop, not a pub-crawl pit-stop.

Sport & entertainment

Leeds United Fan Park – Elland Road

Elland Road is getting a serious upgrade off the pitch, too. Leeds United has submitted plans for a brand-new 2,000-capacity Fan Park opposite the East Stand, converting a warehouse building into a flexible, multi-purpose social space. Think two levels of bars and seating, an outdoor courtyard, food and drink retailers and a new roof for natural light, with the ability to host live screenings and events on non-matchdays too. Somewhere to make a day of it, whether the Whites are playing at home or not.

Music

Mint XL – Woodhouse LaneOne of Leeds’ most influential nightlife brands is making a big return. Mint XL will open inside the former PRYZM building on Woodhouse Lane on Friday 25 September, bringing electronic music events and a packed calendar of touring DJs from the team behind Mint Festival and Mint Warehouse.

This information was checked in July 2026, but all details are subject to change. Please check individual venues’ social channels for the latest opening dates.