As we’re celebrating our 10th birthday we thought the time was right to share some of our favourite places across the city of Leeds. So without further ado…
Headrow house is a top Leeds hotspot and it’s no surprise why it covers all grounds; beer hall, restaurant, cocktail bar, rooftop plus live events. The beer hall has a cosy but open layout letting everyone share the space, Ox Club is a notable feature in the Leeds restaurant scene doing incredible food at an extremely fair price. Beer not for you? Take a trip upstairs to Redondo Beach where you can grab a cocktail and if you’re lucky enough maybe the sun will be shining and you can take your drink to the roof terrace. If eventually, you fancy a change of scene, then the extra good news is they also have two other spaces; Waterlane Boathouse and Belgrave Music Hall.
When it comes to food there’s more than enough choices in Leeds. There are a couple that have stood out over the years and Bundobust has been at the top of that list (especially for vegetarians) ever since they opened in 2014. Taking inspiration from India and modernising their dishes all of which are paired with delicious craft beer, Bundobust is perfect for a quick lunch or getting together and sharing a selection of dishes. This is the place you can take meat eaters to convince them vegetarian food is also delicious.
Finding a good café can be crucial for city and work life and you can’t get much better than Laynes Espresso which has since opening become a staple of Leeds. Not only does it serve some of the nicest coffee you can find but the atmosphere and space are great too so it’s the perfect place to take your lunch hour, or if you need a morning pick me up it's just around the corner from the train station, ideal for morning commuters.
If you’re looking to have a good laugh or get a little competitive with your colleges and friends you will struggle to find something as good as one of the Roxy venues, either Roxy lanes or Roxy ballroom. Take a group to battle it out through bowling, pool, table tennis, crazy golf or beer pong, all while having a couple drinks.
Leeds Corn Exchange is a perfect taste of Leeds. It’s been there for many many years but it has constantly adapted to the fast-moving city of Leeds. All under one roof is a collection of independent retailers all offering their own taste and styles. Whether you want to grab some lunch from Primo hot dogs or get the latest release from popular Leeds clothing brand mki miyuki zoku. Whichever you choose it’s a great way to spend some time in the beautiful space.
If you are wanting to take a break away from your desk at lunch, Leeds Art Museum is hard to beat. Not only do you get to look at some beautiful artwork but you can relax in the peaceful surroundings, and why not grab some food while you visit from the stunning tiled hall cafe.
Struggling to decide on what to eat whether it’s at lunch or tea? Trinity kitchen is always there to help you decide. With a selection of permanent food vendors and then a selection of pop up food vendors that change every 8 weeks, there’s always something new to try.
If you need to get some shopping done but still want to see the best of Leeds there’s no better spot than Victoria Gate & Victoria Arcade. Both offer their own stunning architecture and individual atmospheres housing super cool and new to Leeds retailers thus showcasing some of the best shopping Leeds has to offer.
If you enjoy treating yourself to a culinary masterpiece it’s hard to get any better in Leeds than Man Behind the Curtain. Thanks to innovative head chef Michael O’Hare this restaurant has brought the first Michelin Star restaurant to Leeds in a decade. Be sure to book in advance and we promise you will not regret the wait once you are sat down in front of the masterful tasting menu.
If you are lucky enough and the sun is shining it’s hard to beat Roundhay Park for getting the most of the sun. Not only is it a beautiful outdoor space but you won’t struggle to find a good quiet spot as Roundhay is one of Europe’s largest parks. It ticks all the boxes from endless greenery, lakeside walks and award winning landscaped gardens.
Currently undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishment and re-brand from The West Yorkshire Playhouse this multi-theatre space has a national reputation for staging a range of productions from some of the most burgeoning plays to Operas and traditional Christmas Ballets. It truly is a gem in Leeds’ fantastic creative landscape.
Headingley Stadium
Is the home of West Yorkshire Cricket Club, Leeds Rhino’s and Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Union. The cricket pitch is a regular Test match venue hosting teams from all over the world – plus you can pop into Headingley for a beer after watching any of the matches played at this multi-faceted venue.