Have You Been To These 15 New Openings Yet?

Last week we gave you 23 new openings to look forward to in the coming months, but have you even checked out all of these recent openings yet? Come on, get a move on.

Pizza Fella

Graduating from their Citroen H van-fronted street food operation to a permanent residence on Vicar Lane late last year, Fella’s is a straight-up pizzeria with a stripped-back vibe that puts the focus on their wood-fired, Neapolitan style pizzas (think bubbly, charred dough and pools of Fior de Latte on San Marzano tomato base) and a small but well-formed list of plonk and beers.

Pizza Fella, 114-116 Vicar Lane, LS2 7NL

The Cat’s Pyjamas City Centre

Our reviewer Megan thought The Cat’s Pyjamas was the dog’s b...yjamas when she visited the Headingley branch recently, but noted that it’s harder to get a table there on a weekend than a seat on the rush hour express to Mumbai. We’re expecting their achingly-cool new gaff on Eastgate to be just as popular, offering something a bit different from the traditional city centre curry houses.

The Cat’s Pyjamas, 9 Eastgate, LS2 7LY

200 Degrees

Roasting their own beans in their Nottingham roastery, and operating a barista trainig school, 200 Degrees has the product and the knowledge, and with their new shop - defiantly located on Bond Street between a Pret and a Costa - they have an ace venue. Huge, plush, and comfortable, it’s the type of place you could spend the best part of a morning or afternoon, their selection of excellent breakfast and lunch salads and sandwiches should keep you going.

200 Degrees Coffee Shop, 31 Bond Street, LS1 5BQ

The Union Coffee House

We’ve all been there, sat sipping a latte in a trendy coffee shop wishing you could nick their design flourishes to make your house look a bit cooler. Union Coffee makes that possible. The ‘Union’ is between husband and wife owners Vik and Chris, as well as local producers like North Star Coffee, local artists and makers, and also between food, art, and atmosphere. Their unique concept is that you’re welcome to read any of the books on the shelves, play or buy any of the vinyl in the racks, or buy any of the art off the wall, meaning no two visits will be the same.

The Union Coffee House, 51 Great George Street, LS1 3LA

Veeno

Veeno’s culture of aperitivo (casual grazing and drinking in an informal setting with friends) is a natural fit for the fast-paced business district, so their new opening in Wellington Place seems like a no-brainer. All of their wines - red, white, rose and sparkling - come from their family-owned Sicilian vineyard, and pair perfectly with a selection of spuntini - Italian small-plate snacks like bruschette, meats, and cheeses.

Veeno, 5 Wellington Place, LS1 4AP

Olive & Rye

From Joe Hepworth, of Hepworth’s Deli, comes Olive & Rye. Just one arcade over from the eponymous deli, Olive & Rye offers high quality retail produce from local producers and artisans to be enjoyed there, or at home. There’s also a 44-cover brunch, lunch, and small plates restaurant, where they also host monthly tasting menu events.

Olive & Rye, 18-20 Queens Arcade, LS1 6LH 

Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant

Following in the footsteps of his London and Manchester restaurants, TV chef Gino has chosen Leeds’ Park Row for his next venture. Serving pasta, pizza, salads and mains, the bright, chic venue was instantly popular when it opened late last year. If you fancy something a bit lighter, you can dine at the dedicated aperitivo and prosecco bar.

Gino D'Acampo My Restaurant, 11-12 Park Row, LS1 5HD

SingleShot

Another coffee shop with a unique selling point, SingleShot combines owners Rob and Paul’s two main passions in life - coffee and music. They only stock vinyl, but rather than an Urban Outfitters-style collection of solely reissues, they’ve sourced classics and hidden gems of all genres on their own crate-digging adventures and from private collections.

SingleShot, 30 Central Road, Leeds LS1 6DE

The Good Luck Club

An impressive, New York-chic weekday spot, The Good Luck Club opened early December, providing coffee, lunch dishes from its charcoal grill, and an impressive, vibrant post-work meeting place for its business district neighbours. It’s worth wandering out of town to check it out for yourself, too.

The Good Luck Club, 4AW, 6 Wellington Place, LS1 4AP

Senbon Sakura

This dual-personality venue on Great George Street takes care of local workers breakfast and lunch desires in the daytime with the usual cafe offerings, but in the evenings is when it really comes alive. From 5pm until 11pm, Senbon Sakura serves some of the best, most traditional Japanese food in Leeds, including a great build-your-own ramen, and sushi made fresh to order.

Senbon Sakura, 71 Great George Street, LS1 3BR

Thewlis Cocktail Lounge

A proper, serious cocktail bar offering over forty craft creations ranging from sweet to smoky, bitter to sparkling, sour to...on fire - promising a touch of theatre with each of the drinks they serve. That theatre starts with your mixologist making their way up a sliding, library-style ladder which they use to access the drinks cabinets - or the stairway to heaven, as we call it.

Thewlis Cocktail Lounge, 18 Park Row, LS1 5JA

CAU

An Argentinian restaurant that’s about so much more than just steak (Don’t get us wrong though, they’re no slouches when it comes to steak…). Great for a fancy evening meal, and a brilliant place for a treat-lunch when you’re shopping in Victoria Gate, as we found out in our What To Order feature...

CAU, Victoria Gate, 1 Eastgate, LS2 7LY

Jamaica Blue

Chances are you might have wandered into the new coffee shop in Trinity for a quick boost in the middle of a Christmas shopping sesh. Now you’re not so rushed off your feet it might be worth going back, taking your time, and checking out the menu ranging from pastries, light bites, breakfast, to lunch.

Jamaica Blue, Trinity Leeds, Leeds LS1 6AF 

Mans Market

We gave you a first look of this back in November: downstairs behind a neon-lit doorway off Wellington Street is Mans Market, one of Leeds worst-kept-secrets. Owner Ray Chan grew up in a takeaway, and his aim is to rid Chinese food of its gloopy, MSG-laden stigma. The use of fresh ingredients definitely helps, as well as the cool, urban, Hong Kong shipping container/New York Chinatown decor.

Mans Market, Unit F, Wellington Street, LS1 4JJ

Comptoir Libanais

Formerly Everyman Cinema’s pizza kitchen, Comptoir Libanais has transformed the space into a big, vibrant souk-style setting where they serve big platters of Middle Eastern mezze and dishes from the grill. This deli-cum-market-cum-cafe chain is a really welcome addition to the city’s casual dining scene. Check out what we ordered here

Comptoir Libanais, Trinity Leeds, Leeds LS1 6AF