12 bars & restaurants new this month or coming soon
LIFE moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss the opening of a new cocktail lounge, craft beer bar, or Venezuelan small-plates pop-up - can you imagine anything worse? Here are the latest bars and restaurants in Leeds, and a preview of what’s to come this July.
New this month:
Porco Rosso
If you think Harrogate seems like a long way to go for a decent cocktail, then you might need to reevaluate your priorities. The people who brought you Stuzzi are behind this new bar, specialising in elegant Italian cocktails using expertly sourced spirits and liqueurs. You won’t find a better Negroni this side of Florence.
Porco Rosso is open now on The Ginnel, Harrogate, HG1 2RB
Cocktails #cocktails #bar @stuzziharrogate #instadaily #picoftheday #porcorossobar @millwalldelaney #hardliquor #stuzzibar #harrogate #soon #photooftheday @imbibe @astrumwines
A post shared by PORCO ROSSO (@porco_rosso_bar) on
Issho
D&D’s contemporary Japanese finally opened towards the end of June. If you haven’t had chance to get down to Victoria Gate and see what it’s all about yet, check out our review to see what’s in store.
Issho is open now. 3rd Floor Rooftop, Victoria Gate, Leeds, LS2 7AU
Tattu
More modern Pan-Asian business: Manchester’s upmarket Chinese has made it across the Pennines, featuring a menu focusing on local Yorkshire produce, premium cocktails, and a massive indoor cherry-blossom tree.
Tattu is open now. 29 East Parade, Leeds LS1 5PS
Tattu Leeds is almost complete! Keep an eye out for teasers and make sure you sign up for a chance to attend our soft launch at www.tattu.co.uk/Leeds #newtattu #leeds #permanentlyunique
A post shared by Tattu Restaurants (@tatturestaurant) on
Taco Bell
The wait’s finally over, and Merrion Street’s fast food holy trinity is finally complete, with Taco Bell joining KFC and McDonalds earlier this June. Open until 4am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to post-pub guilty pleasures.
Open now. Unit 1 & 1A Upper Mall, St John’s Centre, Leeds LS2 8LQ
What more do you want in life? 🌮🍗🌯 #crispychicken #burrito #taco #tenders #thetacobellway
A post shared by Taco Bell UK (@tacobelluk) on
Kaspa’s Desserts
Kaspa’s is, to our knowledge, the city centre’s only dedicated dessert bar. The ice cream and gelato cafe offers over twenty types of sundae, as well as waffles and crepes with all sorts of indulgent toppings and fillings, plus ice cream shakes and bubble tea and slushes. The Birthday Extravaganza has fifteen scoops of ice cream on a bed of fresh baked waffles with sauces, wafers and sprinkles, and is apparently designed to be shared, although it is your birthday, so nobody can force you to.
Kaspa’s Desserts is open now at The Core on The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6JB
Opening in July:
North Star Coffee Shop & General Store
A collaboration between North Star coffee and Noisette Bakehouse, the coffee shop & general store is set to be a completely unique addition to Leeds, combining American neighbourhood bakehouse-style bakes paired with brewed coffee and teas, local seasonal produce, and handmade and artisanal pantry items.
For more information on what to expect when it opens in Leeds Dock later this month, check out our interview with Sarah from Noisette Bakehouse.
North Star Coffee Shop & General Store opens mid-July. Unit 33, The Boulevard, Leeds Dock, Leeds LS10 1PZ
Doghouse Bar & Record Store
Just days after we impatiently named Doghouse one of nine new openings we were still waiting for, the owners announced that they were on track for a July opening. Finishing touches are just being made to the new record shop and craft beer & seafood bar and it’s due to open on Saturday 8 July - keep an eye out for our first-look later on this week.
Doghouse Bar & Record Store opens Saturday 8 July. 92 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DJ
Looking sexy #indepedent #recordstores #love #leeds #booze @el_dooley @tom_flanagan_tattoo @independentleeds
A post shared by Doghouse Bar & Record Shop (@doghousebarrecord) on
East 59th
Hot on the heels of Issho comes D&D’s fourth Leeds restaurant, New York-inspired rooftop bar and grill East 59th. Crafthouse and Angelica’s Lee Murdoch has created the menu, which includes modern takes on US classics such as burgers, pastrami bagels, salad, and steak and lobster from the grill, all with “an East 59th twist”.
The 5,400sq ft rooftop space will also reflect the vibrant nightlife of The City That Never Sleeps by hosting regular DJ events.
East 59th opens Friday 14 July. Victoria Gate, Leeds, LS2 7AU
Cosmo Luxe
Boar Lane’s all-you-can-eat world buffet Cosmo closed its doors a while ago, but it’s coming back with a new, luxurious revamp, featuring more upmarket decor and “gourmet dishes” included in the £18 price tag, as well as a focus on the wine selection.
The luxurious fit-out includes a live cooking station, marble floors, green leather banquettes, and that epitome of sophistication; the DIY chocolate fountain. Cosmo Luxe is set to be the classiest place to go when you can’t decide between a carvery and all-you-can-eat sushi...
Cosmo Luxe opens this July. 52 Boar Lane, Leeds, LS1 5EL
Who doesn't love a good antipasti board?! TAG your antipasti loving pal below. #FridayFeeling
A post shared by Cosmo Restaurants (@cosmorestaurants) on
The Bottle Room at Harvey Nichols
The big gap left on the fourth floor of Harvey Nichols when Polpo unexpectedly ceased trading last year has finally been filled by The Bottle Room: a relaxed, upmarket bar with a focus on wine - available by the glass or bottle, or from the Harvey Nicks wine shop with a £10 corkage fee.
The new venue will also host tasting events focusing on wines from specific regions or growers.
The Bottle Room opens this July. 107-111 Briggate, Leeds LS1 6AZ
Coming soon:
The Ivy Leeds Brasserie
Following The Ivy’s surprise announcement that it would be coming to Leeds on New Year's Eve last year, we brought you an exclusive look at the location and plans for the legendary restaurant’s Brasserie spin-off. Assuming all goes well with planning permission for the site on Vicar Lane, The Ivy Brasserie should be with us by the end of this year.
Royal celebrations in London today 👑🎉🍾 #queensbirthday #kensington #theivykensingtonbrasserie @chanteball
A post shared by The Ivy Kensington Brasserie (@theivybrasserie) on
HOME
We mentioned in June’s round-up that you could expect to hear an update on Masterchef Liz Cottam and Michelin-star Mark Owens’ relaxed fine-dining restaurant by the end of the month - and boy did they deliver. As we revealed last week, work has started in the Kirkgate venue, just off Vicar Lane, and bookings are now being taken for restaurant’s launch in August.
Back to the menu dev today! Aged beef with carrot, hot & sour, radish & ginger 😃#foodphotography @ChefLizCottam #leeds
A post shared by Elizabeth Cottam (@cheflizcottam) on
