There’s always something new going down in the city and 2025 is no exception!
Leeds had a busy 2024 when it comes to new openings – and things don’t seem set to slow down anytime soon. Over the next 12 months, there’s an exciting array of new places to eat, drink, shop and play. To get you hyped for the year ahead, here’s our lowdown on all the new places that will be flinging open their doors in 2025.
Want to look back over the top 2024 openings? Check them out here.
Uyare
Want dinner with a view? Uyare have you covered. From the owners of Tharavadu, the restaurant will take the same Keralan flavours to the former Isso site in Victoria Gate. The rooftop venue will seat up to 300 guests who can dine on delectable small plates crafted with time-honoured techniques while supping on cocktails from the premium Agni bar.
Uyare will open in Victoria Gate, date TBC.
Søstrene Grene
© Copyright Leeds-List 2024
Get ready to welcome some stunning Scandi charm into your home, as Søstrene Grene is set to open in Trinity. This will be the first opening from the hugely popular Danish brand in Leeds – and it will be bringing a covetable selection of homeware, furniture, kitchen items and accessories. We can’t wait!
Søstrene Grene will be opening in Trinity later this year.
The Old Engine Works
Credit: Wayland Smith licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.
This Grade-II, red-brick building has a storied history. It has served as offices, a canteen, and a former steam locomotive manufacturer. But it will soon have a brand new lease of life as a live music venue. The refreshed Old Engine Works will host concerts and club nights, as well as community meetings and more – with an onsite cafe to boot.
The Old Engine Works will open on Jack Lane, Hunslet in 2025.
Green Room 2.0
© Copyright Leeds-List 2024
You may have seen the posters plastered around the site on Wellington Street already but if you haven’t, let us tell you that Green Room 2.0 is coming. The city centre bar is expanding into the vacant Queens House. Formerly a solicitor’s office, the site will be refreshed and reopened in January, extending Green Room’s cool and cosy bar and eatery.
Green Room 2.0 will open on Wellington Street on Friday 24th January 2025.
Giggling Squid
This is one Thai restaurant that will be a feast for all the senses. The Giggling Squid Leeds opening will join over 40 other venues in the UK dishing up bucketloads of deliciousness in gorgeous interiors. Expect an Instagrammable floral dining room and a menu that packs a punch – from Thai classics such as massaman to specials like salmon paneang.
Giggling Squid will open on 27 Park Row on Tuesday 14th January 2025.
Beyond the Red Door
This family-owned bar will be bringing good vibes and cracking beverages to Horsforth in January 2025. Alongside beers, wines and cocktails, they’ll serve up a tasty food menu and host live music. This independent is set to become a real community hub – and you can take a taste home with you from the bottle shop too.
Beyond the Red Door will be opening on 15 Town Street, Horsforth in January 2025.
Hotel Indigo
Big news from one of the oldest hotels in the city. This historic property has been revamped and will be throwing open its doors with 107 chic refurbished rooms. Hotel Indigo will also boast meeting rooms for hire and an onsite bar and restaurant, Banksia. If you’re looking for a city break in style, this could be just the ticket.
Hotel Indigo will open on Lower Briggate and Swinegate in spring 2025.
BAKE
This nostalgic British bakery concept is starting to rise up on Granary Wharf. From the bakery maestro behind Doh’hut and Things in Bread – Tom Stafford – BAKE will reinvent old-school tasty treats. Think oven-fresh savoury pastries, buffed up cream cakes and mouth-watering breads, all whipped up onsite and washed down with specialty coffees.
BAKE will be opening in Granary Wharf early next year.
Big Scoffs Diner
Credit: Scoffs
Horsforth has already fallen for popular plant-based Scoffs with their hearty and healthy grub – and Big Scoff’s Diner is set to step things up a notch. If their sneak peak menus are anything to go by, we’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice, with a chock-a-block breakfast menu, comforting Sunday roasts and warming desserts. It’s a sticky toffee pudding for us, please!
Big Scoffs Diner opens on New Road Side in Horsforth early next year.
The Victoria & Commercial Pub
The brains behind Kirkstall Brewery have joined forces with Whitelock’s Ale House and The Five Point Brewing Company to breathe new life into The Victoria & Commercial Pub. The Grade-II listed pub on Great George Street will be restored, revived and revamped while retaining its traditional appeal, upgrading the beer offering and installing a new kitchen.
The Victoria & Commercial Pub will reopen on Great George Street, date TBC.
Lane 7
Good times are set to roll into the former Wilkos store on Albion Street. Lane 7 is known for their great atmosphere and healthy dose of competitive fun, with everything from bowling and shuffleboard, to darts and pool. That’s not to forget the retro arcade machines, well-stocked bar and oh-so-filling food from resident eateries like Fat Hippo.
Lane 7 will be opening in the former Wilko store on Albion Street, date TBC.
Take It Easy Lab
Budding photographers, take note. Family-run film lab, Take It Easy, are moving from their Aire Street location to Little Neville Street in 2025. The passionate team offer a range of film processing and developing services, with a focus on sustainability. They also host events and workshops, so keep your lenses peeled for more details of their move.
Take It Easy are moving to Little Neville Street early next year.
Next Chapter Books
We’re excited to flip through the pages at this brand new independent bookshop. Next Chapter will shine a spotlight on women’s writing, featuring women-led books and book clubs. With coffee and wine to fuel your reading session, it will be an inviting spot that champions progression, inclusivity and great stories.
Next Chapter Books will open on the Lower Ground floor of Corn Exchange on Wednesday 5th February 2025.
Aesop
Prepare to pamper yourself with the new Aesop, set to open in Victoria Quarter. This will be the first store in the whole of the North of England from the premium brand and will feature a sumptuous selection of skincare, haircare and fragrances. A certified B Corp and international luxury company, you can expect attentive service with a focus on sustainability.
Aesop will open in Victoria Quarter in January 2025.
The Swine That Dines
© Copyright Leeds-List 2024
The Swine That Dines has a well-earned reputation for their exquisite dishes, wonderful wine pairings and focus on sustainability and seasonality. Following a big Crowdfunding effort, they’ve announced they’ll be opening a new location in Headingley. While the beloved menu won’t change too much, things will get a shake up with a massive new space and head chef.
The Swine That Dines will open on 77 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3PS in February 2025.
