When it comes to under-the-radar gems out in the Leeds suburbs, seek and ye shall find…
Leeds’ suburbs are rich with things to discover – stuff that’s so good but off the beaten path if you only ever head in to the city centre. Quaint bookshops, repositories of rare cheeses, passion projects and fab places to eat, drink and shop are all ripe for discovery. Here’s our pick…
Little Leeds
This fabulous soft play centre does things a little bit differently. Instead of providing a great place for kids to play safely while cramming the waiting adults into a shabby cafe, it treats the grown-ups like guests too. While the little ones clamber up climbing walls and burn through some energy, mums and dads can can enjoy a pastry and some quality coffee.
Where you’ll find it: Little Leeds, 29 Chelwood Drive, Moortown, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2AT.
While you’re there: The Leeds Deli just two doors down is the perfect place to fill up on something wholesome and fresh. Their diavola pizza is a mouth-watering delight.
The Little Bookshop
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A bookshop built for the little readers in your life, The Little Bookshop has got the full span of childhood covered, from early years pictures books through to a great range of YA novels. The staff are lovely, there are events aplenty – signings, Silent Book Club – and they put on free art and craft sessions in the school holidays to boot.
Where you’ll find it: The Little Bookshop, 47 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 3PD.
While you’re there: Seven Arts is a cultural space that plays host to jazz, comedy, Disney drag bingo and kid’s story sessions.
George & Joseph Cheesemongers
Let your nose lead you to this wonderful homage to fromage in Chapel Allerton. Row after row of artisanal cheese await you, whether you’re after a stinky blue, a pungent goat’s cheese or even a wedge of something rich and truffled. They sell all the biscuits and chutneys you need as well, while the shop plays host to regular tastings and even has a cheese school.
Where you’ll find it: George & Joseph, 140 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 4NZ.
While you’re there: Only seconds away, Chirpy is the ideal place to pick up a quirky gift, a design store that hosts craft workshops upstairs.
This Green Moon
An events space with a difference, This Green Moon can be found within Swillington Organic Farm, and is a wonderful way to get back to nature only minutes from the city. The woodland tipis here host food events, school visits, weddings, teacher training and a forest school where kids and adults can learn how to build shelters and fires in the wise old woods.
Where you’ll find it: This Green Moon, Swillington Organic Farm, Coach Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS26 8QA.
While you’re there: Whetted your appetite for the outdoor life? Potter round to Skelton Country Park with its lake, circular walk and wildlife.
Oakwood Cinema
A community cinema that offers the full experience of going to see a movie with friends, family or your better half, Oakwood Cinema is a gem of a place. As well as screening films new and old, classic and cult, they’ve got a fully licensed bar, popcorn, ice cream and snacks, and they’ve even introduced intermissions, so people can mingle, catch up and discuss the film in progress.
Where you’ll find it: Oakwood Cinema, Roundhay Parochial Hall, 5 Fitzroy Drive, Roundhay, Oakwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 4AB.
While you’re there: One of the best Korean restaurants in Leeds, Hama’s Oakwood branch promises amazing BBQ meats.
Paria Cafe & General Store
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Leeds-born Paria is one of the coolest cycling brands around, and their cafe in Chapel Allerton has rapidly become a firm favourite with two-wheeled locals. You can stock up on gear here – from clobber to branded water bottles – and grab a pre- or post-ride flat white and bagel. It’s dog-friendly too, so if you’ve given your pooch a lift on your crossbar, they can enjoy a doggy donut.
Where you’ll find it: Paria Coffee & General Store, 180 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 4NZ.
While you’re there: Grab pretty cakes and bakes at The Sunshine Bakery – try to grab a seat in their funkily decorated outdoor space.
Silver’s Deli
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The sandwich game in Leeds has really taken off in recent years, with the likes of Things in Bread and Shokupan shaking things up in the city. Out in Bramley, meanwhile, Silver’s Deli is another contender, winning acclaim for stuffed sarnies that are out of this world. The ‘Everything’ is a bold breakfast choice, the salt beef a certified classic. Just be ready to queue – it’s justly popular.
Where you’ll find it: Silver’s Deli, 268 Stanningley Road, Bramley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS13 3BS.
While you’re there: Proper Bike Shop has everything from high-end road bikes to rides for kids. There’s also a cafe serving surprisingly good grub.
Japanese Garden
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Get yourself out to Horsforth Hall Park and, along with the cricket pitch, playground, lovely walks and skate parks, you’ll find the petite but pretty Japanese Garden. It was restored back in 2009 and has since become a meditative place with a small waterfall, a serene pond and a quaint red bridge. Packed with oriental plants, it’s a slice of East Asia right here in Leeds.
Where you’ll find it: Japanese Garden, Horsforth Hall Park, Hall Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5JE.
While you’re there: Fancy a picnic for the garden? Pooky’s Cafe on New Road Side has a deli tucked away at the back with lush pies, rolls, cheeses and more.
Leventhorpe Vineyard
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You don’t need to travel to Bordeaux or Rioja to visit a vineyard – there’s one in God’s Own County. Leventhorpe has been in operation since 1985, producing Yorkshire varietals and bottles of white, red and fizz. Give them a buzz in advance and you can visit to buy some bottles and support your local winemaker.
Where you’ll find it: Leventhorpe Vineyard, Newsome Green Road, Off Bullerthorpe Lane, Woodlesford, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS26 8AF.
While you’re there: Calilo in nearby Woodlesford has marvellous mezzo, gyros and a meltingly soft Greek lamb shank dish you have to order.
Bottle Chop
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This is far from your average offie or wine shop. Bottle Chop are on a mission to make natural wine as accessible as possible, and they’ve got a phenomenal range in stock. Staff are helpful and knowledgeable and along with the minimal intervention vino, you can also grab some deli treats such as Torres crisps, hot honey and gourmet tinned fish.
Where you’ll find it: Bottle Chop, 14 Weetwood Lane, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 5LX.
While you’re there: Amble down to Fika North for quality coffee, stuffed bagels and – our favourite – the Bloody Mary ketchup hash browns.
Croissant D’Or
Alpha Kebe is the Frenchman behind this unsung patisserie in Rawdon, and he turns out a panoply of perfect pastries seven days a week from this great Gallic bakery. There’s a huge range of baguettes, sourdough loaves, fougasse, croissants and pastries oozing chocolate, custard and more. Grab something on your way to work, or pull up a chair outside and pair your pick with a coffee.
Where you’ll find it: Croissant D’Or, 30 Harrogate Road, Rawdon, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS19 6HJ.
While you’re there: Just over the road, The Tash Rawdon is a fab little bar serving up beer, cocktails and extravagant plates of charcuterie.
Oscars
The beer lovers of Morley rejoiced when Oscars got a new lease of life a few years back. It’s a breath of fresh air in an area with some pretty stale pubs, serving up top ales from the likes of North, Yonder, Deya and so many more. This pooch-friendly watering hole also offers good coffee, great spirits and some tables outside for when the sun plays ball.
Where you’ll find it: Oscar’s, 2A Queen Street, Morley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 9DG.
While you’re there: Another Morley Bottoms gem, Otto Pizza Bar combines top booze with the perfect pairing of pizza.
Jackrabbits
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The perfect way to keep kids busy and get their imaginations racing? Take them to Oakwood’s Jackrabbits Pottery. The little ones can take their pick of a huge range of pottery and then decorate away, tucking into milkshakes, hot chocolate and cakes as they do so. Don’t want the kids to have all the fun? Jackrabbits also run incredibly popular BYOB late nights events for adults.
Where you’ll find it: Jackrabbits Pottery, 633a Roundhay Road, Oakwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 4BA.
While you’re there: Grab a beer, a Darkwoods coffee and a toastie at Preston, North Bar’s Oakwood outpost.
Hern
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Not every destination restaurant lives in the centre of the city. Oh no. Hern quietly goes about its wonderful business in Chapel Allerton, offering a la carte on Wednesdays and a keenly-priced short set menu (£45) from Thursday through to Saturday. The menu is always evolving, but expect sublime dishes such as beef rib with pomme purée and glazed carrots and an incredible walnut and honey cake.
Where you’ll find it: Hern, 5 Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2EY.
While you’re there: There’s a reason De Baga is on our Best Indian Restaurants list – it’s a different class of curry house with some real one-off dishes.
The Old Woollen
Tucked away in Sunny Bank Mills, The Old Woollen is a live arts and music venue with a brilliantly eclectic programme of events. You might find comedy, cover acts (the Bootleg Beatles, say) and Barry from Eastenders hosting ‘Barrioke’, while there’s crazy bingo and wild interactive nights like ‘Solvealong Murder She Wrote’. Add in a top beer range and you’ve got a Farsley favourite.
Where you’ll find it: The Old Woollen, Sunnybank Mills, 10 Town Street, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ.
While you’re there: Grumpy’s Pizza serves up genuinely brilliant wood-fired goodness and ace starters such as baked feta or padron peppers.
Treeside Alpacas
Nothing can quite beat the feeling of taking an alpaca for a walk – and at Treeside Alpacas, the whole team are waiting to meet you. You’ll take your chosen new friend around Moss Carr Farm, whether it’s Chester – the tallest of the pack – Kimbo, Bomber or Bruno, the baby of the bunch. It’s a lovely thing to do for kids of all ages – and yes, that includes grown-ups.
Where you’ll find it: Treeside Alpacas, Moss Carr Farm, Newmarket Lane, Oulton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS26 9DW.
While you’re there: A two-minute drive away, Swithens Farm is one of the best family friendly farms in Leeds, with emus, meerkats and a play barn.
The Tiny Tea Room
Rodley’s Tiny Tea Room – winner of Best Cafe at the Yorkshire Business Awards – is perhaps the most bijou and sweet place you could ever enjoy a cuppa. It’s housed in a stone shed sat next to the Leeds-Liverpool canal, and you can barely swing a cat inside. Pick a sunny day to visit and you can watch the barges float past from the terrace, smearing clotted cream or jam onto their perfect scones.
Where you’ll find it: The Tiny Tea Room, Calverley Bridge, Rodley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS13 1NF.
While you’re there: Another canal-side winner, The Railway Inn is a friendly pub with a cracking beer garden.
Record Plant
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Festooned with vintage music posters, Record Plant is one of the best additions to the Leeds record shop scene in years. Browse the shelves for vinyl both new and old, get some recommendations from the ever-helpful staff and even pick up some memorabilia. With everything from pop to blues, jazz to hip-hop, you’ll be hard pressed to leave without a gem in your tote bag.
Where you’ll find it: Record Plant, Sunnybank Mills, 1, Old Engine, Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ.
While you’re there: Amity Brew Co is a stroll away. Grab a pint of their fab beer and see if you can spot Esme and Patrick filming The Great British Sewing Bee in the mill opposite.
BasementArtsProject
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This is a place that does what it says on the tin – it’s literally an art project in a basement. It’s not what you’d expect to find below a terraced house in Beeston, but that just makes it even more enjoyable. Bruce Davies curates an interesting selection of artists both local and distant, with a shifting programme of projects and themes. Head down to have your eyes opened.
Where you’ll find it: BasementArtsProject, 28 Back Burton Terrace, Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5JH.
While you’re there: Over on the other side of Beeston, Noi’s Thai Kitchen dishes up authentic, fragrant food in The Old Peacock pub.
Zero Muda
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Zero waste shops are becoming increasingly popular and Zero Muda has been serving up refills to the people of Horsforth for a good while now. They try to use local suppliers for everything from ice cream to seeds, beauty accessories and cleaning products. You can cut down your packaging waste and get refills of oils, pasta, pulses and even wines.
Where you’ll find it: Zero Muda, 85 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4QD.
While you’re there: Right on the other side of Horsforth Park you’ll find Our Handmade Collective, a unique gift shop selling handmade products from local artisans and designers.
