A cheesy pop-up, a community gym and a quartet of tasty restaurants – they’re all on their way to Leeds in the coming months.
Ready for a fresh batch of new openings, our first of 2022? Well, you’re in for a treat. We’ve got everything you need to know about seven impending arrivals that are planning to take Leeds by storm in the near future. There’s family-run Korean restaurants, fried chicken eateries and a new Asian venture from a well-known name, but that barely scratches the surface – take a look at the openings that are preparing to open very soon…
Hama
For the past 4 years, the family-run Yokohama has been serving delicious Korean food to the hungry folks of Roundhay, but now it’s got its sights set on Leeds city centre. They’re taking over a 100-capacity restaurant in the Merrion Centre this spring. You can look forward to trying over 40 classic Korean dishes, from the pork bulgogi to the kimchi dolt bibimbap, but that’s not all – you’ll also be able to fill your plate at the traditional Korean BBQ buffet.
Hama is opening on Woodhouse Lane in spring 2022.
Saucy Chicks
The name will give away just what Saucy Chicks is bringing to Leeds – downright delicious fried chicken with tasty homemade sauces. They’ve got restaurants across the UK, but this will be their first in Yorkshire, sitting just opposite from First Direct Arena on Merrion Way. Get ready for buckets of chicken wings, piles of sauce-covered loaded fries and giant burger stacks, which you can wash down with their oh-so-dirty shakes.
Saucy Chicks is opening on Merrion Way in February 2022.
Riva Blu
The Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant on Park Row closed just before Christmas, but they won’t be shut for long. Owners Individual Restaurants have announced they’re going to be relaunched this spring as Riva Blu. You can look forward to classic Italian cooking in a bright, airy restaurant that aims to give you a taste of ‘la dolce vita’. Get ready for old favourites like beef carpaccio and aubergine parmigiana alongside new dishes like their burrata and ‘nduja pizza.
Riva Blu is opening on Park Row in spring 2022.
Punjabi Heaven
The old Rice Thip restaurant in Oakwood only closed in December, but it’s already got a new tenant – introducing Punjabi Heaven. It’s bringing tasty Indian street food to Roundhay Road from this spring. But what can you expect? The clue is in the name – aromatic Punjabi grub. You can look forward to starters like samosa chaat and okra fries, before moving onto tasty mains – the dal makhani is their trademark, but you can’t go wrong with kadai paneer either.
Punjabi Heaven opens on Roundhay Road in spring 2022.
The Ivy Asia
The Ivy are opening a second Leeds restaurant, next door to their first, this time with their The Ivy Asia concept. It will be their fourth in total, after Chelsea, St Paul’s and Manchester, bringing a taste of the east to the heart of Leeds. Get ready for a sumptuous Asian-inspired decor, the perfect setting to experience a medley of Oriental dishes, from the caviar-embellished aromatic duck to the The Bonsai sharing plate. Unique cocktails and weekend DJs complete the vibe.
The Ivy Asia opens on Vicar Lane in summer 2022.
George & Joseph
© Copyright Leeds-List 2022 by Corvin Pamp
They’ve been slinging out tasty wheels of cheese in Chapel Allerton for yonks, but now George and Joseph are heading to Leeds city centre. For the whole of 2022, they’re taking over an archway unit on Brussels Street where they’ll be putting on a series of cheese-tastic pop-ups and events. The first weekend is a market where you can pick up all their cheesy wares and accompaniments, alongside Bakeri Baltzersen pastries and Leeds Bread Co-op loaves.
George & Joseph is opening at 62 Brussels Street on Saturday 5th February 2022.
BMF Leeds
Credit: BMF with Bear Grylls
The Bear Grylls-endorsed Be Military Fit are expanding their Leeds presence with a unique outdoor community gym in Roundhay later this year. They’ve teamed up with the Roundhegians rugby club, taking over a small corner of their ground. A series of old shipping containers, formerly used for equipment, are being repurposed and transformed into a cool, functional fitness centre where you can take on coach-led sessions to reach your goals.
BMF Leeds is opening in Roundhay in summer 2022.
