If you haven’t seen our Art Hostel map, you’re missing some vital Leeds intel. It not only helps you make your way around our glorious city, it also gives you a few recommendations along the way. We’re paying homage to some of our favourite independent friends in Leeds this week. You’ll be sure to want to visit them all when you’re staying with us.

Places of interest in Leeds and beyond

Whether you’re visiting Leeds for 24 hours or you’re staying with us a little longer, there’s much to see and do in the city and further afield. We’re well connected with public transport so you should find it extremely easy to get around.

Two spots which are just up the road from the hostel at Kirkgate Market and The Corn Exchange. Head to the former for local, good quality produce and the latter for architecture galore, and good gift options.

Leeds City Art Gallery is a no brainer when it comes to sightseeing. It’s recently been rehung and there’s always an impressive events calendar to get involved with too. See details of the Tiled Hall Cafe below!

If you have a little more time on your hands, take a wander to Left Bank Leeds on Cardigan Road. Based in a Grade II listed building and former church, Left Bank offers everything from beer festivals and cinema clubs to art exhibitions and guest talks. Kirkstall Abbey is another must-see (accessible by bus). The remains of a Cistercian monastery, it boasts a lovely public park space and is the perfect spot for a picnic and wander.

Spots to visit via train include, The Piece Hall in Halifax, a recently redeveloped Georgian square with shops, cafes and the Calderdale Industrial Museum. Head to Wakefield for a trip to Hepworth Gallery, where there is always something to see, or Yorkshire Sculpture Park which is a free bus away (check listings in Wakefield station for details).

Coffee and cake

We love coffee. We love cake. Here’s our top five spots for both.

You can find Mrs Atha’s on Central Road behind House of Fraser. Its selection of coffee is impressive and you’ll be able to satisfy your sweet tooth for sure. With two levels of seating, there’s some interesting furniture to admire while you’re there.

Laynes Espresso is good for many things (they do a mean brunch), but if you’ve arrived to the city by train, you’ll need to refuel with a flat white and flapjack before you get to sightseeing. The clue is in the name, but their coffee is exceptional! Good work Laynes!

We’ve mentioned these guys in previous blogs but who can blame us, North Star Coffee Roasters is one of our favourite spots. If you’re visiting Leeds Dock or the Royal Armouries, you HAVE TO head into North Star. The filter coffee is to die for and if you manage to bag the tucked away sofa seats, you’re golden!

Taking a look at our wonderful Town Hall? The Tiled Hall Cafe is a great place to “pitstop”. It’s in Leeds Art Gallery (another one for your list) and its exceptionally beautiful. You won’t regret grabbing a seat in the stunning surroundings it has to offer.

The Arch Cafe can be found on Mark Lane and it’s a triple threat! It in a Grade II listed building, it’s a social enterprise and it serves awesome coffee, cakes and food. Check it out!

Breakfast and brunch

Brunch = happiness. Start the day right at our fave places.

Leeds has some lovely little arcades and we’d recommend that you take the time to visit a few if you’re wandering around. Use brunch as an excuse to make your way to Thorntons Arcade (look for the clock while you’re in there too) and visit Hepworth’s Deli and Kitchen. You may have to queue for a short while on a weekend, but it’s seriously worth the wait. Enjoy.

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.” The next spot on our list is named after the famous Rudyard Kipling poem. If it’s good enough for him, it’s definitely good enough for us! If Coffee-Bar is situated at the bottom of Call Lane (not too far from the hostel) and its brunch menu is saliva-inducing. The decor is mellow like a Melbourne cafe and they do cocktails if you fancy spicing up your breakfast too. Cheers.

Wapentake. Our old favourite. If you’re feeling it from the night before, roll out of bed and walk a few steps up the road from the hostel and you’ll have forgotten that hangover in no time. Beans on toast, full English, sausage butty…take your pick!

Another hidden gem, Sheaf Street has some fantastic food to fulfill your breakfast and brunch needs. They’re homemade crumpets need no introduction and the surroundings are light, airy and thoroughly cool.

Lunch and dinner

There are SO MANY lunch and dinner places to choose from in Leeds. We have a variety of favourites and it isn’t really fair to name just a few…but we’re going to. Here’s some of our top picks.

When it comes to Indian street food, there is no place better than Bundobust. The little pots of joy they serve are just sublime and you can get a fantastic drop of beer too. It’s all vegetarian but we promise the meat eaters will love it as well!

Speaking of street food, Caravanserai is just at the top of the road (near the Corn Exchange) and serves up North African delights that you’re sure to enjoy. Pop your head through the window and enjoy street-side or ask to be let up to the small but lovely dining space. Bon appetit!

We’re taking you around the world with our culinary round up. Next stop Italia! Pizza Fella offers, by far, the best pizza in Leeds. It’s all wood-fired and there’s an excellent variety of toppings…you’ll be in heaven. The beer and gelato is good too!

Now, this isn’t the only spot for Thai in town and we do have some other recommendations. For this blog though, we’re throwing the spotlight on Thai Aroy Dee. It’s next door to Pizza Fella on Vicar Lane and is authentically brilliant. The food is good value and delicious.

Best for vegans

Are you strictly a herbivore? More and more people are and finding somewhere vegan friendly is probably going to be pretty high on your list.

Cantina is another Vicar Lane hotspot. It’s above The Old Red Bus Station and you’d be forgiven for passing it by if you’re up that way. It’s a little hidden gem and it serves up a vegan storm. We’d recommend the jerk fruit burger for sure.

Our nearby neighbour, Eat Your Greens, is a pretty new addition to the Leeds vegan scene. It’s on New York Street and it’s the perfect spot for vegan fare. Head next door to Outlaws Yacht Club afterwards for a nice drink and some live music too.

Not only is it one of the best night spots in Leeds, Oporto rocks an exceptional vegan menu. It’s based on Call Lane and an evening meal there will mean you’re ready for a fantastic night out in one of the best areas of the city.

A visit to Roots and Fruits will take you to yet another wonderful arcade. This time you’ll be in the Grand Arcade (with another impressive clock). It was one of the first vegetarian and vegan spots to open in Leeds but it’s still going strong. This one is best for lunch due to shorter opening times. We’d recommend heading back to Grand Arcade in the evening though, Domino Club is a real treat.

Best for Sunday lunch

There is nothing better than a Sunday lunch (you may have gathered, we love food). Another few recommendations for after the weekend hangover.

The Dock 29 pop-up is set to shut at the end of August (2018) so make sure you visit while you can. The roasts are really strong and you can chill in this space next to the water. We suggest you get a sneaky piece of cake as a Sunday treat too.

The Adelphi is another Leeds classic. This old pub can be found on the end of Dock Street, on of our favourite spots in the city.

The two final spots on our list are The Cross Keys and The Reliance. At the opposite ends of the city, they’re both places you definitely want to visit while you’re here. The Cross Keys has fantastic North Brew on tap (as well as loads of other options) and The Reliance is a cool space for a catch up. Both serve amazing Sunday roasts. We’ll leave you to check them out for yourself.

So there you have it. Consider yourselves informed and good to go!

Have we missed anyone? What’s your fave spot in Leeds?