A Guide to Leeds is created by you.
There are a lot of great places to check out in Leeds, so we thought we’d ask you to share your favourite places to eat, drink, shop and visit.
Below you’ll find some of the recommendations you’ve given us, and keep checking back as more are uploaded. From the best place in Leeds to see live Jazz music, to where you like to buy your local fruit and veg – these are some of the places that are definitely worth going to.
And for a full guide to what’s happening in the city, and to find people who share your interests, visit Leeds Galore, the Union’s listings for students. This will be launching in October 2012.
If you’d like your recommendation to be on the guide, there’s a form at the bottom of the page!
There’s an abundance of local shops right across Leeds, which offer great alternatives to high street stores and supermarkets. And what’s more, by shopping local, you’re helping to support your local community.
Based in the Union, this student-run shop sells loads of dried foods at cost price - from rice to dried figs, you can find it here. Green Action also run an allotment where you can grow your own food, a free library and a seed-swapping scheme. Get involved!
RK Harris also sells great quality fruit and veg, and what's more they're
always friendly. Sometimes they even have crazy different squashes in all shapes and sizes. What more could you want for all those vitamins?
I know it’s the obvious choice but I love
Kirkgate Market. It is the biggestmarket of its kind in Europe, and it is on our doorstep, yahooo! I can amble around it for hours.
You may think that you have found the best bunch of grapes or sweet potato on one stall, but you could be wrong! And so you mooch around, wandering from stall to stall, enjoying its casual chaos along the way. Everyone should give it a go!
Abu Bakar for my second year has been brilliant, it’s cheaper than any of the larger, well known supermarkets and it has such a good selection of fresh fruits and vegetables plus things you’d never thought you’d find!! They’re friendly staff and it makes you feel good knowing you’ve helped a smaller, independent supermarket.
There’s a huge number of cafés, bars and restaurants in Leeds and it can sometimes be difficult to choose where to go. You’ll soon find your favourite places, but until then here’s some suggestions of where to try.
Probably the best pizza I’ve had in Leeds, it’s tasty and they serve you quickly! They have a huge range of toppings and are reasonablypriced, usually with deals on. They also serve the typical takeaway food like kebabs and chips. I usually buy a pizza to share though and it’s pretty filling!
fattonysleeds.co.uk
I went here for my 20th birthday because Yelp! recommended it, and I’m glad I did. It’s apparently award winning, but I was sold by the alliteration of their Mexican Monday and Tapas Tuesday deals. The walls are plastered with revolutionary posters, and the menus full of little asides, like Thatcher trying to ban the word Sandinista. But most importantly the food was good, and I got birthday nachos - that’s important too.
sandinista.co.uk
I have to say LS6 is a great little café for both food and drink.
It’s cuteand small but has the BEST cooked breakfast ever for those hangover mornings! I love the design of the place and the menus are served in really old vinyl cases. I once had an Abbey Road menu and as a HUGE Beatles fan I was well happy!
Located just opposite the Parkinson Building, Bakery 164 is the perfect place to grab a spot of lunch. Word has spread fast around campus about the sandwiches and coffee here, and it’s reasonably priced too. My tip? Grab a cheeky rocky road while you’re there!
Leeds is home to one of the most exciting and diverse music scenes in the UK, with regular live music to cater for all tastes. Here’s some of the best venues to go, as chosen by you.
The best place to go to for live music? Well that’s definitely the Brudenell Social Club. It’s always got the latest up and coming bands playing and even a couple of more well known names every now and then. It’s only a small venue so feels very intimate. It also hosts parts of Live at Leeds, the city-wide festival; so make sure you make it to some of that.
Living a five minute walk away from such a
unique and characteristic cinema is one of my favourite things about Leeds.
The tickets are a lot cheaper than in town and the variety of films shown is much better than anywhere else – everything from the latest releases to world cinema and re-runs of classics. Grabbing a pint in the Royal Park or Brudenell Social Club after is great for making a night of it too.
hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk
During the cold winter, me and a few friends got too bored sitting inside so we went to visit the Royal Armouries in Leeds City Centre. It was a great day out! Wasn’t too expensive and it was fun looking around at all the strange things they have there, reminded me of being a kid again!
Have you ever taken a walk up this amazing ridge full of trees and
meadows complete with a little stream? Why not walk east from the Otley Road - you can join it from anywhere between Woodhouse and Headingley. Who knows, you may even wander as far as the Hollies, an awesome patch of rather unique trees - best for sunset picnics.
Find out more about Meanwood Valey Trail.
Harewood House is lovely. It is free on Wednesdays for students, and
every other day tickets are half price if you go on the bus. It has pretty gardens and penguins and various other things.
Be cultural, and have a picnic!
harewood.org
For a friend’s birthday last year, we all went to Ilkley, it was only a bus ride away and was a great day out. There was beautiful scenery and gorgeous places to have a picnic. The best time to go is definitely spring or summer when it’s warm and clear because the views are gorgeous!
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