The Best of Leeds: Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore

Scale the stairs of this multi-story creative hub to find one of the city's best-kept secrets: a lush, leafy rooftop terrace. Sip a cold pale ale, grab a slice of Dough Boys pizza, and soak up the festival-like summer atmosphere.

Start your morning at this Leeds institution, situated just a stone's throw from the train station. In summer, grab an iced latte and one of their exceptional cardamom buns to enjoy on the outdoor bench while watching the city wake up.

Hop aboard 'Tilda' or 'Betty', the city's charming yellow water taxis, for a breezy glide down the River Aire to Leeds Dock. It is the most scenic (and cheapest) boat ride in Yorkshire, offering a fresh perspective on the city's red-brick heritage.

Wind down your day at this relaxed, creative hangout that feels like a friend’s exceptionally cool living room. Order a glass of natural wine or a craft beer, browse the vinyl racks, and enjoy the laid-back summer soundtrack.

Tucked inside Headrow House, this solid-fuel grill restaurant does wood-fired cooking with real imagination. Skip the boring set menus elsewhere; the smoked flat iron steak or charred brassicas here set a relaxed, high-quality tone for the evening.

Tucked inside a former textile mill, Ox Club cooks over an open wood-fired grill, making it the perfect spot for a smoky, summer-inflected dinner. Don't skip the coal-roasted beetroot or the exceptional flat iron steak before heading up to the building's multi-tiered roof terrace.

Just a few doors down, this subterranean Leeds classic keeps the night going with jazz, soul, and funk. If you need a post-show bite, their freshly made, late-night stone-baked pizzas are local legend.

This is where Leeds basks in the sun. Secure a bench in the sprawling canal-side garden, order a sourdough pizza from the wood-fired oven, and watch the canal boats slowly drift by.

Slide into this pint-sized, music-obsessed spot on New Briggate immediately after the final encore. It is all vinyl records, framed gig posters, and top-tier cocktails served without an ounce of pretension.

Leeds' fan-shaped arena is loved by touring acts for its brilliant acoustics and intimate seating layout. Tonight, it hosts the sweeping, brassy orchestrations of Hans Zimmer—expect pure goosebumps when the Inception soundtrack peaks.