Leeds Review

All the information you could ever want to know about the best places in Leeds

All the information you could ever want to know about the best places in Leeds


  • Azucar Leeds

    Posted on 1 November 2011 by admin

    If you are looking to experience authentic Latin American cuisine, then head over to Azucar at Brewery Wharf. Enjoy a delicious cocktail in the relaxed surroundings and there is a very friendly atmosphere, as most of the staff are quite young and chatty. With rich terracotta walls, adorned with colourful paintings, mismatched wooden tables and chairs. Sitting on the terrace in summer,it is definitely the ideal place to enjoy a light lunch and a jug of sangria. The place does get quite busy, specially on a Tuesday, as it is 2 for 1 on tapas.

    The menu is very diverse and it changes quiet often, which keeps it fresh and interesting. Being a big fan of Brazilian cuisine, I was only too pleased to find my favourite dish of Feijoada, as you it is very rare to find in any other tapas bar in Leeds. The chef’s specials are always great to try, as it allows you to discover and try new dishes. Speaking to one of the waiters, we were told that the head chef was from South America and as such was very keen to deliver authentic fresh food at all times. The prices are reasonable and the portion sizes are decent. It is the perfect place to go to, for after work drinks and what better to unwind than to have a taste of South America by sipping a Caipirinha.

    With 2 for 1 cocktails on Thursday, you can enjoy a few drinks guilt free. Azucar stocks a great variety of imported beers such as alhambra 1925, cusquena and quilmes just to name a few and some great Chilean wine as well. Azucar is not only a bar and restaurant, it is also a place to party the night away! Once the dinner service is over at 11pm on Friday and Saturday, the dance floor is open. They run a Brazilian themed night, ‘Sambaloca’ every second Friday of the month. It is a great place to learn about Brazilian music and you could learn forro, a traditional north eastern Brazilian dance. Azucar seems to bring all Latin music loves together under one roof, you will be captivated by the music and will want to join in the fun. They also run a Spanish Fever night, where you can practise your salsa and there are always some experienced dancers around who are more than happy to teach a few moves.

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  • Cafe Rouge Leeds

    Posted on 2 September 2011 by admin

    If you are a fan of french food, then a visit to Cafe Rouge in The Light is an absolute must. It is part of a chain of restaurants and as such has a very good standard to uphold to. With a rustic decor and romantic atmosphere, it is the ideal place to share a good bottle of french wine or a glass of Kir Royal. The restaurant has a brasserie section, where you can have a light bite or a drink and a more formal dining area. As you walk in, you will taken in by the large chandeliers and bold french paintings which makes the place very cosy.

    Being in The Light, the restaurant tends to be very busy during the weekend. The prices are very reasonable and the food is absolutely delectable. They run a “Prix Fixe” menu, which runs from midday till about 5pm and is very good value for money, at £8.50 for two courses. The service at the restaurant is very good and the staff is very friendly. For a light lunch, you can go for one of the delicious salads or a Croque Monsieur. If you are after something more traditional, then the Boeuf Bourguignon or the Moules Marinieres are highly recommended.

    With a great selection of wine to choose from, the waiters are more than happy to recommend a wine to accompany your food. The house red and white are actually very easy to drink and are not overly pricey. The desserts are to die for and it is quite difficult to choose from the Tarte Tatin and the Tranche Au Chocolat. Overall Cafe Rouge is a very good restaurant serving good quality food in a warm friendly environment.

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  • Russell Eaton Aveda Spa in Leeds

    Posted on 7 August 2011 by admin

    The Russell Eaton Aveda lifestyle spa in Leeds city centre, located on Boar lane is a relaxing and affordable place to get a relaxing massage and enjoy the Aveda brand in its entirety. The prices are very affordable, and the decor is so soothing. The dark wooden tones in the basement spa, instantly takes the edge off and the aromatic smell takes you to a world of sheer relaxation. From the moment, you go in for your appointment until you leave, you are very well looked after in this Leeds spa. If it is your first visit, then your personal masseuse will make you fill in a form, which will assess what your skin type is and what ares of your body are tensed. You are offered a glass of water to rehydrate, whilst getting acquainted with your masseuse. The treatment rooms are very well decorated, emanating an aura of peace and serenity. If you have a hectic life and do not have time for an hour long treatment, then the 30 minutes Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage, is ideal and it is only £30 as well. You will feel invigorated after the treatment and it will put a spring in your step. The Aveda spa in Leeds is perfect for people, who enjoy a forthnightly or monthly visit to a spa.

    Personally, I enjoy the Elemental Nature Massage, which lasts for an hour and is £55. This is a full body massage but will focus on specific problem areas of your body. To start with, you will get a delightful foot massage, and then the full massage starts. With dim lights and relaxing music in the background, along with the smell of the Aveda aromatherapy oils, all your senses are awakened and your whole body goes into a state of sheer relaxation. The personal therapist will work to relieve the body of all tension and for the whole hour, you can rejoice in the pampering experience.

    There are many treatments to choose from and the experience is absolutely fantastic, leaving you refreshed. The professionalism of the staff and the well decorated spa, makes it truly enjoyable and you do not have to fork out a lot either. This Leeds spa is ideal for city centre workers and shoppers, who need a quick boost. If you are looking for spa days in Yorkshire, there are many places to choose from such as the Waterfall spa and the Oulton spa, which have special packages for a day visit. Visitors staying at the Marriott Leeds get a discount  for Aveda spa.

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  • The Light Leeds

    Posted on 4 August 2011 by admin

    The Light in Leeds is one of the most popular shopping centre in Leeds and is a popular choice with the city dwellers. With a variety of restaurants, shops and bars, there is plenty to keep you occupied and the Vue Cinema is located on the first floor of the complex as well. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to food and there is even a Starbucks on the premises. The Radisson Blu hotel is also part of the complex. To top things off, The Light has its own car park, which is not too pricey considering it is in the heart of the city and it has 24 hour security.. You can shop all you want and will only have to take a short elevator ride to your car. The Light is also home to the Esporta gym and an NHS walk-in centre. One of my favorite restaurants to eat in The Light is Cafe Rouge. The french restaurant has an extensive menu and the food is absolutely gorgeous. The rustic decor and quirky paintings just adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The starters are absolutely gorgeous and the french onion soup and terrine are to die for. If you want to sample some good french cuisine, the the boeuf bourguignon and the moules marinieres are an absolute must. And if you still have some room for desert then the creme brulee is highly recommended.

    If French food is not for you, then there are two Italian restaurants to choose from. Brio is a family owned restaurant that serves fresh and authentic Italian food in a contemporary surrounding. The waiters are mostly Italians and some of them are very friendly. The pizzas at Brio are absolutely gorgeous and one of the best served in Leeds, but my personal favorite item on the menu at Brio has to be the tiramisu. With the opening of Zizzi in the Light, it is even harder now to choose where to eat. The warm welcome and cool ambiance of Zizzi makes it very popular with the younger crowd and the food is simply gorgeous and fulling.

    If you are after a quick bite, then there is a Bagel Nash and Starbucks and a new Salts Delicatessen that just recently opened, which is ideal for grabbing a quick sandwich and drink. Nando’s is also a great place for a quick lunchtime or evening meal, with its great chicken wraps and burgers. However, it is one of the busiest restaurants in The Light and there always seem to be a massive queue outside the restaurant. It is a very popular with students and I must say it is addictive and if you are Nando’s fan then no queue will deter you.

    The Red Hot World Buffet, offers the choice of different types of cuisine under one roof and you can eat as much as you want. This buffet is divine and if you are unsure about what you fancy eating, this solves the problem. You get to choose from a mix of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Mexican, Italian and the Louisiana Grill. One of the best buffets to eat at and the food is actually quite tasty as well and the bar is not bad either. For after work drinks and nibbles, there is Browns. The Browns bar and restaurant is one of the favourite places to enjoy a sophisticated drink or dinner and on some evening you can enjoy live piano playing.

    The Light is always a busy place with loads happening. There is always some exhibition or event going on and it just makes the place even more lively. To enjoy promotions and discounts in all the shops and restaurants in The Light, you can sign up to The Light Elite Club.

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  • Bars in Leeds

    Posted on 2 August 2011 by admin Comment
    Leeds has the best clubs and bars in the region and would definitely make for one of the best nights out. With two well-known universities in Leeds and hence a big student population, this city becomes alive at night and there is an electric feel in the air on the weekends. The student area of Headingley offers a good selection of bars and clubs and there is definitely a younger feel to the area. The Otley Run, which a very well known pub crawl for the students is definitely worth trying, it usually starts at The Library pub next to Leeds University and ends at The Three Horseshoes pub. The drinks are also cheaper than a night out in Leeds city centre and many of the participants like to dress up for the crawl.

    But if you are after a more up class night, then the swanky bars in the city centre will be a great place to start. The Electric Press boasts a stylish selection of great bars and with its undercover courtyard, it is definitely perfect for a few drinks to get you warmed up for the evening. With the Epernay Champagne bar, which is great for sharing a bottle of vintage champagne with a few friends and The Revolution, which is well known for its vodka shots, you are on the way to a great party night.

    There are also great clubs with the multi-award winning Oceana, which has seven different rooms, each playing different types of music and Gategrasher famous for their big DJ nights. Depending on the style of music you like, there are clubs that will suit your taste and most clubs tend to do a themed night sometimes with live music. Not to forget the karaoke bars in Leeds which have seen a revival in the last few years, if you are on the shy side then you can always book a private booth and enjoy a private party singing the night away.

    Leeds is very proud of its gay scene, with the New Penny and The Bridge being two of the most famous pubs. You are guaranteed to have a fantastic time with cheesy music and a great atmosphere. The Birdcage is also an amazing club and if you like your cabaret then you are in for a treat. With feathers, drag queens and lots of energetic performances, you will be laughing your head off. Call Lane is definitely a great place to have a drink with a selection of lively bars and you can just pop from one to the next.

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  • Restaurants in Leeds

    Posted on 24 July 2011 by admin Comment
    Leeds has an extensive list of restaurants offering a vast array of different cuisines to suit anybody’s palate. From award winning restaurants to cozy cafes, there is a lot to be discovered. If you are a big fan of Indian cuisine, then rest assured, you will not be disappointed. Leeds has some of the best Indian restaurants in the North, amongst which, the world famous Mumtaz, which is a favourite with many local celebrities. Akbars’s restaurant is another great option and is a very popular choice for the local residents, with two restaurants in the city centre. It serves great South Asian food at affordable price, with huge portion sizes, in a great modern decor. Aagrar is yet another award winning restaurant, serving authentic fresh food in a relaxed atmosphere. There are so many more Indian restaurants in Leeds but these are my personal favourite and I have not been disappointed so far.

    If Indian is not for you, then do not worry there is plenty to choose from. If you are after some good Italian food, then there is plenty to choose from. Bibis Italianissimo offers an amazing dining experience in lush surroundings and is one of the most popular restaurants in Leeds. Other famous retaurants include Jamie’s Italian, Mio Modo an award winning restaurant, Salvos, Viva, Bella Italia, Zizzi, Picollino, Casa Mia. There is no shortage of restaurants in Leeds and a quick walk around the city centre will leave you lost for choice.

    If you are looking for a good steak, then Gaucho is an absolute must. This Argentinian steakhouse undoubtedly serves the best steak in Leeds, with a great choice of cuts and great quality meat. The Restaurant Bar & Grill is definitely worth a visit, with its proximity to the train station and eclectic menu. If you are on a budget, then do not worry many of the restaurants offer a great  set price lunch or early bird menu. There is a great selection of delis and quirky sandwich shops around such as Millies Fresh and Organic, Pickles and Potter,The Hearty Sandwich and Salt’s Delicatessen. All these places are great for light bites and offer great homemade food at affordable prices.

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  • Welcome

    Posted on 17 July 2011 by admin Comment
    Welcome to Leedsreview, the site where you will find information about the best places to visit whilst you are in Leeds. This cosmopolitan city has a lot to offer to its visitors with its growing number of bars, restaurants and shops and the great variety of natural and built landmarks. If you are visiting Yorkshire, Leeds is the best place to relax and indulge in a spot of shopping, fine dining and relaxation. The city is the largest centre for business, financial and legal services outside of London and has led to great economic growth locally. With two renowned universities, Leeds has a big student population that keeps the city alive.
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