Leeds city centre

See

1 Millennium Square. There is generally something going on! A great public space home to some gorgeous civic architecture (including Leeds Civic Hall - council offices built in 1933), concerts, exhibitions, ice rinks, Christmas markets. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, LS2 8BH. Tu-F 10AM-5PM; Sa Su 11AM-5PM. The Leeds Story is the main draw for visitors, but there are also galleries of natural history and ancient Roman and Greek history. The museum is in the imposing Leeds Institute building. free. (updated Dec 2024) 3 Town Hall, The Headrow. The city's symbol and pride and joy, one of the world's finest Victorian buildings, and home to a dazzling array of concerts, particularly during the city's popular and extensive International Concert Season. The restored interior is stunning. (updated Dec 2024) 4 Leeds Art Gallery (Leeds City Art Gallery), The Headrow. Tu-Sa 10AM–5PM; Su 11AM-3PM. The world of modern and classical art is at your disposal here in Leeds. It has a small but interesting range of exhibits, plus an ornately-tiled cafe, and is a great place to kill half an hour or more. It is co-joined with the Henry Moore Institute, which exhibits sculpture. Free. (updated Jan 2025) 5 Henry Moore Institute, 74 The Headrow, LS1 3AH. Tu-Su 11AM-5:30PM, W until 8PM. Small sculpture gallery and library. free. (updated Dec 2024)

6 Victoria Quarter including County Arcade, Briggate. When the Victorian civic authorities sought to improve the sights and foul smells of Briggate and the city centre, they demolished some of the city's dirtiest yards, alleyways, shambles and lanes and built covered shopping arcades filled with fine establishments. These catered for the refined tastes of the growing moneyed classes of Leeds. This rebuilding continued into Edwardian times and the legacy is some of Europe's finest, most elegant shopping locations. Today these arcades are home to some of the most exclusive designer shops in Great Britain (Vivienne Westwoo

Do

Theatre and comedy

1 The Carriageworks, 3 Millennium Square, ☏ +44 113 376-0318. Home to the city's impressive range of amateur dramatic and musical groups, including the acclaimed Leeds Youth Opera 2 City Varieties Music Hall, Swan St, ☏ +44 113 243-0808. World famous and has even had Charlie Chaplin tread the boards. Home to a mix of shows. 3 Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, ☏ +44 844 848 2700. Major shows (often straight from the West End); also this is the home of the world famous (and extraordinarily good) Opera North who perform a wide repertoire of operas and operettas. 4 West Yorkshire Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, ☏ +44 113 213-7700. More adventurous and often performs world premiers and encourages local talent - well worth a visit. Lucky travellers may arrive in time for one of the themed, almost festival-style programmes.

Cinemas 5 Vue, The Light Plaza, The Headrow, city centre. Modern 13-screen multiplex cinema with huge screens. 6 Everyman, Trinity, Briggate, city centre. Cinema complex in the Trinity shopping centre.

Eat

1 Aagrah, St Peter's Square, Quarry Hill, City Centre, ☏ +44 113 245-5667. An expanding Bradford-based chain of quality curry houses. Traditional Indian and Pakistani cuisines available 2 Akbars, 15 Eastgate, city centre, ☏ +44 113 245-6566. A chain of excellent curry houses. Try the masala fish! 3 Bibis, Criterion Place, Sovereign Street, City Centre, ☏ +44 113 243-0905. Wonderful Italian food served in a fantastic Art-Deco restaurant - packed with local regulars who know a good thing when they eat it! 4 Little Tokyo, 24 Central Rd, Exchange Quarter, ☏ +44 113 243-9090. Multi-award winning Japanese place. 5 The Red Chilli, Electric Press,6 Great George Street, City Centre, ☏ +44 113 242-9688. Highly recommended Chinese restaurant. 6 Red Hot World Buffet, The Light, 44-48 The Light The Headrow, City Square, city centre, ☏ +44 113 244-0400. All-you-can-eat buffet restaurant on Headrow. Kerala Restaurant, 2 Eastgate, Leeds, UK LS2 7JL, ☏ +0113 234 0033. Excellent authentic Keralan food. (updated Jun 2026)

Splurge 7 Brasserie Blanc, Victoria Mill, Sovereign St, ☏ +44 113 220-6060. Owned by world famous chef Raymond Blanc. 8 Fourth Floor at Harvey Nichols, Victoria Quarter, 107-111 Briggate, ☏ +44 113 204-8888. Renowned Leeds branch restaurant has been going strong for years with an innovative menu tailored to the seasons. Despite the swanky location, it is surprisingly unpretentious and not ridiculously pricey. 9 Sous Le Nez en Ville, The Basement, Quebec House, 9 Quebec St, financial quarter (near railway station), ☏ +44 113 244-0108. Fantastic dining experience below street level in this exclusive-but-well-worth-it restaurant. Does a very good value early bird menu, but you need to book in advance at the weekend.

Cafés, coffees and light meals As well as a plethora of fine restaurants, Leeds also has a huge range of cafés and places for a drink or light bite. Of course there are countless Starbucks, Caffe Neros, Costa Coffees, etc. but there is also a

Drink & nightlife

Pubs and bars 1 The Duck and Drake, 43 Kirkgate (near market), ☏ +44 113 245-5432. A 'locals' pub. 2 Epernay, Electric Press, 12 Great George Street, City Centre, ☏ +44 113 242-9977. High-quality champagne bar. 3 Jake's Bar, 29 Call Lane, City Centre, ☏ +44 113 243-1110. Thought of by many as having the best drinks in the city, and is on one of the city's busiest bar strips. 4 Norman, 36 Call Lane, City Centre, ☏ +44 330 111 0010. Sexy and stylish, has bucket-loads of atmosphere and great drinks. 5 Milo, 10 Call Lane, City Centre. Bohemian, has bucket-loads of atmosphere and great drinks. DJs and often a bit of dancing too. 6 Mojo Bar, Northern Quarter, 18 Merrion St (Just past the Grand Theatre down a small road on the right.), ☏ +44 845 611 8643. Old favourite still going strong with a wonderful, friendly atmosphere and drinks to die for. 7 North Bar, 24 New Briggate, City Centre, ☏ +44 113 242-4540. Unrivalled beer selection! Was named best place to drink in Britain by The Observer. 8 The Palace, Kirkgate (near bus station), ☏ +44 113 244-5882. 9 The Scarbrough Hotel, Bishopsgate Street (near train station), ☏ +44 113 243-4590. Real ales. 10 Victoria Family and Commercial Hotel, 28 Great George St (behind Town Hall), ☏ +44 113 245-1386. A refurbished Victorian gem. 11 Whitelocks, 4 Turk's Head Yard (off Briggate), ☏ +44 113 245-3950. A great 18th-century historic pub, one of the most impressive (and oldest) in Leeds. 12 The Wardrobe, 6 St. Peter’s Square, Quarry Hill, ☏ +44 113 383-8800. Famed for its diverse range of quality live music, including a strong jazz offer. With bar and food. 13 The Reliance, 76-78 North St, ☏ +44 113 295-6060. Laid back, loungy bar, also does great food.

Clubs 14 The HiFi Club, 2 Central Rd, ☏ +44 113 242-7353. Regularly voted the best club in the city, it has a range of quality nights out playing excellent music in easy-going yet chic surroundings.