Leeds/Central

• Millennium SquareThere 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.

• Leeds City Museum

  address: Millennium Square, LS2 8BH
  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.

• Town Hall

  address: 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.

• Leeds Art Gallery

  address: The Headrow
  The world of modern and classical art is at your disposal here in Leeds. It has a small but interesting range of exhibits, and is a great place to kill half an hour. Free.

• Henry Moore Institute

  address: 74 The Headrow, LS1 3AH
  Small sculpture gallery and library.

• Victoria Quarter including County Arcade

  address: 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 Westwood, Hugo Boss, Luis Vuitton and Harvey Nichols to name a few).

• Kirkgate Market

  address: Vicar Lane
  This traditional British market is largest in Europe. Housed in an opulent late Victorian palace to commerce, it has both indoor and outdoor stalls. Marks and Spencer had their first establishment here called, 'Marks Penny Bazaar'.

• Corn Exchange

  address: Call Lane
  Shopping in surroundings to rival any of Leeds' fine arcades. Located just to the south of Kirkgate markets on Vicar Lane. Designed by Cuthbert Broderick and architecturally based on the Paris corn exchange. A largely elliptical building, crowned with a great glass dome roof, that allows light to stream in even on the greyest Yorkshire winter mornings - necessary because grain traders required good lighting to determine the quality of the grain. (Broderick was also architect of Leeds town hall and the Leeds Mechanics' Institute, Millennium Square, Two shops designed by Broderick still survive opposite the Mechanics Institute on Cookridge Street, now converted into a cocktail bar.)

• St Pauls HouseA stunning building built in an ornate Middle Eastern style, with minarets, complex stone carvings, and colored tiles on the facade.

• Park SquareA lovely Georgian square reminiscent of Dublin, and is often an overlooked haven of tranquility in the city centre. (Hard to find without a map)

• City SquareWith old Post Office and imposing Queens Hotel.

Churches

• Saint Anne's Cathedral

  address: Cookridge Street
  Small, but an extremely interesting example of an Arts and Crafts, 19th-century Catholic cathedral - unique within the UK.

• St John's Church

  address: New Briggate
  Hidden away within peaceful gardens lies this true gem, built just before the English Civil War, it has beautiful ornate woodwork in its charming interior, and architecturally it is an extremely rare example of a 17th-century double nave design.

• Oxford Place Chapel

  address: Oxford Place
  Lovely 19th-century, red-brick baroque church.

• Leeds Minster

  address: Kirkgate
  An attractive and fairly large neo-gothic church with a renowned choir and concerts from time to time. During the rebuilding of the Parish church in Victorian times, the original Saxon crosses where Leeds folk would have worshipped in the 8/9th centuries (well before the first church of Leeds had been founded) were unearthed in the medieval tower and is permanently on display inside.

• Holy Trinity Church

  address: Boar Lane
  An unassuming location and exterior hide an elegant baroque interior, built for the merchant class by subscription and donation so they could worship well away from the lower working classes of the city. The Iconic spire of Holy Trinity has dominated the skyline of the city for hundreds of years and was restored in 2006/7.

Theatre & comedy

• The Carriageworks

  phone: +44 113 376 0318
  address: 3 Millennium Square
  Home to the city's impressive range of amateur dramatic and musical groups, including the acclaimed Leeds Youth Opera

• City Varieties Music Hall

  phone: +44 113 243 0808
  address: Swan St
  World famous and has even had Charlie Chaplin tread the boards. Home to a mix of shows.

• Grand Theatre

  phone: +44 844 848 2700
  address: 46 New Briggate
  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.

• West Yorkshire Playhouse

  phone: +44 113 213 7700
  address: Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill
  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

• Vue

  address: The Light Plaza, The Headrow, city centre
  Modern 13-screen multiplex cinema with huge screens.

• Everyman

  address: Trinity, Briggate, city centre
  Cinema complex in the Trinity shopping centre.

• Aagrah

  phone: +44 113 245 5667
  address: St Peter's Square, Quarry Hill, city centre
  An expanding Bradford-based chain of quality curry houses. Traditional Indian and Pakistani cuisines available

• Akbars

  phone: +44 113 245 6566
  address: 15 Eastgate, city centre
  A chain of excellent curry houses. Try the masala fish!

• Arts Café

  phone: +44 113 243 8243
  address: 42 Call Lane, exchange quarter
  One of the oldest establishments in the Exchange Quarter, with a friendly-relaxed vibe and food to die for at very reasonable prices (the desserts are especially delicious).

• Bibis

  phone: +44 113 243 0905
  address: Criterion Place, Sovereign Street,city centre
  Wonderful Italian food served in a fantastic Art-Deco restaurant - packed with local regulars who know a good thing when they eat it!

• Little Tokyo

  phone: +44 113 243 9090
  address: 24 Central Rd, Exchange Quarter
  Multi-award winning Japanese place.

• The Red Chilli

  phone: +44 113 242 9688
  address: Electric Press,6 Great George Street, City Centre
  Highly recommended Chinese restaurant.

• Red Hot World Buffet

  phone: +44 113 244 0400
  address: The Light, 44-48 The Light The Headrow, City Square, city centre
  All-you-can-eat buffet restaurant on Headrow.

• Safran

  phone: +44 113 244 4496
  address: 81 Kirkgate, City Centre
  Fantastic authentic Iranian cuisine.

Splurge

• Brasserie Blanc

  phone: +44 113 220 6060
  address: Victoria Mill, Sovereign St
  Owned by world famous chef Raymond Blanc.

• Fourth Floor at Harvey Nichols

  phone: +44 113 204 8888
  address: Victoria Quarter, 107-111 Briggate
  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.

• Sous Le Nez en Ville

  phone: +44 113 244 0108
  address: The Basement, Quebec House, 9 Quebec St, financial quarter
  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 strong showing from independent places. Many of the above restaurants will do smaller meals and lunch menus during the day but here are a pick of some Leeds cafés:

• Bagel Nash

  address: City Square; The Light Plaza, The Headrow and Swan Street, all city centre
  Rapidly expanding Leeds bagel chain, with a massive range of bagels and fillings, all extremely tasty.

• Bottega Milanese

  address: The Light Plaza and Call Lane
  An espresso bar that is open until 10 or 11PM most nights. Excellent coffee and good food.

• Harvey Nichols' Café

  address: Briggate, City Centre
  High quality treats that won't break the bank.

• Philpotts

  address: 41 St Paul's Street, financial quarter
  Top quality sandwich deli and juice bar.

• Roots & Fruits

  phone: +44 113 242 8313
  address: 10 Grand Arcade, City Centre
  Quality vegetarian café with a relaxed atmosphere.

• Tiled Hall Café

  address: The Headrow, City Centre
  A magnificent tiled hall linking the city library and city art gallery next to the Town Hall. A must for any visitor, and pop in the gallery and library for a free look round.

Pubs and bars

• The Duck and Drake

  phone: +44 113 245 5432
  address: 43 Kirkgate
  A 'locals' pub.

• Epernay

  phone: +44 113 242 9977
  address: Electric Press, 12 Great George Street, City Centre
  High-quality champagne bar.

• Fab CaféGreat place to visit if you like your music away from the mainstream, and they have what seems to be an original 'Star Wars: The Trilogy' arcade cabinet!

• Jake's Bar

  phone: +44 113 243 1110
  address: 29 Call Lane, City Centre
  Thought of by many as having the best drinks in the city, and is on one of the city's busiest bar strips.

• Norman

  phone: +44 330 111 0010
  address: 36 Call Lane, City Centre
  Sexy and stylish, has bucket-loads of atmosphere and great drinks.

• Milo

  address: 10 Call Lane, City Centre
  Bohemian, has bucket-loads of atmosphere and great drinks. DJs and often a bit of dancing too.

• Mojo Bar

  phone: +44 845 611 8643
  address: Northern Quarter, 18 Merrion St
  Old favourite still going strong with a wonderful, friendly atmosphere and drinks to die for.

• North Bar

  phone: +44 113 242 4540
  address: 24 New Briggate, City Centre
  Unrivalled beer selection! Was named best place to drink in Britain by The Observer.

• The Palace

  phone: +44 113 244 5882
  address: Kirkgate

• The Scarbrough Hotel

  phone: +44 113 243 4590
  address: Bishopsgate Street
  Real ales.

• Victoria Family and Commercial Hotel

  phone: +44 113 245 1386
  address: 28 Great George St
  A refurbished Victorian gem.

• Whitelocks

  phone: +44 113 245 3950
  address: 4 Turk's Head Yard
  A great 18th-century historic pub, one of the most impressive (and oldest) in Leeds.

• The Wardrobe

  phone: +44 113 383 8800
  address: 6 St. Peter’s Square, Quarry Hill
  Famed for its diverse range of quality live music, including a strong jazz offer. With bar and food.

• The Reliance

  phone: +44 113 295 6060
  address: 76-78 North St
  Laid back, loungy bar, also does great food.

Clubs

• The HiFi Club

  phone: +44 113 242 7353
  address: 2 Central Rd
  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... expect everything from jazz to reggae to hip hop. Featuring live Comedy every Saturday evening and live music at The Sunday Joint every Sunday, HiFi is the truly diverse venue that every city deserves!

• Mission

  phone: +44 870 122 0114
  address: 8 Heaton's Ct,
  Very trendy. Ranging nights, from Glasshouse to Purrfect Electro this has it. It also has some gay nights.

• My House

  address: Brick St
  Home of one of the UK's biggest club nights: Back to Basics (Sa).

• The Space

  phone: +44 113 246 1030
  address: 11 Hirst's Yard,
  Great Thursday nights (Habit) and great weekends sometimes too! Although Fridays and Saturdays are to be avoided unless you know it will be busy, it's not really a Friday or Saturday night place.

• Wire

  phone: +44 113 234 0980
  address: 2-8 Call Lane
  Wire pushes quality underground music in a personal setting. The club is powered by a full Funktion One Sound system, fuelled by an eclectic range of spirits and beer from around the globe, and is a favourite home to world class DJs.

Budget

• Hotel ibis budget Leeds Centre

  address: 2 The Gateway North, Crown Point Road

• Art Hostel

  phone: +44 113 345 3363
  address: 83 Kirkgate, LS2 7DJ
  A hostel with a twist. Each room exhibits works by local artists, which understandably makes this more expensive than your average hostel, but not bank-breakingly so.

• Russell Scott Hostel

  phone: +44 1132 459046
  address: 1 Lisbon St, LS1 4LY
  Perhaps Leeds' only true backpacker hostel.

Splurge

• Roomzzz Leeds City

  address: 10 Swinegate
  A short walk from the train station, Harvey Nichols, and the finance district. Award winning Aparthotel right in the heart of Leeds' vibrant City Centre in the Swinegate area. LCD TV, Apple Mac computers, free Wi-Fi and free Grab & Go Breakfast.

• 42 The Calls Hotel

  phone: +44 113 244 0099
  address: 42 The Calls
  Offering boutique luxury in a quiet waterfront setting only minutes from the bars and clubs of the Exchange Quarter and the city centre shops.

• Malmaison Leeds

  phone: +44 113 426 0047
  address: 1 Swinegate
  Three minutes walk from the City Rail Station, in the Swinegate area of the city.

• Met

  phone: +44 113 245-0841
  address: King Street
  A 4-star hotel offering 120 bedrooms, 18 event suites and a restaurant, housed in a Grade II listed building built with a Victorian terracotta façade.

• Park Plaza

  phone: +44 844 415 6720
  address: Boar Lane City Square
  Funky hotel in a prime location with great views on the upper floors.

• Quebecs

  phone: +44 113 244 8989
  address: 9 Quebec St
  Stunningly refurbished building housing one of Leeds' finest and most luxuriant hotels in a prime location.

• Queens Hotel

  phone: +44 113 243 1323
  address: City Square, City Centre
  One of Leeds' oldest hotels, its dramatic Art Deco façade and old world charm and style ensure it remains a favourite.

• Radisson Blu Leeds

  address: The Light Plaza, The Headrow, City Centre
  The Radisson Blu, Leeds is a Grade II listed building located in the city centre.

• Quebecs luxury apartments

  address: The Old Post Office, 3 Infirmary St, City Square, City Centre
  Serviced apartments in the Old Post Office.

Self-catering

A useful alternative to hotels can be to stay in self-catering accommodation. There are a number of serviced apartment providers in Leeds, with many apartments in the city centre.

• Citybase Leeds Apartments

  address: Whitehall Road
  Over 30 apartments available, in 9 apartment blocks. All apartments are in city centre locations, and all are en-suite.

• Other districts of Leeds:

• North East Leeds
• North West Leeds including Headingley
• West Leeds
• South Leeds
• East Leeds