In collaboration with Daniel Footwear. No money was exchanged for this post.

Something a little bit different for today’s post. The lovely guy’s at Daniel Footwear have put together a great guide for spending 24 hours in Leeds, which includes ideas where to eat, drink and of course shop. Over the past few years there has been lots of wonderful and unique places opening in Leeds, some of which are on this list.I’ve visited a few and can wholly recommend them, and others I’ve still yet to visit; they’re on my to do list.

So, if you’re looking at spending 24 hours in Leeds or just want a recommendation for a night out with friends, then this guide if for you…

As the third-largest in the UK, there’s plenty going on in the West Yorkshire city of Leeds. To help you make the most of your time there, we’ve put together this handy guide to the very best places to eat, drink, sip, dance and shop.

We’ve even thrown in some style tips as well, so you can look the part too. Read on to find out more…

Eat

Exploring all that Leeds has to offer can leave you feeling hungry! Thankfully, we’ve picked out the finest eateries in the city to keep you refreshed and refuelled.

Trinity Kitchen

Located in the popular Trinity Leeds shopping centre, Trinity Kitchen caters to every taste, so it’s perfect for groups of fussy eaters! Incorporating a cool, street food-inspired vibe, the kitchen is home to a variety of vibrant restaurants and eateries, each offering their own unique take on traditional cuisine.

One of our go-to eateries is Rola Wala, a must-visit for fans of Indian street food. All meals are made fresh using the finest ingredients and their classic naan roll is something to be experienced.

Find out more about Rola Wala at www.rolawala.com. More information about all of the Trinity Kitchen restaurants can be found here: www.trinityleeds.com/trinitykitchen.

Reds True Barbeque

If you’re looking for barbeque food in Leeds, there’s only one place to go: Reds True Barbeque. Located close to Leeds’ famous Corn Exchange, the super-cool restaurant specialises in ribs, brisket, steaks, burgers and more.

Whichever meal you choose, make sure you give the mouth-watering table sauces a try. Will you stick to Judas Ketchup or dare you try the Triple 6 hot sauce? As you’d expect, the restaurant gets super busy, so it’s always best to reserve your table in advance.

Find out more at www.truebarbecue.com.

Town Hall Tavern

No trip to Leeds would be complete without a generous helping of traditional Yorkshire food and the Town Hall Tavern does not disappoint. Despite being located in the city centre, the pub has a definite village feel. Give the Yorkshire beef pie a whirl midweek, or visit on a Sunday to experience the pub’s incredible roasts. The homemade Yorkshire puddings are to die for!

Find out more at www.townhalltavernleeds.co.uk.

Drink

Leeds presents a magnificent blend of cocktail bars, exclusive lounges and homely British pubs. You’ll find a list of our favourite hotspots below:

The Alchemist

Heading out for cocktails? You need to try The Alchemist, located in the Leeds Trinity shopping centre. Serving up laboratory-inspired cocktails that bubble, smoke and even change colour, this polished bar is the perfect place to start your night or refresh after a long shopping day.

If you’re in Leeds for a special occasion, check out The Alchemist’s Cocktail Masterclass. Perfect for groups of 6 – 12, a dedicated mixologist will show you how to craft the brand’s signature cocktails.

Find out more at www.thealchemist.uk.com.

SkyLounge

Located at the top of the Doubletree by Hilton Leeds, SkyLounge offers incredible views over the city’s canals. The bar boasts a fantastic selection of cocktails, wine and champagne with a sleek, modern décor — it’s the ideal location to celebrate a special event.

During the weekends, the bar even offers afternoon tea, so you can enjoy a relaxing bite to eat as you take in the views of this incredible city.

Find out more at www.doubletree.hilton.com.

The Maven

Located on Call Lane, you may struggle to find The Maven. With an unmarked entrance, you run the risk of missing this hidden gem — keep an eye out for a plain black door.

Once there, you can experience all the bar has to offer. While enjoying the chilled vibe, you can watch as the experienced mixologists serve up tasty cocktails to your exact preference. There’s even a Hendricks gin bar for good measure too.

Find out more at www.themavenbar.com/.

Sip

Laynes Espresso

Just minutes from Leeds Central train station, Laynes Espresso is a haven for coffee lovers. Using artisan-roasted coffee beans, the shop creates quality brews. As well as their signature beans, the coffee shop is host to guest coffee like The Barn. Whether you opt for a cappuccino or latte, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a hot drink and sweet treat.

Find out more at www.laynesespresso.co.uk.

Dance

Time to hit the dancefloor? Here’s where you should head:

Smokestack

If you like soul, motown, blues and funk, make sure you head to Smokestack. The venue itself is super-cool. Split over two floors, the ground floor is home to The Lounge. Decorated with music-inspired art, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the bar’s fine selection of liquor.

After a tipple, why not make your way upstairs and onto the dancefloor? The resident and guest DJs play tunes you just have to dance to. Find out more at www.smokestackleeds.co.uk.

Shop

Splash the cash in the finest boutiques, department stores and high street outlets. Here are our retail therapy hotspots in Leeds:

Trinity Leeds

With over 120 shops, Trinity Leeds is the city’s largest shopping centre. Featuring everything from high street fashion stores to designer jewellers, this open and modern shopping arena is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of retail therapy.

Find out more at www.trinityleeds.com.

Victoria Quarter

For high-end boutiques, head to Leeds’ Victoria Quarter. There, you’ll find prestigious brands like Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Paul Smith, as well as the exclusive department store, Harvey Nichols. Spend your day perusing the designer goods on offer or admire the exquisite Grade II architecture that houses the boutiques.

Corn Exchange

If it’s something different you’re looking for, you need to visit the Leeds Corn Exchange. The Grade I Victorian building is home to a selection of Yorkshire’s finest independent retailers. Whether you’re looking for a quirky gift from Culture Vulture, handmade jewellery from Outrage Jewellery or want to browse Mad Elizabeth’s vintage clothing offering, this place truly has it all.

Street Lane

A little further out from the city centre is Street Lane, home to a selection of designer boutiques including our own Daniel Footwear store. Also in the area is luxury clothing store Room 7 and Share Jewellers, which offers incredible designer jewellery.

Dress Codes

Overall, the residents of Leeds tend to adopt a relatively laidback dress code. During the day, women can be seen in casual dresses, tights and flat shoes, with a chunky cardigan thrown over to combat the cooler Yorkshire climate! For men, jeans, relaxed shirts and casual trainers is the order of the day.

Your evening dress code will largely depend on where you’re heading. If you’re going out for drinks and food, we suggest keeping it smart casual. An on-trend blazer paired with a blouse, chic pair of trousers and pointed heels will work well for ladies. Men should wear a pair of dark jeans, crisp shirt and classic brogues.

When celebrating a special occasion, you may want to swap your outfits for a cocktail dress and tailored suit.