Chapel Allerton is the Brooklyn of Leeds.
Chapel Allerton named the Brooklyn of Leeds
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Chapel Allerton the Brooklyn of Leeds.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Leeds's verdict went to Chapel Allerton ahead of Meanwood, Headingley and Holbeck Urban Village, which take the runner-up positions.
"Chapel Allerton is our pick for the Brooklyn of Leeds, and it was not a hard call. It has a village feel that never goes soft, walkable and laid back but with enough edge to stay interesting, the kind of place where a Saturday morning is an event in itself. Locals are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Chapel Allerton's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Leeds verdict: brooklynof.com/leeds
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/leeds
Runner-up neighborhoods: Meanwood, Headingley, Holbeck Urban Village
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.