I’ve been sick this week, coming back from my cousin’s engagement party in Leeds.

Before I got this cursed cold, I spent a weekend with my partner in Leeds, England. It’s more north than I’m used to venturing—about 2.5 hours on a train from London—and it was my first time in this city that wasn’t a stopover to somewhere else.

Over the weekend I learned from a new friend that Leeds is home to five universities—which explained why everything downtown felt walkable and trendy. Older buildings add a ton of charm to what I found was a really bright and bustling city. Although I only got to spend two days in Leeds, these are the places I liked, and would recommend to anyone passing through:

For Breakfast: LAYNES

My partner and I had our morning-after breakfast on Sunday at this restaurant, recommended by a party guest. I recommend booking ahead of time; I booked the night before, and there was availability, but by the time we arrived in the morning, there was a queue of about 5-10 people. The food was delicious—the simple eggs and toast I had was made with the most lovely sourdough that the side of smoked salmon I got with it wasn’t even needed. When the waitress accidentally served me an Americano instead of the tea I’d ordered, I actually considered keeping it, the brew was so nice. Plus, it’s next to the train station—it’s a definite must-visit for the beginning or end of your trip!

For Lunch: Sukhothai

This Thai restaurant was a moderately priced, beautifully adorned place to take my aunt to lunch. Expect all the classic Thai dishes you know and love, and new variations that pack a punch with flavour; a favourite at our table was the spiced prawn mango salad, and I quite liked their lychee juice (sometimes it’s hard to find nice mocktails!).

For Dinner & Drinks: Lost & Found Club (Pub & Restaurant)

Although it’s got “Club” in the name, no membership is needed to enjoy the lovely atmosphere at Lost & Found! It’s a lovely place for an engagement party, with top-tier cocktails and plenty of ambiance. I would definitely recommend it for a fun night out with the girls; the photobooth on the ground floor can fit up to six people! (Ask how I know…).

This definitely won’t be my last time in Leeds—if you have more ideas for places to check out, I hope you’ll let me know in the comments. Happy travels!