Summer has well and truly arrived and, honestly, it’s just the best time of year. For around ten months of the year we complain about the rain, the cold and the endless grey skies, then the minute temperatures creep above 25 degrees we’re all wondering whether we’ve remembered to buy a fan.

But despite the annual panic, there’s no denying that Britain absolutely loves a heatwave. Pub gardens overflow, every patch of grass becomes a picnic spot and everyone’s in such a good mood. Leeds has been looking particularly lovely lately, with terraces, rooftops and riverside spots packed with people making the most of these long summer evenings.

And with all this alfresco living comes the perfect excuse to eat and drink outside at every opportunity. One opening that’s guaranteed to become a lunchtime favourite is Granny G’s, which officially launches inside Green Room this month. Bringing together quality local ingredients, freshly baked bread and classic deli-inspired fillings, this is all about doing simple things exceptionally well. Forget sad supermarket sandwiches eaten at your desk. These are proper sandos worth making a trip for. Big fillings, banging flavours and exactly the sort of lunch you want to enjoy sitting on one of the best outdoor terraces in the city.

Talking of sunny spots, Whitehall Restaurant and Bar continues to be one of the city’s best spots for after-work drinks. Their outdoor terrace is such a hidden gem, attracting city workers looking to swap spreadsheets for spritzes, and to enjoy some of the best food in the city. The launch of a refreshed menu and a new cocktail offering makes it the perfect spot to head to this summer. Few things beat sitting outside with friends with a cold drink in hand.

Another venue making waves this summer is Sardinian restaurant Domo, which has quickly become one of Leeds’s most talked-about new dining destinations. Perched beside the canal at Tower Works, it’s a genuine sun trap that really brings a taste of the Med to Leeds. With exceptional drinks, delicious Sardinian soul food, it really is somewhere you need to try.

Of course, this summer also means football, and the FIFA Club World Cup is gathering momentum. It’s always good to have live football on during the warmer months, but I’m not entirely sold on some of the late-night kick-off times. Going to the pub for a match that kicks off after 10pm sounds like a brilliant idea right up until the alarm starts blaring the next morning!

Back in the city centre, Victoria Leeds is preparing to mark two significant milestones this month with a colourful celebration that promises to brighten up summer even further. This year marks both 20 years of Leeds Pride and ten years of Victoria Leeds, and to celebrate its hosting a six-week exhibition featuring internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Whatshisname’s Balloon dog sculptures. It’s exactly the sort of activation that adds energy and personality to the city, giving people another reason to spend time exploring Leeds this summer, plus keep an eye out for lots of giveaways in the centre at weekends.

Meanwhile, one of Leeds’ most beautiful restaurants is preparing for an exciting new chapter. The Cut & Craft has announced a £1.5million expansion at Victoria Leeds adding lots more spaces to enjoy in the venue. The interior design is inspired by Wallace Hartley, the musician who once performed at Leeds’s historic Collinson’s Café, (which, if you know your history, once occupied the same building) before famously becoming bandleader aboard the Titanic. The plans sound amazing and will create a chic new bar, two private dining spaces and a lounge for live music. I cannot wait to check it out when it opens this month.

Alongside the sunshine and socialising, there’s a genuine sense of excitement across the city. New openings, huge events, fresh experiences and plenty of opportunities to enjoy everything Leeds has to offer.

So, whether you’re watching football, exploring an art exhibition, discovering a new restaurant or simply finding a sunny terrace for a well-earned cocktail, now feels like the perfect time to get out and enjoy our city. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!