Restaurants across Leeds have really outdone themselves this Christmas with their vegan menus- check out our top picks this December.
Long gone are the days when we would have to scour the internet to find a restaurant that offers at least plant-based dish on the menu or live on salad, because getting in vegan alternatives 'wasn't worth it because they're too unpopular to sell'.
Christmas is the only time of the year where it feels as if this sense of dread can return: for some reason, everyone seems to think turkey is for everyone- it's not. Not even many meat-eaters like it either.
Luckily, in Leeds we are inundated with vegan friendly restaurants that will be serving up some of the best plant-based Christmas menus around: some with sprouts, some without.
We've rounded up our favourite dishes in Leeds city centre so whether you're looking for a pre-Christmas hearty dinner or somewhere with a plant-based menu for the big day itself, we've got you covered.
Headrow House know how to throw a good vegan dinner party: the popular venue replace the mundane small talk with laughter, a chilled ambience and flavoursome dishes. Their new Christmas Bratz menu isn't just vegan friendly, but takes up almost 50% of the menu.
Opt for the classic Vegan Brat topped with crispy onions, sauerkraut and curry ketchup or go for the Vegan Loaded Pretzel Box which features a giant toasted pretzel, celeriac remoulade, seitan bratwurst sausage and curry ketchup. Pair either of these with a nice pint of german lager and you're on your way.
Yuzu Street Food at Thor's Tipi
The Snowboard Sharing Platter is available as meat or vegan dishes. / Image: Yuzu Street Food
An evening at Thor's Tipi is always a festive night: whether it's the smell of smoke that wafts around the tent, no matter how far you are from the fire or the mulled wine that never seems to leave your hands: it's a Christmas-must-do. This year, the pop-up have teamed with Yuzu Street Food to offer some delicious snacks, with plenty of vegan options available.
Our favourite has to be the Snowboard Sharing Platter. Not only is it served on an actual snowboard, but it's full of tasty small plates like Katsu fries, vegan Yuzu chicken sushi, veggie gyozas and Japanese fried tofu bao buns.
The New Conservatory
The New Conservatory have had a festive makeover too. / Image: The New Conservatory
Who says you have to go to an all-vegan restaurant to get great tasting plant-based dishes? The New Conservatory offer almost everything on the menu as a meat and vegan option, so naturally their Christmas menu is no different.
There's Creamy Garlic Mushrooms on toasted ciabatta on the menu, but it's the Traditional Nut Roast with a homemade red onion marmalade and served with roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, herb mash, yorkshire puddings and red onion gravy, that's got us booking a seat at the table.
Bundobust
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Bundobust is entirely a veggie restaurant, with plenty of vegan options to choose from. The Indian eatery was popularised after the Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli was spotted with Indian actress Anushka Sharma at the restaurant in the summer, and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
This Christmas, we'll be eating their Sprout Bhaji Butty. We're talking about a sprout, broccoli and onion bhaji patty spiced with fennel and chilli, salad and cranberry chutney in a vegan brioche. Plus, £1 of each butty sold goes straight to a charity to support local causes: a winning combo in our eyes.
Take a bite of an All American Christmas dish from Manahatta's festive menu. / Image: Manahatta
We've all pictured ourselves living through a winter in New York at some point or another. Whether your dream is to feature in Home Alone or simply take a brisk walk through Central Park with snow falling down as we wander through the city on Christmas Day and Manahatta is helping to bring this dream to life with an American-inspired festive menu.
The All American Hot Dog is ten inches of meat-free goodness and available on the Festive Bottomless Menu. We're talking about a Moving Mountains plant-based dog in a brioche bun, vegan cheese, pickles, jalapeños and all the sauces you need: ketchup, French’s mustard and mayo, served with fries.
From nights out to trips to the beach, Rebel Roots Theatre Company's latest production explores how spiking can change lives and why young people need to hear its message.
Imagine heading out with your mates, having what should be a brilliant night, only for one decision to change everything.
It's an uncomfortable thought, but it's one that Leeds-based Rebel Roots Theatre Company is bringing to the forefront with Aftermath, a play written by Lottie Burns that explores the devastating impact of spiking on individuals and their families.
At the centre of the story is Layla, a young woman preparing to leave home for university, and her father, David, who must confront the realities of women's safety as his daughter prepares to start a new chapter.
But Layla isn't the only one affected. Her brother Ethan is also spiked by his own friends during a trip to the beach, opening up another side to a conversation that often focuses predominantly on women.
His experience challenges the assumption that spiking is exclusively a women's issue, highlighting how men can also become victims, sometimes at the hands of people they trust. It raises important questions about male friendships, peer pressure and the way harmful behaviour can be dismissed as a joke.
Written by Burns while studying at Leeds Conservatoire, the play was inspired by growing concerns about spiking in 2021 and the way these fears were changing women's experiences of nights out.
Through Layla, Ethan and their father, David, Aftermath looks beyond the incident itself to explore its wider consequences, from damaged relationships to the difficult conversations that follow.
And it's exactly why this production deserves to reach young people in colleges and universities.
For many, heading to university means newfound independence, making new friends and experiencing student nightlife for the first time. Taking Aftermath into educational settings could help open young people's eyes to the realities of spiking, encouraging conversations around consent, trust, peer pressure and supporting those affected.
Rather than simply telling students to watch their drinks, the production offers an opportunity to understand the human consequences through a story they can connect with. It could also challenge audiences to reconsider their own behaviour and recognise when something that seems like a joke can have serious consequences.
The project has also received support from anti-spiking organisation CounterSpike. Rebel Roots Theatre Company is passionate about taking theatre beyond traditional venues, bringing new writing and important stories into pubs, community spaces and other accessible settings.
Ultimately, Aftermath is about more than one night out. It's about trust, family and the lasting impact of experiences that can affect anyone.
And if bringing this story into a college or university helps even one young person rethink their actions or better understand what someone else might go through, it's a conversation worth having.
We’re sure this production will enjoy another run thanks to its important message and core values. But if you want to catch it for yourself, you can see it this Saturday, 24 October, at The Attic in Leeds. It’s a pay-what-you-can event, starting at 7:30 pm, so don’t miss out.
Featured image - Supplied
News
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
1st December 2021 
