Mince pies are one of the best things about Christmas. The burst of clementine, cinnamon and mincemeat makes this once-a-year treat one of the best around.
In Britain we assume that mince pies are a tradition of our own, however, the idea actually started in the middle east back in the 1200s.
Still, since the invention was brought over to the UK, we've had plenty of time to perfect our mincemeat recipes and make just about every variation under the sun.
Leeds' mince pie concoctions come in all shapes and sizes this year, ranging from bao buns and french toast, to pancakes and more
There are plenty to choose from, but we've put together our favourite Leeds-based creations below.
Keep reading to discover the ones you absolutely need to try before Christmas
It doesn't get more festive than a lazy Sunday afternoon in a coffee shop and this Brew and Brownie seasonal special is all you need to get in the Christmas spirit. We're talking mince pie brioche french toast with Bailey's cream, marzipan crumble and spiced orange syrup - the ultimate festive indulgence.
Brew and Brownie is an indie family run cafe that serves a huge variety of homemade cakes and speciality coffee. Of course, their brownies are delicious, but with a festive mince pie combination available as either french toast or on a pancake stack, there's a chance these might become new cafe favourites.
Nothing tastes quite as good as a homemade mince pie, and that's where Sift in Otley comes in. Made with Rosebud preserves, orange and almond mincemeat, made-in-store pastry and dusted in icing sugar, these sweet treats make an ideal afternoon snack whilst hiding from the winter drizzle.
The vegetarian cafe and bakery is open Tuesday to Sunday with varying opening times, depending on the weekday. Make sure you plan ahead to make sure you get there in time to try out a mince pie or slice of cake.
The addition of deep-fried mince pie bao buns to the Christmas menu here was a fine choice in our eyes. The collection came shortly after the Little Bao Boy X Doh'hut menu.
This bao bun is deep-fried and tossed in sugar before the middle is crammed with mince pie filling to give it a crunchy, yet still chewy, texture. If you needed any more excuses to get yourself a never-seen-before festive treat, this is it. On the menu, you’ll also find a savoury option with everyone’s favourite Christmas dinner dish: pigs in blankets.
If you're not yet acquainted with C.R.E.A.M in Halifax, you should be. Not only do they offer an incredible bottomless brunch menu with unlimited espresso martinis and an all-you-can-drink remote workers offer with a free post-work pint, but they also have a unique Christmas menu.
Their mince pie on french toast is a festive staple that can be found alongside all the best winter warmer meals like stacks of pancakes, pigs in blankets and Baileys hot chocolates.
Every year, Chapel Allerton residents make their lists and pass on their Christmas baked goods orders to Crust and Crumb's Nicola. Available only as a pre-order this Christmas, mince pies are featured alongside her special cranberry and orange baked cheesecakes - another local favourite.
A feast for the eyes and the belly, with a keen eye for detail this coffee shop knows exactly what the public wants. If you're looking for a gift for 'the person that has everything', Crust and Crumb will have you covered with Christmas coffee gift sets from locally roasted and hand blend coffee beans.
We hope you're ready to party Leeds, because a 'party pub' experience is coming to Call Lane.
Following a whopping £600,000 investment, Bonnie Rogues is preparing to open in the former Revolution site in Leeds city centre that will close this month.
After a major refurbishment, Leeds’ first Bonnie Rogues venue and the sixth site for the fast- growing UK brand will open in November 2026.
Designed as an all-day-to-night social destination, Bonnie Rogues combines live music, live sport, and late-night celebrations in one immersive venue.
From big nights out to spontaneous after-work drinks and even Sunday Roasts, Bonnie Rogues aims to offer something completely different from the traditional pub experience.
Expect live performances, crowd-involved entertainment and interactive moments in an atmosphere that flows seamlessly from day to night.
Russell Quelch, CEO of NEOS Hospitality, said, “Leeds has such a strong social scene and a real appetite for experience-led venues, so we think Bonnie Rogues will fit perfectly into the city.
"It’s a concept that brings together everything people love about going out - live music, sport, food, entertainment and great atmosphere, all in one place. We’re excited to bring something new to Leeds and can’t wait to welcome guests later this year.”
The Leeds opening forms part of a wider rollout of Bonnie Rogues venues across the UK, as NEOS Hospitality continues to expand its portfolio following its acquisition of multiple Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites earlier this year.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more.
Leeds has been crowned one of the most ‘stressful’ locations in the UK to drive in
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Consider yourself a confident driver? Have a drive through Leeds.
Have you ever had the joy of driving the wrong way up a one-way road in Leeds City Centre? Perfect - then you know what we’re on about.
Whether you still have your L-plates on or you consider yourself a pro, driving can be anxiety inducing at the best of times, never mind when you’re in an unfamiliar area, with unclear signage and your passenger is reading the map upside down.
MoneySuperMarket recently conducted a study, to investigate where UK drivers felt least safe. It also uncovered that more than 8 in 10 UK drivers have avoided driving somewhere due to the journey feeling too stressful or difficult. We can’t be having that - nobody should have to miss out on visiting our lovely city.
Leeds sadly ranked as the fourth most stressful UK location to drive in, with an Overall Drivability Score of 25, closely following Manchester, then Derby, and Croydon at number one.
This was contrasted by Bath, which was named the ‘UK's easiest place to drive,’ where vehicle traffic has fallen by 0.9% over the last decade. To add insult to industry, Leeds racked up a whopping 6,000 road incidents, compared to the 357 incidents in Bath, in 2024.
The study analysed multiple factors, including road infrastructure, the numbers of road incidents, increasing traffic volumes, and higher levels of concern about vehicle crime, to conclude which locations drivers found most stressful.
It found that the top three sources of stress were dealing with aggressive or impatient drivers, driving in bad weather and driving in an unfamiliar area.
Carmine Mastrogiacomo, driving expert at Drive Therapy, revealed some ways that drivers can build their confidence on the road: "Confidence comes from experience. Start with routes you already know and repeat them regularly to build comfort. Gradually introduce new routes and challenges, setting realistic goals that stretch your ability without feeling overwhelming.
"If anxiety starts while driving, slowing your breathing can help your body relax. Try breathing in through your nose for four seconds, pausing, then breathing out through your mouth for six seconds. Practise this outside the car first, then use it when needed while driving.”
We may not be able to do anything about the weather, but come on - we can definitely curb (pardon the pun) that road rage and try to bring Leeds out of the top four this year.
Sophie Smith -
15th December 2021 
