It's been quite a year for Leeds restaurants, so why not give them one last cheer by sampling the best festive dish around.
Loaded fries are the ultimate sharing dish. Whether you like barbecue, gravy or cheesy varieties, there's always something for everyone on the plate to enjoy. With Christmas only around the corner, this is your last chance to try out the festive version of these tasty treats.
We've rounded up our favourites to try out in December, but the non-festive versions of these loaded fries also come highly recommended, so save this list for year-round cheese pulls and gooey toppings.
The loaded fries are available as vegan or meat versions and packed with all the festive trimmings. There’s a super scoop of fries in every dish, topped with vegan cranberry Wensleydale and Pigs in Blankets rain, made from This Isn’t Bacon and This Isn’t Cocktail Sausages. The fries are then topped with vegan paxo mayo, cranberry mostarda, root veg crisps and fresh parsley.
25p from every Christmas menu item sold goes towards the Kids In Blankets campaign, helping to buy beds for vulnerable children, so when you buy fries for yourself, you’re helping someone in need too.
The owner of Kerbside Kids described this dish as "A phat f**king tray of pure festive filth”, and we couldn't agree more. There's a huge tray of roast chicken crinkle cut fries and fried chicken, topped with roast chicken gravy, thick cranberry hot sauce, crispy shredded sprouts and chopped smokey bacon- it really doesn't get more festive than that. To get your entire Christmas dinner on your loaded fries, you'll have to head over to North Brew Co. Springwell Brewery before the end of the month.
Fat Hippo have kept the menu short and simple this year. Your festive fries are a combination of dirty cheese with gravy: rather like a poutine. The simple combination leaves enough space in the dish for the gravy to drip through gaps in the fries and create a gooey cheese pull that tastes like a Sunday roast- we didn't think that was possible either. Pair these with a Hans Gruber-ger and you're on to a winner. It's a beef patty and a pork stuffing patty with American cheese, maple-based Southern fried turkey, cranberry jello and Christmas slaw.
If your loaded fries can be vegan, yet taste as good as their meaty counterparts then surely these are the perfect fries for everyone to share? Punk Vegan is leading the plant revolution, one chip at a time and their vegan loaded fries are proving you don't have to do without on a plant-based diet. All their chips are twice cooked and covered in quaso cheese, as well as the festive toppings like stuffing, cranberry and more.
Brewery giant Brewdog is serving a special Blitzen Burger as part of a monster meal in a burger that features all your Christmas favourites, and all the trimmings. Whilst the fries may come plain, there's no reason we can't encourage a DIY loaded fries option, simply get your festive 'Hoppy Meal' and add your chips to the burger. You also get a can of their famed Hoppy Xmas beer to wash it all down with and a Christmas cracker.
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Leeds Christmas Market is getting two brand-new themed bars for 2026 – including a Scottish Highland Lodge
Clementine Hall
Organisers of the Leeds Christmas Market have announced it will host two new bars for 2026.
Yes, we know it's only October...but is it too soon to be getting excited about Christmas? We think not.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are going to look a little bit different this year, as the owners of Thor's Tipi will be running the festivities at City Square for 2026.
Completely new for this year, the market on City Square will introduce two bars with different themes - a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar.
Image: Supplied
Firstly, the Highland Lodge will welcome visitors into a spacious tipi filled with snug seating, twinkling lights, roaring fires and plenty of tartan.
Designed to welcome large groups, the lodge will have space for 280 guests inside and a further 100 outside, whilst the drinks menu will feature Highland favourites including Scottish beers and ales, a selection of whisky and even Iron-Bru.
Over at the Folie Ski Bar on Quebec Street, expect a relaxed festive retreat with the feel of an alpine chalet, complete with rustic wood detailing, fairy lights, faux fur throws and roaring fires.
The bar can accommodate 180 guests inside and 50 outside, serving mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, Kirkstall Brewery beers and a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks.
Image: Supplied
THORS’s director, Amanda Monaghan said: “We’re excited to bring two new bar experiences to Leeds Christmas market this year. Having hosted THOR’s tipi in the city for many years, we’ve had plenty of practice creating festive spaces and entertainment, so we know what customers love.
“We’ve listened to lots of feedback on what people would like to see at the market and we want to make sure we give visitors and residents of Leeds plenty of reasons to stay with us long after they’ve finished their shopping or a day at the office.
“The new venues have been created to cater for all ages and tastes and will be perfect for passing visitors, after work drinks or planned Christmas get-togethers. From the lively Scottish spirit of Highland Lodge to the cosy alpine atmosphere at Folie, there’s going to be a spot for everyone to settle in and enjoy drinks by the fire and plenty of festive fun.”
Sophie Smith -
20th December 2021 
