The best places to eat for free in the city centre and beyond.
Easter half-term is on the horizon and if you're looking to take your kids out for a day of fun, here is a list of places where they can eat for free to help you save a few pennies.
Whether you're on the move and need a quick meal deal whilst out shopping or fancy a mid-week Italian with the family, there's an offer here which will definitely suit you.
Yard and Coop
Image: Yard and Coop
This restaurant on Merrion Street is the home of buttermilk fried chicken. Made with their own secret recipe, think dirty burgers, crispy chicken wings and indulgent loaded fries.
This half-term, Yard & Coop are giving away one free kids meal with every adult main ordered. For the kids there's an option of boneless chicken nuggets or cauliflower nuggets served alongside a choice of chips, mac and cheese, cheesy mash or salad. And for dessert a special treat of ice cream with sauce and sprinkles! There's even crayons and lego on site to keep them entertained whilst you enjoy your well-deserved delicious meal, what a winner!
Yard and Coop, 6-8 Merrion Street.
Marks and Spencers Cafe
Image: Marks and Spencer
From Monday 4 April - Friday 22 April 2022, M&S cafe are giving away one free kid's meal deal when you spend £5. The meal includes a sandwich, toastie, pizza or pasta, a snack (such as gingerbread or a chocolate lolly), a piece of fruit and a drink.
Grab yourself one of their luxurious macaroni cheese toasties to keep you fuelled as you browse the shops, and get a well balanced meal for your little one to enjoy alongside it.
Marks and Spencer, 2-9 Ludgate Hill.
YO! Sushi
Image: YO! Sushi
Based in Harrogate town centre, this futuristic sushi restaurant with a conveyer belt of goodies is sure to keep your little ones occupied. From 3.30pm- 5.30pm on Monday to Thursday, your kids can took into the Mini Ninja menu as you enjoy your favourite Japanese hot dishes and sushi delights.
The offer incudes one main, one side and one drink from the kids meal deal menu and a dessert can be added for an extra £1.50. The offer is not valid at the Leeds location, but make a short trip to Harrogate to enjoy this fantastic deal.
YO! Sushi, Unit 5 Albert Street.
Asda
Kids under the age of 16 can eat for free when an adult spends £1 in any Asda Cafe. Meals include a fish finger meal, a kid's cooked breakfast and a lasagne meal. All hot meals include a piece of fruit and a capri sun, bottled water or carton of milk.
The offer is valid from Monday to Friday after 3pm and there is also free baby food pouches on offer for kiddy winks under 18 months.
Morrisons
Need a pit-stop during your weekly shop? In Morrison's cafe, kids eat free all day every day nationwide with one paying adult. Choose from a wide range of options from their children's menu which offers nutritionally balanced meals.
As well as this, throughout Easter they are hosting their 'Feed a Family for £10', where you can tuck into two adults meals, two kids meals, two adult drinks and two kids drinks for just £10. Head to your nearest Morrisons to make sure you don't miss out on these bargains.
Bella Italia
Image: Bella Italia
Craving a big bowl of comforting spaghetti or fancy a slice of margarita pizza? Then head to Bella Italia this Easter where you can feed your little ones for just £1 with every main meal purchased.
The offer includes three courses and one Cawston pressed juice for just £1 and is valid Friday 1 April - Sunday 24 April 2022. The menu is very extensive and has options for even the pickiest of kids. There's cheesy garlic bread, crudités with houmous, pasta with a selection of sauces and the classic margarita and pepperoni pizzas. There's also a warm gooey chocolate brownie on the menu which you'll definitely want to be pinching a spoonful of.
Bella Italia, 145 Briggate, Leeds.
Banyan
Image: Banyan
Banyan is the perfect place to ensure those tiny tummies are filled this Easter at no extra cost, while you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal. From the 4th - 8th and 11th - 14th April 2022, every adult meal comes with a free kids meal. This deal is available all day until 6pm
There's a huge variety to choose from including chicken spirelli pasta, mini fish and chips and sausage and mash. It's the perfect excuse for the adults to try out their new spring menu which features a deliciously sticky teriyaki salmon dish which is perfect for a midweek lunch. The offer is on at all Banyan restaurants in and around Leeds including Harrogate, Ilkley and Roundhay.
American pop singer Kesha has dropped out of the Pitbull-fronted Roundhay Festival line-up, with a major shake-up announced today.
The second instalment of artists for Pitbull's headline Roundhay Festival show has been announced and it's missing highly-anticipated and originally-announced artist Kesha.
Festival organisers have said that the star will no longer be able to perform due to 'unforeseen scheduling conflicts'.
The American singer's musical adventure has taken a 'Joyride' since becoming independent in September 2024 and releasing her sixth studio album "." or Period almost a year ago.
Now, Kesha's title as 'Special Guest' has now been handed over to three very impressive artists who also shared a role in soundtracking some of the 2010s biggest hits.
Kesha was originally listed as a 'Special Guest' for Pitbull's Roundhay Festival gig in Leeds this July / Credit: Brendan Walters / Press Shots
One of these new artists is Jason Derulo, who is ready to treat the crowd to his array of chart-topping melodies like: 'Whatcha Say', 'Talk Dirty to Me', 'Trumpets'.
Another act who knows a thing or two about travelling the globe like Mr. Worldwide is 'Miami 2 Ibiza' hitmaker Tinie Tempah - things are definitely about to get 'Frisky'.
The final artist joining this already impressive list of names is Lil Jon who's bringing his high energy tracks to Roundhay Park such as 'Turn Down For What', 'Shots' and 'Get Low'.
Jason Derulo is just one of the artists making up the all-new Pitbull Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Wikimedia Commons (via Supplied)
Kesha's departure from this Leeds gig comes as a complete shock as the star is still set to play a whole host of UK festival dates including a BST Hyde Park show in London on 10 July.
In a statement shared via social media, Roundhay Festival has stated the reason for this very big change to the line-up:
"Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Kesha will no longer be joining us this July. We hope to welcome her to Roundhay Park in the future."
Although fans who have already bought tickets to the show might still be 'Praying' for Kesha's return to the Roundhay Festival bill, it's safe to say these artists are a great addition.
Pitbull is coming to Roundhay Park in Leeds on Friday 3 July 2026 and so far he's bringing along Jason Derulo, Tinie Tempah and Lil Jon with more acts to follow - Tickets HERE.
A Leeds icon has been reborn as The Smithfield opens in former The Reliance site
Daisy Jackson
The Smithfield is finally here - and we're pleased to report that it's every bit as special as you were hoping.
This newcomer to Leeds has taken over the site that was home to The Reliance for more than two decades.
The team's transformation of the site started with a paint job - probably the most-talked-about paint job in the city - taking the site's exterior back to its memorable dark red.
That move immediately won over fans of The Reliance, with one person writing: "Seems the team here held the Relly in high regard and rightly so! Hopefully they can recapture some of its magic."
But the efforts to recapture the essence of the iconic old venue go way beyond that.
The Smithfield, a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and Chef James Donovan, is setting out to mix up relaxed hospitality with simple dining.
It's all about connection - to seasonal food, to the heritage of the building, and to the community that will make connections here.
Co-founder Steve Dawson outside The SmithfieldThe Reliance has been reborn as The SmithfieldWayward WinesThe dining room
If you're wondering what sort of things will be on the table, allow us to enlighten you.
There are sharing plates like grilled leeks on romesco, pigs head croquettes (a must-order), and whipped cods roe with radishes, all served on charming mismatched plates.
The bigger dishes include a comically massive pie for sharing, packed with chicken, leek, and tarragon. It's a mighty thing, especially paired with their crispy-edged chips.
You can also order a whole wild Cornish seabass for a real feast, or a fantastic beef sirloin with wild garlic butter.
There's a fantastic selection of natural wines from Wayward Wines, as well as (unsurprisingly) great beers.
Steak, pie, and charred leeksA spread of the plates at The SmithfieldSticky toffee puddingThe Smithfield has taken over the old The ReliancePigs head croquettes with gribicheThe chicken and tarragon sharing pieA sharing pie and chips at The SmithfieldBeef sirloin with wild garlic butter, and purple sprouting broccoli with ricotta and mintWild Cornish seabass with kohlrabi, fennel, and chervil - plus an orange wine from Wayward WinesThe Smithfield is now open
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, and his business partner chef James Donovan, were drawn to the old The Reliance site and are seizing the opportunity to contribute to the area's dining legacy.
While Steve's focus is on creating a social meeting point, James will focus on the casual, social dining, taking inspiration from the building's reputation as a cutting-edge gastro pub.
They'll be sourcing seasonally and locally, with menus that will change with the seasons.
The space itself inside is still familiar - those huge windows are the stars of the show, with the bar still standing centrally, while the dining room at the back is stripped-back and simple overlooking the open kitchen.
It's very early days for The Smithfield - they're just out of their soft launch period and gearing up for their first 'proper' weekend.
On their soft launch period, they wrote: "We were so grateful to welcome friends, neighbours, and the Leeds hospitality community to The Smithfield. Seeing the bar and dining room full after weeks of cleaning, painting, and graft has truly made it all worth it.
"A huge thank you to everyone who came along, showed their support, and has made this journey possible. Not least the Kitchen and bar teams, whose incredible service has kept the plates coming and the drinks flowing."
We feel pretty confident in saying Leeds will be very proud to have The Smithfield in our city.
Clementine Hall -
5th April 2022 
