Big on flavour, perfect for Instagram and inspired by globetrotter's travels, the new menu from Banyan is offering a true taste of summer.
The Leeds-born group of bars is known for its mouth-watering menu and cocktail offerings and now that the sun has finally decided to make an extended appearance across the city, the light bites and sharer plates are perfect for summertime brunches, lunches, evening meals and post-work snacks alike.
The new menu prides itself as being a locally-crafted, globally-inspired delight, so expect bold flavours aplenty.
Goat’s Cheese and Spinach Arancini Balls. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
For those looking for a grazing option or to share with mates using the new three small plates for £19.50, or four for just £25.50 offer, look no further than the crispy Goat’s Cheese and Spinach Arancini Balls. Served with three balls on a bed of salad, expect steaming arancini balls filled with fried rice, red pepper and garlic sauce.
The Creamy Burrata served with red and yellow tomatoes and fresh zesty pesto also comes highly recommended as a light starter or sharer plate.
Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find Banyan's famous Brie Wedges, brand-new Avocado and Sumac Houmous and the Middle Eastern style Baharat Prawn Tacos all served up as part of the Banyan platter.
Main menu seekers will adore the plentiful options that fuse flavour with hearty portions. New to the menu this summer is the Korean Fried Chicken Burger: a spicy cajun chicken burger, served with gem lettuce, tomato caesar mayonnaise, crispy slaw and a huge chicken gravy dripping pot for that added saucy serving.
Korean Fried Chicken Burger. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Love it or hate it, Marmite has also made it on to the menu.
The summer-inspired Mac n’ Cheese is ideal as a starter, main or sharer depending on your preferences and comes with a crunchy crumb of Marmite- though this is mild enough to keep even the Marmite-hater at bay.
Summer calls for copious amounts of seafood and both the Smoked Salmon and Prawn Flatbread and Teriyaki Salmon are perfect light servings.
The flatbread comes as an open wrap, topped with avocado hummus, gem lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes, complimented by Marie Rose sauce, pomegranate and lemon oil whilst the teriyaki is a low-cal stir-fried vegetables and fragrant rice, topped with teriyaki sauce, coming in at under 550 calories with plenty of protein.
Smoked Salmon and Prawn Flatbread. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new Banyan menu available alongside their new cocktail menu, where you can still grab 2-for-1 aplenty and more at any of their Leeds' locations in the heart of the city centre at City Square or slightly further afield in Horsforth, Roundhay and Ilkley and Harrogate.
For more information, including how to book your seat at the table and test out these flavours for yourself, visit the Banyan website.
The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.
The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.
Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.
The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.
Images: Supplied
Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.
“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.
The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.
“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”
We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Sophie Smith -
30th June 2022 
