We've found a way to support Leeds' foodie scene and enjoy a host of exclusive menus in the process.
Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is back for another round of incredible menus that cover everything from a £5 lunch to hearty three course dinners- each with an exciting spin on the classic menus offered at some of Leeds' favourite restaurants.
Taking place from Monday 20 February 2023 over the course of one week until Sunday 26 February 2023, this foodie-fuelled celebration of Leeds' favourite spots allows you to taste-test plenty of good grub.
There's five different price points to look out for: starting at a fiver and working its way up to luxury meals for £25, the idea is that there's something for everyone.
Banyan has three sites participating in Eat Leeds Restaurant Week. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Food from around the world at every possible budget for those looking to eat out this month- really what more could you ask for?
The process of bagging yourself these exclusive Restaurant Week deals couldn't be simpler either.
All you have to do is head over to the Eat Leeds website and download your voucher to use in the restaurant itself.
Here's a few of our top picks that we'll be taking full advantage of over the week itself.
Zaap Thaiwill be offering a delectable selection in the city centre. Choose from two courses of authentic Thai cuisine, including the likes of Moo Yang, Thai fish cakes, Pad Thai Bo Ran and green Thai curry- plus a drink of house beer, wine or a soft drink for just £15.
Meanwhile fine-dining restaurant and hotelDakota is sharing an exclusive menu featuring flavoursome bratwursts, spiced corn-fed chicken, yuzu sorbet, artisan cheese and, our personal choice, a delicious-sounding woodland mushroom tart with black truffle and parmesan. Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is a rare opportunity to get yourself a three course meal here for £25, or two courses for £20 - and judging by the menu it's worth every penny.
Harvey Nichols' Fourth Floor Brasserie also features on Eat Leeds Restaurant Week with some beautifully-presented dishes. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
I Am Döner, by contrast, has a £5 kebab menu designed to bring the best of the late night kebab cravings into the daytime - and there's bags more flavour here than you'll find in any you've tucked into at 3am. Choose from classic doner, chicken, halloumi, falafel or vegan Voner Seitan stuffed with tomato, feta, onion and all the roasted Mediterranean veggies you could imagine.
Instagrammable restaurantFleur from Masterchef constestant Bobby Geetha will be offering two different menus over the week. Choose from Bang Bang Sticky Chicken Wings or tuck into a chicken keema cheese naan or Californian eggs under a roof of a thousand paper butterflies, it's simply beautiful (and the food too).
Aagrah will be offering two courses, a side and a drink for £25. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just the city centre that you can find these exclusive menus either. Over in Kirkstall,Pizza Freak will be treating customers to a £15 two course menu andAagrah in Chapel Allerton is serving up award-winning Kashmiri cuisine for £25, including drink and side serving.
Banyan in Leeds City Square, Roundhay and Horsforth also has a menu that's well worth taking advantage of. Mac 'N' Cheese with a Marmite crumb is our personal choice but there's loads to choose from including Korean fried chicken burger, crispy duck baos and the avocado and sumac hummus- and you can grab all this for £15-£20 depending on how many courses you choose.
Mac 'N' Cheese from Banyan. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
So clearly no matter what you're craving, you'll be more than well fed during Eat Leeds Restaurant Week, and with all sorts of price points, you're sure to find the perfect eat-out meal that gives you that wonderful full-belly feeling, and support the local Leeds foodie scene at the same time.
You can find the full list of participating restaurants and offers on theEat Leeds website here.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
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Dazzling Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Leeds this year
Temple Newsam will be transformed into a brand-new immersive festive story event.
Following a second successful winter, Leeds’ spectacular immersive light show Northern Lights is returning with a brand-new journey.
The Lost Light of Christmas is a narrative driven adventure that will lead visitors around the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam this winter, running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026.
With over 100,000 visitors each year, Northern Lights Leeds has been completely reimagined this winter with a showcase of exclusive art installations from some of the UK’s leading light artists.
Image: Supplied
There'll be special effects, interactive elements and bespoke audio compositions all tied together with an illuminating new narrative theme.
Visitors will follow a glowing trail through enchanted forests, along sparkling pathways and around shimmering lagoons with plenty of hidden surprises along the way as you help the fairies on their quest restore the Lost Light of Christmas before it goes out forever.
Approximately one mile in length, the light trail will host over a dozen illuminations with a curated selection of vintage fairground rides and a variety of classic festive treats, including mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Images: Supplied
Ben Robinson - Director, From The Fields said: “After two incredible years at Temple Newsam we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds. The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas.
"Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Tickets for The Lost Light of Christmas will go on sale Thursday 2 July with prices starting at £12.00 for children and £17.00 for adults. Get yours here.
A ‘Mini Mall’ full of independent food traders and local brands is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The Merrion Centre is set to become the home of an exciting new retail and food destination this summer.
Introducing The Mini Mall, an innovative retail concept designed to create a flagship city-centre destination for local brands, artisan producers and independent food traders.
The new 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will be completely dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands, artisan producers, and local food creators.
Operating as a premium 'satellite department store', The Mini Mall provides established independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.
Image: Supplied
Shoppers can expect a carefully curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers, and street food vendors under one roof.
The Mini Mall will open on Saturday 25July with an official public grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases, and the full launch of the Mini Food Hall.to meet the makers behind the brands.
Shaz Westfield, founder of Eventszo, said: "The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.
“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive. We're delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship."
Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of The Merrion Centre, said: "What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We've always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won't find elsewhere on the high street."
You can find out more about Leeds' new Mini Mall here.
Sophie Smith -
24th January 2023 
