There's so much food to try at the Leeds Christmas Markets, but we've got some favourites that need to be at the top of your list.
Incase you've been living under a rock, the city is currently flooded with alpine lodges selling everything from steaming mulled wine and tree decorations to delicious sweet treats.
Of course it can only be...the Leeds Christmas Markets.
As we're all about supporting the independents, we've pulled together five indie stalls at the markets this year that need to be your first stop when you're going for a mooch and fancy something to eat.
So without further a do, let's take a look at our top picks...
Stroopwafel York
City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We’ve been well and truly been spoiled with this trader at City Square this year, as this is one of the UK’s only stroopwafel suppliers, and their sauces and toppings are just as special.
You can get yours dunked in chocolate and topped with pistachio, or whack on hazelnuts, honeycomb, gingerbread crumbs and more.
What more could you want?
The Savvy Baker
City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We can't talk about independents at the markets without talking about the wonderful Savvy Baker.
Sav and the team are serving up luxurious hot chocolates to keep you toasty as well as loaded chocolate puddings drenched in hot custard.
Hash Brown Town
City Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hash Brown Town is BACK again at the Leeds Christmas Markets and it's just as good as we remember.
Choose from either six or twelve hash browns loaded with four different flavour toppings - we went for the fried stuffing bites with cheese and gravy, alongside our favourite, the melted brie bites with cranberry and bacon bits - delicious.
Jimmy Macks
Millennium Square
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If hot, bubbling cheese-topped potatoes sounds like Christmas to you, then let us put you onto this. Jimmy Macks are a welcome addition to this year’s Christmas Markets with their famous raclette offering.
Crispy fried potatoes lathered in that perfectly grilled cheese, finished off with a variety of toppings. We’re talking everything from creamy truffle mushrooms, to our personal fave, their charcuterie style, complete with extra pickles.
Farsley Fire Smoke Train
Millennium Square
Ever fancied smoked meats served from a train right in the middle of Millennium Square? Well, Farsley Fire Smoke has officially returned to the markets after its roaring success last year.
They made a name for themselves by serving up smoked beef brisket, chicken, and ribs, all cooked in a wood-fired coal oven built into a train. We’re talking tender slices of meat, dripping in sauce and topped with pickles, because everything is better with a pickle on top.
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
Images: Tesco
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
The 2026 Tesco Christmas Meal Deal range will be in stores across the UK from Monday 12 October, and there’s thousands of combinations to try.
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
Clementine Hall
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
Clementine Hall -
28th November 2025 
