Plastic is fast becoming taboo, so if you're looking to start living in a more sustainable way then these local shops are a great place to start.
Long gone are the days where simply putting all your recycling into the correct receptacles was considered 'enough'. We're all doing our best, but sometimes it can seem a bit overwhelming to live life in a green way.
Thankfully, Leeds has some great zero waste shops in and around the city centre that have been designed to make it easy for us.
Selling everything from dry cereals and grains to spices, dried fruit and household beauty and cleaning products, not to mention single-use plastic alternatives to store it all in, keep reading to discover those closest to you and start living your best sustainable life.
Ecotopia, Grand Arcade
This zero-waste shop at Grand Arcade in Leeds city center has it all: dry foods, gluten free foods, pet food, homeware, health and beauty products, and of course reusable products. Ecotopia also launched a pay it forward scheme earlier this year so that you can treat someone who really needs it.
Panda Refills, Kirkgate Market
Originally opened as the JarTree in 2018, this is Leeds' first dedicated zero waste shop. Panda Refills offer ‘weigh and pay’ refills of food, cleaning and body care products alongside gifts, homeware and more. Here you'll find products from almost all of the leading eco-friendly brands, as well as smaller suppliers and local crafty makers.
Refill & Go, Garforth
Run as an ethical enterprise, suppliers here are ethical and the owner makes sure all of his customers know exactly what they’re buying. Here you'll find plenty of plastic-free options for household items, ranging from beauty products to food and cleaning supplies. A great place to pick up basics like cereal, pasta and rice, as well as alternatives to single-use plastic like metal straws and cloth tea bags.
Inside Ecotopia, the zero waste shop inside Grand Arcade / Image: Ecotopia
Waste Not, Ilkley/ Burley-in-Wharfdal
Head down to either of Waste Not's stores and you'll find huge dispensers filled with lentils, beans and grains, dried fruits, confectionary, nuts and more. You can pretty much do a full food shop here, whether you're after fresh produce or looking to stock up the cupboards. A one-stop-shop for all your ethical and sustainable shopping needs.
SCRAP, Farsley
SCRAP rescues low-cost creative supplies that would've otherwise gone into the bin and sells them on at extremely low prices - stopping hundred of tonnes of art supplies from ending up in landfill every year. Owner Louise Lucas has created a crafter's paradise here. This not-for-profit social enterprise is well worth a visit. It also has a liquid refill station.
Zero Muda, Horsforth
All profits made here are channeled back into local school and enterprise projects. Find organic dried foods in jars and dispensers alongside grains, pastas and a huge range of spices. Zero Muda has partnered with Leeds Bread Coop to sell their fresh sourdough and rye loaves and even sell their own (refillable) bottles of eco-friendly wine. Winner.
Headingley Greengrocers, Headingley
Low to no waste community store Headingley Greengrocers is a pinnacle in the community. The shop sells all its products loose to minimise on unnecessary plastic packaging, before donating anything left over to food project Rainbow Junktion Cafe and composters Plate to Plate. Most produce is sourced from Yorkshire to minimise on carbon footprint.
Cleen Bees Eco Refill Station, Farsley
What first began as a cleaning company is now a sustainable eco refill station, created after its founders realised just how much plastic they were going through with cleaning products alone. Designed to suit all budgets, Clean Bees have their own very affordable products on sale alongside named brands like Faith in Nature and Ecover.
Feature image - Ecotopia.
Leeds
Inside Kerala Canteen – the world’s first Kerala tapas restaurant in Leeds city centre
This modern restaurant in the heart of Leeds is redefining how we enjoy Indian cuisine.
If you haven't already dined at Kerala Canteen, then you are sincerely missing out.
Offering South Indian dining like you've never seen before, Kerala Canteen is the world's first Kerala tapas restaurant where guests can enjoy multiple dishes in one sitting.
And it's not just us who thinks it's class, the restaurant has earned recognition as one of the Top 100 Indian Restaurants in the UK, ranked among the Top 3 Indian restaurants in Leeds & Yorkshire, and awarded Best Restaurant by North Magazine — cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations.
Image: Supplied
So, how does it work? Kerala Canteen isn't your traditional curry house, but the concept means you get to try more of the menu in one go.
Guests are encouraged to start with small plates and move onto curry bowls before sharing a biryani per person and ending with a delicious dessert.
The kitchen is led by renowned chef Bobby Geetha, known for appearances on MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu.
Image: Supplied
Working alongside him is Abdulkhader Allingal Siddique, whose Michelin-starred kitchen background and deep-rooted Kerala heritage promise authenticity.
Together, they make the perfect dream team in the kitchen.
There's a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu too so no one in your party has to miss out, with dishes like the chilli and tamarind cauliflower and gunpowder hasselback potatoes being standouts on the menu.
Visit on a Saturday and get involved in their iconic Bollywood Bottomless Brunch where for just £36 per person you can enjoy one bowl and one side alongside 90 minutes of free flowing drinks.
Image: Supplied
You can choose from prosecco, draught beer, cocktails, mocktails - trust us, the list is endless. And you can enjoy it all whilst bopping along to the best Bollywood beats. Find out more about the brunch here.
Visiting on a Sunday? You have to try their iconic T-Bone Sunday Roast experience, featuring a slow-braised T-bone steak finished in rich beef & bone marrow curry, paired with Yorkshire pudding and gunpowder potatoes. You'll never look at your mum's Sunday roast the same again.
Image: Supplied
Kerala Canteen also offers a private event space for your next big celebration that seats up to 100 guests with custom tapas menu and corporate dining packages available.
Located right next to Leeds Playhouse, it's the perfect spot for those visiting the city centre.
To book your table, take a look at Kerala Canteen's website - thank us later.
Salon Madre – the new tequila bar and pool hall that’s just opened in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
We’ve been waiting for this one and trust us, it’s just as good as we’d hoped.
If you’re a fan of a cheeky margarita, a taco and a bit of a boogie then this is the spot for you - and let’s be honest, who isn’t.
Introducing Salon Madre, made famous over in Manchester and now with another spot in Liverpool, think late nights fuelled by margaritas, cosy dates over tacos and lively game nights.
The new Leeds site is located on Wellington Street, perfect for those wrapping up work over on Wellington Place and looking to blow off some steam.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is huge, with floor to ceiling windows letting loads of light in during the day and plenty of red neon lights setting the vibe for the evening.
There's about 20 different variations of margaritas and tequilas on the menu, as well as fresh Mexican beers on tap if you're not ready for a shot just yet.
But it's not just about the drink, the food menu is top notch too.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There's tacos and quesadillas all made with hand-pressed tortillas, twice-cooked chicken wings in a range of flavours from Mexican cola to Yucatan buffalo, and of course there's stacked nachos which are perfect for snacking on between sips of margarita.
If you're feeling competitive then they've got six pool tables as well as darts, and Lucha Libre on the big screens if you'd rather watch the play happen than play yourself.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Salon Madre will have DJs on in the evening and on a Friday and Saturday they'll even be open til 1am.
Welcome Salon Madre, we can't wait for this to become our new late-night party destination. You can take a look at their menu here.
Georgina Pellant -
1st June 2021 
