Nothing says Christmas like heading out for some pigs in blankets months before the big day, it’s almost like a warm up for the stomach ahead of December 25th.
Leeds’ foodie scene has gone big this year on its festive specials, here’s a few that have been announced so far…
North Star
Soverign Street / Leeds Dock
There’s three delicious specials to choose from at both North Star locations, but we’re warning you now, you’ll find it very difficult indeed to go back to your standard black coffee on a morning this December. Choose from the sweet and creamy Egg Nog White Hot Chocolate to the rich and nutty Hazelnut Mocha.
Meat:Stack
Bishopgate Street, Opposite Leeds Train Station
Meat:Stack’s theme this year is Home Alone: and everyone’s a winner when you step foot inside the red and white burger joint. Taking centre stage is the ‘An Angel With a Dirty Face’, a stacked burger topped with melted brie, pickled cabbage, sage and onion crumb, a hash brown and a delicious cranberry and maple glaze made by the masterminds Thiccc Sauce.
Cup of Kin
City Square, outside Trinity Church
So whether you’re swinging by on your way to work or need a caffeine hit before exploring the markets, Cup Of Kin have got you covered with some of the most beautiful hot drinks around the city. Think black forest hot chocolate, gingerbread lattes and our personal favourite, the Blulée Cappuccino, topped with burnt brown sugar and a golden sprinkle, it really puts a pep in your step in no time.
Doh’hut
Trevalyn Square, Leeds City Centre
This was the announcement the city was waiting for: the Doh’hut Christmas specials – and man it hasn’t disappointed. There’s three for you to choose from, and each one of them is an absolute delight. Bailey’s Cheesecake, Terry’s Chocolate Orange and Mulled Wine Jam…the three together has a better ring to it than gold, frankincense and myrrh don’t you think?
Spuds & Bros
Millennium Square, Leeds Christmas Markets
Located at Leeds Christmas Markets on Millennium Square, Spuds & Bros is showing us how the traditional Canadian treat can be spiced up with the taste of Christmas. The festive poutine comes with stuffing, cranberry sauce, peas all sandwiched in layers between those gravy-soaked chips and cheese: it’s the winter warmer we never knew we needed.
Little Bao Boy
Inside North Taproom, Leeds City Centre
Leeds’ OG bao legends Little Bao Boy are back with their Christmas specials, and trust us when we say you’ll be wanting to put a bow on these bao for under the tree this year.
Make sure to try our personal favourite, the Panko Sprouts – deep fried in salt and pepper batter and served with cranberry sriracha, these bad boys will get you reaching for the spouts on the big day in no time.
Find out more here.
Bundobust
Mill Hill, Leeds City Centre
Beloved Indian street food brand and brewery Bundobust has just launched their desi Christmas menu for 2023 and it’s so delicious we’re not sure we’ll be able to go back to standard roast dinners.
From banging Bundo bhajis and mince pie parathas, to chai spiced mulled wine and clever twists on classic seasonal cocktails, they’re doing their best to make this Christmas a memorable one.
Find out more here.
Miles & Co
Inside Leeds Kirkgate Market
Miles & Co. Coffee inside Leeds Kirkgate Market found a way to bottle the festive spirit, and serve it in a mug. Grab a Tiramisu Cap with chocolate dusting; a Lebkuchen Latte with gingerbread and chai spices; a white hot chocolate for an indulgent Christmas treat or A London Fog made with homemade Earl Grey syrup, vanilla and silky steamed milk.
Find out more here.
Fourth Floor Brasserie
Inside Harvey Nichols, Briggate, Leeds City Centre
Whether you’re window shopping, searching for the perfect Christmas party look or looking to splash out on a keepsake, shopping is hungry work – and the Fourth Floor Brasserie has all the decadence of downstairs, with three courses of festive treats on offer.
Starting with a blue cheese mousse, celeriac, pear, walnut pangrattato, chilli dressing, this beautifully-presented dish is packed with flavour, with the tangy blues complimented perfectly by the fruits.
Find out more here.
I Am Döner
Infirmary Street, Leeds City Centre
If Santa went on a big night out, he’d be grabbing this on the way home.
This doner is packed full of roast turkey with all the trimmings like stuffing, sprouts, parsnip crisps, pickled red cabbage, carrots, crispy fried vegetables, dried cranberries, bacon Frazzles and of course drenched in gravy before being packed into a wrap.
Find out more here.
Almost Famous
Great George Street, Leeds City Centre
Santa’s been and he’s stuffed an absolutely enormous burger in your stocking, along with some pretty controversial fries and some festive cocktails.
Expect huge stacked burgers like the The Son of a Nutcracker, a cheeseburger with a sausage patty, buttermilk fried chicken, Christmas slaw and chicken gravy, topped with a sausage roll and pig in blanket and Tinsel Town, where halloumi and crispy bacon are stuffed on top of a double cheeseburger, with cranberry chilli jam and curly fries
Find out more here.
Leeds Food Tour
Various locations around Leeds City Centre
Leeds Food Tour is a great way to explore the city’s best independents, and during the festive build-up, Nell offers a Christmas version that showcases specials across Leeds City Centre.
Find out more here.
The Botanist
Outside Trinity Shopping Centre | From Monday 20 November 2023
When: From Monday 20 November 2023
Where: 67 Boar Lane, Leeds City Centre, LS1 6HW
The Winter Garden menu from The Botanist offers either a two or three course menu with a glass of Prosecco or non-alcoholic alternative.
Menu highlights include…
- Turkey Kebab with ham, stuffing, pigs in blankets and an orange raspberry glaze, served with all the trimmings
- Sweet Potato and Goat’s Cheese Tart with roast beetroot and pear salad
- Cookie Dough Pie with vanilla ice cream and Biscoff sauce
Find out more here.
Roxy Lanes
The Light, Leeds City Centre
Roxy Lanes festive pizza is really a Christmas showstopper. The crispy pizza base is topped with lashings of tomato, cranberry sauce, cheese, turkey, pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing…so basically it’s Christmas dinner on a pizza – what’s not to love?
Find out more here.
Blackhouse
East Parade, Leeds City Centre | Available throughout December 2023
When: Available throughout December
Where: 31-33 East Parade, Leeds City Centre, LS1 5PS
Lunch and dinner menus are available as a three course sitting at Blackhouse this year, and there’s plenty of meats, treats, seafood and veggie alternatives on offer.
Menu highlights include…
- Chicken Liver Parfait with winter fruit chutney and ciabatta crisp
- Butternut Squash and Vegetable Wellington with roast potatoes and maple glazed root vegetables
- Christmas Pudding with rum custard
Ambiente Tapas
The Calls, Leeds City Centre | From Friday 24 November 2023
When: From Friday 24 November 2023
Where: 36 – 38 The Calls, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7EW
The Festive Fiesta Menu is perfect for parties of eight and more, and includes a range of tapas in true Ambiente style.
Menu highlights include…
- Brocheta Miel de Pollo y Chorizo: honey and chipotle glazed chicken and chorizo kebab served with pickled red cabbage and pita
- Queso de Cabra: lightly battered goats cheese, drizzled with honey and served with braised fennel & beetroot crisps
Find out more here.
Gaucho
Park Row, Leeds City Centre | Release date TBC
When: TBC
Where: 21-22 Park Row, Leeds City Centre, LS1 5JF
The Christmas sharing menu at Gaucho combines the best of the Argentinian specials found throughout the year with turkey and cookies.
Menu highlights include…
- Chimichurri Butter Roasted Turkey with pincho criollo stuffing, Malbec and cranberry jus
- Cuadril and Tira de Ancho steaks
- Tray Baked Cookie Dough with dulce and vanilla ice cream
Find out more here.
The Maven
Call Lane, Leeds City Centre | From Wednesday 1 November 2023
When: From Wednesday 1 November 2023
Where: 1 Call Lane , Leeds City Centre, LS1 7DH
The Christmas Cocktail Taster Menu is a variation of the classic Silk Road cocktail flight where spirit enthusiasts can sample festive cocktails, each served with a small bite to complement the flavours.
Find out more here.
Sukhothai
When: TBC
Where: 15 South Parade, Leeds City Centre, LS1 5QS / 8 Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, LS7 4PE
Owner Ban has hand-selected a festive menu to offer a selection of Sukhothai classics and guest favourites.
Menu highlights include…
- Yang Ruam Platter with satay chicken, grilled pork skewers and king prawns
- Pad Prik Gang Moo Krob: crispy pork belly in a fresh and spicy red curry paste stir fry, with green beans, mushroom. red pepper, carrot and lime leaves
- Deep Fried Ice Cream
Find out more here.
Ibérica
East Parade, Leeds City Centre | Release date TBC
When: TBC
Where: Hepper House, 17a East Parade, Leeds City Centre, LS1 2BH
There’s a whopping seven different Christmas menus at Ibérica this year, and they’re perfect for Christmas parties and large groups.
Menu highlights include…
- Caramelised Spanish rice pudding
- Artisan cheese selection
- Chorizo lollipops
Find out more here.
Bibis
Sovereign Street, Leeds City Centre | Available from Friday 1 December 2023
When: Available from Friday 1 December 2023
Where: Sovereign Street, Leeds City Centre, LS1 4AG
The ‘Festive & Showtime’ menu at Bibis celebrates the festive period with classic Christmas and traditional Italian dishes. There’s also a separate Bambini Festive Menu for kids.
Menu highlights include…
- Lobster and Prawn Ravioli in a cherry and lobster sauce
- Slow Roast Turkey Breast served with chipolata roasting jus, cranberry and port sauce, seasonal veg and roasties
- Classic rich Christmas pudding, brandy sauce and orange marmalade
Find out more here.
Sous Le Nez
Quebec House, Quebec Street | From Tuesday 28 November 2023
When: Every Tuesday – Saturday
Where: The Basement, Quebec House, Quebec Street, Leeds City Centre, LS1 2HA
In place of the Menu Du Soir, there’s a three course Christmas set menu.
Menu highlights include…
- Deep Fried Brie with warm pepper and mango chutney
- Confit Belly Pork, Parsnip Hash Brown, Apple and Beetroot Chutney, Thyme and Rosemary Jus
- White Chocolate Mousse, Amarena Cherry, Lemon Shortbread & Cherry Gel
Find out more here.
Click here to continue reading the ‘Ultimate guide to Christmas in Leeds.
Feature Image – The Hoot Leeds
