If you're looking for a refreshing brekkie to start the day- we've found plenty of acai and smoothie bowls that are packed with vitamins and punchy flavour.
Acai bowls are one of the most aesthetic breakfasts around and perfect for vegans wanting to get their five a day in whilst posting their meal on to their socials. Not just that, but they contain a whole lot of fruit and grains, so it can be a great source of nutrients.
Here's our favourite spots to grab an açai bowl in and around Leeds.
Wolføx Leeds
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The organic açai bowl from Wolfox is made from a smoothie base, topped with granola, fresh fruit and coconut flakes- so selections can vary from day to day, but we’re convinced they’re all just as tasty as each other- they were simply beautiful. We can fully understand how they get through 70kg of bananas a week.
Wolfox is a gorgeous cafe space right in the heart of Leeds that's perfect for working remotely or grabbing some Saturday brunch- it's definitely our number one spot for Instagrammable açai bowls for sure.
In Leeds 'most Instagrammable' cafe, it makes sense for an aesthetic açai bowl to be front and centre of the menu. The #BreakfastBowl is a berry smoothie bowl with banana, nutty granola, Soy yoghurt and Chia seeds is picture perfect, and nutritious too. Best of all, it's 100% vegan friendly, so you can rely on this tasty brekkie if you have a plant-based diet.
It's even available as a bottomless option too, with cocktails, mocktails or Prosecco (each priced differently), the boozy brunch offer stretches across most of the day, broken into two sessions: the first running from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm, the second from 4 – 8 pm.
Right in the heart of Leeds, between Briggate and Trinity, you'll find Bascos- serving up açai and granola bowls, amongst other tasty treats every single day. The açai bowl comes with granola, bananas, strawberries and coconut flakes, but if you fancy something a little more exotic, try the Pina Colada Oatmeal with coconut milk oats, yogurt, fresh pineapple chunks, toasted coconut flakes, maraschino cherry.
Sticking with the theme of healthy but refreshing breakfasts, the Chocolate Quinoa is an unexpected dish to see on the menu, but one that is no doubt well received by those with a sweet tooth. It's almond and coconut milk quinoa, vegan chocolate chunks, berries, banana, chia seeds and sounds delish.
Located in Kirkgate market, Bonito Acai is the takeaway made to transport you to your exotic summer holiday location. The market stall embodies sunshine all year round with its bright decor and offers acai bowls to take away in small bowls. There's plenty of flavours to choose from, including a Nutella bowl and a Green Goddess flavour.
The Leeds Kirkgate Market is full of independent traders that bring us new, innovative flavours years before we see them in mainstream foodie spots, so it's a great place to go and check out the latest trending flavours- as well as grabbing some tasty grub at a reasonable price.
If you’re heading over the M621 and need a drive-thru breakfast that will suit your vegan needs, or just want a drink with a difference, look no further than the UK’s first drive-thru Leon restaurant in Gildersome. Of course, if you’re in Leeds city centre, the train station store offer the same range of delicious plant-based treats, including breakfasts, wraps and the best oat milk lattes in the station.
To complement your order, their Açai Smoothie is worth adding on. Five berries, blended. Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries and acai berries, mixed with apple and banana, it really is as fresh as it gets. Even though it's not a bowl, we're big fans of this one nonetheless.
If you find yourself on a daytrip to Sheffield, there's plenty of açai options for you there too. Our favourite cafe to visit is Pom's Kitchen, a veggie and vegan eatery that looks like it's been tipped in neon hundreds and thousands before being rolled in fairy dust (in a good way). You'll want to take photos of everything here, including their smoothies and açai bowls.
The flavours will vary day-to-day as the kitchen run on a limited menu, but there will no doubt be plenty to choose from upon each visit. Our latest favourite is their Emily in Paris inspired hot chocolate and their neon vegan hot dogs.
What started as a simple idea around food has grown into something much bigger for Leeds Supper Club.
The idea was born from a love of food and the idea that eating together can be about much more than what’s on your plate.
Rather than simply going out to a restaurant, Leeds Supper Club puts connection at the heart of its events, bringing people together to share incredible food and enjoy an evening in good company.
We had the pleasure of attending their most recent event where we had the most wonderful evening with founders Lizzie, Phillip and the rest of the club.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This instalment was a very special one, as it was in collaboration with Knotfield Vine over in Horsforth.
I mean, it really doesn't get more scenic than this - we really felt like we'd been whisked away to the South of France rather than a Leeds suburb. But we wouldn't want it either way.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes it a cut above the rest is the details. Every little detail has been thought out, from the low-lit, sexy lighting, hand-made name plates, live music and four courses of wonderful seasonal goodness made fresh.
From enjoying a glass of wine within the vines alongside a couple of nibbles to tucking into a three course meal around a candle-lit table, there's really nowhere else like it.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The tagliatelle pasta with beef and whipped feta was a real highlight, and knowing Lizzie and Philip receive help on the menu and the cooking from all their friends made it taste that much sweeter.
By the end of it we'd had some delicious food, fabulous wine and shared even better conversation. And it's safe to say we left feeling a part of the club.
Keep an eye on their Instagram page here for all upcoming events.
Five of the best new restaurants and cafes to open in Leeds recently
Clementine Hall
Leeds has welcomed a whole host of new places to eat and drink recently, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
We all love our food, and it's safe to say we love writing about it.
So please, allow us to indulge by telling you all about five of our favourite new foodie openings that have popped up in and around Leeds over the past few months.
But fair warning, continuing to read on may cause extreme hunger...
Moods
98 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Just over a month ago, one of Leeds' most historic buildings was transformed into an all-day cafe, bar, restaurant and events space.
Moods is the brainchild of husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo.
They do it all, whether you're popping in for a coffee and a spot of brunch or swinging by for a few carefully curated cocktails and some small plates to share with friends. With a kitchen led by Head Chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred restaurant group, you know you're in good hands.
Taking over the old Flannels site on Vicar Lane, Dishoom Leeds is nothing short of beautiful and has been in the pipeline for quite some time.
Dusty pink exteriors welcome you into a huge dining room complete with gold picture frames, baby blue walls and huge arched windows. They've really thought of every little detail, even down to the relaxing incense burning on the windowsill.
The menu is large and can seem overwhelming, featuring everything from breakfast naan rolls and small plates and to big sharing curries, but the staff are keen to lend you a helping hand.
If you order anything - let it be the lamb chops (thank us later).
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road on the outskirts of Ilkley, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots, which always has queues down the street, has made its way across to Leeds at last.
Bruncho has opened on The Headrow, bringing its hit products like French toasts, Middle Eastern brunches, and iced matchas, to Leeds city centre.
Bruncho has also made a name for itself with its viral creations, including Labubu Dubai pistachio French toast (how many 2025 buzzwords can you get in one menu item?) and its collection of drinks served at -86°C. We're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
Domo is an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, you could do a lot worse than plonking yourself on the terrace with mates, ordering a selection of their cocktails and tucking into a heaping plate of fried calamari and prawns or a carefully curated plate of Sardinian cured meats and cheeses.
Sophie Smith -
19th January 2022 
