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.
A new Yorkshire barbecue restaurant has opened in Leeds city centre, with sandwich fillings cooked over open flame.
Mandy's Barbecue has taken over the kitchens at The Attic - already one of the city's coolest spaces - serving sourdough sarnies by day and small plates in the evenings.
It's brilliant news for The Attic, after their last resident, Fener Bar, closed after just two months after launching.
Headed up by chef Easher Panesar, whose CV includes the former Michelin-starred Man Behind The Curtain, Mandy's has a proudly Yorkshire menu.
He's created a menu of sandwiches with all the fillings cooked over an open fire barbecue, from BBQ rump steak to a Korean chicken thigh.
And when he says it's a Yorkshire barbecue, Easher means it - meat comes from Neil Smith Quality Butcher, fish is from Kirkgate Market (either S Myer's or Tarbett's Fishmongers), and he sources his veg from a local fruit and veg stand.
And the bread is proudly local too, sourced from Leeds indie Bluebird Bakery.
Mandy's Barbecue in Leeds cooks its sandwich fillings over fireMandy's Barbecue has opened in The Attic, taking over what was previously Fener BarProduce is all proudly YorkshireThe sandwich menu at Mandy's BarbecueMandy's Barbecue is now open at The Attic
Once the sarnie menu ends at around 3pm, he pivots into small plates, like Jerk mackerel, BBQ sirloin with kimchi, lamb neck with pea puree, and a dark chocolate ganache with olive oil.
There's a new bespoke cocktail menu, created thanks to celebrated Leeds bartender Sands (who you might recognise from Rinse and Bottle Chop).
Priced at just £8 each, that includes classics like Negroni, Old Fashioned, Aperol spritz, Pineapple Daiquiri, and martinis.
Mandy's Barbecue is open at The Attic in Leeds now.
Iconic Leeds United pub The Moot reopens after six-figure refurb
Daisy Jackson
The Moot Hall Arms, Leeds' favourite football pub, has just reopened its doors after a six-figure refurb.
The iconic Leeds United pub is still covered in local sports memorabilia and merch, but there's even more of it now.
That's because The Moot has now expanded across two floors and three bars, including a brand-new bar and events space upstairs, The Changing Rooms, created to celebrate the rich history of Leeds United.
That extra space is ready for busy matchdays and the full seven-days-a-week programme of events and deals, which includes live music, karaoke, bingo, quiz nights, and more.
And operator Claire says she wants to the pub to be Leeds city centre's best-value sports and entertainment venues, with pints available from £3 in the week.
The popular Craft Union Pub Company venue has reopened its doors today to the bigger, brighter pub, ready to once again attract football fans from across the UK looking to experience its unique atmosphere.
The 'significant' refurbishment includes new decor, bars, furniture, lighting, toilets, and entertainment facilities, like nine TVs, two large projector screens, and three Sky boxes.
Over this weekend and the bank holiday weekend, there'll be DJs, live music, karaoke, themed events, and special guest appearances from former Leeds United favourites Stuart Dallas, Mel Sterland and Noel Whelan.
Inside The Moot in LeedsThe new 'Changing Rooms' bar at The Moot Hall ArmsThere's still plenty of Leeds United merch everywhere
Claire, Operator at The Moot Hall Arms, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be reopening and finally showing everyone what we've been working on.
"Over the last five years we've worked extremely hard to build The Moot into something special. We're proud of the community that's grown around the pub, the friendships that have been made here and the reputation we've built among Leeds United supporters.
"This investment is a huge vote of confidence in the pub and what it has become. We've managed to make The Moot bigger, better and more versatile, while keeping everything people love about it."
Sport remains central to the venue's identity, with the pub continuing to show Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Premier Sports coverage throughout the year.
When it's a Leeds United fixture, the full matchday experience will include pre- and post-match DJs, live entertainment, and full sound for games.
Claire said: "We want The Moot to be much more than somewhere people simply come for a drink. Our ambition is to be one of Leeds city centre's best-value sports and entertainment venues, with something happening every day of the week."
New artwork in the windowsLeeds Leeds Leeds
Alongside its sporting credentials, The Moot Hall Arms has also earned recognition for its commitment to charitable causes, raising more than £100,000 for charities and good causes, supporting organisations including St Gemma's Hospice, Leeds Women's Aid and NECS Uganda.
The Moot's team has also travelled to Uganda in recent years, sponsoring the education of four children, delivering aid and supporting community projects within local villages.
For Claire and her team, the most important thing is ensuring The Moot remains true to its roots.
She said: "We’re passionate about keeping the Moot accessible and affordable. At a time when customers are watching what they spend, we want people to know they can still come into the centre of Leeds, have a reasonably priced pint, watch live sport and enjoy entertainment without spending a fortune.
"Most importantly, we want The Moot to retain its personality. It’s still going to be loud on matchdays, full of Leeds United memorabilia, packed for big games, raising money for good causes and putting on entertainment throughout the week – there’s just a lot more of it now!"
Sophie Smith -
19th January 2022 
