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The best places to get a vegan roast dinner in Leeds
Vegan Sunday roast dinners can be hard to find in Leeds, so we've put together a collection of our favourite plant-based roasts to take out the research for you.
Because your vegan mates deserve just as many foodie option as meat-eaters on a Sunday.
It's no secret that in Leeds we love a good roast dinner. So much so, we at The Hoot are dedicated to shouting out our favourite options for Yorkshire puds and roasties every single week- and since starting we still haven't exhausted our list.
Surprisingly, there's not as many vegan-friendly options as you'd think. Nut Roast isn't always plant-based, so it can be a struggle to find a vegan option on a Sunday when you're out for a roast dinner.
That's why we've rounded up our favourite spots- so you never have to have that dreaded feeling of 'am I going to be able to eat this' moment again.
Locally known for championing all things Yorkshire and vegan-friendly, Wapentake is a safe choice for anyone looking for plant-based food. Their vegan roast has been well received, given you can still get gravy, mash, yorkshire puds and all your fave veggies included. They can cook to suit different dietary requirements too, including gluten free and vegetarian- a sure sign everything is fresh and delicious.
This is the place to come for a roast dinner that actually feels like a vegan roast. This isn't just a place where you'll get a few sorry-looking veggies and potatoes, Crowd of Favours champion their vegan crowd with a Baked Celeriac steak offering and all the usual tasty trimmings.
The Kirkstall Bridge Inn isn't advertised enough when it comes to their vegan friendly dishes, but we've become well accustomed with the pub's menu throughout Veganuary and found plenty of options available. A review of the vegan roast on TripAdvisor puts it better than we could: "What a wonderful change to have a decent Vegan option on a Sunday that isn't a nut roast or just vegetables, fantastic food in a lovely setting would highly recommend. Food is fresh and home cooked"- vegan Yorkshire puds included.
Find out more about the Kirkstall Bridge Inn here.
The Brunswick
Image: The Brunswick
Easily known as one of the best roast spots in town, The Brunswick makes Sunday the best day of the week with a vegan roast served with roast potatoes, maple syrup glazed carrots, cabbage, gravy and even a mini Bloody Mary- what more do you need?
Heaney & Mill describe a place at their table on a Sunday as "Sunday service at the alter of the holy roast", so clearly these guys take their dinners seriously. They offer a fully veggie roast dinner with a Leek and Cheese Wellington- but there's vegan options that slightly vary from the veggie menu upon request. This is a great option if you're looking for somewhere that will please the meat-eaters, veggies, gluten-free-eateres and vegans in your life.
Whether you're a student or not, Bakery 164 is a Leeds staple.
And you really can't miss it either.
Standing proudly opposite the Parkinson Steps on the corner of Woodhouse Lane, their bright yellow and red canopy lures you in if the inviting smell of fresh bread hasn't already.
They've been serving the students of Leeds since 1994, and are known for their specialist sandwiches that won't break the bank.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
On a lunchtime you'll have to join the queue of hungry students looking to get their fix, but it's well worth the wait.
The bread is what they do best, every evening they hand mix and hand shape their ciabatta and focaccia dough, which is then baked overnight so it’s fresh out of the ovens in the morning.
Then come the fillings, at Bakery 164 they specialise in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, using seasonal ingredients and local produce wherever possible.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Signature sandwiches include grilled chicken, halloumi and bacon with chilli mayo, prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto and sun-dried tomato as well as meatballs and mozzarella with Reggae Reggae sauce.
A price for a sandwich comes in at around a fiver, and they easily wipe the floor with any meal deal sarnie you can grab from a supermarket round the corner.
Just choose your sandwich, take it to the till and they'll warm it up for you there and then at no extra cost.
And it's not just sandwiches, they've also got fresh coffee on offer to keep you going between lectures as well as a selection of freshly baked cakes and sweet treats.
National food critic crowns Leeds restaurant as one of his top three in Britain
Clementine Hall
Renowned food critic Jay Rayner is singing his praises about a certain Leeds restaurant.
And it's probably a restaurant you've walked past time and time again, but have never thought to pop in.
Named Sous Le Nez, this independent French-inspired bistro and wine bar is tucked away in the basement of Quebec House on Quebec Street, right in the heart of the city centre.
Translating roughly as "under the nose", it's particularly fitting as its food and wine is now being hailed as some of the best in Britain by Jay Rayner himself.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Feeding the people of Leeds since 1991, has some of the best food in the city been under our nose this whole time?
Appearing on the Routes LNER podcast hosted by Jenni Falconer, Rayner was asked about his favourite three restaurants in Britain to which Sous Le Nez got a very special mention.
Jay Rayner said: “Sous Le Nez, an old stager in Leeds that has been there a very long time.
“Great wine list. Nothing on the menu will surprise you but it is done very very well.”
Elsewhere on the podcast, he gives a very quick shoutout Domo in Sheffield (also now in Leeds) for their special Lobster on toast.
It's safe to say that Jay loves a bit of Leeds, back in January he gave The Highland Laddie a glowing review hailing it 'the pub that refuses to die' and in 2024 he labeled Zucco in Meanwood 'the perfect Italian'.
High, high praise indeed. You can listen to the podcast here and you can find out more about the fabulous Sous Le Nez here.
Sophie Smith -
5th January 2023 
