A menu full of Vimto-inspired dishes? It's certainly one to try out.
There's very few food combinations that we'd bat our eyelids at, given the bizarre combinations served up in Leeds.
We have combos like deep-fried pizzas, marmite on everything, pancake kebabs and that's before we've even started to look at the incredible foodie challenges like three courses of Yorkshire puds or a 2.5kg chippy tea.
Image: Trip Advisor
This said, our latest find might just be the wackiest yet.
The Vimto inspired menu from pub chain Hungry Horse takes the northern staple beverage and adds it into its bestselling burgers and sharers.
As a sharer for two people, there's a 2300 calorie extravaganza that's not for the faint-hearted. Turn up stomach-rumbling for a Full Coburg loaf drizzled with garlic glaze, filled with a whole Camembert and topped with Vimto onion chutney then baked to gooey perfection. Served with onion rings, carrot and cucumber sticks, plus extra Vimto chutney.
Hopefully, this has only just warmed up your appetite as there's a monster stack of Vimto-flavour on the main menu to get through.
The Berry Cheesy Vimto One burger is a whipping two beef burgers with bacon, baked Camembert, jalapenos, red onion, tomato, baby gem, mayo and Vimto onion BBQ chutney between two crisp rainbow-coloured buns. Served with onion rings, fries and a ketchup dipping pot, this is a huge burger that's dividing opinions across the nation.
Image: Greene King
A review from the Manchester Evening News said "Once I got stuck in and past the soggy bun, it actually tasted decent enough, if distinctly lacking in Vimto flavour".
Meanwhile Grimsby Live reported "It tasted amazing. The bun had a subtle Vimto flavour, as did the burger, which worked perfectly with the saltiness of the beef and the bacon."
If weird and wonderful food isn't on your agenda, there's still plenty of non-rainbow, non-Vimto flavours to choose from. Think chicken burgers, 28-day-aged-steaks and a Tikka Tower: grilled naan bread piled high with fries and cauliflower wings, smothered in tikka sauce and topped with mint yoghurt and fresh herbs.
To get your Hungry Horse fix in Leeds, you'll have to hop in the car or train to the suburbs. You can visit the Lawnswood Arms in Adel, Lord Gascoigne in Garforth, the Walnut Tree in Wakefield or Stanley Ferry in Stanley, just make sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Sophie Smith -
2nd March 2022 
