Heading up the old dry cleaners on Kirkstall Road, Meat is Dead has been one of the biggest meat-free contenders on the Leeds foodie scene for the past year.
Proudly offering a "junk-free" vegan menu, bottomless brunch, pub quizzes, a warming workspace for remote workers as well as delicious meals spanning breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant had been a go-to option for many of those on a plant-free diet or curious to explore the menu of meat-free wholesome meals.
Sadly the popular eatery has closed its doors, blaming "crippling costs and hard hitting times".
Meat is Dead owners shared a heartfelt goodbye online over the weekend, adding that they hope the closure won't be a permanent fixture, rather a break: "it's a pause, a shake up and a new beginning".
Sharing the announcement on Instagram yesterday, the owners wrote: "This is our last weekend... for a little while
"Due to circumstances beyond our control, we’re closing our doors on Sunday night to reset and reconfigure our business.
"This is not a permanent goodbye, it’s a pause, a shake up and a new beginning.
"We, like everyone, have been hit with crippling costs and hard hitting times, we are incredibly sad to pause right now but this is a must for us to be able to continue in any capacity.
"We thank you all for supporting, visiting and returning - each and every single one of you have made our dream and exhaustion worthwhile.
"We look forward to you joining us in our exciting future. Big loves x".
The Meat is Dead social media page has been flooded with heartfelt comments since the news broke with many hoping to see the return of the plant-based restaurant again soon.
Feature Image- Meat is Dead
Eats
Leeds has welcomed a brand-new spot dedicated to rotisserie chicken
If you're a fan of all-things chicken, then this is the spot for you.
Introducing The Rotisserie Club, that's doing exactly what it says on the tin...rotisserie chicken.
Taking over the former Shokupan site at 27 Wellington Street, the new restaurant aims to bring a new go-to lunch spot to that area of town.
And we've got a very strong feeling it's going to go down an absolute storm amongst gym bunnies and office dwellers alike.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Brought to the city by Norman of Spuds n Bros fame and Luigi from Habitum and La Bottega Milanese, you just know you're in good hands.
The idea is to split the day between the two businesses, with Habitum taking care of the morning coffee crowd before The Rotisserie Club takes over from lunchtime. Sounds like a match made in heaven if you ask us.
That means early birds can get their caffeine fix before the focus shifts to a menu centred around rotisserie-cooked chicken.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Expect chicken-filled Caesar wraps, bowls, salads, wings and stuffed pittas, as well as half and whole chickens served with their signature house dripping potatoes.
You can dip or drench your chicken in their range of sauces, and then you’ve got yourself something worth licking your fingers over.
Not only that, but in the future they'll be opening in the evenings so you can have your chicken fix alongside a tipple or two.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's great to see two independent businesses team together to create something completely new in the city, and we can't wait to see how well it's received by food lovers in the city centre.
Move over Nando's, The Rotisserie Club is officially in town.
An authentic hand-pulled noodle restaurant is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
If you're a fan of thick, chewy noodles, then you're going to like this one.
And that's because The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to welcome Lano Noodles, an authentic hand-pulled noodle spot.
Specialising in freshly made noodles, authentic Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup and traditional Chinese snacks, the independent restaurant will be unlike anything you can currently find in Leeds city centre.
The new restaurant will occupy approximately 2,150 sq ft across two floors, and will create between seven and ten jobs.
You'll be able to grab your food to-go as well as eat-in.
Charles Newman, Associate Director of Estates at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre, commented: "We're delighted to welcome Lano Noodles to the Merrion Centre, particularly as the team has chosen Leeds for its very first restaurant.
"Its location on Merrion Way, directly opposite the first direct bank arena, is perfectly positioned to attract a diverse mix of customers, from students and city centre workers to shoppers and eventgoers.
"The combination of freshly prepared, authentic food, convenient grab-and-go options and relaxed dining is a great fit for this busy part of the city. It's fantastic to see another independent operator investing in Leeds, creating new jobs and adding to our growing international food offering."
A spokesperson for Lano Noodles Ltd added: "We're really excited to be opening our first restaurant at the Merrion Centre and introducing our freshly made hand-pulled noodles to Leeds.
"We chose the location because of its strong footfall and diverse customer base. We want to create a welcoming, informal space where people can enjoy authentic Chinese food, whether they're grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a relaxed meal with friends.
"We can't wait to welcome our first customers and share the flavours of Lanzhou with the Leeds community."
Sophie Smith -
30th May 2022 
