The best places to eat for free in the city centre and beyond.
Easter half-term is on the horizon and if you're looking to take your kids out for a day of fun, here is a list of places where they can eat for free to help you save a few pennies.
Whether you're on the move and need a quick meal deal whilst out shopping or fancy a mid-week Italian with the family, there's an offer here which will definitely suit you.
Yard and Coop
Image: Yard and Coop
This restaurant on Merrion Street is the home of buttermilk fried chicken. Made with their own secret recipe, think dirty burgers, crispy chicken wings and indulgent loaded fries.
This half-term, Yard & Coop are giving away one free kids meal with every adult main ordered. For the kids there's an option of boneless chicken nuggets or cauliflower nuggets served alongside a choice of chips, mac and cheese, cheesy mash or salad. And for dessert a special treat of ice cream with sauce and sprinkles! There's even crayons and lego on site to keep them entertained whilst you enjoy your well-deserved delicious meal, what a winner!
Yard and Coop, 6-8 Merrion Street.
Marks and Spencers Cafe
Image: Marks and Spencer
From Monday 4 April - Friday 22 April 2022, M&S cafe are giving away one free kid's meal deal when you spend £5. The meal includes a sandwich, toastie, pizza or pasta, a snack (such as gingerbread or a chocolate lolly), a piece of fruit and a drink.
Grab yourself one of their luxurious macaroni cheese toasties to keep you fuelled as you browse the shops, and get a well balanced meal for your little one to enjoy alongside it.
Marks and Spencer, 2-9 Ludgate Hill.
YO! Sushi
Image: YO! Sushi
Based in Harrogate town centre, this futuristic sushi restaurant with a conveyer belt of goodies is sure to keep your little ones occupied. From 3.30pm- 5.30pm on Monday to Thursday, your kids can took into the Mini Ninja menu as you enjoy your favourite Japanese hot dishes and sushi delights.
The offer incudes one main, one side and one drink from the kids meal deal menu and a dessert can be added for an extra £1.50. The offer is not valid at the Leeds location, but make a short trip to Harrogate to enjoy this fantastic deal.
YO! Sushi, Unit 5 Albert Street.
Asda
Kids under the age of 16 can eat for free when an adult spends £1 in any Asda Cafe. Meals include a fish finger meal, a kid's cooked breakfast and a lasagne meal. All hot meals include a piece of fruit and a capri sun, bottled water or carton of milk.
The offer is valid from Monday to Friday after 3pm and there is also free baby food pouches on offer for kiddy winks under 18 months.
Morrisons
Need a pit-stop during your weekly shop? In Morrison's cafe, kids eat free all day every day nationwide with one paying adult. Choose from a wide range of options from their children's menu which offers nutritionally balanced meals.
As well as this, throughout Easter they are hosting their 'Feed a Family for £10', where you can tuck into two adults meals, two kids meals, two adult drinks and two kids drinks for just £10. Head to your nearest Morrisons to make sure you don't miss out on these bargains.
Bella Italia
Image: Bella Italia
Craving a big bowl of comforting spaghetti or fancy a slice of margarita pizza? Then head to Bella Italia this Easter where you can feed your little ones for just £1 with every main meal purchased.
The offer includes three courses and one Cawston pressed juice for just £1 and is valid Friday 1 April - Sunday 24 April 2022. The menu is very extensive and has options for even the pickiest of kids. There's cheesy garlic bread, crudités with houmous, pasta with a selection of sauces and the classic margarita and pepperoni pizzas. There's also a warm gooey chocolate brownie on the menu which you'll definitely want to be pinching a spoonful of.
Bella Italia, 145 Briggate, Leeds.
Banyan
Image: Banyan
Banyan is the perfect place to ensure those tiny tummies are filled this Easter at no extra cost, while you can relax and enjoy a delicious meal. From the 4th - 8th and 11th - 14th April 2022, every adult meal comes with a free kids meal. This deal is available all day until 6pm
There's a huge variety to choose from including chicken spirelli pasta, mini fish and chips and sausage and mash. It's the perfect excuse for the adults to try out their new spring menu which features a deliciously sticky teriyaki salmon dish which is perfect for a midweek lunch. The offer is on at all Banyan restaurants in and around Leeds including Harrogate, Ilkley and Roundhay.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 2026 guide – everything you need to know
Clementine Hall
The 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (RBLM) is nearly upon us.
And with thousands set to flood the region, we thought we'd round up all the important information you need to know, from waves and start times to the route and more.
Getting underway this weekend, this year marks just the third-ever edition of the modern Leeds Marathon, which was set up in honour of Rhinos legend and MND champion Rob Burrow in 2023.
In addition to over 12,000 locals, marathon enthusiasts, fantastic fundraisers and casual runners alike taking part in the 2025 RBLM , there are set to be even more spectators expected to line the streets, so it's best you're all kept in the loop.
So, without further ado, here's our comprehensive guide for the 2026 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
Hosted by Run For All yet again, this year's Leeds Marathon is set to be just as special.
What is the route?
Where else to start other than, well, with where the run will be starting?
Getting underway once again from the Headingley Stadium, the 26.2-mile slog will see Yorkshire's finest pass through the busy student district, as well as around Golden Acre Park, towards Bramhope, around Otley, into the city centre and back.
You can see the full route map down below.
Leeds Marathon Map 2026
If you're running it, you'll also be glad to see that there are a total of eight different toilet stops and water stations, meaning you'll have the opportunity to take any necessary breaks every few miles.
How to get there?
For those travelling to the start/finish line (yes, it finishes back at the iconic cricket ground too), it is advised that people avoid driving and use public transport where possible to avoid further congestion.
Upon arriving, the only way to access the start line on race day is via Gate G behind the western terrace of the cricket stadium off Kirkstall Road.
Spectator shuttles will also be running between Queenswood Drive and the two main spectator hubs: Adel and Otley. You can find out more details on where to watch HERE.
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon waves and start times
Now, as for start times, participants will be set off in waves depending on their estimated finish time, which corresponds to the colour of their bib.Wave start times
Blue – 09:00
Red – 09:04
Green & Yellow – 09:10
MND Wave – 09:19
Purple - 09:21
Meanwhile, those doing the half-marathon distance and fun runners will be starting at 10am.
Leeds Marathon road closures and travel advice
Now, it goes without saying that setting up a major marathon that spans all the way from Headingley to Leeds, passing through some of the busiest parts of West Yorkshire, involves quite a lot of logistical planning.
Luckily, Leeds City Council have worked closely with the event team to make the marathon route run as smoothly as possible whilst also trying to minimise the impact on traffic and general travel.
You can find a full breakdown of all the road closures for this year's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon here.
So, for everyone taking on the Leeds Marathon to honour not just Rob Burrow but whoever they might be running it for, we wish you the best of luck and just know that you've already done him, us, yourselves and everyone else SO very proud.
Clementine Hall -
5th April 2022 
