Remember the days where you couldn't get a vegan meal in a restaurant?
Or if you did, you were looking at a small salad-filled burger that was sad and tasteless. We're incredibly grateful that those days are over.
The Leeds vegan scene has grown from a few indie food trucks to dedicated restaurants and bars, speciality dishes and a wealth of tasty treats, all free from animal produce.
TripAdvisor have recognised over 500 vegan-friendly restaurants in Leeds city centre, with an impressive selection of plant-based burgers on offer.
We've rounded up our favourites, so that no matter who you're out with in Leeds, you can grab a bite to eat ...
Turn up the heat for the Vegan Hey Hot Stuff burger from resident kitchen Slap and Pickles. Using Moving Mountains vegan patties, the plant-based burgers are loaded with vegan cheese (the stringy kind), onion rings, jalapenos and roquito chillies and then dressed in shredded lettuce, pickles, hot sauce and their exclusive vegan Hey Hot Stuff mayo. This sauce-covered burger is served in a toasted brioche bun.
The entire Slap and Pickles menu is vegan friendly as the restaurant offer a meat, veggie and vegan version of all their burgers, as well as plenty of their sides. Try the Vegan Duck Fries piled with vegan hoisin 'duck', spring rolls and chillies, for the ultimate meat-free meal deal.
Nation of Shopkeepers have a dedicated plant-based menu, giving vegans and vegetarians the same love and attention as meat-eaters. Better still, every Tuesday all their burgers are part of their 2 for 1 offer, so you can grab a bargain bite without having to make the trip with a fellow vegan.
Their This Isn't Chicken Burger is enough to convert any carnivore though. We're talking pickled red onion, smashed avocado, sweet chilli sauce, topped with vegan cheese and a pickle, all wedged between a crispy fried vegan chicken patty and two sesame seed burger buns. You can grab two sides for an extra £4 too, including padrón peppers and triple-cooked chips.
Absurd Vird are the takeaway for vegans in Leeds. Specialising in burgers, chkn and vaffles: that's vegan chicken and waffles. Described as compassionate soul food, Absurd Vird is the pick-me-up comfort takeaway you didn't know you needed but will find impossible to forget.
The Korean BBQ Burger is a particular treat you can get delivered right to your doorstep. Filled with Chik'n fillet and Kimchi, this Asian-inspired dish is topped with pickled cucumber, Vegan Sriracha mayo and crispy onion rings. Make it into a meal with some sweet potato or garlic fries and a small 'bucket of beer'.
Over at the Kirkgate Markets, Fat Annies is a hidden treasure every vegan needs to have on their agenda. The stall made made the decision to go meat and meat product free in November 2020 after reading a UN Climate report and have gone from strength to strength ever since. Their menu features hot dogs and fries, but it's their burgers that make the brand one of the best-loved vegan eateries around.
The Mexicana burger is made up of a spicy bean burger base, topped with vegan cheese, salsa, mayo, jalapenos and nacho crunch. For a spicy meal deal, you can add some Chilli Cheese Fries, complete with jackfruit chilli and stringy cheese-nacho crunch, as well as adding a soft drink of your choice.
The Hyde Park cafe and takeaway are a student favourite when it comes to vegan fast food. The small business pride themselves in creating all their menus in-house and are completely transparent about all ingredients. There are on hidden 'nasties' here, just plant-based food that comes from the heart.
The BBQ Boi is the best way to taste the Deep South without getting on a flight. Made up of a 'Beef' patty with 'cheeze', creamy slaw, crispy bacon, barbecue sauce and an onion ring: the burger has some of the stringiest 'cheeze' around. Plus the black bun makes it perfect for the 'gram.
Feature Image- Punk Vegan
Leeds
Inside Kerala Canteen – the world’s first Kerala tapas restaurant in Leeds city centre
This modern restaurant in the heart of Leeds is redefining how we enjoy Indian cuisine.
If you haven't already dined at Kerala Canteen, then you are sincerely missing out.
Offering South Indian dining like you've never seen before, Kerala Canteen is the world's first Kerala tapas restaurant where guests can enjoy multiple dishes in one sitting.
And it's not just us who thinks it's class, the restaurant has earned recognition as one of the Top 100 Indian Restaurants in the UK, ranked among the Top 3 Indian restaurants in Leeds & Yorkshire, and awarded Best Restaurant by North Magazine — cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations.
Image: Supplied
So, how does it work? Kerala Canteen isn't your traditional curry house, but the concept means you get to try more of the menu in one go.
Guests are encouraged to start with small plates and move onto curry bowls before sharing a biryani per person and ending with a delicious dessert.
The kitchen is led by renowned chef Bobby Geetha, known for appearances on MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu.
Image: Supplied
Working alongside him is Abdulkhader Allingal Siddique, whose Michelin-starred kitchen background and deep-rooted Kerala heritage promise authenticity.
Together, they make the perfect dream team in the kitchen.
There's a huge selection of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu too so no one in your party has to miss out, with dishes like the chilli and tamarind cauliflower and gunpowder hasselback potatoes being standouts on the menu.
Visit on a Saturday and get involved in their iconic Bollywood Bottomless Brunch where for just £36 per person you can enjoy one bowl and one side alongside 90 minutes of free flowing drinks.
Image: Supplied
You can choose from prosecco, draught beer, cocktails, mocktails - trust us, the list is endless. And you can enjoy it all whilst bopping along to the best Bollywood beats. Find out more about the brunch here.
Visiting on a Sunday? You have to try their iconic T-Bone Sunday Roast experience, featuring a slow-braised T-bone steak finished in rich beef & bone marrow curry, paired with Yorkshire pudding and gunpowder potatoes. You'll never look at your mum's Sunday roast the same again.
Image: Supplied
Kerala Canteen also offers a private event space for your next big celebration that seats up to 100 guests with custom tapas menu and corporate dining packages available.
Located right next to Leeds Playhouse, it's the perfect spot for those visiting the city centre.
To book your table, take a look at Kerala Canteen's website - thank us later.
Salon Madre – the new tequila bar and pool hall that’s just opened in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
We’ve been waiting for this one and trust us, it’s just as good as we’d hoped.
If you’re a fan of a cheeky margarita, a taco and a bit of a boogie then this is the spot for you - and let’s be honest, who isn’t.
Introducing Salon Madre, made famous over in Manchester and now with another spot in Liverpool, think late nights fuelled by margaritas, cosy dates over tacos and lively game nights.
The new Leeds site is located on Wellington Street, perfect for those wrapping up work over on Wellington Place and looking to blow off some steam.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is huge, with floor to ceiling windows letting loads of light in during the day and plenty of red neon lights setting the vibe for the evening.
There's about 20 different variations of margaritas and tequilas on the menu, as well as fresh Mexican beers on tap if you're not ready for a shot just yet.
But it's not just about the drink, the food menu is top notch too.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There's tacos and quesadillas all made with hand-pressed tortillas, twice-cooked chicken wings in a range of flavours from Mexican cola to Yucatan buffalo, and of course there's stacked nachos which are perfect for snacking on between sips of margarita.
If you're feeling competitive then they've got six pool tables as well as darts, and Lucha Libre on the big screens if you'd rather watch the play happen than play yourself.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Salon Madre will have DJs on in the evening and on a Friday and Saturday they'll even be open til 1am.
Welcome Salon Madre, we can't wait for this to become our new late-night party destination. You can take a look at their menu here.
Sophie Smith -
24th November 2021 
