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
Dazzling Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Leeds this year
Temple Newsam will be transformed into a brand-new immersive festive story event.
Following a second successful winter, Leeds’ spectacular immersive light show Northern Lights is returning with a brand-new journey.
The Lost Light of Christmas is a narrative driven adventure that will lead visitors around the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam this winter, running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026.
With over 100,000 visitors each year, Northern Lights Leeds has been completely reimagined this winter with a showcase of exclusive art installations from some of the UK’s leading light artists.
Image: Supplied
There'll be special effects, interactive elements and bespoke audio compositions all tied together with an illuminating new narrative theme.
Visitors will follow a glowing trail through enchanted forests, along sparkling pathways and around shimmering lagoons with plenty of hidden surprises along the way as you help the fairies on their quest restore the Lost Light of Christmas before it goes out forever.
Approximately one mile in length, the light trail will host over a dozen illuminations with a curated selection of vintage fairground rides and a variety of classic festive treats, including mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Images: Supplied
Ben Robinson - Director, From The Fields said: “After two incredible years at Temple Newsam we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds. The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas.
"Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Tickets for The Lost Light of Christmas will go on sale Thursday 2 July with prices starting at £12.00 for children and £17.00 for adults. Get yours here.
A ‘Mini Mall’ full of independent food traders and local brands is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The Merrion Centre is set to become the home of an exciting new retail and food destination this summer.
Introducing The Mini Mall, an innovative retail concept designed to create a flagship city-centre destination for local brands, artisan producers and independent food traders.
The new 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will be completely dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands, artisan producers, and local food creators.
Operating as a premium 'satellite department store', The Mini Mall provides established independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.
Image: Supplied
Shoppers can expect a carefully curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers, and street food vendors under one roof.
The Mini Mall will open on Saturday 25July with an official public grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases, and the full launch of the Mini Food Hall.to meet the makers behind the brands.
Shaz Westfield, founder of Eventszo, said: "The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.
“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive. We're delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship."
Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of The Merrion Centre, said: "What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We've always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won't find elsewhere on the high street."
You can find out more about Leeds' new Mini Mall here.
Sophie Smith -
24th November 2021 
