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
Here’s five of the best new openings coming to Leeds this year
We're almost half way through the year, so let's see what else we've got to look forward to...spoiler alert, it's a lot.
So far we've had everything from ice bath cafes to listening bars open up in Leeds, and it seems like 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving.
Allow us to get you excited about what's coming to the city...
Dishoom
68–78 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one is a biggun' as the ever so popular Indian restaurant is set to open this August in a beautiful Grade-II listed building on Vicar Lane which was formerly Flannels.
First opening in London, Dishoom now has restaurants dotted all over the UK including a huge site in Manchester. The group is famed for its lavish and grand interiors, as well as its home-style curries, grills and breakfasts including its legendary bacon naans.
Acai and the Tribe
88 Vicar Lane
Image: The Manc Group
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
This Japanese restaurant serves a menu full of sushi as well as grilled meats on sticks, sharing sides and build-your-own hand rolls. All of this is wrapped up in the most gorgeous interior, which you can see from their jaw dropping new Manchester site.
Occupying the Grade II-listed space on Vicar Lane, the three-storey building will include a 220-cover dining room, 30-cover terrace and an upstairs bar.
New York-style pizza pop-up, Edges Pizza, is set to open in Leeds.Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residences across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat. Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June.
Okay, this one might not be happening this year...but we still had to mention it so please forgive us.
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Featured images - The Manc Group
Leeds
Pioneering Bradford artist David Hockney has passed away aged 88
Clementine Hall
David Hockney, one of Britain's most influential and recognisable artists, has sadly died.
Born in Bradford in 1937, David Hockney built a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.
He was best known for his vibrant paintings, from the iconic swimming pools of Los Angeles to the sweeping landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy.
And of course you can't forget the adorable paintings of his sausage dogs Stanley and Boodgie.
This morning on Friday 12 June, it was sadly announced that David Hockney had passed away - just one month prior of his 89th birthday.
Admired by critics and the public alike, Hockney's work was exhibited around the world and attracted record-breaking prices, cementing his place as one of the defining artists of the modern era.
Most recently, his incredibly immersive exhibition 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)' was a hit across the country, proving his work still resonated with the people of today.
His work at Salts Mill has remained in exhibit for years, including his special digital drawings that he did on his iPad.
His death marks the end of a truly extraordinary career, but his influence on British culture and contemporary art will endure for years to come.
A true West Yorkshire icon that will be missed by many from across the globe. RIP David.
Sophie Smith -
24th November 2021 
