Go green for veganuary without missing out on your favourite treats.
According to EcoZone, beef farms are responsible for 37% of methane emissions- so if you're planning to make your life a little greener in 2022, veganuary is a great way to ditch the meat and the carbon footprint.
If you're looking to eat out whilst testing out a plant-based diet this January, look no further than The Box. The popular sports bar can be found in and around Leeds: both in the city centre and Headingley, you’re never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine here, but it's the bar's veganuary offers that have got us walking through their doors this January.
Full to the brim with the tastiest vegan junk food, BOX’s menu is set to include a game-changing “Not” Dog, which comes fully loaded with jalapenos, ketchup and mayo, served on a brioche bun. This is supplied by Moving Mountains who are known for their amazingly authentic meat substitutes which taste exactly like the real thing.
Their meat-free “Meatball” Pizza, topped with melted mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes and caramelised onion, is also set to be the perfect option for beginner vegans looking to try something new.
Finally, if you're looking for a vegan dessert that still includes your favourite sweet cravings like chocolate and ice cream, you're in for a treat. Customers can try a tasty vegan dessert courtesy of fellow Leeds based suppliers with the Brown and Blonde Lotus Biscoff Brownie, topped with Northen Bloc salted caramel dairy-free ice cream.
Oh, and did we mention all dishes are half price in January? Just make sure to book in advance and make sure you arrive at a time when the offer is active (peak times like a Saturday, the offer doesn't apply) to avoid disappointment.
Running from Tuesday 4 January 2022 until the end of the month, you can get your vegan foodie fix across all of The Box's three locations (they have a spot on Deansgate in Manchester too if you’re heading that way this Christmas).
Pornstar Martini, served in steins. / Image: The Box
Whilst you're there, you can also grab the likes of 2-for-1 cocktails, pornstar martinis, served by the stein and the best live games over January at The Box as you tuck into your half-price, plant-based meal.
Feature Image- The Box
Eats
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
Sophie Smith -
27th December 2021 
