The new festive menu with Terry’s chocolate orange desserts and turkey kebabs
Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookie Dough, turkey kekabs with all the trimmings, a full Christmas buffet: could The Botanist's Christmas menu get any better?
A Terry's Chocolate Orange is a Christmas classic and although we never get bored of the melt-in-your-mouth goodness, we are so ready for this makeover from The Botanist.
Christmas has come early at The Botanist and nobody is complaining.
The new autumn winter menu is out and full of winter warmers but, of course, their Terry's-inspired dish wins all the prizes for best festive dish.
In 2019, the restaurant blessed us with a Chocolate Orange Negroni, but they truly have taken it up a notch this year.
This one is all about the chocolate. A Chocolate Orange Cookie Dough filled with chocolate pieces, topped with vanilla ice cream and a signature segment of Terry's Chocolate Orange.
The Terry's Chocolate Orange Cookie Dough is just one of the stars of this menu. / Image: Jack Kirwin
That's not all though, the transformed menu is full of delicious Christmas treats that need to be devoured before tucking into this delicious desert.
The turkey with all the trimmings kebab is also set to be a firm favourite in Leeds and beyond.
The hanging kebab features turkey, stuffing and pigs in blanket skewer with as selection of roast potatoes: it really doesn't get more festive than that.
This festive kebab has all the trimmings, leaving the brussel sprouts optional. / Image: Jack Kirwin
Unless the Christmas Buffet takes your fancy.
We're talking turkey koftas, pigs in blankets and baked Camembert all on a huge sharing platter. Perfect for the season of giving.
The Botanist's staff are just as enthused about the menu changes as we are too.
James Scott, Exceutive Chef for The Botanist said:
“We can’t wait to welcome guests with their friends and family during the festive season.
Our new Autumn Winter menu contains cosy classic dishes alongside some new festive favourites – designed to let people celebrate Christmas whenever suit them! At The Botanist, we believe the winter 'tis the season to really indulge".
To book your place at the Christmas table, visit The Botanist website or pop into their restaurant located adjacent to Trinity.
Feature Image- The Botanist
Eats
The Franco Manca ‘pizza run’ explained – here’s how you can get a free pizza
If you’ve been wondering why you’re seeing a lot of free pizza lately, we’re here to explain the current Franco Manca pizza ‘run trend’.
And yes, we were the foolish ones enough to have not quizzed any of our jogging chums until now, meaning we’ve missed out on more money and free pizza. Sigh.
Nevermind, though, because at least we spotted it before the end of the month (this being Franco Manca’s main January deal), and we dare say that now you’ve heard about it, you’ll see plenty others popping up on social media with their free slices.
That’s right, it may be a very thin slice with a very long and thin slice, but that is as much of a pizza slice outline as we needed to qualify for the current deal.
Yes, we’re aware that the actual pepperonis on ours are more square than most – listen, we did our best, and we’ve certainly seen people pulling off better overall shaped pizzas than us; that’s part of the fun/and or challenge.
For instance, we didn’t mean for our picture to come out with one long crust running down either…
So, how does it work, you ask? Well, it’s quite simple, to be fair. All you have to do is run a pizza-shaped route (any pizza shape works, by the way), map your route on the likes of Strava or Apple Fitness, etc., then show your creation at your nearest and claim a quid off for every kilometre you run.
As advertised on the ‘Map My Pizza Run’ page on their website, the aim isn’t about putting pressure or hitting a strict target; you simply get rewarded the longer you go.
Here’s a handy example from a local running content creator for you:
There are some stipulations, such as not being used in conjunction with any other offer, one pizza map being valid per person, and the route has to have been run in January. You can find the full terms and conditions HERE.
Oh, and technically, you can do it however you like: run, walk, cycle – you name it. Other than that, we’ve pretty much given you all the info you need to know, so go and get yourself some free pizza.
January 2026 deals, discounts and offers at restaurants and bars across Leeds
Clementine Hall
Food might be the last thing you want to think about right now, but if there's anything to brighten up the gloomy month of January then it's the deals.
Right across the city centre, you’ll find generous discounts, special set menus, and other offers all the way through January, to help our local hospitality scene through famously one of the most difficult times of year.
You'll be able to save money on just about every kind of food you can think of, from steaming bowls of ramen to champagne and steak.
There are a lot of January offers to discover around Leeds, and it can get a bit overwhelming to narrow it all down, so we’ve done the hard work for you with a fairly comprehensive guide to the very best January deals.
The Cut & Craft
23 King Edward Street, LS1 6AX
Image: The Hoot Leeds
What is it: A luxury steak and seafood restaurant in the heart of the city centre.
The offer: Steak and Chips for £19′ offer, available Monday to Friday from 11:30am-4pm; there’s also a new set evening menu priced at £26 for two courses – Monday to Thursday, 4:45-10pm.
Blackhouse
What is it: An iconic Leeds steakhouse just moments away from the train station.
The offer: Enjoy 50% off food when you book online.
Galleria
Armley Road, LS12 2DR
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:One of Leeds' trendiest all-day hangouts and restaurants, located next to Project House this spot is perfect for some pre-gig scran.
The offer:Every Friday and Saturday night from 5pm through January (starting on the 9th), guests will be able enjoy a whopping 25% off their evening menu when booked advance.
House of Fu
15-19 The Headrow, LS12 2DR
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A staple for ramen lovers in the city with an interior so bright it'll blow away the January blues in an instant.
The offer:£10 ramen and rice bowls on weekdays plus a scratch card revealing a special prize.
Oporto
33 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Image: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:The city's most iconic late night Irish bar.
The offer: This one's a good one, £3 pints of Guinness from 12 - 3pm and £5 Guinness 3pm - close. Every single day throughout January.
Olive Tree Brasserie
8 S Parade, LS1 5QX
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A modern Greek-inspired restaurant in the heart of the city centre.
The offer:Diners can enjoy 40% include Sunday - Friday throughout January and half of February.
Harvey Nichols Brasserie and Bar
107-111 Briggate, LS1 6AZ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A restaurant serving brunch, small plates, and lunch options at any time of day.
The offer:30% off the a la carte menu from from 12pm between 6 - 30th January, excluding Saturdays.
Tattu
29 East Parade, LS1 5PS
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A swish Chinese restaurant famed for its enormous cherry blossom tree in the dining room, and its refined take on Chinese favourites.
The offer:30% off the a la carte menu, all Sunday to Thursday (plus until 4.45pm on Fridays) between 1 January and 8 February, when you book online.
Bundobust
6 Mill Hill, LS1 5DQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:Indian street food at its finest, Bundobust is a firm favourite amongst Leeds locals and has been for the past 10 years.
The offer: Two dishes and a beer for just £12.50.
Belgrave Music Hall
Cross Belgrave Street, LS2 8JP
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it: A laidback bar and music venue serving up delicious food from different vendors.
The offer: Get half price slices from Dough Boys Pizza until 7pm Sunday to Thursday and 5pm Friday and Saturday, or between Sunday and Friday choose from five dishes for just over a fiver from Patty's Burgers - we're talking smash burgers and their iconic session fries.
Power, Corruption and Lies
36 Call Lane, LS1 6DT
What is it: The funkiest bar on Call Lane serving dim sum and great cocktails.
The offer: Get 50% off dim sum and £20 bottles of prosecco every Monday throughout January.
Meat:Stack
3 Bishopgate Street, LS1 5DY
Image: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:A laidback burger joint serving American-style smash patties, fries and milkshakes.
The offer: Get a burger, chips, dip AND drink for just £10 between 11 and 3pm Monday to Friday.
Cinnamon Kitchen
City Square, LS1 1PJ
What is it: Leeds' newest Indian restaurant located in the beautiful Queen's Hotel.
The offer: Dine on two courses for £19 or three for £22 if you visit between 12 and 5pm, Monday to Sunday.
Neon Cactus
35 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it: A Mexican cocktail bar and taqueria that gives ultimate party vibes.
The offer:A whopping 50% off food throughout January. Simple, but very effective.
Waterlane Boathouse
Canal Wharf, LS11 5PF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What is it:The city's best canal side pub and eatery.
The offer:From 5 - 22nd January, enjoy 35% off all food all day every day and a sandwich plus drink for just £9.95 lunchtimes from Monday to Friday.