A menu full of Vimto-inspired dishes? It's certainly one to try out.
There's very few food combinations that we'd bat our eyelids at, given the bizarre combinations served up in Leeds.
We have combos like deep-fried pizzas, marmite on everything, pancake kebabs and that's before we've even started to look at the incredible foodie challenges like three courses of Yorkshire puds or a 2.5kg chippy tea.
Image: Trip Advisor
This said, our latest find might just be the wackiest yet.
The Vimto inspired menu from pub chain Hungry Horse takes the northern staple beverage and adds it into its bestselling burgers and sharers.
As a sharer for two people, there's a 2300 calorie extravaganza that's not for the faint-hearted. Turn up stomach-rumbling for a Full Coburg loaf drizzled with garlic glaze, filled with a whole Camembert and topped with Vimto onion chutney then baked to gooey perfection. Served with onion rings, carrot and cucumber sticks, plus extra Vimto chutney.
Hopefully, this has only just warmed up your appetite as there's a monster stack of Vimto-flavour on the main menu to get through.
The Berry Cheesy Vimto One burger is a whipping two beef burgers with bacon, baked Camembert, jalapenos, red onion, tomato, baby gem, mayo and Vimto onion BBQ chutney between two crisp rainbow-coloured buns. Served with onion rings, fries and a ketchup dipping pot, this is a huge burger that's dividing opinions across the nation.
Image: Greene King
A review from the Manchester Evening News said "Once I got stuck in and past the soggy bun, it actually tasted decent enough, if distinctly lacking in Vimto flavour".
Meanwhile Grimsby Live reported "It tasted amazing. The bun had a subtle Vimto flavour, as did the burger, which worked perfectly with the saltiness of the beef and the bacon."
If weird and wonderful food isn't on your agenda, there's still plenty of non-rainbow, non-Vimto flavours to choose from. Think chicken burgers, 28-day-aged-steaks and a Tikka Tower: grilled naan bread piled high with fries and cauliflower wings, smothered in tikka sauce and topped with mint yoghurt and fresh herbs.
To get your Hungry Horse fix in Leeds, you'll have to hop in the car or train to the suburbs. You can visit the Lawnswood Arms in Adel, Lord Gascoigne in Garforth, the Walnut Tree in Wakefield or Stanley Ferry in Stanley, just make sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
2nd March 2022 
