Aldi has launched the UK's cheapest dine-in meal deal ahead of Valentine's Day, and prices start at just £2.99 per person.
With only a week of January left, Valentine's Day is right around the corner now, and that means restaurants across Leeds are likely already getting booked up by couples keen to celebrate their love on the special day.
But for those keen to keep things on a budget, there's always the supermarket meal deal, of course.
M&S tend to be the heavy-hitters when it comes to Valentine's dine-in deals, with other retailers like Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's also proving popular in recent years too, and many having already announced their menus for 2025 too - but now, there's a new rival on the block and, apparently, it's the cheapest you can get.
Aldi says its Valentine’s Day range is "a match made in heaven" for those looking to host date night at home this year.
Aldi is launching the UK's cheapest Valentine's meal deal for just £2.99 per person / Credit: Simon Hadley (via Aldi UK)
With prices starting from just £2.99 per person, there's everything from succulent seafood and steaks, to delicious desserts and drinks on the lineup this year - with shoppers guaranteed to be "pulling on those heart strings, not the purse strings".
The cheapest meal deal combination on the menu this year includes Aldi’s Specially Selected Heart Shaped Pizza, available in either classic margherita or spicy pepperoni, for just £2.99, which pairs perfectly with the Valentine’s Day Mini Heart Shaped Garlic Bread topped with mozzarella cheese for £1.49, and finished off with the sweet treat of Pink Mini Heart Pancakes, also for £1.49.
If you stick to just these three food courses, then this combo will only set you back £5.97 all together, but you can also choose to add bubbles onto the deal for under a fiver too.
A sneak peak at some of the options on the menu this year / Credit: Aldi
Some of the other options for mains include the Nduja-style Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts, two different Specially Selected Heart Shaped Pasta dishes, Duck Breasts with Plum & Hoisin Sauce, Gastro Wagyu Pies, and even Wagyu lasagnes, as well as plenty of choice for vegetarians and vegans.
Options for starters and sides this year include things like Gastro Wagyu Triple Cooked Chips, and two different Specially Selected Mac & Cheese dishes.
And when it comes to desserts, those with a sweet tooth can choose from options such as the Tear and Share Cookie with a milk chocolate dip, Specially Selected Cheesecake Slices, and even a new Vegan Caramelised Biscuit Heart Sponge Pudding to finish things off.
Aldi’s Valentine’s range is available in stores from 10 February, so you can get the goods in just in time for the big day itself.
A Sheffield pizzeria has been named one of the world’s best in a prestigious global ranking.
Forbici, the restaurant where all pizzas are served with a pair of scissors, is the only northern pizzeria to be recognised at last week's Best Pizza Awards 2026.
The awards took place in Milan, and are said to be the Michelin equivalent of the pizza world.
Forbici was named as creating one of the world’s best pizzas, with its master chef recognised as one of the top pizza chefs in the world.
It’s one of just two UK pizzerias listed in the coveted top 100 this year.
Images: The Sheff
Forbici opened in Manchester back in 2024, and has since expanded across to lovely Sheffield on Millennium Square back in March.
It was also once named by Marco Pierre White as ‘the best pizza’ he’d ever had - quite an accolade.
Biga pizza dough at Forbici is slow-fermented to create a light, risen crust, before being topped with quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and Italian produce.
It also has a lot of northern flavour, thanks to local specials like the Lancashire Hotpot – a pizza topped with crisps.
And all pizzas are served with scissors, inspired by the pizzerias of Naples, to be cut into quarters.
Master baker Davide Argentino is a fifth-generation baker from Napoli. While his family runs two bakeries on his behalf back home, Davide brings a true taste of authentic Neapolitan pizza to the UK.
Commenting on the recognition, Davide said: “It is a huge honour for Forbici to be recognised as one of the best pizzerias in the world.
“Baking has been in my family for five generations, so this is a really proud moment. In crafting Forbici’s signature dough we challenged convention pushing the fermentation process to the limit. Every bite reflects the patience, precision and expertise behind our approach.
“This recognition belongs to our entire team, whose passion, skill and commitment to the craft of pizza-making make Forbici what it is every day.”
An intimate Japanese katsu bar with only 15 seats is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Chef Fern is taking on another venture, and this time it's all about Katsu.
If you know anything about the Leeds food scene, then you'll know the absolute legend that is Chef Fern.
Her first restaurant, Fern Modern Sushi, is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Known for their expertly crafted sushi made with only the freshest fish on offer.
Nestled in the Central Arcade, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant captured the hearts of many foodies since opening in 2024.
This year, Chef Fern set her sights on another restaurant on Vicar Lane.
Image: O Katsu
Tori Nori opened just a couple of months ago, a modern Japanese grill centred around the fiery robata where guests can watch the chefs cook everything from grilled fish to delicious yakitori skewers right in front of their very eyes.
Unsurprisingly, Tori Nori has also been a huge hit.
But there's just no stopping Fern as she goes on to open yet another restaurant in the city centre.
Introducing O Katsu, an intimate restaurant with only 15 covers serving premium katsu.
Katsu is basically a breaded, deep-fried piece of meat, seafood or vegetables. Served with steaming hot rice, shredded cabbage, miso soup and dipping sauces, it's nothing short of delicious and a popular meal enjoyed in Japan.
We don't know much abut the opening just yet, but what we do know is that it'll be located just opposite her first restaurant in the Central Arcade.
There will be no bookings, and the space will feature an open kitchen so guests can watch the magic happen.
One things for sure, if Chef Fern is involved you just know it's going to be brilliant. We'll keep you updated on the opening of O Katsu as and when we find out.
Emily Sergeant -
27th January 2025 
