Whenever we ask where the people of Leeds are heading on their lunch break - you can bet that Kirkgate Market is a strong contender.
With almost 200 different stalls and a huge array of street food vendors on offer here, it's far more than a piece of Leeds heritage, but a welcoming place for the whole city to call home whenever they need.
Fat Annie's has been part of the furniture at Kirkgate Market since 2016, slinging out hot dogs and burgers, as well as an ever-evolving menu full of shakes, loaded fries, meal deals and monthly specials.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The company originally sold meat but as owner James started to learn more about the industry 'the less he liked' and eventually took the plunge to go meat free and completely vegan in 2022.
Despite the change, Fat Annie's remains one of the most popular hot dog joints in the city with meat eaters and plant based foodies alike (and we can agree with the reviews that every meal is fresh and packed with flavour) - and has just hit its best year to date.
Now the opportunity for someone else to take over the reigns has arisen, as James plans to bow out for personal reasons.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the caption reads:
"Hi! It’s James the owner here, I’ve got some news that could potentially be an exciting opportunity for someone out there.
"After nearly 10 years running Fat Annie’s I’ve decided the time has come to step aside from the business, so I’m putting it up for sale. Getting married 2 years ago and balancing work in Leeds and family life in Manchester as well as having had a health scare earlier this year (which thankfully I’m now fully recovered from) I’ve decided I want to spend more time on the other side of the Pennines at home with my family in Manchester.
"Fat Annie’s is a thriving business, especially since our move to meat free nearly three years ago, recording our best ever year last year and this year on course for being even better. It would be great for some fresh energy and ideas to come into the business to take it to the next phase in its evolution.
"I’m selling the unit at Kirkgate Market with all equipment, website, branding, socials as well as the hot dog cart and a storage unit full of equipment ready for doing events, with some already booked in. With a great team, strong social media and an ever growing reputation amongst the vegan community im sure the future will be bright for Fat Annies in the right hands.
"If you or anyone you know is passionate about plant based food and would like to own this little slice of the street food history please get in touch on email at james@fatannies.co.uk.
"For now, nothing will be changing, I’ll still be around and out and about with the hot dog cart and we'll continue to offer some of the best plant based food around. As well as a busy summer at the market, events and weddings to cater for, plans for our autumn specials are already afoot and I’m committed to keep Fat Annie’s running and growing until the right person comes along to take it forward longer term. I’m in no rush to leave, in fact I know I’m going to be sad when the time does finally come to say bye, but for now I’ll keep on enjoying everyday with our great team and lovely customers.
"Thank you, as ever, to everyone that supports us, it really does mean so much to us as a small business. James x"
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
Clementine Hall
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
Sophie Smith -
4th August 2023 
