Originally, one of the most challenging mealtimes to find vegan alternatives (in our opinion) is breakfast. Until recently, unless you were happy for fruit to be your start to the day, options were few and far between- and that was before trying to eat out.
Luckily these days the Leeds foodie scene is filled with plenty of imaginative plant-based brekkies. Healthy, tasty and ideal for trying out the best of Veganuary in our city, here's our top picks for breakfast as a vegan in Leeds.
Acai bowls are one of the most aesthetic breakfasts around and perfect for vegans wanting to get their five a day in whilst posting their meal on to their socials. The organic acai bowl is made from a smoothie base, topped with granola, fresh fruit and coconut flakes- so selections can vary from day to day, but we're convinced they're all just as tasty as each other.
If you don't fancy a smoothie bowl, overnight oats or a vegan full English with crushed peas, avocado, wild mushrooms, crushed new potatoes and cherry tomatoes make up just a few of the other plant-based alternatives you can grab at Wolfox.
Meat is Dead is a staple if you're a fan of being surrounded by plant-based goodness without a single sausage in sight. Naturally, the Meat is Dead menu is full of tasty brunch dishes for those that eat a little later. Open from 10am every day, visitors can feast their eyes of avocado, sourdough and plenty of plant-based coffee options too.
The menu at Meat is Dead is an ever-changing reflection of seasonal produce, but the most up to date menus are always up on their website. They also offer bottomless brunch on the weekends if you want to pair your plate with something boozy and bubbly.
Bubble and squeak is a classic- but this vegan version on the Fint menu has never made the classic leftovers dish look so delicious. Having reinvented their former site and coffee shop Fettle into an all-day, all-night restaurant, Fint’s breakfast menu is smaller than the former shop's to make room for their larger night time menu, but their options don’t need to be extensive to satisfy any breakfast craving that you might have.
The vegan bubble and squeak is made from local tofu, crushed potato, carrot, and parsnip bubble and squeak, speckled lentils, dhal and red cabbage, but you can also get seasonal sweet dishes like Winter Spiced Crumpet Pain Perdu too.
By day, Eat Your Greens operates as a grocery store, before transforming into a restaurant serving healthy, seasonal meals 5 - 9 pm a few days a week. Brunch is served at the weekends from 10.30am - 2.30pm, perfect for those that want a lazy morning before heading into the city centre. Organic, local and responsible, Eat Your Greens are proud to take on the world, one brunch at a time and show us how we can eat in a way that's good for our bodies and the planet.
The menu changes frequently, but there always seems to be plenty of mouthwatering vegan options on the menu, including the full plant-based brekkie (pictured bottom right dish) with all the veggies you could wish for.
Zero-waste, independent, and sustainable are the only three words we need to convince you at Cha Lounge are serious about going green and part of this commitment means offering plenty of plant-based breakfasts (they have the largest range of ethical lead teas in Leeds too if you needed any more proof). In addition to their coffee shop cakes and Friday night curries, you'll find a range of tasty treats here.
Choose from the Cha Vegan Breakfast with sweet potato and organic black bean sausages, mushrooms, smashed avocado and lime and much more, or for smaller portions like porridge and avo on toast.
If there's one vegan hotspot you'd expect to serve a good plant-based breakfast, it's LS6 Cafe. THe Hyde Park-based brunch spot is the perfect place to head for a recovery full english on a Sunday morning or an early morning spot to get you set up for the day. Plus, the entire LS6 menu is sourced from ethical and sustainable farms- so you know that the food going into your body is fuel good for mind, body and planet alike.
Try the vegan full english with vegan sausage, kumara hash brown, garlic and herb mushrooms, roast tomato, baked beans, garlic hummus and toasted rye or make up your own combination of plant-based brekkie using their sides and extras menu.
If you're heading over the M621 and need a drive-thru breakfast that will suit your vegan needs, look no further than the UK's first drive-thru Leon restaurant in Gildersome. Over Christmas, the popular eatery offered a Terry's chocolate inspired breakfast (pictured) but we're confident that their Ruby Red Porridge with organic activated almond milk will have the same delicious taste.
Of course, if you're in Leeds city centre, the train station store offer the same range of delicious plant-based treats, including breakfasts, wraps and the best oat milk lattes in the station.
Allow us to get you excited about the next one with a list of new openings coming to the city.
If you're feeling a little bit down in the dumps about 2025 ending then do not fear, because we've got a feeling that the next year is about to be even bigger and better.
There's already a great selection of restaurants, bars and shops gearing up to open up in Leeds during, so let us fill you in.
Salon Madre and Madre
Wellington Street
Image: The Manc Eats
Are you ready for a fresh taste of Mexico Leeds? Well you better be – because Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, is setting up shop on Wellington Street in due course.
Not only that, but their lively sibling Salon Madre will be opening next door on Friday 20 February. Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens. Madre will open one month later.
Trinity Kitchen 2.0
Image: Supplied
Trinity Leeds is embarking on a major transformation with a £15 million expansion, introducing a second food court called ‘Freight Island’ The upgrade will add around 72,000 sq ft of new space, including a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking City Square the perfect spot to enjoy great food with skyline views.
Burgerism
Meanwood
Image: The Manc Eats
You may remember when Burgerism had a delivery kitchen in Leeds, and ever since it closed we’ve had a Burgerism-shaped hole in our hearts. Well not any longer, because the Manchester-based burger chain has been given the go ahead to open a takeaway on Meanwood Road - hallelujah.
Dishoom
Taking over the old Flannels Site on Vicar Lane
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The legendary Indian restaurant group is coming to Leeds, and we’re absolutely buzzing about it. Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes of 1960s Bombay, which were meeting places for people from all walks of life.
Famed for their Indian twist on a classic breakfast (seriously, their breakfast naans are out of this world), Dishoom offers an all-day dining approach so you can get your Bombay fix from morning to noon and noon to night.
Planning permission is up for the restaurant to take over the former Flannels site on Vicar Lane, so fingers crossed it won’t be too long until we can all get stuck in.
Just when you thought the wine scene in Headingley couldn’t get any better, Once Upon A Vine is popping the cork on their third site - right in the heart of Headingley.
Expect hundreds of wines, plenty of bottles of fizz, and of course, a carefully curated local beer selection.
Uniqlo
Briggate
Image: Uniqlo
It’s happening…Uniqlo has confirmed it’s opening up right here in Leeds next year and we must say it’s looking very nice indeed. The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site. It’s part of a new expansion across the UK alongside new stores in Birmingham and Bristol.
A new Japanese grill and BBQ restaurant is opening up from Fern, the absolute mastermind behind Fern Modern Sushi. Opening up in the heart of the city on Vicar Lane, we can't wait for this one.
Dough Club
Burley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Dough Club, a Manchester-based Detroit-style pizzeria, is planning to open up in Leeds.
Famed for their chewy, thick, cheesy crusts that are loaded with all the toppings imaginable, they’ll be opening up a spot on Burley Road for all your pizza needs.
MADE Matcha
Lower Briggate
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing MADE Matcha, a matcha and açaí bar that has created waves in the foodie scene over in Sheffield since opening back in September last year. And it's pretty clear they're doing very well indeed, to be opening a second site in another city less than six months after launching is no mean feat.
Made Matcha will be opening on Lower Briggate in the Nice Things site and this pastel green paradise specialise in seasonal matchas that (almost) look too pretty to drink.
Lane 7
Albion Street
Image: The Hoot leeds
The independent bowling brand is set to open at Trinity Leeds in late spring, spanning a whopping 23,000 sq ft.
As well as 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, Lane7 will be home to other games including darts, pool tables, beer pong, golf simulators, and even an interactive 'Playground'.
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
News
Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer
Clementine Hall
Leeds Pride has confirmed the dates for its 2026 festival, which will mark the event’s 20th anniversary this summer.
And you bet that organisers are pulling out all the stops.
The city-wide celebration champions local LGBTQ+ talent alongside world-class headline acts, and this year for the first time ever, celebrations will be held across two days on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
The festival’s first performer has been announced as Strictly Come Dancing Icon & RuPaul’s Drag Race Star La Voix, who will be taking to the main stage.
Image: Supplied
And it doesn't stop there, Leeds Pride will feature a full weekend of diverse events, including the Leeds Pride Drag Brunch Fest, street parties across the city and of course the iconic Pride parade, which is set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
A Leeds Pride spokesperson said: "We're incredibly excited to celebrate 20 years of Leeds Pride. This milestone anniversary represents two decades of bringing our community together, championing LGBTQ+ voices and creating unforgettable moments.
Images: Supplied
“Leeds Pride is growing and stronger than ever and we're committed to giving Northern LGBTQ+ performers a platform to shine. This 20th anniversary festival will be our biggest and best yet, but as we expand, we need public and sponsor support more than ever to make our vision a reality. We're calling on businesses and individuals to get behind Leeds Pride and help us deliver an incredible celebration that our community deserves.
“Expanding to two days for the first time shows just how far we've come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to Leeds this summer for what will be our most spectacular Pride yet."
More details will be announced soon and you can find out more here on the Leeds Pride website.
Sophie Smith -
7th January 2022 
