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.
An independent matcha stand in Leeds has been forced to closed due to council concerns.
You may remember back in August when the whole of Leeds rallied to save Sips Matcha over in Headingley.
The front garden matcha spot has become a firm favourite for students and locals alike over the past year, gaining more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
The self-proclaimed 'tiniest matcha stand in Leeds' is located in the residential area of Little Woodhouse and is run by the lovely Matt and Julia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, in August their retroactive planning application was rejected by the council and they were given 28 days to remove the shed.
In a published document via Leeds City Council website, multiple reasons were listed for the decision to refuse planning permission for the bright-green matcha shed.
The electronic letter signed by Martin Elliot, Chief Planning Officer, listed spoiling the property's character, increased footfall, and a failure to comply with numerous development and design policies.
In response, Matt and Julia launched a petition urging people to save Sips Matcha, labelling the painted wooden shed-turned-coffee shop as a 'Community Stand'.
Despite over 3,000 signatures, Sips Matcha have announced on their social media today that the shed must be removed by the end of November.
The statement reads: "our retrospective planning was declined, we appealed, and the appeal was dismissed. then the dreaded email arrived: the shed has to come down by the end of november.
"we don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re working out what happens next. over 3,000 of you signed the petition and it meant the world. thank you for every sip, share and signature. come say hi while we’re still here."
We're absolutely gutted for them, so make sure you pop by for a matcha before the end of November to give them a proper farewell.
Here are six of the most exciting new restaurants and cafes coming to Leeds this year
Clementine Hall
The year is almost coming to an end, but Leeds is still bursting at the seams with plenty of new openings.
We love talking about food here at The Hoot, so allow us to indulge and let you know what foodie spots are opening in the city over the next couple of months.
Recently we've had everything from rotisserie chicken shops to Miami-inspired bodegas open up, and it seems like 2026 is the gift that keeps on giving...
It's been a long time coming but we hope you haven’t forgotten that viral matcha and acai spot Acai and the Tribe is coming to Vicar Lane very soon.
Known for its colourful acai bowls, smoothies and coffee, the brand already has locations across the UK, and now its setting up shop in Leeds.
Joe & the Juice
1 Trinity St, LS1 6AP
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Girlies grab your Stanley cups and book that pilates class, because Joe and the Juice is finally coming to Leeds. It's been open across the pond in Manchester for just over a year now, and we've been waiting with bated breath to see when they'd make the triumphant step to LS1. Well, the time has come…get ready for all the matcha, juices, coffees and, of course, their iconic Tunacado sandwich.
This much loved breakfast spot do one thing and one thing very well...egg sandwiches.
And it may be a familiar name to some of you lot, as Egg & Co recently opened up on bustling Deansgate in Manchester as well as inside Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield.
This will be their first site in Leeds, though, and we're very 'egg-cited' about it...sorry.
The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties, funky branding, and quick, reliable service. Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order.
After opening in Meanwood just a few weeks ago they're now coming to the city centre, get in.
If you're a fan of thick, chewy noodles, then you're going to like this one.
And that's because The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to welcome Lano Noodles, an authentic hand-pulled noodle spot. Specialising in freshly made noodles, authentic Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup and traditional Chinese snacks, the independent restaurant will be unlike anything you can currently find in the city.