Restaurants across Leeds have really outdone themselves this Christmas with their vegan menus- check out our top picks this December.
Long gone are the days when we would have to scour the internet to find a restaurant that offers at least plant-based dish on the menu or live on salad, because getting in vegan alternatives 'wasn't worth it because they're too unpopular to sell'.
Christmas is the only time of the year where it feels as if this sense of dread can return: for some reason, everyone seems to think turkey is for everyone- it's not. Not even many meat-eaters like it either.
Luckily, in Leeds we are inundated with vegan friendly restaurants that will be serving up some of the best plant-based Christmas menus around: some with sprouts, some without.
We've rounded up our favourite dishes in Leeds city centre so whether you're looking for a pre-Christmas hearty dinner or somewhere with a plant-based menu for the big day itself, we've got you covered.
Headrow House know how to throw a good vegan dinner party: the popular venue replace the mundane small talk with laughter, a chilled ambience and flavoursome dishes. Their new Christmas Bratz menu isn't just vegan friendly, but takes up almost 50% of the menu.
Opt for the classic Vegan Brat topped with crispy onions, sauerkraut and curry ketchup or go for the Vegan Loaded Pretzel Box which features a giant toasted pretzel, celeriac remoulade, seitan bratwurst sausage and curry ketchup. Pair either of these with a nice pint of german lager and you're on your way.
Yuzu Street Food at Thor's Tipi
The Snowboard Sharing Platter is available as meat or vegan dishes. / Image: Yuzu Street Food
An evening at Thor's Tipi is always a festive night: whether it's the smell of smoke that wafts around the tent, no matter how far you are from the fire or the mulled wine that never seems to leave your hands: it's a Christmas-must-do. This year, the pop-up have teamed with Yuzu Street Food to offer some delicious snacks, with plenty of vegan options available.
Our favourite has to be the Snowboard Sharing Platter. Not only is it served on an actual snowboard, but it's full of tasty small plates like Katsu fries, vegan Yuzu chicken sushi, veggie gyozas and Japanese fried tofu bao buns.
The New Conservatory
The New Conservatory have had a festive makeover too. / Image: The New Conservatory
Who says you have to go to an all-vegan restaurant to get great tasting plant-based dishes? The New Conservatory offer almost everything on the menu as a meat and vegan option, so naturally their Christmas menu is no different.
There's Creamy Garlic Mushrooms on toasted ciabatta on the menu, but it's the Traditional Nut Roast with a homemade red onion marmalade and served with roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, herb mash, yorkshire puddings and red onion gravy, that's got us booking a seat at the table.
Bundobust
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Bundobust is entirely a veggie restaurant, with plenty of vegan options to choose from. The Indian eatery was popularised after the Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli was spotted with Indian actress Anushka Sharma at the restaurant in the summer, and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
This Christmas, we'll be eating their Sprout Bhaji Butty. We're talking about a sprout, broccoli and onion bhaji patty spiced with fennel and chilli, salad and cranberry chutney in a vegan brioche. Plus, £1 of each butty sold goes straight to a charity to support local causes: a winning combo in our eyes.
Take a bite of an All American Christmas dish from Manahatta's festive menu. / Image: Manahatta
We've all pictured ourselves living through a winter in New York at some point or another. Whether your dream is to feature in Home Alone or simply take a brisk walk through Central Park with snow falling down as we wander through the city on Christmas Day and Manahatta is helping to bring this dream to life with an American-inspired festive menu.
The All American Hot Dog is ten inches of meat-free goodness and available on the Festive Bottomless Menu. We're talking about a Moving Mountains plant-based dog in a brioche bun, vegan cheese, pickles, jalapeños and all the sauces you need: ketchup, French’s mustard and mayo, served with fries.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding with two city centre openings.
Coffee lovers, you're going to love this one.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
One of their brand-new locations inside the Victoria Quarter will be opening next Monday 1 June.
Their new kiosk will be located outside Jo Malone London and marks the brand’s third site in Leeds.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To celebrate the launch, North Star will be giving away 50 free coffees a day from Tuesday 2 June until Friday 5 June - a total of 200 free drinks across the opening week. Customers will be able to claim any coffee from the menu, with one free drink per person available on a first come, first served basis, each day.
Their other new site is expected to be on Great George Street, and we'll keep you updated with any news on that one as and when we know more.
Speaking about the opening, Holly Kragiopoulos, Co-founder of North Star, said: “Opening a third site in the centre of Leeds feels incredibly special for us. Leeds has always been at the heart of North Star, so being able to bring our coffee into Victoria Quarter is a huge milestone.
"We wanted to celebrate by giving something back to the city and welcoming both loyal regulars and new customers with free coffee throughout our opening week.”
Thor’s Tipi chosen as the new operator to create a ‘distinctly Yorkshire’ Leeds Christmas Market 2026
Clementine Hall
Leeds City Council has appointed Thor's tipi as the new operator of Leeds Christmas Market 2026 on City Square.
We hate to mention the C word in May... especially in the midst of a heatwave, but just bare with us on this one.
The beloved Leeds Christmas Market will have a new operator this year, as creators of pop-up seasonal bars Thor's Tipi have been given the responsibility by Leeds City Council.
So, what's going to be different?
Thor's tipi will create a ‘distinctly Yorkshire’ retail, craft and food market which celebrates Leeds identity.
Image: Supplied
The market will feature a Yorkshire based line-up, full of popular local names and Leeds street food legends and a series of cabins will also be reserved for local craft businesses and emerging artisans.
Alongside plenty of shopping and eating options, the Christmas Market will become a full-on-festive experience for visitors. There will be winter games and karaoke huts in an Alpine Lodge, the original THOR’S tipi - complete with its signature firepit seating area, free live music from local artists, school choirs & community performances throughout the season.
There will also be a host of family-friendly events, including a ‘Leeds Night Before Christmas’ trail, family raves and free craft tables.
Image: Supplied
Amanda Monaghan, Director of THOR’S tipi, said: "This is our eleventh year in Leeds and we’re super excited to bring the most beautiful Christmas Market to City Square! We’re especially looking forward to speaking with local traders about how we can showcase their talents. Get in touch if you’d like to be involved! We’d love to have you on-board.”
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council's executive member for economy, said: "We're delighted that Leeds will be welcoming a Christmas market again this year with a new look and that visitors will once again have the chance to experience the wonders of the festive season at the heart of the city centre.”
“As always, the council is committed to working with partners and providers to bring high quality and exciting events to the city. We know Christmas is always a special time in Leeds, and this year is set to be a memorable one."
Sophie Smith -
1st December 2021 
