Tucked away on a housing estate in Leeds is an incredible hidden gem Ethiopian restaurant serving up authentic stews and curries with injera bread.
Called Abyssinia, it's become quite a hit over the years with Leeds' vegans for its tasty stews and curries - although there's plenty for meat-eaters on the menu here too.
You eat using the injera flatbread with your hands, scooping up dollops of stew and curry as you go - although there is cutlery on hand for those who want it.
The restaurant is unlicensed so it's a bring your own booze affair, but for those who forget there is an off-license across the road selling a good selection of wine, beer and spirits. This helps to make it a really cheap night out, perfect if you're on a budget but looking for some absolutely delicious food.
Plates like the shiro tegameno (£9), a spiced chickpea stew with injera and salad; and the beyaynetu (£10), a large mixed platter of injera topped with cabbage, spinach, lentil stew, chickpea stew and salad; cater well to vegans and veggies alike, with many commenting that despite there only being two options they've left feeling very happy and full.
As for meat-eaters, they are very much spoilt for choice. A quick glance in the 'non-vegetarians corner' section here starts with the epic Abyssinia special (£27), which combines roughly fifteen of the kitchen's meat and veggie dishes atop a giant injera bread, with extra rolled up on the side.
Beyond that, there are roughly fifteen different meat dishes. Many, but not all, are served with Injera - a traditional, sour-fermented flatbread that has a slightly spongy, 'pancake-like' texture.
These range from Kitfo, a hand minced beef tartar seasoned with organic butter and red pepper, to a dish of crumbed lamb fillet cooked with traditional Ethiopian spices and crumbs of injera.
Thebozena shiro makes an appearance again, this time with added pieces of lamb meat, alongside the yebeg wot firfir - a hearty stew of chopped spring greens and cooked lamb in a rich, spicy sauce.
Other dishes that catch our eye include the doro wot, a tender chicken leg marinated in lemon, ginger, garlic, onion and nutmeg before being stewed in Ethiopian butter and a spiced chilli powder called Berebere, and the dulet, an offal dish of seasoned lamb tripe, liver and lean minced beef mixed with onion and chilli.
Not only is the food incredible, but the service is also so friendly you feel right at home in the busy little restaurant, which starts to feel more and more like a friend's kitchen or living room as your meal goes on.
As well as serving up some brilliantly authentic dishes, Abyssinia also does a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony where the coffee is roasted live in front of you.
A real performance, it's a great way to end the meal as you watch your hostess take the green beans, and clean and roast them in front of you.
Drunk from small, handleless cups, the coffee is served with popcorn here and poured from a great height in a single stream allowing you to breathe in the aroma before tasting.
A true hidden gem, not only is Abyssinia great value for money but the team are so friendly you are pretty much guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face (and change in your pocket).
To find out more and book a table, check out Abyssinia's website here.
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
News
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Georgina Pellant -
13th August 2021 
