Here’s your list of mouth-watering eats to try this Veganuary in Leeds.
It’s not just going to be tasty, it’s going to be lip-smackingly delicious. Veganuary means forgoing meat and dairy for one whole month, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. From classic Sunday roasts to full blown fry-ups and fluffy pancakes, wholesome bowls of dhal to loaded burgers and tasty bao buns – it’s all 100% vegan. Which will you try first?
The Annie Mac at Fat Annie’s
Fat Annie’s German-style franks are a firm favourite in Kirkgate Market. 100% vegan, these dogs are made with organic tofu and smoked with beechwood. Go for the signature best-seller – the Annie Mac. That delicious, smoked sausage is piled to the brim with melty vegan cheese, tangy house pickles and crunchy fried onions. A generous drizzle of secret sauce brings it all together.
Fat Annie’s, Kirkgate Market, 28-34 George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY.
Salt & Pepper Aubergine Bao at Little Bao Boy
At Leeds’ Little Bao Boy, you’ll actually find more vegan options than meat, making it a go-to this Veganuary. The pick of the bunch is the salt & pepper aubergine – panko and sesame-crumbed aubergine, tossed in tasty salt & pepper seasoning. Sriracha mayo adds a touch of spice, while cucumber, spring onion and sesame bring the texture. Grab a napkin – it’s messy.
Little Bao Boy, North Brewing Co. Tap Room, 3 Sovereign Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4BA & Springwell, Buslingthorpe Lane, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2D.
Sriracha Cauliflower Burger at Cantina
Cantina serve up some of the city’s best vegan junk food from their spot above The Old Red Bus Station. The cauliflower burgers are packed with texture – crunchy deep-fried cauliflower steak provides a hearty burger filling, which is accompanied by bold, punchy flavours. In this case, it’s tangy kimchi and glorious sriracha caramel – the sweet but spicy sauce is simply divine.
Cantina, The Old Red Bus Station, 104 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7NL.
Wild Garlic Marinara at Pizza Loco
There’s something special about a marinara pizza. Crushed vesuvio tomatoes and copious amounts of garlic are joined by oregano and extra virgin olive oil, delivering your tastebuds a straight-up flavour sensation. Add wild garlic by request for no extra charge. Pizza Loco’s wood-fired pizzas are up there with the best in Leeds, so get them on your list this Veganuary.
Pizza Loco, 484 Roundhay Road, Roundhay, Oakwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2HU.
Mock Jerk Chicken at Ryan’s Kitchen
Caribbean food isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think vegan, but Ryan’s Kitchen is here to change that. Their next-level mock jerk chicken offers up all the flavour of regular jerk chicken, but without the meat. The mock chicken is marinated in a mild jerk seasoning, then smothered in a delicious pineapple habanero sauce. It definitely needs to be tried.
Ryan’s Kitchen, 329 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2HD.
The Signature at Friends of Food
Friends of Food ship simply, plant-based burgers to the hungry vegans of Leeds. This Veganuary, start with the Signature. A juicy Beyond Meat patty provides the filling, topped with smoked vegan gouda. No burger’s complete without pickles, and they’re joined by lettuce, tomato and red onion to offer that all-important crunch. Dripping in house sauce, you’ll need to use both hands.
Friends of Food, 12 Hyde Park Corner, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1AF.
Vegan Breakfast at Wapentake
If it’s a hearty fry-up you’re after, Wapentake will sort you out. You’ve got your full English classics like grilled tomato and fried mushrooms, flavoursome vegan sausages and a pot of their signature Henderson’s beans. Paired with creamy smashed avocado and a few slices of toast, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. Starving? Make it a Viking and double everything up!
Wapentake, 92 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DJ.
Herby Mushrooms on Toast at Grön Kafe
The herby mushrooms on toast dish at Grön Kafe is perfect for the elegant bruncher. Their toasted artisan sourdough is layered with creamy, garlicky-cashew mayo and delightful pickled mushrooms, then topped with a crunchy herb crumb and micro-greens. Pair with a refreshing juice blend or a chai latte for a brilliant way to start the day – full of plant-based yumminess.
Grön Kafe, 454 Roundhay Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2HU.
Vegan Crumpet Benedict at FINT
FINT’s homemade crumpets are a rite of passage, and their vegan Benedict allows you to enjoy them in all their glory. Two melt-in-your-mouth crumpets are topped with wilted spinach, tofu and that all-important vegan hollandaise sauce – oh it’s good. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better plant-based brunch in Leeds this Veganuary.
FINT (previously Fettle), 73 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3BR.
Falafel Wrap at Falafel Guys
Forget everything you know about falafel. These balls of Middle Eastern flavour are made fresh and cooked until beautifully golden, right in front of your eyes. Layer them up in a toasted wrap with pink beetroot hummus, fresh salad and chillies, then smother it with your choice of sauce – tahini, aioli and hot sauce are all on offer. It’s a falafel wrap like never before.
Falafel Guys, Assembly Underground, 12 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AL and SALT Granary Wharf, Candle House, Granary Wharf, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4GJ.
What’s the Quack? Pizza at Dough Boys
Fancy a bit of fusion cuisine? China meets Italy in Dough Boys’ What’s the Quack? Pizza. Grab it by the slice (or the pie) and indulge in pizza dough hand-stretched on the day. On top, you’ll find tasty mock duck, vegan mozzarella and pickled cucumber liberally drizzled with hoisin sauce. It’s topped off with curls of spring onion and toasted black sesame seeds.
Dough Boys, Belgrave Music Hall, 1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP.
Pancakes at The Greenhouse
You won’t find a better stack of pancakes in Leeds this Veganuary. Fluffy, light and topped with all manner of deliciousness, they smother them in creamy coconut yoghurt and tangy berry compote, sprinkled with crunchy granola and a drizzle of maple syrup for a hit of sweetness. The icing on the (pan)cake is the finishing touch – edible flowers!
The Greenhouse, 85e Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5BP.
Dhal and Okra Fries at Bundobust
Okay, so it’s not one, but two dishes for you to dive into at Bundobust this Veganuary – they just go together oh-so-well. On a menu packed with vegan standouts, it’s the classic dhal that leaps off the page. Warm and soothing with plenty of garlic, roasted cumin and mild chilli, it’s just waiting to be dipped in by your new best friends – those wonderfully crisp okra fries.
Bundobust, 6 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DQ.
Chick’n Parm Kebab at Doner Summer
If there’s one dish to try in Leeds this Veganuary, it’s Doner Summer’s Chick’n Parm Kebab. It’s piled high with yumminess – you’ve got the soft comfort of a garlic and coriander flatbread, gooey vegan cheese and crispy buttermilk fried chick’n. Then, there’s garlic butter, tomato relish, bright green pickle mayo and pink cabbage. It’s a party for your eyes and your mouth!
Doner Summer, 10-12 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DN.
Mock Duck Session Fries at Patty’s Burgers
Patty’s session fries are stuff of legend in Leeds, and their mock duck version is a must this Veganuary. Stuff your face with a share-size portion of twice cooked skin-on fries, loaded up with tasty mock duck and lashings of hoisin sauce. There’s texture and crunch aplenty from the zingy pickled cucumber alongside chillies, sesame seeds and spring onions. Massive, messy and moreish.
Patty’s Burgers, Belgrave Music Hall, 1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP.
Sunday Roast at Ilkley Moor Vaults
Missing a comforting roast dinner? Ilkley Moor Vaults is the place to be. It starts with a root vegetable and nut roast, and ends with crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside, homemade vegan Yorkshire puddings. In between, you can tuck into all your favourite trimmings including roast potatoes, root vegetable puree, savoy cabbage and tenderstem broccoli.
Ilkley Moor Vaults, Stockeld Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9HD.
Biscoff Donut at Doboy Donuts
If you haven’t heard already, Biscoff is a bit of a cult flavour for vegans. That’s why Doboy Donuts’ Biscoff donut is a must try. If you can wrap your mouth around it, you’ll dive into heaven made from caramelised biscuit. The fluffy ball donut is filled with scrummy Speculoos whipping cream, coated with a sticky vanilla fudge glaze and topped with a crunchy biscuit crumb.
Doboy Donuts, Cardigan Mills, Lennox Road, Burley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2BL.
