From takeaways when you’re hungover to a fine dining experience, this is a little compilation of some of my favourite places to eat plant-based in one of the UK's greatest cities.
Rola Wala
A great grab-and-go spot when you’re in Leeds city centre, Rola Wala in Trinity Kitchen offers delicious Indian street food. Options include a naan wrap, a rice bowl, a lentil dhal, sweet potato saag and tasty toppings. Build your own bowl or wrap with the buffet-style system and top it with red cabbage, mango chutney and fresh coriander.
Oranaise
An alternative café and restaurant, Oranaise offers flavoursome North African food to people of all diets and has a whole vegan menu to browse. Try out Oranaise if you fancy mezze platters, tagines, wraps, kebabs and also some western classics. Enjoy the beautiful decor of woven carpets, lanterns and African pottery while you eat. Oranaise is also home to some of the best vegan cakes and desserts in Leeds; a little pistachio pastry by the name of baklava being a must-have.
LS6 Café
Just up the road from Oranaise is another café that offers some great vegan options. Famous within my group of friends for their vegan breakfast, this is our favourite place to drag ourselves to with a hangover. With plant milks to make vegan friendly coffees, an amazing brunch menu, as well as cocktails and live events in the evenings, LS6 café is multi-purpose and worth a visit at any time of the day.
Duke's Doughnuts
Situated on the edge of Hyde Park, Duke’s Doughnuts is within close walking distance for most students which makes it difficult not to nip in every other day. Every doughnut is 100% vegan and large in size (about double the size of a Krispy Kreme doughnut) which I think makes the prices worth it. Featuring amazing flavours that vegans across Leeds have been missing out on like Nutella, Ferrero Rocher and Cookies and Cream, Duke’s is a must-have visit for the plant-based crowd and anyone else wanting delicious sweet treats. Open until 2am, Dukes have previously been subjected to me stumbling in drunk and getting very excited about the fact that they also sell crêpes...
Prashad
A bit of a drive outside of Leeds city centre, Prashad in Drighlington has won awards for culinary excellence and has even been named the Best Indian Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay himself. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience and are willing to spend a little extra, Prashad’s vegetarian and vegan Indian cuisine is the perfect place to go. Presenting traditional North Indian food beautifully, Prashad is home to crispy samosas, potato fritters and coconut curries as well as a vast array of cocktails.
Punk
In the heart of Hyde Park is the gem that is Punk. An added bonus is that the café is entirely vegan and the couple that own it are so friendly! A great place to get a stacked BBQ burger, onion rings and fries and they also make their own charcoal burger buns! Punk also offers great vegan sandwiches including chickpea ‘chuna’ mayo and ‘chckn’ mayo, perfect to grab on the way to uni.
Wawin
Possibly the best takeaway that I’ve had since going vegan, Wawin Chinese will cure your vegan blues when you’re missing your old Chinese favourites. Deliver to your door vegan salt and pepper ‘chicken’, ‘duck’ pancakes and tofu fried rice. I cannot believe I didn’t find out about Wawin sooner; it is perfect for vegans who are craving meat. I had to actually check the receipt to make sure they hadn't sent actual duck!
Zaap Thai
Although not exclusive to Leeds, I felt I had to mention Zaap Thai. A must-have visit for those who have a soft spot for authentic Thai cuisine, Zaap Thai offers a full vegetarian menu with 90% of the dishes being vegan. From calm coconut Massaman currys to extra spicy papaya salads, Zaap is home to some delicious choices, topped off with sweet and sticky fried banana for dessert. If you're lucky you'll be seated in the converted tuk tuk!
Roots and Fruits
Another city centre pick, Roots and Fruits in Leeds Grand Arcade is where you can find homely meals like soups, vegan sausage and mash and lasagne. Yummy gluten-free and vegan cakes along with plant milk coffees make Roots and Fruits a cozy lunch spot. With the menu changing weekly, you can try something different with every trip.
JJ’s Vish and Chips
Banana blossom ‘fish’, Tofish and chips, ‘Scam-pi’, vegan halloumi, ‘Kalamari’ and vegan 'bratvurst'...I could go on. JJ’s Vish and Chips is vegan heaven and hits the spot when you’re craving some seaside grub. They also make their own plant-based curry sauce, garlic mayo and gravy so that you don't miss out on any chippy classics.
This is just a dip into the Leeds vegan scene which is packed with even more great places to eat plant-based. Let me know if you would like to see more recommendations!