1. LS6.
A stone's throw away from the infamous Hyde Park, LS6 is an essential culinary hotspot. Serving brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails, this restaurant offers plenty of choice. Visit on a Sunday morning, and you'll find the place saturated with students, both hungover and functioning, in search of food. LS6 accommodates for those liable to sleeping in until midday: brunch is served until 4pm. Anyone who knows Leeds will know that many of the student body are either vegetarian or vegan: LS6 is the perfect place to find both meat and quorn. Prices are fair, and the service is friendly. The milkshakes are also pretty awesome.
LS6, 14-16A Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 2AS.
2. Trinity Kitchen.
Trinity Kitchen is essential Leeds eating. Situated inside the Trinity shopping centre in the city centre, Trinity Kitchen is a canteen, offering all an array of culinary delights. Permanent food stalls include Pho, Chip + Fish, Chicago Rib Shack, Duck 'n Roll, Rola Wala, Tortilla and Absurd Bird. Five new food stalls are rotated each six weeks, meaning that there's always something new to try should you get bored of your old favourites. Vegans and vegetarians - fear not. There are plenty of meat-free and dairy-free options to choose from.
27 Albion St, Leeds, LS1 5ER.
3. Mog’s
This one is for the vegans of Leeds (and beyond). Mog’s prides itself on being one of the best vegan eateries in the city. Situated close to the student area, Mog’s serves vegan junk food. Ever been to V Rev in Manchester's Northern Quarter? Think along those lines. Even better: it's just been renovated, so you can eat your vegan burgers and sip your vegan milkshakes in peace.
55 Kirkstall Lane, Leeds, LS5 3BE.
4. Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen.
Ah, Belgrave. An institution. It's a bar, a restaurant, and a music venue all in one. They even offer free yoga classes during the week. With a roof-top bar as well as inside seating areas and spaces for music venues, Belgrave has it all. Patty Smith's burgers and Dough Boys Pizza are both permanent eateries here. Patty Smith's is particularly excellent. The jackfruit burger and loaded fries are simply untouchable. Pints are slightly more expensive than is perhaps expected of Leeds, but the food is reasonably priced. It's possible to get a burger and fries for around £8, and a pizza slice for around £3. Go before your student loan starts to dwindle, and bask in the fairy lights and neon sign of the rooftop bar (maybe bring a jacket though - this is Yorkshire we're talking about).
1-1A Cross Belgrave St, Leeds, LS2 8JP.
5. The Cat's Pyjamas.
If you went to Leeds and didn't have a curry, did you really go to Leeds? The Cat's Pyjamas has two restaurants: one in Headingley, and one in the city centre. Again, this eatery offers both meat and meat-free options. The portions are sizeable, and the prices are fair. The Cat's Pyjamas prides itself on offering Indian street food and craft beer. If you want something a little bit different, then here's the place. It's also available for delivery, should you be feeling lazy (or hungover, take your pick).
9-11 Eastgate, Leeds, LS2 7LY.
6. Bakery 164.
Any student of the University of Leeds will know this place well. It attracts a certain type of student, particularly third years, who leave their all-day library stint for one of Bakery 164's famous sandwiches. There isn't anywhere to sit down in here, as the bakery only offers a takeaway option. Many choose to sit on the steps of the Parkinson Building just opposite (you'll have reached peak Leeds student status, if you do). Bakery 164 caters for meat-lovers, vegetarians, and vegans. Sandwiches can be served both hot or cold (heat them up, I promise you it'll be worth it). The price of a sandwich is usually around £3.50-£4. They're huge though, so worth the money. If you're looking for a coffee or cake, these are served here too.
164 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9HB.
7. Mrs Atha's.
Mrs Atha's is quaint. Offering brunch, lunch, coffee and cakes, this is the perfect weekend eatery. The coffee is excellent, and the service is friendly. If you're seated downstairs, you'll be greeted with an array of vintage furniture. The tables are made out of old sewing machines, and there are old lamps dotted around the place. There's also an array of cute vintage wall-hangings, should you want to admire something whilst you eat your scrambled eggs. As ever, this place caters for vegetarians and vegans (in 2018, it's hard not to). Central Road is also home to vintage shops and record stores, so there's plenty to do afterwards.
Central Road, Leeds, LS1 6DE.
