Being vegetarian is hard enough without having the awkward moment when you are at a restaurant with your friends scouring for options, only to sigh dejectedly, and settle for the usual pasta or salad. During my search in Leeds to find really tasty and unique vegetarian food (places that you can even take your non-vegetarian friends to) I have realised that there are tons of options. This list keeps expanding due to the growing demand for vegetarian/vegan food!

The following are my favourites:

Bundobust

This place is something that I find so unique. It is a bar, with amazing beer and Indian inspired bar food. Everything on their menu is vegetarian, and there are also tons of vegan options. The vada pav is a must try, and so is their chaat. If you are looking for a fun night out, bundobust is a chilled hangout spot. You can also try out their combos to get a variety of snacks to munch on while you drink.

They also have a lunch offer where you can have 2 dishes £7.50!

Address - 6 Mill Hill, Leeds, LS1 5DQ

HUMPIT

Humpit is a hummus and pita bar, located in the Corn Exchange in the city centre. You can either order their filled pita with your choice of toppings, or hummus with a side of pita. They also have other Middle Eastern dishes like falafel with plenty of side options. It is easy on the pocket, and is a quick meal to have when on the run. It is ideal for a Sunday brunch followed by a walk in the city centre.

Address - Corn exchange, call lane, Leeds LS1 7BR

Gabbar

Gabbar is another city centre favourite. It is a bar, a restaurant and a club late at night. It is a unique setting whether you're looking for a dinner, drinks or a big night out. The walls are full of old Bollywood movie posters. Gabbar has an array of food choices, be it the street food, or north-eastern Indian momos, or the option to get a trio of mains. There are delicious desert options too. One thing you can’t miss here is the masala chai. Although this restaurant has meat items on it, the vegetarian items tend to overshadow the meat. You would be spoilt for choice if you chose to come for a veggie meal here.

Address - 17A Merrion St, Leeds LS2 8JE

Nichols Vegetarian Eatery

Nichols, is a quaint vegetarian cafe, based in Chapel Allerton. It is perfect for breakfast as it opens at 8 am and it is light on the pocket. Their frittatas are delicious so are their buddha bowls. They also have a yummy coconut milk porridge, and with breakfast being served all day – it makes for a delicious 2 pm meal. The only downside is they close by 3.30 pm.

Address - 86A Harrogate Rd, Leeds LS7 4LZ

Roots and Fruits

Roots and Fruits is a vegetarian cafe based in the city centre. They serve mainly organic, locally sourced food. Their sandwiches make for a tasty lunch, and their lasagne is also great. They even have delicious smoothies for breakfast - and talking of breakfast, they serve it till 4pm. They even have a special main course which is always changing, which is basically their chef’s choice for the week.

Address - 10- 11 Grand Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Rolawala

This is one of my personal favourites in Leeds. They call it twisted Indian street food, but I think it is so much more. The delicious crispy naan with their saag or creamy chickpea filling, spicy mint sauce and pickled onions is food for the soul. They even have rice bowls where you can have the same toppings. You can make it as hot or as mild as you want, in my personal experience there is no wrong way. They even have cauliflower rice as a option for the base, if you prefer that.

Address - Trinity Leeds, Albion St, Leeds LS1 5AY

These are just a few of my personal favourites but there are also lots of others out there. Vegetarian food is an exploding phenomenon in the UK and the more you try out the more you realise that there is much more to being veggie than just salad!

Happy eating!

Anagha

Hello everyone, I am Anagha Kannan, hailing from Mumbai in India. I currently study an MA in Public Relations and Strategic Communications. I enjoy reading, writing and music. Apart from that, you can find me wherever the coffee and food is at!

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