Veganuary in Leeds on a Budget – Review

New year. New me.

As January rolls around, many of us feel inspired to make positive changes for our health, for the planet and for ourselves. 

Enter Veganuary: the challenge to eat vegan for the month, cutting out meat, fish, dairy, eggs and any animal derived products. It is a great chance for meat eaters to explore plant-based eating to introduce a more flexible and veg focused diet into their lifestyle.

A decade ago, eating out as a vegan, especially individuals with allergens, could feel limiting. Today, it’s a different story. Leeds is bursting with vibrant, creative and genuinely delicious vegan options. Ranging from high class restaurants including The Forde, run by Horsforth’s own Masterchef finalist Matt Healy, to a diverse range of street food at The Market Kitchen in Kirkgate Market. 

I ventured across Leeds and its surrounding areas to taste-test the city’s best budget-friendly vegan spots. Here’s where to eat if you’re going plant-based this Veganuary without sacrificing flavour, fun or your bank account.

 

Little Scoffs — Horsforth

Located on New Side Road, Little Scoffs is offering 25% off sandwiches throughout Veganuary. Their menu reinvents meaty classics with plant-based flair, instant classics such as the Chick’n Caesar and a Reuben-style sandwich. 

The sandwiches are filling and clearly crafted with care. When it comes to replicating meat dishes with vegan food, texture and flavour is key. Little Scoffs excel in both. 

The cafe’s building is small but unmistakable. The exterior involves a mustard-yellow banner and a lime-green door that radiates its passion to bring happiness to the community. 

Their cafe really is an ambassador for the planet.

 

 

Pieminister

If winter blues or sniffles have you down, Pieminister is comfort food at its finest. Their £10 lunch deal includes a classic pie, mash and gravy 

The award-winning Chana Rama is a popular choice, but personally nothing beats the Mooless Moo (a vegan take on a steak and ale pie) when paired with mash and gravy. Whichever you choose, expect hearty portions that will leave you warm, full and content.

Besides, we’re in the north, who doesn’t love a pie?

Bundobust

Founded by two Bradford lads, Bundobust serves bold Indian street food in a setting just as vibrant as its flavours. Pop-art graphics, colourful menus and a buzzing atmosphere make it a fun and casual place to dine.

The vegan menu is anything but dull, featuring classics like Tarka Dhal and Bhel Puri alongside fusion dishes such as Raghda Pethis. While slightly pricier than a Greggs vegan sausage roll, Bundobust’s lunchtime deal (£11.25 for two dishes) is excellent value. You won’t regret trying the Mung Bean Chatpata with Chole Saag. 

Bundobust is far from your average meal deal. 

Fat Annie’s — Kirkgate Market

If greasy burgers, hot dogs, fries and milkshakes are your guilty pleasure – Fat Annie’s has you covered.

Located inside Kirkgate Market, this American-style vendor serves 100% plant based food. A new twist on the 1950s diner.  

The Mac Stack Burger from this year’s menu is definitely something to try when you’re hungry. A plant-based patty layered with mac ’n’ cheeze, panko, pickles, lettuce and root-beer BBQ sauce, served with fries and a baconaise dip. The textures and flavours collide perfectly — soft, crunchy, tangy and creamy all at once.

The calories are absolutely worth it.

Hyde Park Book Club

Known for live music and comedy, Hyde Park Book Club also serves some of the city’s most thoughtful plant-based food. Their menu is entirely vegetarian and vegan, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients.

Choosing what to eat is the hardest part, everything on the menu sounds incredible. I will spotlight, however, the Hoisin Oyster Mushroom Bao Bun. It might just change your life.

This is a place that treats food as art, just as much as it celebrates Leeds’ culture and creativity. Ideal for a work lunch, brunch, or a quiet study break.

Banh and Mee — Kirkgate Market

Another Kirkgate Market steal, Banh and Mee offers some of the best Vietnamese street food in Leeds for under £10. The menu ranges from sandwiches and bao buns to curries, pho, summer rolls and Saigon fried noodles.

Whether you’re after a light snack or a hearty meal, there’s something here to satisfy every craving, all balanced with that signature Vietnamese sweet-and-sour flavour.

Kirkgate Market is packed to the brim with vegan-friendly options, check it out! 

Kuala Lumpur Café — Headingley

A true hidden gem, Kuala Lumpur Café delivers bold Malaysian flavours from a modest, no-frills setting. Just a short train ride from the city centre, it’s well worth the journey.

The menu features a wide range of curries, many of which can be served with vegan Nasi Lemak, a fragrant coconut rice accompanied by cucumber, peanuts, homemade sambal and poppadom. Each flavour on the menu can be served vegan and the staff are more than happy to help with allergens or dietary needs.

Simple surroundings, outstanding food.

 

Rita’s Beer Hall and Ballroom

Love food and live music? Rita’s is the place. Throughout January, they’re serving giant pizza slices for just £3 between 12pm and 10pm, including vegan options like Rita’s Marg and Portobello Blue Boy.

What sets Rita’s apart isn’t just the food, it’s the atmosphere. Live music every night showcases local artists across genres, from indie and rock to jazz and country. It’s lively, inclusive and impossible not to enjoy.

Stringy vegan cheese, great music, and dancing on tables? Sign me up. 

Noi’s Thai Kitchen

Tucked inside The Old Peacock on Elland Road, Noi’s Thai Kitchen is a brilliant fusion of cultures:  football on the TV, authentic Thai flavours on the plate.

Here, food is personal. Ordering isn’t just picking a dish; it’s a conversation about your spice tolerance, flavour preferences and dietary requirements. And yes, if you ask for spicy, they’ll check whether you mean ‘Thai Spicy’. I ended up being super super ‘Thai Spicy’, adding a potful of chilli to my tofu and cashew nuts.

With an £8 lunchtime menu, it’s exceptional value for such high-quality food, which takes you through a journey of sweet, sour, salty and fiery flavours.

 

Wetherspoons

You can’t talk budget dining without mentioning Wetherspoons. Love it or hate it, their menu offers a surprisingly extensive vegan selection – from a vegan breakfast for under £4 to curries and spicy ramen for less than £10.

It may not be the most personal or freshly prepared food on this list, but for an affordable meal with friends or family, it gets the job done without hurting your wallet.

Final Thoughts

Leeds proves that eating vegan, even on a budget, doesn’t mean compromising on flavour, comfort or creativity. Whether you’re committing to Veganuary or simply curious, the city offers something for everyone.

Who knows, veganuary may just last…