Where and what to eat for Veganuary in Leeds?

Since the trend started in 2014, more than half a million people have given up an animal based diet for the month of January.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up the social life with many of Leeds’ cafes, restaurants and pubs adding a wealth of vegan options to their menus all year round.

However, even if you are late to the party and thinking of giving it a try there are a raft of places that may tempt you with some special dishes they have cooked up to see how plants might power you through.

Comptoir Libanais

Comptoir Libanais menus are already more than 60 per cent vegetarian and vegan choices but there are some “Lebanese Flavours of the Month’’ at the restaurant in Leeds Trinity.

They include Hommos and Falafel with Harissa Sauce which is smooth hommos and falafel with harissa sauce, parsley, extra virgin olive oil and pickled turnips; baked aubergine with pomegranate seeds, red chilli, fresh mint, coriander, pistachio and molasses dressing or slow cooked vegetable stew packed with tomato, pepper, aubergine, onion and chickpea served with couscous, quinoa or vermicelli rice.

Tony Kitous, the founder of Comptoir Libanais said: “Middle Eastern food lends itself so well to veganism with many of our dishes being vegan already.

“Chickpeas are one of my favourite ingredients and our falafel are so fresh and delicious and bursting with herbs and spices. We are proud to have many vegan dishes on our menu all year round and love celebrating Veganuary.”

Student pubs

Over at student pub favourites, The Dry Dock and The Library, breakfast through to dinner is covered.

Start your day with the Vegan Breakfast with Quorn sausages, hash browns, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and toast or the Vegan Breakfast Pot if you are on the go. Peanut butter and banana on toast is a tastier different option.

For the main event, The Dry Dock and The Library’s both do a vegan grilled sandwich with vegan cheese, plant based hot dog or burger, a warming Soya Keema, a tempting roasted red pepper and onion macaroni bake, vegan nachos or a BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Kebab.

Sides include cauliflower wings with a sweet chilli hit available, sweet potato fries, smoky soya fries orJackfruit Fries.

If you still have room for a treat, try the decadent chocolate salted caramel torte.

White Rose

And if you are out bagging the last of the January sales you will find plenty of options at the White Rose Centre to keep your shopping strength up.

Greggs’ lauded vegan steak bake; Prezzo’s garlic mushroom pizza; Pavs Dhaba’s Thali tray, with three different vegan curries; Wagamama’s Vegatsu, a vegan take on its popular katsu curry, and fish-less suika tuna; Pizza Hut’s brand new pepperphoni pizza, plus its existing offerings from vegan BBC jackfruit to hot ‘n’ spicy veg; An entire vegan menu at Chiquito, including the Palm Heart Baja Bowl and Chocolate Coconut Lava Cake; TGI Friday’s plant-based vegan burger; A choice of soya amritsari in burrito, bowl, or wrap at Wrapchic; Non-dairy milks including coconut, almond, and soya for no extra charge at Costa Coffee; Frankie & Benny’s vegan menu, boasting burgers, pastas, a fry up, and even no-cheesecake; Spud-u-Like’s coconut and lime curry or baked beans filling and Vegan PERinaise new in at Nando’s.

Steven Foster, General Manager at White Rose said: “January is a great time to try something different, and there are more incredible plant-based options than ever before. You don’t have to commit to a complete lifestyle change, even a meal or day a week can have an impact.

“We’re looking forward to visitors’ feedback on our restaurants’ new vegan dishes.”