New plant-based restaurant and bar Meat is Dead opening in Kirkstall Road

MeatisDead, owned by couple Vic Varley and Joe Tarpey, will offer plant-based dishes from breakfast in the morning through to drinks and cocktails in the evening.

The restaurant, based in the former Yorkshire Rose Fireplace Company building, will serve fresh and healthy vegan food, including smoothie bowls, sharing platters, and salads.

Joe said: “You don’t have to deep fry something to make it taste nice, we're looking to be a more Mediterranean style of eating with sharing platters and smaller plates of food to encourage a communal style of eating.”

They aim to offer food rich in nutrients, rather than the popular ‘vegan junk food’.

It will also offer a range of drinks from coffees, to juices and cocktails.

The restaurant aims to be as inclusive sustainable as possible.

It aims to use local produce, sourcing beer from local breweries.

Vic said: “We’re massively conscious of where we’re getting things from. Our long-term aim is to be waste-free, we’re absolutely minimising our footprint and recycling everything, and minimising food waste."

Joe added: "Everything will be cooked on electricity sourced from renewable sources. The whole project is about having as little impact as humanly possibly."

Opening a restaurant has been a long-term ambition for the pair, who met at college.

They've lived a meat-free life for more than 20 years.

In the future, they hope to host live events at the venue.

Joe added: “We want to create a vibe of the urban sanctuary, obviously there are certain things that we have to abide by but we want to place the feel like it’s got no rules.”

When asked about their pigeon logo, Vic said: “Pigeons symbolise freedom, a flock getting together without being judgemental - and all those things that we’re about.”

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