We’re now a couple of weeks into the summer holidays and we’ve not had the best weather so far, have we?
A meal out with the family is always a good idea for a rainy day, and if you’re anything like us, and enjoy taking children out for a meal (as I think us adults actually get more enjoyment out of this) then we have tracked down five of the best child/family-friendly places in Leeds, where you and the family, or friends, can enjoy too.
Fazenda
A meat lovers dream! Here’s your opportunity to experience it with the kids. Fazenda’s Southern American roots bring you and the family an extensive range of unlimited grilled meats, Argentinian and Brazilian hot sides and a Market Table offering a variety of charcuterie, seafood, fresh salad and vegetables.
Children under eight years old eat free, whilst children aged 8-14 dining at Fazenda will cost you £13.90 per child.
It’s definitely a different and interactive dining experience for the children, when you arrive, you are presented with a red/green card to which you utilise to inform the waiters if you are: red = too full, green = bring on the meat! The meat waiter(s), also known as a Passador, brings around the selections of meat which they carve and you retrieve with tongs. Once full, each diner can turn their card to red if they wish to have no meat, or keep it on green to indicate to keep the meat coming.
Worth noting: Fazenda offers a vegan, pescatarian, vegetarian and halal menu, with gluten free items included on the menu, so if there’s anyone with dietary requirements within the family- they have got you covered!
MEAT:STACK
Burgers and chips, chicken and chips…chips and chips!? What more could a child want?
Picture this: the ‘Best Parents Award’ goes to you, for suggesting this super fun and tasty place to take the kids to! Described as a family and children-friendly restaurant, MEAT:STACK graced Leeds with its renowned steamed, smash burgers in June 2022.
Their commitment to quality ingredients and unique cooking techniques reflect in the taste of their wide variety of burger, chicken and chip selections on the menu.
Double or triple up on your patty, we’re not judging! We really recommend you try one of their ‘house-made dip pots’ to submerge your beef dripping fries into- our fave was their ‘House Ranch’.
MEAT:STACK offers a kids menu, including a beef or chicken burger with a small portion of fries and a Fruit Shoot, for only £3 when purchased alongside an adult's meal.
Of course, we’re not forgetting about you! There’s a variety of tipples for the adults, ranging from American lagers, gin and tonic cans, or if that’s not your thing- they serve five flavours of delicious shakes or refillable soda’s.
Worth noting: The guys over at MEAT:STACK serve brunch Friday-Sunday 9AM-11:30AM if you want to treat yourselves to a pre-shopping brekky. Ranging from American pancakes, muffins and even a breakfast burger, it’s a great place to get a slice of the American dream here in Leeds!
The Tetley
The Tetley is a contemporary art gallery in Leeds’ up and coming South Bank area. Once the former headquarters for Tetley Brewery, the art deco building is now used for emerging artists to present free exhibitions, helping communities and young people in Leeds.
Within the building, is the Tiny Tetley Studio, an artist-designed play space for children under five. This is a great spot to tire out the littlies, then retire for a bite to eat in their Bar & Kitchen. Whether it's brunch, lunch or even a roast (only on a Sunday), their kitchen has something for everyone, including free baby dhal for the smallest of diners! We’ve got our eye on the Baltzersen's bread in the ‘Eggs any way’ dish.
The Tetley offer a ‘Free Family Pass’, giving you access to the space, offers in the Tetley Bar & Kitchen, and access to other free family activities, including updates of any family events.
Worth noting: It’s open Wednesday-Sunday 10AM-5PM and there is no on-site parking.
Leeds Market
Take your children back in time to a pre-supermarket esq era by visiting Leeds Kirkgate Market, which was at one point Europe’s largest market when it opened its doors in 1857! Since then we’ve seen the birth of Marks and Spencer’s (yes, in this very market!), dozens of street food vendors, a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker…you get the jist, Leeds Market truly has it all to offer!
Rivalling other major cities' food halls, Leeds Market boasts 12 street food vendors, including Vietnamese, Italian, Levantine, Caribbean and much more! It’s a great spot for when each family member can’t decide on the same cuisine.
Once you’re done eating, take a stroll into the market itself where you’ll find a range of bakeries that offer scrumptious sweet treats, which can be eaten there, or packaged up and taken home to enjoy later on the sofa.
Worth noting: This is a lunch, or early evening spot as the market shuts at 5:30PM and is closed on Sundays. Make sure to take a look around all the stands the market has to offer, there’s a range of fantastic businesses selling imported foods, houseplants, and if you’re lucky- sometimes Easter eggs, all year round!
Little Tokyo
Described as a ‘Japanese restaurant with Yorkshire roots’, Little Tokyo is based in central Leeds, on the street parallel to Briggate (next door to Mrs Athas).
Now not only do they have a fish tank housing…you never guess what, fish, but they also offer a Koi feeding experience every Sunday afternoon- a perfect way to entertain the children before or after you sit down for your meal.
Little Tokyo is perfect for families, the menu has so much to offer, that it will entice you to order various plates from sushi, gyoza, noodle-based dishes and more! There is something for everyone here in this small piece of Japan, nestled perfectly into Leeds City Centre.
Worth noting: Little Tokyo also offer a two-course lunch menu, Monday to Friday, between 12-4PM, perfect to squeeze in alongside a shopping spree in the city! They also cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requirements.
Food Tours in Leeds
If you've got to the end of the holidays, and need something to reward yourself with, or you'd like to enjoy some child free time doing something you love, come find out about different places to eat in Leeds and join one of our food tours!
Guided Food Tours
Guided food tours run every Saturday, and visit six different venues from cosy pubs, to market stalls, to modern restaurants. Hear the stories behind the venues, learn some foodie facts and Leeds history, and leave with a very full tummy!
You can find out more and book a guided tour here.
Self-Guided Food Tours
Self-guided food tours can be done any day of the week, at your own pace. Follow the map to six venues, hand over the tokens in return for a choice of dishes, and still learn lots using the fact cards.
Each self-guided tour pack includes food at six stops, for two people.
You can find out more and buy a self-guided tour here.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer holidays, lets hope for some nice weather soon!
Leeds Food Tours xx