A menu full of Vimto-inspired dishes? It's certainly one to try out.
There's very few food combinations that we'd bat our eyelids at, given the bizarre combinations served up in Leeds.
We have combos like deep-fried pizzas, marmite on everything, pancake kebabs and that's before we've even started to look at the incredible foodie challenges like three courses of Yorkshire puds or a 2.5kg chippy tea.
Image: Trip Advisor
This said, our latest find might just be the wackiest yet.
The Vimto inspired menu from pub chain Hungry Horse takes the northern staple beverage and adds it into its bestselling burgers and sharers.
As a sharer for two people, there's a 2300 calorie extravaganza that's not for the faint-hearted. Turn up stomach-rumbling for a Full Coburg loaf drizzled with garlic glaze, filled with a whole Camembert and topped with Vimto onion chutney then baked to gooey perfection. Served with onion rings, carrot and cucumber sticks, plus extra Vimto chutney.
Hopefully, this has only just warmed up your appetite as there's a monster stack of Vimto-flavour on the main menu to get through.
The Berry Cheesy Vimto One burger is a whipping two beef burgers with bacon, baked Camembert, jalapenos, red onion, tomato, baby gem, mayo and Vimto onion BBQ chutney between two crisp rainbow-coloured buns. Served with onion rings, fries and a ketchup dipping pot, this is a huge burger that's dividing opinions across the nation.
Image: Greene King
A review from the Manchester Evening News said "Once I got stuck in and past the soggy bun, it actually tasted decent enough, if distinctly lacking in Vimto flavour".
Meanwhile Grimsby Live reported "It tasted amazing. The bun had a subtle Vimto flavour, as did the burger, which worked perfectly with the saltiness of the beef and the bacon."
If weird and wonderful food isn't on your agenda, there's still plenty of non-rainbow, non-Vimto flavours to choose from. Think chicken burgers, 28-day-aged-steaks and a Tikka Tower: grilled naan bread piled high with fries and cauliflower wings, smothered in tikka sauce and topped with mint yoghurt and fresh herbs.
To get your Hungry Horse fix in Leeds, you'll have to hop in the car or train to the suburbs. You can visit the Lawnswood Arms in Adel, Lord Gascoigne in Garforth, the Walnut Tree in Wakefield or Stanley Ferry in Stanley, just make sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Sophie Smith -
2nd March 2022 
