Leeds Food Guide chatted to Dietitian and distance runner Sarah from @FoodNinja_NZ about some of her favourite pit stops in and around Leeds. Whether you are a walker, runner, cyclist or all three, as the weather brightens up and the days get longer getting outside is becoming more appealing. Le Tour de Yorkshire, happening this weekend, is also sure to motivate loads of us to get our trainers on and get out the door. Thankfully, Leeds is a great city for getting active with endless options for routes to explore. The city, and surrounding areas also boast some fabulous cafes, pubs and restaurants, all just waiting to fuel us up after a tough day on the roads or trails.
We have done our research and have come up with a great selection of walk, run and cycle routes which all incorporate at least one of Leeds' best eateries.
Walkers and runners
There are loads of amazing routes that range in difficulty starting in and around Leeds. We find that having a goal for your walk or run, i.e. going from A to B and finishing with food, can be a great way to motivate you to get your trainers on and get out. If you aren’t sure that you could get back to Leeds after the longer walks and runs, then why not take the train or bus to get back home?
Sarah from @FoodNinja_NZ loves finding new places to run and walk to, and loves enjoying a coffee and some cake when she arrives. Here are some of the ideas for pit stop cafes that we came up with for walkers and runners in and around Leeds.
Short route
Headingley/ Leeds to Meanwood (~6 mile roundtrip)
Meanwood Café, Meanwood Park
Meanwood park and the Meanwood valley trail are hidden delights close to the city center. Meanwood park has recently opened a fab all-day café serving tea, coffee and cakes – ideal as a pit stop on your short walk from Headingely/ Leeds.
Headinley to Horsforth (~6 mile roundtrip)
Another great route takes you from Leeds or Headingely to Horsforth. Horsforth boasts lots of fab little cafes, but we love the Greenhouse, a fully vegan eatery serving brunch, lunch and cakes. Make sure to have your phone or camera ready as their food is so beautiful! We would recommend trying their incredibly fluffy pancakes! Medium route
Headingely/ Leeds to Roundhay (~9 mile roundtrip)
Roundhay park is a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic, go for a walk or just watch the world go by. The park boasts its own great cafe called 'The Lakeside', which we would thoroughly recommend as a pit stop as hey have loads of cakes, hot and cold savoury food items and coffee and tea to keep you hydrated.
Gron Kafe, Oakwood
Gron is another brilliant spot to refuel. Serving the best in scandi-inspired dishes for a proper feed, with proper ingredients, Gron Kafe is a healthy pit stop for anyone out and about. We love their Budda bowls which are packed full of healthy and wholesome ingredients, and also look forward to plant based treats for dessert. Gron also has free wifi, so you can log in to let your friends and family know how your walk/ or run is going!
Long route
Leeds to Ilkley: The Dales Way Link (~30 miles, one way)
This picturesque and off-road route links Leeds to Ilkley, taking in some of the most beautiful spots in our area including Meanwood Valley, Adel Woods, Eccup Reservoir, Bramhope, Caley Deer Park and The Chevin. This incredible 20-mile (30km) route starting in Leeds, takes you through rural Leeds countryside, passes a range of great cafes and pubs (including the Golden Acre café in Bramhope, and the Cow and Calf on Ilkley Moor). The route ends in Ilkley where you have an even bigger range of fab food spots to enjoy (including The Commute Yorkshire Coffee house and Outside the Box café).
Cyclists
As a cyclist it is possible to cover much larger distances (and find even more great pit stops). Here we have come up with a few routes for Leeds cyclists, and have given some ideas for places to fuel up on each one.
Short cycle
Leeds to Headingley (~8 miles roundtrip, on the canal)
If you haven't ventured to the Leeds and Liverpool canal yet then you are missing out on some beautiful views, and some fab routes. The path is well looked after making it the ideal surface for long rides. But even for short outings, the canal is great. Why not head from the city center to Headingley, or Kirkstall - it will take you less than an hour and you will get to enjoy the countryside as you go. Stop in one of the fab Headingley cafes (e.g. Fika North, 21 and Co or Its all about the Bean) for some cake and a coffee!
Medium length cycle
Leeds to Otley (~22 mile roundtrip)
Otta’s Leah (LS21 3AG)
A relatively hidden café, Otta’s Leah, is in Otley center. It is a great spot to fuel up or rehydrate mid or post cycle. The café is large enough for big groups and serves a fab selection of hot and cold food. We love their breakfasts and cakes, but if you fancy something bigger then they have a great selection of lunches, and evening meals. Leeds to Saltaire (~28 mile roundtrip)
Don’t Tell Titus is a fab restaurant and bar in Saltaire serving a range of dishes – we love their chocolate gnocchi. Although it is a pretty posh spot, the atmosphere is relaxed and laid back so don’t worry too much about dressing up post cycle. We love to share their tapas dishes which make a fab post/ mid ride meal or snack.
This little gem of a restaurant is just ideal for a quick meal at any time of the day. - Trip Advisor Review
Long cycle
Leeds to Harrogate (~35-mile roundtrip)
The Local Pantry (LS21 2PS)
If you get peckish before you get to Harrogate, then why not stop at The Local Pantry? This farm shop and café offers a fab array of homemade dishes, all made with produce from local businesses. We love their fresh sandwiches and afternoon tea selection – ideal fuel mid or pot cycle.
Weetons Food Hall (HG1 1BJ)
Once you arrive in Harrogate take a break at Weetons Food Hall. As well as serving drinks and take away snacks all day (ideal if you want to sit outside with your bike), Weetons was recently voted as one of the best brunch spots in the UK by the Times, as well as one of the best butchers- making this fab food spot is an ideal pit stop on your cycle from Leeds.
Leeds to Gargrave (~70-mile roundtrip)
The Terrace Café Bar (Saltaire, BD18 4SB)
On your long ride to Gargrave from Leeds you may need to make a pit stop on the way. Why not make that stop at The Terrace in Saltaire. This beautiful cafe, bar and restaurant has an extensive menu focusing on French cuisine. Opening at 9 and serving food throughout the day and evening, this is a great place to fuel up mid ride.
Dalesman Cafe, Gargrave (BD23 3LX)
This quirky café and old fashioned sweet shop boasts 60’s décor and music, and is just calling out to be visited. Serving traditional British café food like beans on toast is a great café pit stop in Gargrave. Service is fast, and the food is affordable and filling, making this a great place to fuel up on your cycle from Leeds to Gargrave.
For more great routes, and ideas for pit stops check out the Dalesman website, or have a look on our Instagram page!! If you have any more ideas for pit stop places, let us know by commenting below (or by getting social with us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook) and we will add them to this list!
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