Testing LEON’S New Menu

LEON’s latest menu marks a quietly confident return to form, signalling the early stages of a broader reset for the brand. Framed as a “return to its roots,” the offering leans into seasonal comfort, thoughtful sourcing and familiar favourites that feel gently refined rather than radically reinvented. It’s not about flash or trend-chasing; instead, this menu suggests LEON is reconnecting with the values that first made it stand out in the crowded world of food-on-the-go.

The standout newcomer is the Salmon Smörgås-Box, a breakfast option that feels refreshingly grown-up. Built around PGI-status London Cure Smoked Salmon – smoked in East London using whole oak logs – it delivers a clean, delicate smokiness that sets the tone for the dish. Paired with two poached eggs, smashed avocado and fresh spinach, then finished with extra virgin olive oil and a seven-seed mix, it’s generous without feeling heavy. There’s a sense of care in the construction, and nutritionally it delivers too, offering omega-3s, protein and vitamins B12 and D.

Wellbeing continues as a quiet throughline with the Banana & Turmeric Honey Granola. This gluten-free pot layers sliced banana, nutty granola, probiotic yoghurt, turmeric and honey, finished with bee pollen. While the ingredient list leans heavily into functional benefits – anti-inflammatory properties, gut health, natural energy – the flavour remains balanced and comforting rather than overtly “healthy.” It feels designed for January without succumbing to joylessness, which is no small achievement.

Perhaps the most reassuring return is the Lentil Masala, a long-time LEON favourite given a subtle but effective refresh. The vegan curry, built on lentils and coconut milk and gently spiced with cumin, ginger and mustard seeds, is served with brown rice and delivers exactly what you want from winter comfort food: warmth, depth and satisfaction. It doesn’t shout about innovation, but its restraint is its strength, offering familiarity with just enough refinement to feel renewed.

For a lighter, more playful note, the Morello Cherry Iced Matcha Latte adds a flash of colour and optimism. Made with ceremonial-grade matcha and fresh cherry coulis, it’s clean, bright and well-balanced, avoiding the overly sweet pitfalls common to flavoured matcha drinks. Served over ice, it feels like a small nod towards spring while winter still lingers.

Overall, LEON’s January menu feels like the beginning of a longer conversation rather than a dramatic statement. With founder John Vincent’s return and a broader relaunch promised for spring, this menu works as a steady, reassuring step forward – rooted in quality ingredients, comfort and clarity of purpose. It reminds us why LEON mattered in the first place, and hints at a more confident future ahead

Find out more > https://leon.co/