There’s one place in Leeds that guarantees to leave you well fed without breaking the bank, it’s Leeds Kirkgate Market.

Inside the maze of market stalls, there’s plenty of hidden gems waiting to be uncovered and whether you fancy a hot dog, noodles or a huge slice of pizza, there’s seemingly unlimited places to grab a bite to eat.

Whilst we certainly haven’t uncovered all of the best places to eat inside the markets, here’s a decent selection of our team’s favourite places to grab lunch- including personal recommendations on the best dishes for under a tenner.

Good Boy Burger Co.

The beloved pop-up smash burger brand, Good Boy Burger, has just opened up a permanent location inside Kirkgate Market and boy oh boy are they serving up some banging burgers.

Expect juicy smashed beef patties, loaded fries and even fried pickles and macaroni cheese slabs. This is comfort food at its finest.

Hoot recommends: The Good Boy Burger and Philly Cheese Steak Loaded Fries

Bluebird Bakery

Bluebird Bakery is a York-born bakery that starting by selling bread at a market stall and hand-delivered a few loaves to neighbours and the local community pub, and now has multiple sites across Yorkshire providing fresh bakes to loyal customers county-wide.

Take your pick from fresh bloomers and boules to millionaires shortbread, brownies (including bags of corner brownie bits for less – so there’s really no waste) and our personal favourites, savoury swirls packed with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and cheese.

Hoot recommends: Savoury swirl with sun-dried tomatoes and olives

Hayes Seafood

Hayes Seafood, is run by a lovely couple who tell me their stall has been a fixture on Kirkgate’s Meat and Fish Row for 38 years now. In these days and times, sticking around for that long is no mean feat.

Specialising in locally sourced Yorkshire crab, oysters and more, Hayes’ glass display counters are broken up by small corner tables, with room for just five covers to sit down on little wooden stools and snack on some of Leeds’ freshest seafood at any one time.

Also on the counter, there are handpicked Kings Lynn whelks, king prawns and mussels, as well as some vegan-friendly options such as prawn-flavoured ‘shapes’ and imitation lobster tails – perfect for those plant-based people that miss their seafood.

Hoot recommends: a couple of super salty Irish Points and the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne oysters.

Mr Mackerel

Encased in a soft white roll, with lashings of chillies, pickled red cabbage and cucumber yoghurt, it makes both a comforting and filling lunch – the oiliness of the hot, grilled mackerel tempered by a generous squirt of lemon juice. Even better, it’s only a fiver.

It’s a far cry from your traditional deep-fried, battered fish finger butty. To start with, this is no light, flaky white fish filling, but robust, rich and oily mackerel. Slapped on a hot grill to sizzle right in front of you, this is Turkish street food at its finest.

We’re talking about Mr Mackerel, the popular Leeds market trader that recently featured in a rave by Guardian food critic Jay Rayner, who described Mr Mackerel as “the best £5 you can spend on lunch anywhere in Leeds right now”.

Hoot (and Jay Rayner) recommends: the £5 Mackerel sandwich

Fat Annie’s

This is a fully-vegan option designed for people of all foodie preferences to enjoy. The hot dogs here are truly delicious, and convert even the most dedicated meat eaters to grab a tofu organic tofu and Beech Wood smoked in a German-style frankfurter. 

Hoot recommends: Anything off the specials menu or an Annie Mac Not Dog

Jenny’s Jerk Chicken

Owned by entrepreneur Jennifer Brown, Jenny’s Jerk Chicken is an absolute must if you’re looking for a hearty, warming meal to fuel you for the day.

Serving up a wide spanning selection of Caribbean foods, choose from curry with goat mutton with rice and peas or coconut rice; salt fish cakes; Carib burgers with Jerk BBQ chicken, crispy salad, tropical mayo and sides like omelette sandwich, chicken skewers, fried plantain and veggie bean cakes.

Hoot recommends: Jerk BBQ salad box with BBQ chicken

The Fisherman’s Wife

Today you can find your chippy fix inside Leeds Market where the team use locally sourced ingredients wherever possible to bring much more than just fish, chips, mushy peas and scraps.

Now here’s a name you’ll recognise. The Fisherman’s Wife has been serving up fish and chips to Leeds since 1960 when Jackson and May Reed-Stephenson bought a fish and chip shop in Halton, Leeds. Since then, there’s been openings in Cross Gates, George Street and over in York too.

Hoot recommends: Haddock, chips and mushy peas

Bánh & Mee

Bánh and Mee always has a queue at the markets – and for good reason. The family-run spot serves a huge menu of Vietnamese-inspired dishes, including bao buns, loaded fries, pho, noodles, rice boxes, summer rolls, spring rolls – and it comes out a treat every single time.

Hoot recommends: Chicken Siagon noodles or tofu and veggie pho

Khao Gaeng Thai

Located at the top end of the markets, you’ll find red and white checkered tabletops and wooden chairs with a pretty wide-spanning menu of Thai curries and noodle dishes. Between the chow mein, pad thai, crispy chicken rice box and panang curry, there’s something for every single lunchtime – and all under £7 too.

Hoot recommends: Chicken pad thai with a passionfruit green tea

Manjit’s Kitchen

The menu at Manjit’s Kitchen is considered in options and rich in flavour. There’s Mango Lassi to soothe the lunchtime crowd and inventive options like pakora and chilli paneer wraps amongst classic favourites like onion bhajis, Thali bowls and Vada Pau, The Mumbai Sandwich.

Think Spiced mashed potato ball in a gram flour batter, green chutney, tamarind, dry garlic chutney on a beetroot bun, as just one example of the fusions of flavour the kitchen offers busy city commuters or those looking for a hot midday treat from the markets.

Hoot recommends: Chilli paneer wrap and a mango lassi

Read More: Manjit’s Kitchen owner named in 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality 2022

ChopChop

ChopChop is our go-to choice for those looking for a gluten-free option that doesn’t skip on the flavour. salt and pepper everything. Choose a base of egg noodles, jasmine rice, fried rice and chips and then add sweet and spicy additions like five spice firecracker or HK chicken curry, sweet and sour chicken or a delicious portion of tempura-fried veggies.

Hoot recommends: Salt and pepper chicken with white jasmine rice

The Yorkshire Wrap Company

Serving up our county’s delicacy in one moreish wrap, The Yorkshire Wrap Company has got its menu down to a tee. Offering a range of locally sourced meats and a board of ever changing specials, grab yourself a roast dinner inside a Yorkshire pudding wrap for the ultimate winter warmer dish, or if you arrive early enough, the brekkie options here are packed with bacon, sausage and egg.

Hoot recommends: Yorkshire pudding wrap with pork and stuffing

Pollini’s Pizza Slice

24 inch New York style pizzas by the slice- and there’s seemingly unlimited topping options to choose from. The new pizzeria can be found right in the heart of Leeds Market, located just before the food court and seating area. Freshly warmed and £4 a slice, these pizza slices are the perfect lunchtime treat – and can even start a debate in their own right with pineapple on their pizzas.

Hoot recommends: Ham and mushroom or a simple margarita slice

Eastern Oven

A family-run market spot is a popular lunchtime spot with veggies and meat-eaters alike. This place rolls each flatbread in front of your eyes before adding falafels, chicken shawarma, bags of tahini and salad too.

Hoot recommends: Falafel wrap with extra tahini

M’Deena Street Food

Those looking for a quick, easy lunch for under a fiver, M’Deena serves up a delicious selection of Moroccan takeaway options- and doesn’t skip on the spices either. Choose from a range of falafel, halloumi and shawarma options, and lean on the beautiful tiled worktops as you watch the team prepare your order before your eyes.

Hoot recommends: Halloumi wrap with pickles and spices

Feature Image – The Hoot Leeds