With so many options, we thought we'd give you a little help by highlighting five of our favourite spots inside Leeds Kirkgate Market.
If 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 whatever you fancy, there’s seemingly unlimited places to grab a bite to eat.
Whilst we could go on and on about the huge list of great spots inside the market, we've whittled it down to five places which we find ourselves visiting time and time again.
So, without further ado...
Bánh & Mee
Images: The Hoot Leeds
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.
And of course you've got to try the iconic Banh Mi which we get once a week without fail.
Sweet Saeeda
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For authentic Tunisian street food, this is the place to go. Everything is made fresh and bursting with flavour, from their traditional sandwiches to the vibrant salads and grilled meats. Perfect every single time.
Good Boy Burger Co.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The beloved pop-up smash burger brand opened up a permanent location inside Kirkgate Market not too long ago, and boy oh boy have they been serving up some banging burgers ever since.
Expect juicy smashed beef patties, loaded fries and even fried pickles and macaroni cheese slabs. This is comfort food at its finest.
Eastern Oven
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This family-run market spot is a popular lunchtime spot with veggies and meat-eaters alike. This absolute gem rolls each flatbread in front of your eyes before adding falafels, chicken shawarma, bags of tahini and salad too.
And the best part? It's all super affordable.
Manjit’s Kitchen
Images: The Hoot Leeds
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.
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Historic family-run Leeds restaurant that’s been open for half a century is forced to close
Clementine Hall
Beloved Leeds restaurant Salvo's has closed suddenly due to 'unexpected dispute' with landlord.
Salvo's over on Otley Road in Headingley is a real Leeds institution.
Having first opened in 1976, it has been serving generations of families for fifty years with its authentic Italian menu.
The much loved restaurant announced the heartbreaking news to their social media today stating that the unexpected closure is down to an 'unexpected dispute' with their landlord.
The post read: "To our dearest customers, friends, and supporters,
"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we must share some devastating news. Due to an unexpected dispute with our landlord, we have been forced to close our doors effective immediately.
"This morning, the landlord changed the locks and denied our team access to the premises. This means we are, with immediate effect, unable to honor any existing bookings, provide table service, or welcome you for the dining experience we love to create.
"We want to be unequivocally clear: We have always met our obligations, including rent and all bills. Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly, not just to serve exceptional food, but to build a community within our walls. Through the immense challenges of the hospitality economy, we fought to stay afloat, committed to our staff, our suppliers, and most of all, to you.
"Our hope now is to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. We remain committed to our dream and to serving you again."
The post continued: "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible support, your laughter that filled our dining room, and your loyalty. It has been our greatest honor to serve you.
"We will update you here as soon as we have more information. Please keep our team in your thoughts."
Clementine Hall -
1st May 2025 
