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.
One of the city's best independents is expanding into a bigger premises.
Shokupan on Wellington Street is a proper little gem that food-lovers across Leeds will rave nonstop about if given the opportunity.
Husband and wife team Alan and Alison took inspiration from trips around the world to bring a taste of Japan to the city and over the past few years it's gained a loyal following.
They're famed for their delicious Japanese sandos made with pillow-like fluffy shokupan bread, stuffed with everything from crunchy chicken katsu and flavourful pork to fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
But it's not all just about sandwiches, they also serve rice bowls and katsu curries as well as small bites such as chicken karaage and octopus balls.
Their food is so bloody good, that they've had to find a better location and this time it's slap bang in the city centre on Central Road.
And they're joining brilliant company too, with the likes of House of Koko and Vinyl Grounds as neighbours.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Shokupan said: "You guessed right…we are moving to Central Road, LS1 6DE. We are nearly there…
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"All the building work is complete and now we are finishing off the decorating. You might also start to see some signage appearing over the next few days…It has been lovely seeing some of our customers dropping by to see us whilst we slowly lose our sanity.
"Powered on caffeine and determination! Not long to go before we can announce our opening date and welcome you through the doors."
We can't wait to check out the new space, keep an eye on their opening date here.
Cult favourite burger chain Burgerism is officially coming to Leeds this August
Clementine Hall
An award-winning burger chain is coming to one of Leeds' suburbs.
If you don't know Burgerism, then get to know.
The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties and quick, reliable service.
Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order. Delicious.
And it's not just burgers, they've also got some great wings and fries available too with a range of homemade sauces on offer for dunking, drizzling and devouring. We're a particular fan of the buffalo wings with their garlic ranch dip.
The chain used to have a dark kitchen on the outskirts of the city where people could order via Deliveroo, however this closed down and since then there's been a Burgerism-shaped hole left in our foodie scene.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Burgerism recently applied to move into a vacant shop unit in Meanwood at 605 Meanwood Road, seeking change-of-use planning permission for the former Papa Johns site which was previously only allowed to serve...well, pizzas.
And the plans have now been approved, which means Burgerism will officially be coming to Leeds. Hurray!
Burgerism's new takeaway will be walking distance from the The Meanwood Tavern, perfect for those looking for some post-pint burgers.
It will be strictly takeaway with no dine-in option available.
The brand-new Burgerism will employ 15 people from the local area with food being served between 11am and 11pm.
We'll keep you up to date as and when we find out more, but for now we're aware that Burgerism Leeds is set to open this August.
Clementine Hall -
1st May 2025 
