We all know how we can easily fall into habits when we are trying to sort lunch - particularly working in a city centre.
Battling your way through the hustle and bustle of the masses, occupying the streets, can prove a challenging experience and swaying away from that supermarket meal deal can sometimes feel like a faff. Although, I implore those of you who work in Leeds city centre to treat yourself to something at Kirkgate Market next week.
It is hardly a hidden gem, and I wouldn't try to badge it as such, but perhaps its enviable food hall is somewhere you might forget when you are in a rush. In that one area, there’s 12 different stalls and vendors offering you cuisine from around the globe. You can have Caribbean from Jenny’s Jerk Chicken, an indulgent slice from Pollini’s Pizza or even show your civic pride with a visit to the Yorkshire Wrap Company.
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Of course, inside the market is now where you’ll find famous Leeds chippy The Fishermans Wife. The great thing about the offering at the market is that if you visit with friends or colleagues you can enjoy a bit of a mix and match experience.
You can all be left to your own devices wandering the stalls and then grab a table showing off your din dins. This is what we did during a Monday lunchtime visit. Holding off until around 1pm, felt like the right call and it only helped whet our appetite further when we arrived.
It was busy but given, of course, your lunch break is a precious commodity, you’ll be pleased to know we didn’t have to wait too long to be served or receive orders.
We decided to eat at the market's ample seating but, of course, you could take your picks back to the office. My lunchtime buddy popped to Banh & Mee for a prawn salad and can of Rubicon (£7.20). After much deliberation, I opted for a chicken madras curry from Leziza (£9) and I was really grown up and accompanied my meal with a slushie. It proved a real contrast of hot and cold.
One thing which really stood out about the prawn salad was how fresh and colourful it looked. Peering over the top of the stall, you could see the offering was made fresh to order. Turning my attention to the curry in front of me, the overriding feeling was just how big it was.
Admittedly, £9 is a little on the steep side for a lunch but equally that dish could have served as my evening meal also. Being greedy (and because of the slightly awkward presentation of the two bowls) I had it all in my early afternoon sitting. For a madras, it wasn’t overly spicy but was probably no bad thing at lunchtime. There was clearly a good quality and my dining companion felt Banh & Mee’s prawn salad was more than worthy of the regular praise the street food trader receives.
Somehow, we both had enough room to squeeze in a dessert, there was really no Blue Monday for us. Heading out of the exit at the top of the market I treated myself to a rich brownie from Roberto.
While the order was complete with my luncheon pal’s slightly more adventurous semifreddo - the frozen sweet treat covered in chocolate. Both helped the afternoon go that little bit quicker.
If you have got the time to spare, and can afford to treat yourself to something you deserve, a visit to Kirkgate Market’s food hall should really become your new Leeds lunchtime routine and help you forget about those rather bland egg mayonnaise sandwiches.
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The bill
- Banh & Mee - Prawn salad and can of Rubicon - £7.20
- Leziza - Chicken madras curry and a slushie - £9
- Roberto - Chocolate brownie and a semifreddo - £7.20
Total: £23.40
Kirkgate Market, Vicar Lane, Leeds City Centre LS2 7HY. You can find out more about the food offering at Kirkgate Market here.
To find out the latest food and drink news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds.
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