Got change in your pocket? Here are a quintet of mouthwatering meals you need to try for under a fiver.
Tasty eats are everywhere you look in Leeds, and these ones prove that you don’t even need a whole fiver to grab a good bite. Whether you fancy a flavour-packed chicken sandwich for a quick lunch, a sticky, spicy bao bun to go with your pint or a couple slices of American-style hand-stretched pizza, you’ll get an absolute steal with each one of these treats. Try one, try them all, you won’t regret it!
Banh Mi at Banh & Mee
If Vietnamese food is calling your name, make a beeline for Banh & Mee. You can pick up a banging banh mi – the iconic sandwich from the streets of Hanoi – for just £4.50. This isn’t your average sarny. Think a crispy baguette, filled with tangy pickled veg, fresh herbs and cucumber, with your choice of protein. Will it be the authentic pork patties, the lemongrass chicken, or Uncle Vinh’s BBQ pork? Meat-free folk can breathe, because Mama Tran’s tofu is a surefire winner.
Banh & Mee, Kirkgate Market, Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY.
Chicken Shish Sandwich at Mr Mackerel
© Copyright Leeds-List 2023 by Ellie Hodgson
Tucked away in Kirkgate Market, Mr Mackerel serves banging Turkish street food for a bargain price. Contrary to the name, it’s not all fish, with lamb kofta, chicken shish, soup and chips on the menu too. The chicken shish sandwich is brilliant value at £4.50 and really tasty. Think soft bread, piled high with chargrilled chicken, crunchy salad and a generous drizzle of chilli sauce. It’s cooked to order, so it’s nice and hot and utterly moreish. Add a soft drink and you’ll still leave with change.
Mr Mackerel, Leeds Kirkgate Market, 28-34 George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY.
Pizza by the slice at Dough Boys
Credit: Lisa
Pizza fiends, rejoice! Dough Boys toss all manner of saucy triangular delights into the ovens at Belgrave Music Hall – and you can bag a slice for well under a fiver. There are loads of cheesy (and non-cheesy for vegans) options. The trusty Silvio – a handsome Margherita – comes in at £3.40 a slice. The spicy Salami of Darkness is £3.60, served fresh and hot with salsiccia piccante, salami and jalapeños. Better yet, visit before 7pm and get a slice for half price.
Dough Boys, Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen, 1A Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP.
Arancini at Poco
© Copyright Leeds-List 2023 by Ali Turner
Some say these are the best arancini this side of Palermo! Made fresh at Poco, your first-stop for Sicilian street food in Leeds, these dreamy little deep-fried rice balls make the perfect savoury snack to go with their proper Italian coffee. Each one is filled with meaty goodness, or fresh veggies and melty mozzarella, before being fried until golden and crisp. They’re £4.50 a go and by golly are they worth every penny. Look out for their seasonal specials for exciting new flavours.
Poco, 360 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2HQ.
Bao Buns at Little Bao Boy
Little Bao Boy have stuffed their fluffy buns with all sorts of yumminess and you might find it hard to resist them. There’s five-spice pulled pork, garlicky beef brisket or crunchy Korean fried chicken thigh for the carnivores. But don’t worry, there’s plenty for veggies and vegans too. Gochujang-infused cauliflower, crispy tofu and deep-fried oyster mushrooms make up the rest of an always-tempting menu. They cost £5 on the dot, but they’re well worth it as an accompaniment to any pint.
Little Bao Boy, North Brewing Co Tap, 3 Sovereign Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 43R and Springwell, Buslingthorpe Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2DF.
