It’s easy to eat out and have change from a ten pound note in Leeds, without having to resort to a greasy takeaway. Whatever cuisine you fancy – Italian, Thai or Mexican are all possible – you’ll find something delectable and affordable to tickle your taste-buds.
Tuck into one of the best Thai meals in the city at this laid-back Headingley eatery. It may not look like much from the outside, but the traditional Thai food served inside is fresh, authentic and MSG-free. Steamed rice comes free with every meal and it’s conveniently a bring-your-own-booze establishment, meaning that you’ll also save money on overpriced alcohol.
Taking inspiration from Middle Eastern cuisine, Caravanserai offers a selection of hot and cold mezze and mains starting from as little as £3 a dish. Diners can either take away or sit in at the large communal table to enjoy dishes such as houmous, tabouleh salad and chicken fresh from the Ottoman barbecue. To get the best value for money, go with a group of friends and select a few dishes to share between you.
This Moroccan and Mediterranean café near Hyde Park is the perfect place to pop down to for an affordable brunch, or to visit in the evening where it becomes more of a formal restaurant. Most dishes are under £10, ranging from mezze platters to warming tagines and couscous salads, all served with generous dollops of houmous, bread and salad. If you’re looking for tasty and cheap vegan food, they have an impressive two page menu just for you.
Belgrave isn’t just known for its craft beer, raucous gigs and monthly street food market – it’s also the perfect place to grab a quick cheap eat with Dough Boys and Patty Smith’s in the kitchen. Dough Boys offer pizza by the slice with vegan options available, generously offering your first two slices at half price for early birds. If you’re after something a little heartier, Patty Smith’s award-winning burgers and loaded fries are among the best in the city.
You would assume that the Best Restaurant in Leeds (as judged by the British Restaurant Awards) would be a pricy affair, but My Thai offers surprisingly affordable food in its two Leeds addresses. Most of the main dishes come in at under a tenner with starters and sides also reasonably priced. Step out of your comfort zone and try one of their more unusual dishes and leave feeling fully satisfied in terms of flavour and portion sizes.
For a fully authentic Mexican experience that combines tasty street food and a varied selection of tequila, there’s nowhere better than Neon Cactus. Tuck into fajitas, nachos, burritos, tacos or quesadillas for under £10, or enlist a friend to sample something from their feast menu and bring down the cost even further. It would be rude not to accompany the food with a Mexican themed cocktail and a shot of tequila.
London-based Indian street food peddlers, Rola Wala took up residence in Trinity Kitchen in 2014 and have been a popular choice for a cheap yet delicious meal ever since. Offering a variety of both meat and vegetarian dishes, they showcase a fresh and inventive taste on Indian cuisine with a variety of delicious flavours and ingredients wrapped up in freshly made naan breads. The perfect street food snack that will leave you with plenty of change from a tenner.
