From summer rolls to jerk wraps - time to bin off that Boots meal deal
It’s a new year, you’ve promised yourself you’re going to be better at taking your own lunch to work and yet here we are....
But then some days just call for a treat midday snack, and with so many independent eateries in the city centre, we don’t blame you.
However, if you are to make good on the resolution to save some money, you’ll need to get your lunch on a tidy budget. Here are seven of our best grab-n-go lunch recommendations for under a fiver.
Pizza Slice at Simpatico - £3.95
Stylising themselves in the Romany tradition of pizza slinging, Simpatico Pizza offer a huge array of flavours upon their light, airy tomato base. We’d recommend a wedge of the olive and artichoke, although the vegan rainbow slice is a great way to make up your five a day. While you’re there, leave them a cheeky Tripadvisor review and you’ll receive a free cannoli for your trouble.
Simpatico, 28 Lands Ln, Leeds LS1 6LF
Medium salad at Sesame - £3.80
An underrated gem, Sesame have been serving up salads, sandwiches and breakfast treats to the Park Square area for years. While they’re not super into elegant presentation, what you get here is good honest, freshly made food, with chicken schnitzel as a special on Thursdays. Fill up a hearty salad box with your own selections from the deli bar - all ingredients are sourced locally. Trust us, the medium size is more than enough.
Sesame, 18 St Paul's St, Leeds LS1 2L
Prawn Summer Rolls at Pho - £4.95
Take a trip into Trinity Kitchen for this light lunchtime snack. Fresh rice paper rolled with herbs, vermicelli and pickle, you can choose between extra veggies, chicken and prawn filling (prawn is our fave, obvs). Don’t forget to collect your dipping sauce – a choice of nouc cham or peanut.
Pho, Trinity Kitchen, Leeds LS1 5AY
Filled Pita at Humpit - £4.50
Conveniently located in both the Corn Exchange and now the Leeds University student union, Humpit sure packs a lot of flavour into its falafels. For £4.50, the filled pita will keep you full for longer, rammed tight with hummus, salad and delicious little pickles in a package that definitely requires two hands. All pitas are made fresh, and if you’re willing to go over budget, pair well with their peach ice tea.
Humpit, Corn Exchange, Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BR / Leeds University Union, Lifton Pl, Leeds LS2 9JZ
Baguette at 200 Degrees - £4.95
Got time for a sit-in? 200 degrees may be well known for their coffee, but it’s their baguettes that have us coming back on the regular. Choose from a vast selection of tasty pairings such as brie and bacon, salami and feta or sausage and stilton, delivered as they are or toasted. They may seem a little bit pricey upon first sight, but the taste more than delivers.
200 Degrees Coffee - 31 Bond St, Leeds LS1 5BQ
Hot Sweetcorn on Briggate - £2
We’ve all seen these vendors popping up along Briggate, but how many have actually given it a go? Sure, it’s just sweetcorn, but when you top it off with plenty of butter, salt and a dash of paprika, it makes for a surprisingly tasty snack that’s low in fat, full of vitamins and fibre and leaves plenty in the budget for an accompaniment. Sweet indeed.
Briggate, Leeds LS1 6BR
Jerk Wrap at Jenny’s Jerk Chicken - £5
Convince yourself it’s summertime with a wrap from Jenny’s Jerk Chicken. Choose between a saltfish, veggie patty or chicken filling, with fresh salad and tropical mayo. You may have to wait a little for your food at peak times, but it’s worth your patience – take a seat in the Kirkgate marketplace as an excuse to get away from your desk.
Jenny's Jerk Chicken, Leeds Kirkgate market, 28-34 Ludgate Hill, Leeds LS2 7HY
