'I tried Leeds Market's newest deli Galley Delicatessen - and its £8 sandwiches rival the city's best'
You don’t stumble across Galley Delicatessen so much as earn it.
Buried somewhere between the fishmongers and the countless stalls of Kirkgate Market, this beautifully decorated sandwich counter has been quietly doing its thing since opening just before Christmas last year.
Leeds has no shortage of sarnie heavy hitters - Silver’s Deli with its national awards, Things in Bread drawing crowds in the city centre, just to name a few - but Galley, self-described as a “classic European delicatessen with a modern elegance” feels like the sort of place you tell your mates about before it inevitably blows up.
The stall sits just away from the busier parts of the 1875 Hall, and conveniently occupies a corner where round tables are strewn out for customers. A simple but elegant green sign with yellow letters and a similarly coloured menu make it look like it could have been part of the historic hall for decades.
On a busy Saturday, the food hall at the market is so crowded that navigating through it feels like a challenge. Fortunately, Galley, due to its location, rarely experiences overwhelming crowds.
While there are indeed customers at the counter and several people waiting for their food, I don’t have to elbow my way to place my order. In fact, there's even a table available for me to sit at.
Galley keeps it simple. They offer a limited but varied selection of charcuterie and cheese, along with a menu that features eight sandwiches filled with options such as mortadella, speck, fennel salami, and slow-roasted porchetta, as well as vegetarian choices. As a side, Galley offers a fresh variety of salads, such as pasta salad and grilled artichoke, marinated olives, butter beans & red onion.
After poring over every option and plenty of back-and-forth, my guest and I ended up with two sandwiches: the Il Classico and the La Vittoria.
The Il Classico sandwich is a definite crowd pleaser, featuring layers of mortadella, provolone cheese, boeuf tomato, rocket, and garlic ricotta. The flavourful mortadella is sliced to order and piled high, while fresh rolls and crisp vegetables add a bright touch to the sandwich.
On the La Vittoria, the roast beef is served rare and warm, accompanied by provolone cheese, rocket, and confit tomatoes. The Dijon mustard and chimichurri provide an extra layer of heat and herby tanginess that beautifully complements the meat.
All sandwiches are served with a complimentary gherkin, elegantly pinned on top with a toothpick. And at £7.90 and £8.90 respectively, Galley’s sarnies definitely give you value for your money.
Leeds is home to many excellent sandwich shops, each offering its own take on the lunchtime favourite, and Galley Delicatessen is no different.
The deli features affordable and delicious sandwiches with a continental flair, showcasing a variety of European ingredients and fillings. The fluffy bread is baked in-store, and there's a rotating selection of fresh salads available, providing a healthy and refreshing option.
It’s a great addition to the amazing range of food stalls at Kirkgate Market, making it the perfect spot for a quick, affordable, and delicious lunch.
Fact file
- Address: Unit 33, Leeds Kirkgate Market, Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7HY
- Telephone: -
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 9am to 4pm.
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/the_galley_delicatessen/?hl=en
Scores
- Food: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
- Atmosphere: 6/10
- Service: 8/10