I went back to one Leeds' best food halls - and it’s still one of my favourite spots in the city

When White Cloth Hall opened a couple of years ago, it was exactly what Leeds was crying out for.

A market-style food and drink hall where you can pop in for coffee, lunch or wine and cheese - celebrating the city’s finest independents and suppliers - it's perhaps no surprise that the team behind it is the one responsible for the city's much-loved Whitelock's Ale House.

The Grade-II listed building near the Corn Exchange has been restored to perfection; split over two floors, it combines the original character of one of Leeds’ most historic buildings with the industrial feel of a modern European food hall.

Huge skylights offer plenty of natural light and the open kitchens means the tantalising smell of simmering food wafts through the venue.

I’ve visited White Cloth Hall on various days of the week, and have never found the atmosphere lacking. Lively yet laidback, it’s the perfect spot to walk in with a big group of friends, or a first date when you don’t want the awkwardness of a fancy restaurant.

There are four kitchens to choose from: Salma for Mexican street food, Lupton’s Chop House for grilled meat and oysters, Morty’s Focacceria for pizza, sandwiches and small plates, and east Asian kitchen Rakku.

White Cloth Hall also boasts its own in-house wine bar, which serves charcuterie and cheese.

We were driving, so opted for two diet cokes, but there’s plenty of booze on the menu - including keg and cask beer and cider, cocktails and spritz (the rhubarb and custard fizz sounded intriguing), and an extensive wine collection from around the world.

You can mix and match food from the kitchens, but I opted for Salma, which serves tacos, crudo (raw fish), parilla (grilled prawns or hispi cabbage) and street food and snacks. I was disappointed that my favourite taco - the oyster mushroom - had been taken off the menu, so I went for the pollo de tinga, slow-cooked pulled chicken marinated in cola, chipotle and orange.

The chicken was beautifully tender and the cola and orange added an interesting zingy flavour, without being overpowering. It was topped with red onion and tomatoes which were lovely and fresh. However, the dish was crying out for a big dollop of sauce - it was very dry, and the squeeze of lime didn’t touch the sides.

I ordered a side of patatas bravas - skin-on roasted potatoes on a bed of fresh tomato sauce, drizzled with a deliciously garlicky aioli. The potatoes were well cooked and fluffy inside, although a little oily.

My friend went for a couple of east Asian dishes from Rakku - the salt and pepper aubergine bao buns and pork gyoza. She said they were both tasty and the portion sizes generous; the two dishes were more than enough for a main meal.

Our total bill came to just under £45 - around what we’d expect for two larger dishes, two small plates and soft drinks in the city centre.

While there were a few tweaks that could have elevated my dishes, there is so much food on offer at White Cloth Hall that it did nothing to deter from another visit. I’m already thinking about what I’ll try next.

Factfile

Address: White Cloth Hall, 25 Crown Street, Leeds, LS2 7DA

Opening hours: Mon, closed; Tue-Fri, noon-11pm; Sat, 10.30am-11pm; Sun, 10.30am-9pm

Website: www.whiteclothhall.co.uk

Scores

Food: 7/10

Value: 7/10

Atmosphere: 10/10

Service: 7/10