Food and drink destination to open with line-up of vendors confirmed

White Cloth Hall, a new all-day food and drink hall for Leeds city centre, is ready to open its doors next Bank Holiday Weekend.

Showcasing local, independent food traders and suppliers, the venue will open to the public at noon on Friday 23 August.

White Cloth Hall is on Crown Street, just behind the Leeds’ Corn Exchange.

Built in 1775 as a place of trade for Leeds’ cloth merchants and now Grade-II* listed, the building was once one of the North’s most important market places.

It launches with four kitchens that bring together favourites such as Pizza Loco and Kuala Lumpur Cafe, alongside a debut venture from Lupton’s Chop House.

Pizza Loco from north Leeds is starting a new concept – Morty’s. Morty’s Focacceria will serve its panuozzi sandwiches alongside Sicilian-style sfincione pizza slices and sfizi small plates.

Kuala Lumpur Cafe also arrives, having been a staple Malaysian restaurant in Headingley since 2019.

Now moving to the city centre, it will feature flavourful small plates and traditional dishes, including the signature Nasi Lemak, Rendang Curries, and Roti Canai.

Grill and oyster bar, Lupton’s Chop House, has been put together by the kitchen team at Whitelock’s Ale House.

It will showcase premium quality meat cuts and the freshest seafood. Inspired by traditional Victorian Chop Houses the menu will celebrate the diversity and quality of Yorkshire produce.

As well as the kitchens, White Cloth Hall will host an all day coffee shop, opening from 8am on weekdays, serving artisanal coffee supplied by Meanwood’s Echelon Coffee Roasters and a range of pastries and brunch dishes.

For drinks, the main bar will boast a range of independent craft beers, including Kirkstall Brewery and Five Points, alongside continental lagers and classic cocktails.

A separate dedicated wine bar will offer curated quality wines and a selection of expertly crafted cocktails.

Ed Mason, owner of White Cloth Hall and Whitelock’s managing director, said: “We are really excited to finally be launching this latest addition to the Leeds food and drink scene – it’s been a long time in the planning, and we hope we’ve done justice to this beautiful building.

“We are committed to working with innovative and independent suppliers and food partners.

“We have a brilliant line up of kitchens – and we hope people love what we are doing with the different areas of the venue, from the coffee shop to the wine bar to the main food and drink hall.

“We have really opened the space up and connected what were once three separated-out areas. We want to create a welcoming, buzzing, family-friendly hospitality destination, with something for everyone.”