Where to find the best coffee in Leeds
Whether your cup of choice is a strong-as-hell macchiato or just a simple filter coffee, Leeds' cafe scene has something for you. Here are a few of our favourite Leeds coffee shops to get your fix.
Great coffee in Leeds city centre
Laynes Espresso
Not only is Laynes one of Leeds' finest coffee houses, it's especially good for brunch: pair your brew with dishes like shakshuka and French toast, or cakes from the award-winning Noisette Bakehouse. 16 New Station St, @LaynesEspresso
Belgrave Music Hall
If you're looking for somewhere to start a lazy day with coffee, and then remain in place for hours... and hours... then Belgrave is the spot. Move seamlessly from that caffeine hit to an afternoon with the laptop, to criminally affordable slices from Dough Boys Pizza which'll set you right for a gig in the venue or late-night drinks with pals. The Belgrave has it all. 1-1A Cross Belgrave St, @Belgrave_Leeds
La Bottega Milanese
Socialising with a coffee snob? Take them to either branch of La Bottega Milanese, a specialist Italian espresso bar in Leeds offering 'the best coffees from around the world' on a monthly rotation. Their premises in The Light stay open late for that true cafe-culture feel; while their newer place is close to the train station and open from 7am for busy worker bees. The Headrow / 2 Bond Court, @BottegaMilanese
The Noonshine Cafe
Tucked upstairs in Tall Boys Beer Market, The Noonshine Cafe offers food, coffee and freshly baked bread from Leeds Bread Co-op. Take away or sit in, and eye up Tall Boys' capacious selection of beer while you're at it – you can take some away in a personal growler if you fancy a night at home. 17 Thorntons Arcade, @tallboysleeds / @grubandgrogshop
Mrs Atha's Coffee & Tea
Family-run coffee shop Mrs Atha's is a well-loved Leeds gem, tucked away not too far from the train station and ideal for doing a bit of reading, working or catching up with a friend. They pride themselves on good produce and traceable ingredients, and that applies to their coffee, too. Central Rd, @mrsathasleeds
Sheaf Street Cafeteria
Operated by The Grub & Grog Shop (who also run The Noonshine Cafe, listed above), Sheaf Street Cafeteria's menu is blazing a trail on Leeds' vegan scene for being fully animal product-free unless otherwise stated. Here you can enjoy coffee with a conscience, without compromising on quality. 3 Sheaf St, @grubandgrogshop
The Brunswick
A multi-storey pub and events space in Leeds' burgeoning 'Northern Quarter', The Brunswick serves local North Star Roast coffee and is quickly garnering a rep for its exceptional Sunday roasts. If you're in need of a chilled weekend haunt, look no further. Oh, and make sure to check out whatever exhibition is on while you're there; it's one of our favourite art spaces in Leeds. 82 North St, @brunswickleeds
North Star Coffee Shop & General Store (opening May/June 2017)
North Star Coffee roasters have been supplying many of Leeds' best coffee shops for a few years now, and this spring they open their very own cafe in Leeds Dock. Keep an eye on developments here and get down there as quickly as possible when it opens. @NorthStarRoast
Coffee shops in Quarry Hill
Cafe 164
Situated in the Munro House complex, which also contains a great gallery and the vibrant Colours May Vary shop selling independent magazines, art books and gifts, Cafe 164 is the place in the Quarry Hill area for a spot of lunch and a hot drink: great coffee, tasty focaccias and a nice bit of neon. Munro House, Duke St, @cafe164
Coffee near the Universities (Woodhouse Lane & Hyde Park)
Opposite Cafe
The folk at Opposite take their coffee seriously, providing a menu with a range of beans and styles to send any Starbucks or Costa packing. They also serve up homemade fresh food in their large cafe, the walls of which are lined with local art. 26 Back Blenheim Terrace, @oppositecafe
Hyde Park Book Club
If you're a student looking for a place to wind down, read, write or chill out with a mug of summat hot, Hyde Park Book Club is your friend: an all-round great hangout hosting everything from gigs to spoken word and record fairs, and easy on the pocket too. 27-29 Headingley Ln, @HPBCLeeds
Pump n Grind
You don't get more hand-on-heart than Pump n Grind, a microroastery making their own brews from ethically sourced speciality raw coffee, donating 20% of their profits to homelessness and addiction charity St George’s Crypt and giving all coffee excess to The Real Junk Food Project, who serve it up at their ‘pay what you feel’ cafes. 52a Brudenell Rd, @pumpngrind
Great coffee near Roundhay Park
Stories
This cosy, friendly-staffed little independent cafe is situated in the Oakwood area of North Leeds. The care that's gone into their light, woody Scandinavian design is matched by their menu, including South American coffee imported and traded directly with its makers. They’re also child friendly, dog friendly, vegan friendly and gluten and dairy intolerance… tolerant – no wonder they were one of your Best Newcomers in our 2017 Food and Drink Survey. 454 Roundhay Rd, @storiesinleeds
Find more Leeds favourites among our 2017 Food and Drink Survey winners.