Please your palate and warm your soul at the best coffee shops in Leeds!
Leeds’ coffee scene won’t be drying up anytime soon. We’ve been on enough caffeine-fuelled strolls to prove it.
Seriously, at almost every turn of the city, an artisanal joint or a grab-and-go counter is brewing a cup or two. Some even offer a quick respite for people-watching, with pastries and a latte on the side.
Anyway, we won’t make you wait and let your cup turn cold. We’ve selected our fave nooks below, so give them a shot if it’s good brews you desperately crave.
Layne’s
– From laynescafe
Address: 16 New Station St
Contact Details: 07828 823189
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7:30 am to 7 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 7 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 4 pm
Layne’s flipped the ‘Open’ sign in 2011 and gave the city a proper shake-up. Proud to say I was there, back when it was an indie espresso joint that sourced coffee from the UK’s finest roasters.
It’s now a powerhouse in 2025, yet the formula remains: simple, ethically traded brews served in a welcoming, communal space. You can also now get a Laynes Bakery sourdough or poached eggs to go with their flat white or espresso.
Tip: Consider taking the train. Leeds Station is a hop away from the shop.
IF UP NORTH
– From ifrooftop
Address: 43 Call Ln
Contact Details: 07961 626966
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 8 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 8 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 4 pm
Being at Leeds Market helps IF UP NORTH get a steady stream of customers, but we believe that wouldn’t be the case if the coffee they roast themselves tastes boot-like. Just give their iconic flat white a shot, and you’ll know how well they balance flavours here.
Perhaps you want something more than a double shot of espresso and milk foam, because they have that, too. My go-to, for instance, is the medium-roasted house blend that has milk chocolate and caramel undertones.
To pair, you can either order from their regular brunch menu or go the bottomless route. As long as those pancakes, burritos, and egg bennies are part of that deal, you’ll be fine.
Tip: Avoid weekends if you hate heavy crowds.
The Clubhouse
– From theclubhouseleeds
Address: 8a St Paul’s St
Contact Details: 0113 244 2519
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7 am to 3 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 2 pm
I’m mad about specialty coffee, so when the third-wave and sun-kissed Clubhouse opened in 2022, I rocked up sharpish.
What truly sold me? I’d start with their house blend, Player Gold. The cup was layered, with each sip popping with fudge, choc biscuits, and even berries.
I also had plenty to munch on with the brews (plural, as I had a flat white as well), primarily smashed avo and a granola bowl.
Tip: Throwing a corporate function? You can host it here or let their team come to you.
Kapow Coffee
– From kapowcoffee
Address: 15 Thornton’s Arcade
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7:30 am to 6 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 4:30 pm
I’ll bet you a tenner that you’ll leave with coffee beans from Kapow, most of which are sourced from Europe’s leading roasteries.
In my case, it was the Kapow! Blend, a cocoa- and hazelnut-leaning coffee that can be brewed to your preference. I know that because the staff here actually takes time to spill the beans on everything coffee, especially ratios and when a bean is at its tastiest.
Tip: You can score some coffee makers and drippers here.
92 Degrees Coffee
– From 92degreesuk
Address: 100 Clay Pit Ln
Contact Details: 0151 458 2908
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7:30 am to 6 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
I usually go to 92 Degrees to indulge in self-roasted coffee and get some writing or reading done. Heaps of uni students do the same, as the hideaway is more cosy than bustling.
Coffee-wise, latte is the crowd-favourite here, with the full-bodied espresso fusing beautifully with the lush milk. Their matcha latte and flat white are close contenders, both pairing nicely next to 92 Degrees’ lemon cake.
Tip: Bring your school IDs to enjoy the student discount.
Bruschetta By Food Cabaret
– From outcast77
Address: Corn Exchange, The Concourse, Call Ln
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9:30 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 10:30 am to 4 pm
Smack dab in the gothic Leeds Corn Exchange, Bruschetta By Food Cabaret rolls out specialty coffee alongside Algerian plates and croissants.
Like many, flat white coffee is their top draw. The patrons credit that to the drink’s bold, chocolatey notes, which go down well with the spot’s signature dishes, especially the pistachio croissant.
Guest roasters are also featured every now and then. One name that stuck with me is Blossom, as their San Martin coffee had a distinct, syrupy and sweet profile.
Tip: Special deals are offered during holidays.
Sociable Folk
– From sociable_folk
Address: 10 Wellington Pl
Contact Details: 0113 243 1840
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 7 am to 3 pm
- Tue to Thu – 7 am to 4 pm
- Fri – 7 am to 3 pm
The budget-friendly Sociable Folk is bang on for anyone who likes their coffee made by a barista and their meals light.
For sips, they’re pouring North Star beans, which come from the city’s first-ever wholesale roastery. All the classic styles are there, and you can even jazz them up with syrups such as sugar-free caramel and vanilla.
While you’re at it, grab the £2.50 bagel or the tahini-dressed falafel salad, arguably their best-selling dishes.
Tip: Stop by before 11 am to indulge in their breakfast menu.
Olive & Rye
– From olive_rye_official
Address: Queens Arcade, 18-20 Briggate
Contact Details: 0113 318 1233
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 4:30 pm
It’s the combo of chef-prepared fare and Dark Woods coffee that put Olive & Rye on the map. What’s lovelier is that every bit is local, and the menu runs all day long.
As usual, they brew the classics: think flat white, cappuccino, Americano, and long black. Having cortado, a Spanish espresso-based drink that’s intense and delicately sweet, separates them from most picks, though.
Plus, the menu here is proper hearty. That’s a W if you enjoy your coffee alongside a full English breakfast or crackling pork belly.
Tip: Bring a pup when you grab a cup! They’re dog-friendly.
Livett’s Coffee Shop (in The Wardrobe)
– From livettscoffeeshop
Address: 6 St Peter’s Square
Contact Details: 0113 383 8800
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 12 pm to 11 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
Sitting next to The Wardrobe, home to some of Leeds’ gold-standard comics and live performers, Livett’s Coffee Shop isn’t your typical hole-in-the-wall coffee joint.
Their beans are from North Star, so that in itself is a positive sign. Latte and macchiato are what normally rake in the positive reviews, followed by the ever-anticipated seasonal pours, including the dark and fruity black forest mocha.
Tip: Make sipping more intimate by hiring one of their private rooms.
Sonder
– From thehootleeds
Address: 27-28, Grand Arcade, 20 Merrion St
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 9 am to 4 pm
- Fri to Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
If there were a contest for Leeds’ most aesthetic coffee spots, Sonder would get our vote. A homey interior that’s half-retro, half-Japanese will never not grab eyes and attention.
Now, we’re not saying the coffee takes a backseat. Their hot and cold brews do the classics right, and most can even be made vegan.
Some unique picks are on the menu as well, like Flow Brew’s mushroom latte and the black rose iced latte, a summer-only sip.
Tip: Upcoming events and menu updates are posted on their Insta.
Rabbit Hole Coffee
– From rabbithole.coffee
Address: 1 Stainburn Dr, Moortown
Contact Details: 07817 787737
Operating Hours: Daily – 7:30 am to 4 pm
Though not as grand as the now-closed Harvey Nichols branch, Moortown’s Rabbit Hole is still worthy of a shout. Based on my experience, their coffee is made with care, and the staff behind the counter is genuinely warm.
I never ran out of choices either. Fifteen different styles are on their drinks list, including iced chai latte and cortado.
Things also got more varied at 12 pm, when they started serving lunch. If you’re a fan of matching flat whites and smoked salmon or Cajun wraps, that’s the time to swing by.
Tip: Follow them on Facebook to stay updated on their upcoming pop-up locations.
Miles & Co Coffee
– From milesandcocoffee
Address: 94 Kirkgate
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7:30 am to 4 pm
- Sat – 8:30 am to 4 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 3 pm
Relaxed and inclusive, Miles & Co Coffee provides a respite from the chaos of Europe’s biggest covered market.
Their extensive menu only sweetens the deal. You can score the basics, or taste special picks, such as Biscoff latte and coffee from guest roasters.
As for the bites, they normally switch the offerings daily, with sandwiches and pastries as the returning staples.
Tip: Browse their online store if you want some accessories or beans.
Out of the Woods
– From outofthewoodsuk
Address: Granary Wharf, Waterman’s Place
Contact Details: 0113 245 4144
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 7 am to 3:30 pm
- Tue to Thu – 7 am to 4 pm
- Fri – 7 am to 3:30 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 4 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 2 pm
At Out of the Woods, the Granary Wharf scenery is mint, and the Dark Wood coffee is just as good, if not better.
They stick to well-loved classics if we’re talking options, with a few seasonal choices like black frost mocha. What’s even better is they use Acorn Dairy’s rich and ethically sourced milk to elevate the brews.
On top of that, you’re not just going to sip and people-watch here, thanks to the loaded menu that features bacon sarnie, CAWA Bakery sweet treats, superfood acai bowls, and made-to-order porridge.
Tip: Bring your bikes. This spot is famous among cyclists.
Flamingos Coffee House
– From flamingosleeds
Address: 10 Central Arcade
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 6 pm
Stumbling upon the queer- and vegan-friendly Flamingos at the Central Arcade is a win in our books. The energy of the space and the staff is inviting, and the haunt’s warm glow only adds to that home-like atmosphere.
We love the selection of drinks, too, headlined by specialty coffee from no other than North Star and a couple of unique blends like blueberry hot cross latte. If you ask me, though, it’s their cappuccino that truly slaps.
Tip: Sign up for a poetry workshop or a DND campaign! Deets are found on their Insta.