All the best places to get your caffeine fix in Leeds.
It’s no secret at Leeds is fuelled by caffeine, especially given there are no less than 110 different coffee stores and within a short walk from the city centre. 2021 brought the closure of some of our favourite coffee spots, but plenty more reopened to revive the caffeine scene.
Here are our favourite openings of the year so far.
Nam Song Caphe, Merrion Street
What was formerly Rum and Reason on Merrion Street was taken over by Nam Song Caphe back in June. The new cafe and restaurant has since been serving up authentic Vietnamese coffees, bahn mi baguettes, bowls of pho and more. On the drinks front, there’s some proper Vietnamese coffee to be enjoyed here. Ca phe trung – a Hanoi speciality made with condensed milk and egg yolk mix – is a house favourite, but can also be taken without for those who don’t like the sound of egg in their coffee.
Find out more here.
Soph Makes Cakes, Pudsey
A new cake shop opened inside an industrial mill unit in Stanningley, Leeds back in late May. Called Soph’s Cakes Leeds, it’s the brainchild of ex-professional dancer Sophie O’Connell – who’s had the unit for over a year but has only just been able to open now. Customers can enjoy a good range of sweet treats like cupcakes and full-size creations, alongside coffees and savoury pastries from 2-6pm Monday to Wednesday, and 9.30am-2pm on Saturdays.
Find out more here.
Better Days Cafe, Grand Arcade
A new wellbeing cafe with a focus on improving people’s mental health opened in Leeds earlier this year. Called Better Days, it’s located inside the Grand Arcade and sets itself apart from other bars and cafes in the area by offering dedicated (and free) classes in improving wellbeing. Better Days offers free support to everyone who visits and, according to owner Vicky Fytche, is the only place of its kind in Leeds- and we’re so excited to see something so important pop up in our city.
Find out more here.
Presto Coffee, Headingley
The small Headingley coffee shop opened earlier this year and the little shop really is the epitome of independent coffee. There’s a new selection of cakes and baked goods each day and the store stocks whatever seems right. There’s always variation: whether it’s the morning choice of bagels or the ever-changing choice of hot chocolates, you’re guaranteed to be greeted with a smile and good vibes, which is all we can really ask from our local coffee shop.
Find out more here.
Fint, Great George Street
After some serious rebranding, the team behind Fettle opened, Fint. Housed in the same space as its predecessor on Leeds’ leafy Great George street, the owners have rebranded following a period of closure – and we were really excited to see them back, albeit in a new guise. Fettle was known and loved for its understated, laid-back cafe-meets-restaurant vibe, and whilst the space has reemerged with a new name it seems that its overall aesthetic still holds up. The difference? There’s now more of a restaurant focus- but that shouldn’t stop you popping in for a great cup of coffee.
Find out more here.
Read More: Nespresso announce new boutique in Trinity Leeds to open in 2022
Mister Coffee, Thorpe Park
A sweet lockdown success story and delicious coffee shop on wheels, Mister Coffee started serving locals just two months ago. There’s fresh hot coffee made from an arabica and robusta blend, and Mister Coffee is also has pastries, sandwiches, pies and more on board. There is even fresh cannoli to snack on and brownies from locally-renowned bakery Brown and Blond.
Find out more here.
Feature Image- Presto Coffee
