Leeds is fuelled by caffeine, so we've rounded up ten of our favourite spots to get a great cup of coffee.
There are 110 different coffee shops and counting located in Leeds city centre and plenty more on the outskirts.
It’s easy to pop into the big-brand chains and grab the same order you’ve had for the past five years, but there are limitless independent caffeine stations to try and we bet that you’ll have a more enjoyable experience too.
Investing even a cup of coffee into a small business can help them to continue running - so with that in mind, here are ten of our top picks for coffee in Leeds.
Laynes Espresso
16 New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Having opened way back in 2011, one of Leeds longest standing coffee shops Laynes has built a great reputation over the last ten years.
Located just moments from Leeds Train Station, Laynes Espresso is the perfect spot to grab a coffee on your morning commute. But if you've got time to stick around, then we recommend taking a seat and tucking into their brilliant brunch too.
RAW
10 Mill Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
A relatively new addition to Leeds, RAW has made a reputation for itself for serving up some of the best and most unique coffee in the city. These guys really, and we mean really, know their stuff.
They're roasting their own beans in the back and stock a rotating selection of roasts that no visit is the same.
Miles & Co Coffee
94 Kirkgate
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Miles and Co is an independent, barista owned and run coffee shop in the heart of Leeds city centre. Ran by husband and wife duo, this charming spot serve up drinks made from rotating speciality coffee beans, artisan teas and seasonal sweet treats.
North Star
The Docks and Sovereign Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We all know North Star Coffee Roasters make supreme speciality coffee and you can find it in Leeds in abundance, served by the loveliest staff in a beautiful, pastel rainbow-coloured setting.
Swing by their kiosk on Sovereign Street for a takeaway cup or sit back and relax at their beautiful sun-drenched spot at The Docks. Either way, if the coffee doesn’t perk you up, the decor most definitely will.
Coffee on the Crescent
2 The Crescent, Woodhouse
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Over in Headingley you will find this absolute gem of a coffee shop. A neighbourhood staple for students and locals alike, Coffee on the Crescent is a place for people to meet, relax, unwind and fuel up.
They have a rotating selection of coffee on offer, that is all tried and tested by owner Tim and his wonderful team regularly to make sure you’re supping the very best of the best.
The Union Coffee House
51 Great George Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This wonderful oasis at the top of town is a perfect space to enjoy a coffee with friends and fuel up with some banging breakfast. It's a wonderful relaxing space to take a few moments out of your busy day and unwind with a cup of Joe.
Kapow Coffee
Thornton's Arcade and The Calls
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Since 2013, Kapow coffee has been providing the people of Leeds with really excellent coffee. They offer a wide variety of drinks and whether you're shopping in town or strolling along The Calls, they've got the perfect pick me up to keep you going.
Stage Espresso
41 Great George Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're really into your coffee and you're looking to sip one in a cool, chilled-out place then Stage Espresso is the one for you. The staff are super knowledgable and are always on hand to help find the perfect blend for your taste.
Fika North
94 Otley Road, Headingley
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Another gem over in Headingley is Fika North, a wonderful speciality coffee shop which is a firm neighbourhood favourite.
Stop by for a coffee in the sunshine and make sure you order one of their banging bagels or sweet treats, you won't be disappointed.
Bruschetta
The Corn Exchange
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This gorgeous independent really do serve up the best coffee imaginable, the beans are sourced and roasted from a local company in Sheffield and are then left to breathe for 14 days before grinding. The magic formula for the perfect cup of joe is then decided on each morning, depending on the specific conditions and climate on that day. Whether you’re swinging by for a takeaway cup or taking a seat to enjoy the magnificent gothic interior of the corn exchange, you’ll struggle to find a better coffee in Leeds.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
Clementine Hall -
6th November 2025 
