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.
The team behind Stuzzi - one of Leeds’ best-loved Italian restaurants - are set to launch a brand-new concept in Farsley this week.
La Grassa will be a new Italian-American ‘Paninoteca’ and diner concept, where you’ll be able to get your hands on paninos filled with house-made meats, cheeses and sauces.
The new concept comes from Stuzzi Leeds co-founders Jimbob Phillips and Brett Lee, and is set to open in Amity Brew Co.
They’ll be taking over the former brewing area at Sunnybank Mills, after Amity moved their brewery operations over to a new site in Greengates.
This new collaboration between Stuzzy and Amity Brew Co will bring Italian-American flavours to Farsley with quick-service dining - hearty sandwiches and light bites by day, and more substantial plates by night.
Jimbob Phillips of Stuzzi Leeds said, “La Grassa is about bringing people together over food that’s indulgent, fun and full of flavour. Working with Amity gives us the perfect space to explore that in a new way.”
Brett Lee added: “We wanted to create a place that feels lively and approachable, where people can enjoy the quality of Stuzzi Leeds in a quick-service format without compromising on taste.”
Verity Clarke, Director at Amity Brew Co, said: “While we were brewing on-site at Sunny Bank Mills, it did limit the hospitality experience. We could only open four days a week, and there wasn’t a weekday that went by without mill visitors wanting to pop in for a daytime drink or bite to eat.
"Over the past five years, we’ve collaborated with food vendors, and it’s always added another welcome dimension to the experience at Amity. We’re very excited to have such a high-quality team joining us to really fulfil Amity’s potential.”
La Grassa at Amity Brew Co will officially open on Friday 13 February 2026 with new extended opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday every week.
The best places in Leeds to get pancakes on Pancake Day
Clementine Hall
One of the best days in the foodie calendar is hereand it's time to decide where you're going for the ultimate stack.
Whilst homemade pancakes hit the spot and attempting to flip them is definitely a laugh, it's always a treat to get out and about to celebrate the momentous occasion.
From thin crepes with lemon and sugar to pillowy, thick buttermilk stacks which are showered with a whole host of delicious toppings - there's a pancake dish for everyone to devour this Shrove Tuesday.
Keep reading for our top picks of cafes, restaurants and bars to visit this Pancake Day.
House of Koko
Chapel Allerton , Oakwood and Leeds city centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
House of Koko are the absolute bees knees when it comes to brunch.
Their pancakes are fluffy, pillowy, light, perfectly formed and just down right delicious. The list of toppings is almost overwhelming and you can mix and match yours to your heart's content, we're talking bacon, biscoff, kinder bueno, toasted nuts, white choc chips, banana and even ice cream, the list really does go on but you'll be here all day.
Moose Coffee
Bond Court
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Given Canadian pancakes are a worldwide favourite, you'd expect the best pancakes to come from Moose Coffee. Made fresh to order, there's a stack of three dusted with icing sugar, dotted with blueberries and served with Canadian butter on offer as well as a Biscoff Stack made from three pancakes, biscoff sauce, vanilla ice cream, white choc shards, lotus biscuit.
Whatever your preference this Pancake Day, your combination of sweet and savoury is pretty much guaranteed to live up to the famous Canadian combination- maple syrup included.
Farmhouse
Lands Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Farmhouse are basically famous in the city for their epic stacks of pancakes, fluffy and loaded with all the toppings it's just what you want this Pancake Day.
If Up North
Call Lane or York Place
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're a regular on the If Up North Instagram page, you'll know that these guys are big fans of pancakes. Given their obsession with posting their beautifully decorated variations online, we're confident that these pancakes will be lip-smacking, mouth-drooling good and packed with flavour.
Expect flavours like berry and Biscoff, fruits and cream, bacon and maple syrup as well as a whole host of different variations at any of their Leeds-based cafes.
North Star Coffee Shop
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Locally renowned for its coffee roast, North Star Coffee Shop is also a great contender for the best-looking pancakes around. Open from 8am this Shrove Tuesday, grab some fluffy pancakes topped with all the seasonal favourites they have on offer.
Galleria
Armley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Running from Monday 16 February until Friday 20 February, you can bag yourself £1 pancakes with a huge range toppings like classic lemon and sugar, maple smoked bacon, fried egg and sausage, or singular toppings such as blueberries, avocado, IPA caramel and more.
You'll need to pre-book to secure your offer and when you arrive, pick up an order form from your server so you can select how many £1 pancakes you want, alongside your chosen toppings. Yeah, it’s really that flipping easy.
Laynes Espresso
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything Laynes touch turns to gold, and their pancakes are of course no exception.
They of course go perfectly with a heavenly cup of coffee served inside their dazzling bright yellow, life-affirming coffee shop.
Clementine Hall -
6th November 2025 
