Nestled in the Corn Exchange you will find Bruschetta - a delightful coffee shop and eatery serving up the most innovative brunch dishes in the city.
The Corn Exchange on Call Lane is home to some brilliant independent cafes and boutiques which showcase the creativity and fantastic community spirit of Leeds. Cosy coffee shop and cafe ‘Bruschetta’ is no exception.
Nestled in the magnificence of the Corn Exchange’s gothic interior, the atmosphere is light and airy, making it the perfect spot for a brunch with friends or mid-week meeting.
French and Algerian roots run through their menu at Bruschetta, so you'd be challenged to find anything like it in the city.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Their new summer menu is jam-packed with affordable plates that are perfect for any time of day and the cake cabinet is filled with delicious sweet treats from local bakeries.
Complete with speciality coffee and freshly squeezed juices - Bruschetta do it all and they do it well.
All of the dishes are made with local ingredients and you can really tell. We started with two freshly pressed juices from their daily juice menu - the Turmeric, Orange and Carrot juice was a definite highlight, it was perfectly balanced with sweet and tangy flavours and was exceptionally fresh.
The juices can also be served as a takeaway making it the perfect healthy breakfast on-the-go (obviously alongside one of their delicious croissants), but of course we do recommend you enjoy it whilst taking in the breathtaking views of the Corn Exchange.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Of course the coffee was exceptional but Bruschetta are known for their wonderful caffeinated offering.
The beans are sourced and roasted from a local company in Sheffield and are then left to breathe for 14 days before serving. 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.
Now onto the food. We were told the Margherita Toastie was a firm menu favourite and we can easily see why - gooey cheddar cheese, fresh rocket, homemade margherita sauce and a balsamic glaze sandwiched between two brioche slices and grilled to perfection. We don't want to eat a normal cheese toastie ever again.
The La Rue Des Rosiers featured a toasted brioche bagel filled with delicious pastrami, gherkins and a glorious mustard and harissa aioli. Served with a seasonal side salad, this is the perfect lunch option.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
And finally we tried The Breakfast Croissant - a glistening buttery croissant filled with homemade scrambled eggs, lime-infused smashed avocado and chilli flakes.
This was extremely tasty, the croissant was flakey and perfectly toasted and the zingy lime really cut through the richness of the pastry.
If you haven't been to Bruschetta then we urge you to do so, they're open seven days a week and do not take bookings.
To find out more, take a look at their social media page.
A Sheffield pizzeria has been named one of the world’s best in a prestigious global ranking.
Forbici, the restaurant where all pizzas are served with a pair of scissors, is the only northern pizzeria to be recognised at last week's Best Pizza Awards 2026.
The awards took place in Milan, and are said to be the Michelin equivalent of the pizza world.
Forbici was named as creating one of the world’s best pizzas, with its master chef recognised as one of the top pizza chefs in the world.
It’s one of just two UK pizzerias listed in the coveted top 100 this year.
Images: The Sheff
Forbici opened in Manchester back in 2024, and has since expanded across to lovely Sheffield on Millennium Square back in March.
It was also once named by Marco Pierre White as ‘the best pizza’ he’d ever had - quite an accolade.
Biga pizza dough at Forbici is slow-fermented to create a light, risen crust, before being topped with quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and Italian produce.
It also has a lot of northern flavour, thanks to local specials like the Lancashire Hotpot – a pizza topped with crisps.
And all pizzas are served with scissors, inspired by the pizzerias of Naples, to be cut into quarters.
Master baker Davide Argentino is a fifth-generation baker from Napoli. While his family runs two bakeries on his behalf back home, Davide brings a true taste of authentic Neapolitan pizza to the UK.
Commenting on the recognition, Davide said: “It is a huge honour for Forbici to be recognised as one of the best pizzerias in the world.
“Baking has been in my family for five generations, so this is a really proud moment. In crafting Forbici’s signature dough we challenged convention pushing the fermentation process to the limit. Every bite reflects the patience, precision and expertise behind our approach.
“This recognition belongs to our entire team, whose passion, skill and commitment to the craft of pizza-making make Forbici what it is every day.”
An intimate Japanese katsu bar with only 15 seats is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Chef Fern is taking on another venture, and this time it's all about Katsu.
If you know anything about the Leeds food scene, then you'll know the absolute legend that is Chef Fern.
Her first restaurant, Fern Modern Sushi, is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Known for their expertly crafted sushi made with only the freshest fish on offer.
Nestled in the Central Arcade, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant captured the hearts of many foodies since opening in 2024.
This year, Chef Fern set her sights on another restaurant on Vicar Lane.
Image: O Katsu
Tori Nori opened just a couple of months ago, a modern Japanese grill centred around the fiery robata where guests can watch the chefs cook everything from grilled fish to delicious yakitori skewers right in front of their very eyes.
Unsurprisingly, Tori Nori has also been a huge hit.
But there's just no stopping Fern as she goes on to open yet another restaurant in the city centre.
Introducing O Katsu, an intimate restaurant with only 15 covers serving premium katsu.
Katsu is basically a breaded, deep-fried piece of meat, seafood or vegetables. Served with steaming hot rice, shredded cabbage, miso soup and dipping sauces, it's nothing short of delicious and a popular meal enjoyed in Japan.
We don't know much abut the opening just yet, but what we do know is that it'll be located just opposite her first restaurant in the Central Arcade.
There will be no bookings, and the space will feature an open kitchen so guests can watch the magic happen.
One things for sure, if Chef Fern is involved you just know it's going to be brilliant. We'll keep you updated on the opening of O Katsu as and when we find out.
Clementine Hall -
19th May 2023 
