Going out for breakfast at the weekend (or during the week if you’re lucky enough) really gets your day off to an amazing start. It is the most important meal of the day, after all.
So we thought, to help you out on that brilliant start to the day, we’d give you a list of the best breakfast spots in Leeds.
Keep reading to discover where to enjoy the best pancakes, full English breakfasts and poached eggs that the city has to offer.
Munch
North Lane, Headingley
If you’ve spent any time in Headingley, you’ll know that @munchcafeleeds is a go-to for lunchtime sarnies on the go and a big Full English to help ease those Sunday morning blues.
Having been on North Lane for the past fifteen years, Munch has seen plenty of students, cricket-enthusiasts and locals alike, with queues forming every single day for both the sandwich and wrap menu, as well as the all-day breakfast offering.
Find out more here.
House of Koko
Oakwood and Chapel Allerton
House of Koko has something of a cult-like following, with plenty of regulars hopping across the two North Leeds site for a bite to eat – especially on the weekends.
Choose from staples like bennies and pancakes or opt for seasonal, ever-changing specials like pea on toast (a great alternative to your usual avo), hot honey hash, bubble and squeak – and a good old fashioned butty.
Find out more here.
OWT
Currently closed whilst moving to a new location.
From humble beginnings at Leeds Kirkgate Market to a gorgeous spot in the iconic Leeds Corn Exchange, OWT knows how to make a good breakfast. The menu offers a mixture of sweet and savoury with all the components freshly made each morning.
Anywhere that makes their own hash browns and baked beans is a winner for us. The hash brown plate with sautéed garlic mushrooms is the perfect fuel to start the day off with. Or if you’re looking for something sweet you need to try the house orange bread and butter slices with fruit salad and whipped cream.
Find out more here.
Braizin’ Squad
Pop-ups around Leeds
Following on from the success of an ever-evolving menu of slow-cooked meat-based menu at Boot and Rally Bar in Meanwood, Braizin’ Squad is serving brunch at pop-ups around the city centre.
Showcasing their braizin’ specialities, the Ox Cheek Benedict is a must-try. Between layers of soft sourdough and free range poached eggs, the melt-in-your-mouth meat hides in a rich, but perfectly balanced sauce, completed with chipotle hollandaise.
Find out more here.
Residence 74
Otley Road, Headingley | Open from 9am
With decor inspired by New York and a menu full of delicious brunch crowdpleasers, there’s going to be a lot to love about this new foodie spot in Headingley. Expect exposed brick, moody lighting, neon signs and potted plants aplenty, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows to flood the place with natural light.
But now to talk about the breakfast as that’s why you’re here, wow do these guys know how to do a full english. Double bacon, sausage, choice of egg, black pudding, hash brown, baked beans, grilled tomato, mushrooms and of course toast. That has to be the perfect hangover cure surely?
You’ll also find classics like avocado on toast, halloumi and avo hash, omelettes and fluffy American pancakes.
Find out more here.
Moose Coffee
Bond Court | Open from 8am
Moose Coffee is a family-run, independent brunch cafe that serve delicious Canadian-inspired breakfast dishes. Located on Bond Street just off Park Row, Moose Coffee is the place to go for delicious homemade breakfast food with a Canadian influence.
The menu is extensive and requires multiple read-throughs before making a decision because everything just looks so. damn. good. The Manolito was a stand-out dish which featured two warm tortillas filled with homemade refried beans, Moose-style fried eggs, salsa, grated cheddar and sour cream.
And of course, you can’t leave a Canadian brunch spot without ordering a stack of their legendary house pancakes, served with lashings of maple syrup, butter and a dusting of icing sugar.
Find out more here.
Bruschetta
Leeds Corn Exchange | Open from 10am
Tucked away inside one of Leeds’ most architectural beauty spots, Bruschetta is the indie coffee, cake and breakfast menu you absolutely need to try: hangover or no hangover.
If you’e struggling to stomach anything that might remind you of last night’s dining or drinking options, the flavours in the Full Algerian brekkie should be a go-to, but it’s so much more than just a hangover cure.
We’re talking harissa spiced cannellini beans on toasted bruschetta, poached egg and spiced merguez sausage with homemade roasted pine nut and za’atar oil: a unique combination of spices that’ll sort you out and perfectly match the coffee blend.
Find out more here.
Things In Bread
Boar Lane | Open from 8am
Their concept is simple, classic sandwiches made to order using their signature freshly baked bread.
As there open from 8am in the city centre, this is the ideal spot to pick up a sausage sarnie before heading to the office. The Full Breaky features Lishman’s sausages and bacon, free range omelette and gooey American cheese which makes for a brekkie only fit for kings.
They also have a vegan sausage sarnie on offer so if you’re more veggie inclined, you don’t have to miss out. Of course, you choose if you’d like HP Brown Sauce or ketchup to finish off your heart breakfast sandwich.
Find out more here.
Kerbside Kids
Springwell, Buslingthorpe Lane, Sheepscar | Open from 11am
If you’re feeling a little rough after the events of a Saturday night- the only dishes you should be considering to get you through your hangover should be from the Kerbside Kids’ Sunday Recovery menu.
For serious hangovers, the Tabasco Benny Burger seems to be incredibly popular. Kerbside Kids firmly believe that Tabasco sauce is the way to kill any hangover, and so far nobody has challenged their hypothesis, so we’re assuming that they’re right.
There’s also the likes of black pudding dirty fries on offer with sausage gravy, chopped streaky bacon, crumbled black pud and Tabasco Chipotle sauce with a fried egg and fries on offer, alongside the vegan friendly Avo Hash Smash with hash browns, double vegan American cheese or smashed avo, pico de gallo and an English muffin.
Of course, their Tater Tots are still available and come as a regular portion, fiery option or with truffle parmesan.
Find out more here.
Olive and Rye
Queens Arcade, Leeds city centre | Open from 10am (9am on weekend)
Olive and Rye, in the Queen’s Arcade, is the perfect all-day spot to fill that breakfast craving as their brunch menu runs throughout the whole day.
The menu features plenty of options for all kinds of breakfast desires like french toast with maple roasted peaches for those who are fancying something sweet, a hash brown dish with spicy hollandaise sauce for those fancying savoury and bacon and maple syrup pancakes if you just can’t choose.
The drinks menu, meanwhile, features wines, iced coffees, smoothies and hot drinks – so you’ll be spoilt for choice and Olive and Rye even have a brunch cocktail list featuring espresso martinis, Aperol Spritz and Irish coffees just to name a few.
With all-day breakfast, you know that Olive and Rye had to offer great coffee and they claim to have “the most adventurous and innovative coffee from the Dark Woods coffee roaster” so even if you’re not fancying breakfast (although how could you not after reading this) pop in and give their adventurous coffee a try.
Hyde Park Book Club
Otley Road, Hyde Park | Open from 9am
Thought of as an iconic New York food, the big apple has done wonders for the reputation of this chewy, boiled breakfast snack – and it’s even come over to Leeds, where there are plenty of bakers turning their hand to the humble bagel.
Bagels are a lunchtime staple, but there really isn’t ever a bad time to grab a bagel. The breakfast, lunch and dinner offering is always an option at Hyde Park Book Club, along with meat-free options like burgers, homemade cakes and plenty of caffeine selections that all come in under the £10 mark.
If you need any bagel recommendations, the halloumi stuffed with cherry tomatoes, salsa verde is our go-to, along with the deceiving vegan chicken and avocado version. Expect plant-based chicken with helpings of smashed avocado, piled high with salad, salsa verde and mayo. Just make sure you add some hash browns to any meal choice, they’re well worth the 50p extra.
Find out more here.
FINT
Great George Street, Leeds city centre | Open from 10am
Fint, which was previously known as Fettle, resides on St George St and is the perfect cosy breakfast spot for you to pop into.
With a smaller menu than the other venues on the list, Fint’s breakfast menu doesn’t need to be extensive to satisfy any breakfast craving that you might have. The duck hash and its vegan alternative include Parmentier potatoes, sweet peppers and a bearnaise sauce for the duck option and a tarragon and shallot seed cream for the vegan option both of which are the perfect way to start your day.
With other options like mackerel rillette or pain perdu, a pan-fried citrus custard dipped sourdough, Fint is definitely the breakfast spot for you if you’d like to try something new.
Alternatively, if you’re after a more traditional breakfast, they do also offer granola and poached eggs with spinach or halloumi so you’ll definitely find something that fits your fancy whether you’re after sweet or savoury.
If… Up North
Call Lane, Leeds city centre | Open from 8am (9am on Sunday)
If you haven’t made a hungover trip to If on Call Lane on a Sunday morning, do you even live in Leeds?
If…Up North has been an absolute staple since it opened in 2016 – and now it has three different locations across Leeds, including an espresso bar on Vicar Lane. The breakfast menu boasts a wide range of drinks, including local coffee from North Star Coffee Roasters, cocktails and smoothies so you can indulge if you need a little hair of the dog or you can soak in some nutrients with a delicious smoothie- how decadent are you feeling?
When it comes to the food, you’re just as spoilt for choice with decadent full English breakfasts (including amazing veggie and vegan options,) pancakes, a classic avocado toast, delicious breakfast rolls and filling breakfast burritos.
If all of these amazing options weren’t enough, If also offer a bottomless brunch if you’re wanting to take your breakfast to a whole new level. Featuring any food option from the menu and with glowing reviews, this could be one of the most underrated Bottomless Brunches in Leeds.
If don’t take bookings so pop down nice and early on a weekend if you’re after a table as they’re usually crammed full. With a relaxing vibe, amazing quality local ingredients and a scrumptious menu, If is definitely a perfect breakfast spot.
WOLFØX
Wellington Street, Leeds city centre | Open from 8am
Wolfox, on Wellington Street, is an organic eatery and coffee house that offers nutritious breakfasts, brunches, and lunches to the people of Leeds.
Now with several locations across the country, Wolfox has brought organic, delicious food and drinks to the masses and will soon also be offering dinner to their loyal customers. The breakfast menu is extensive and features a whole section just for “healthy bowls” like mango rice pudding, overnight oats and smoothie bowls.
If you’re after something warm there’s plenty of filling egg options to satisfy your cravings, full breakfasts and sweetcorn fritters. Although they do offer the classic avocado toast, the menu also features a twist on this with peas, mint and dill taking the avocado’s spot.
For guests who are looking to indulge, the brioche French toast and the pulled pork with a poached egg are a decadent step away from smoothie bowls and the Biscoff or Nutella latte options can be added on for the perfect luxurious brunch.
With turmeric and beetroot lattes as well, Wolfox’s drinks menu is just as varied as the food menu and offers amazing options for health nuts or for those looking to indulge. This is the perfect spot if you’re not sure what you fancy or you need to please a whole group as there’ll definitely be something for everyone.
AlleyCats
Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton | Open from 12pm
For brunch, expect a carb-fuelled menu of big brekkies like the The Fat Cat with a sausage patty, streaky bacon, fried eggs, hash browns, barbecue sauce and toast. Alternatively, the Vote-4-Pedro Quesadilla combines all your favourite breakfast ingredients into a Mexican style wrap, whilst the Brekkie McBreakfast face piled the meat and carbs onto a bun/breadcake/barm slathered in butter.
Those in need of the hair of the dog (known here as the hair of the cat) can grab an espresso martini, Bloody Mary or Mimosa with their meal, whilst those with sweet cravings after a long night out can source Belgian waffles with bacon, maple syrup and ice cream: there really is something for every craving.
If you’re visiting on a Sunday- you’re in for a real foodie treat. For £10, Alleycats offers the sweet bitterness of fresh coffee by the jug, refreshing glasses of juice and pots of tea as unlimited servings so that you can take your anxieties from the bill and instead concentrate on achieving that post-hangover euphoria.Also a bottomless serving each Sunday is Alleycat’s selection of cereal, which comes in addition to any brunch dish of your choice- there really is every food and drink to rid your hangover in this spot.
Find out more here.
Fléur
The Light, Leeds city centre | Open from 11am
Situated in The Light and one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ cafes in Leeds, Fleur is a newer addition to the Leeds breakfast scene.
The cafe has become well known for its lavish interiors and an all-day menu that features both brunch and dinner bottomless options. The breakfast menu features classics like shakshuka, avocado toast and French toast – but if you’re feeling more adventurous, there is also options like the breakfast bowl (a nutritious smoothie bowl with granola) or masala baked beans, served with a chicken sausage casserole.
Fleur’s drinks menu has something for everyone so you’ll be able to find the perfect accompaniment to your Instagram-worthy breakfast.
Fancy a decadent milkshake? You can choose between Ferrero Rocher or Jammie Dodgers and cream (YUM!) For those wanting a healthier option, iced kombucha tea and turmeric ginger lattes are also available as well as a large selection of soft drinks, teas and coffees, cocktails and mocktails.
Laynes Espresso
New Station Street, Leeds city centre | Open from 7.30am
Laynes Espresso sits on New Station St and it’s the perfect spot for breakfast if you’re hopping on or off a train.
Independently owned and run by Dave Olejnik, a barista, Laynes Espresso is serious about its coffee and has been providing the coffee lovers of Leeds with only the finest beverages since 2011.
Coffee and breakfast do go hand in hand, and with breakfast and lunch options on their all-day menu, plus a huge selection of amazing, sweet treats, Laynes clearly know just as much about great food as they do about coffee. The bustling but cosy vibe of the café will draw you in, but trust us – you’ll be staying for the pure quality of the finest organic ingredients that they dish up.
The breakfast options available include plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans, including vegan bacon and scrambled tofu, and Laynes has even started offering a vegan soft serve ice cream from northern block (go on then, no one can stop you from having ice cream for breakfast when you’re an adult).
For more traditional breakfast goers there’s, of course, the full English breakfast and breakfast rolls and for a bit of a twist, the black pudding hash and bubble and squeak offer traditional breakfast vibes but with something a little different.
Get a table booked at Laynes Espresso for your next breakfast excursion or, if you’re lucky enough, they do keep tables available for walk-ins so you could try your luck for a little spontaneous breakfast trip when you’re next roaming around town.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
