North Star Coffee have only gone and done it again.
Yes we're basic. Yes we love brunch. Are we going to apologise for it? No.
There's just something special about strutting out the door on a Saturday morning and recklessly combining two meals into one that gets us feeling absolutely crazy.
So you can only imagine how feral we felt when everyone's favourite brunch spot, North Star Coffee Shop, announced a new menu.
Spoiler alert, it was mayhem.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
North Star is Leeds institution at this point, if you're a fan of coffee then you know that whatever these guys touch turns into gold.
And this menu is no exception.
The crispy duck pancake with sticky plum hoisin sauce was a standout dish, topped with a runny fried egg that was cooked to utter perfection.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The pimped up beans on toast with crispy bacon and Calabrian chilli made Heinz beans look inedible, and of course the house pancakes which we urge you to order as dessert were deliciously decadent.
And if that wasn't enough, the North Star Brunch Fries sprinkled with their signature stardust seasoning were probably some of the best potatoes we've had the pleasure of eating. That seasoning must be laced with something.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Obviously you're not going to North Star without having a beverage or two, and their fresh juices are perfect for blowing away the cobwebs whilst their coffee is always exceptional. But you already knew that.
The staff are uber friendly, the space is light and airy and the vibes are just immaculate. You'll be set up for the day good and proper in no time.
So whatever plans you have this weekend, scrap them and get yourself down to The Docks to sample this new menu. We'll probably see you there.
If it's good enough for Anton Stach, then it's good enough for us.
Well, it really is the signing that nobody saw coming...and it’s happening right opposite the station.
Meat:Stack, the Newcastle-born, award-winning burger joint on Bishopgate Street in Leeds, is giving the people what they want - a burger with Anton Stach’s name on it.
Introducing ‘The Moustachi Burger', officially launching Tuesday 18 August where Anton Stach himself will be down at Meat:Stack to meet United fans, sign autographs and, of course, tuck into his very own creation.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Even better, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Elhadj Diouf Foundation (EDF), a charity chosen by Stach that supports children through education.
Not only that, but it's a great opportunity to support Meat:Stack that has been suffering from the ongoing road works for months on end now.
So really, you've got no excuse to come down and tuck into the special which will be available through the opening weeks of the season.
Anton Stach, Leeds United and Germany midfielder, added: “Leeds has felt like home from very early on, and a lot of that is the people and the places around the ground, the businesses fans go to before and after a game. Meat:Stack is one of them, and they’ve had a hard time with the building work on their doorstep. The Moustachi Burger is a lovely nod to my YouTube channel too.
"This is a team on the rise in a city on the comeback, and support has to go both ways. I wanted to back a business Leeds fans care about and raising money for a foundation my family has given so much to at the same time means everything. I’ll be there on the 18th, bring your appetite.”
Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
Clementine Hall
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Neighbourhood Café, Belfast
Colonna & Small’s, Bath
Established Coffee, Belfast
Hard Lines Coffee, Cardiff
Rough Handmade, Liverpool
Idle Hands Coffee, Manchester
Full Court Press, Bristol
Laynes Espresso, Leeds
Kaf Coffee, Glasgow
Dom’s Coffee, Cambridge
Bravo Laynes, a well earned accolade for one of our favourite spots in the city.
Clementine Hall -
25th October 2024 
