This hidden gem is serving the best coffee and french toast in Leeds

Independent cafe, ‘Bruschetta’ is supporting local businesses and serving up the freshest and 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’ are 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.

Opening just 15 months ago, the small team at Bruschetta have found the winning formula for success. The menu is small but the flavours are not, each item is carefully thought through and brunch classics are given an exciting twist with their homemade sauces and spices.

But first, let’s talk about the coffee. 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. Seems like a lot of work for a cup of coffee but my god, I can confirm it was worth it. I’ll be going back again and again for my daily oat milk flat white fix.

Now for the food. Each morning the ingredients are sourced from Leeds market and you can definitely tell; the dishes are fresh, vibrant and flavoursome whilst also being great value for money. I opted for the Full Algerian breakfast which consisted of harissa spiced cannellini beans on toasted bruschetta, topped off with an oozing poached egg and spiced merguez sausage. The final touch is a house-made roasted pine nut and za’atar oil which I now need a bottle of. The flavours were punchy but perfectly balanced and left me wanting to sample all the other savoury options on the menu.

But of course I had to leave room for something sweet and the french toast with caramelised apricots and mango certainly did not disappoint. Lacquered apricots lay on a healthy hunk of toasted brioche, topped off with a dollop of Cornish clotted cream and a sprinkling of saffron. This wasn’t overly sweet and the tartness of the apricots really shone through whilst the mango coulis swirled with the clotted cream to create an indulgent sauce for the pillowy brioche to mop up.

In an attempt to offset all that naughtiness, I went for a freshly squeezed orange, carrot and ginger juice. They have a juice menu which changes depending on the fresh fruit available at the market or you can make your own by picking your fruits from the market style set-up at the counter.

With a seasonal menu which changes regularly, I’ll certainly be going back time and time again. Not only to taste the delicious food and drink but to see the lovely staff whom gave me the warmest welcome and shared their vast knowledge and passion for local business with me.

Find out more about Bruschetta here.