House of Koko is a cult favourite in Leeds for brunches - and for good reason.
There's two sites, spread across Chapel Allerton and Oakwood, each with a slightly different menu, but both featured a clear love for all things brunch.
Both the traditional eggs benny kind, plus creations inspired by locations near and far -the kind you dream of brunches finding on a faraway holiday, just without the warm weather.
Available at both sites you've got the famous pancakes: a stack of three fluffy treats layered between sweet and savoury combos like Nutella, mixed berry compote, white chocolate chips and bacon (or This Isn't Bacon for a vegan alternative) with maple syrup.
'The Bennies' part of the menu also features across both sites with a choice of smoked streaky bacon, oak-smoked Atlantic salmon and chestnut mushrooms sautéed in garlic confit, served with poached free-range eggs and signature Koko hollandaise sauce on a bed of light granary bread.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The remainder of the menu varies slightly between the Oakwood and Chapel Allerton locations, but each deserves a visit in its own right.
Think Shakshuka; Red Lentil Dahl; hummus plates with Balilah, warm chickpeas fried with spices, herbs and lemon or Moroccan spiced chicken with Koko preserved lemon aioli, homemade labneh, pickled shallots served on a toasted ciabatta - there really is something for everyone's palette here.
Plus there's a huge choice of locally-sourced bakes, caffeinated drinks, cocktails and smoothies on offer for those just popping by.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The sun-lit cafes operate on a walk-in basis only, so whilst you can't book in advance for your brunch, you'll be welcomed in with open arms upon arrival and staff will always do their best to find you the best seats available.
You can however book House of Koko after the cafe closes, and use the space to celebrate your next big event.
Whether you're looking for somewhere to celebrate your birthday, cheers to a new big job, house or staff party, or just want an excuse to get your mates together, House of Koko transforms by night into the perfect intimate location.
And that's not all, by night the cafes also offer pop-up dinners from some of Masterchef’s finalists to local indies.
Most recently, locals have been treated to a one-off menu from Masterchef contestants Omar Foster, Terri Fearon with Jack Wilkinson as part of Brown Butter Dining's Supper Club, but previously menus from Bastards Bistro, Koben Smokehouse, Nick Rapson, Aida, The Cheesy Living Co, Afsaneh's Kitchen and more.
You can keep up to date with the latest events from House of Koko on Instagram or head down to either the Chapel Allerton site on 62 Harrogate Road or 466 Roundhay Road in Oakwood to check out this Leeds' favourite for yourself.
Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds
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Eats
One of Leeds’ most loved sushi restaurants has just opened a second location in the city
Because one Fern Modern Sushi wasn't enough, we've now got two.
And guess what? It's even better than the first.
Fern Modern Sushi located in the unassuming Central Arcade has become a firm foodie favourite after opening just a couple years ago.
Run by the wonderful Chef Fern, who you could say is somewhat of a local celebrity at this point, the restaurant is known for serving delicious sushi with the freshest fish possible and traditional Japanese dishes with modern flair.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Full with hungry punters no matter the time of day, it's no surprise that Chef Fern has just opened Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 on Park Row.
This beautiful new space is serving up all the classic Fern dishes, from stacked donburi bowls and perfectly rolled sushi to miso glazed cod and hearty bowls of ramen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Different for this location, though, is their exclusive cocktail menu - so you can wine and dine to your heart's content.
The interior has also levelled up, complete with a huge open kitchen so you can pull up a chair and eat whilst watching the magic happen.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And this isn't all that Chef Fern is up to, after opening Tori Nori on Vicar Lane a few months ago this will be her third restaurant in the city centre, and that is no easy feat.
She's even got another restaurant imminently opening in the Central Arcade which will be focused on traditional katsu dishes, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something else lined up in the pipeline.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fern Modern Sushi 2.0 officially opens on 19 November, but is open now for soft launch with limited bookings.
A pub in Leeds has been crowned the third best in Britain by The Good Food Guide
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pub has been crowned one of the very best in the country by The Good Food Guide.
The trusted guide has just released its 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, and we're very chuffed with the results indeed.
Taking the coveted number three spot is our very own The Highland Laddie, a 100-year-old city centre institution that reopened in April 2025 in the hands of new owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton.
These guys also run the Empire Cafe, so you just know it's going to be good.
Last year they soared straight to the top of the list and were crowned the best pub in the whole of Britain by the guide.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This time, the Queen's Arms over in Eccles came number one followed by The Cow in Notting Hill.
We still think bagging third place is quite the achievement, and if you've visited The Highland Laddie yourself you'll know just how much of a special place it is.
Don't just take our word for it, The Good Food Guide labelled the Laddie as 'a true pub with a genuine community vibe'.
They also said: "Reenergised by the team behind the Empire Cafe in 2025, this is everything that a proper English pub should be – 'oh, and they have a mustard menu!'
"Inside, the Laddie ticks all the boxes, preserving the essentials of a traditional old-school boozer and maintaining a genuine sense of community while letting the good times roll. As for the food, it’s ‘both high-end and accessible’, pulling in ideas from all over, whether you fancy a freshly shucked Lindisfarne oyster, a keema toastie or an elevated ham roll with bread cooked over the coals.
"Dig deeper and you might find a lobster madeleine with Yorkshire chorizo butter, a treacle onion tart or pork schnitzel with two fried eggs. Club steaks are served by the inch, there’s no creative let-up when it comes to sides, and the nostalgia is ramped up with the likes of strawberry and Champagne trifle with ‘sprinkles’.
"But never forget that this is a self-proclaimed ‘drinkers’ pub’ dispensing everything from ‘properly served’ British brews and ’the best Guinness in Leeds’ to a staggering line-up of whisky optics."
Sophie Smith -
1st March 2024 
