Leeds is fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting cities when it comes to food. In fact, with new, trendy spots popping up all over the city the whole time, we’d go as far as to say it’s becoming somewhat of a foodie destination. One of the greatest things about Leeds’ food scene however, is how varied it is. Not only are a wide range of different cuisines are represented but at all different levels too. This means that Leeds is home to everything from top Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to incredible casual cafés and diners. One of the things that Leeds is best at though is brunch.
For a while brunch was considered a meal that you would only really have at the weekend, when you’d had a lie in and it was a bit late for breakfast. However, while weekend brunch is still a big thing in Leeds, weekday brunches are just as popular as an alternative to lunch. The city’s brunch scene is also incredibly diverse both in terms of price range and style, with everything on offer from beautifully presented brunches with a view, to cafés serving crowd-pleasing classics. This means that whether you’re looking for a casual brunch spot where you can pop in on spec with friends, or somewhere a bit more special for a celebration, you’ll be sure to find the perfect place in Leeds.
With such a range of different brunch restaurants and cafés to choose from in Leeds, we wouldn’t blame you for feeling a bit overwhelmed when trying to decide where to head. That’s why we’ve put together a guide below to the best brunch in Leeds to give you a hand. So next time you’re looking for an extra special eggs Benedict or a stack of bacon-topped American pancakes in Leeds, make sure to check out these places.
Angelica
What: The sixth floor of Leeds' Trinity Centre might not be where you would expect to find a brilliant brunch, but D&D's Angelica serves exactly that. This isn't the place to go if you're looking for a slap-up brunch as this is very much a stylish restaurant rather than a casual café. However, if you are in the market for something a little bit classy, Angelica's menu features everything from a crayfish and brown butter crumpet to buttermilk banoffee pancakes.
Where: Level 6, Trinity Centre, 70 Boar Lane, LS1 6HW
Friends of Ham
What: While there are a few vegetarian brunch options available at Friends of Ham, as you might have guessed from the name, this is a spot perhaps best enjoyed by meat-eaters, in particular fans of the humble pig. This cosy café serves its daily brunch menu, which features the likes of hot smoked bath chaps (pig's cheeks) and poached eggs, until 2pm giving you plenty of time to stuff your face.
Where: 4-8 New Station Street, LS1 5DL
Fettle
What: It may be best known for its fantastically priced evening set menus but Fettle's brunch offering is just as impressive as the rest of its food. Head to this intimate café and restaurant for brunch on both on weekdays and weekends to enjoy the likes of chai spiced red rice porridge, mushrooms on pumpernickel rye toast, and salt beef Benedict.
Where: 73 Great George Street, LS1 3BR
Le Chalet
What: Bringing a slice of France to Leeds, Le Chalet is the place to go if you're wanting a Gallic-inspired brunch. Indulge in everything from French toast topped with bacon to a full French breakfast, which includes a fresh sliced baguette with jam and honey, a pastry of your choice, a juice and a hot drink. Now that's a spread that's hard to refuse.
Where: 31-32 Park Row, LS1 5JD
IF...Call Lane
What: Based right in Leeds' city centre If...Call Lane is a charming but trendy dine-in café which serves a pretty mean brunch. Not only does its menu feature all the classics like porridge, eggs Benedict and a full English, but there are also a few more unusual brunch dishes on offer. We suggest trying the brunch burrito which comes filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and spring onions.
Where: 43 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
East 59th
What: Another brunch spot from our friends at D&D, this time taking its inspiration from the rooftop bars of New York. There's always a buzz in East 59th whether you come for cocktails in the evening or to feast on eggs and pancakes during the day. If you're looking for a bottomless brunch, this is a particularly great option as you have to pay just £15 per person for an hour and a half of free-flowing drinks.
Where: Victoria Gate, 3rd Floor Rooftop, George Street, LS2 7AU
The Ivy Victoria Quarter
What: For a brunch that never fails to feel a little bit special, you can never go wrong with the Ivy. Leeds' outpost is found in the city's Victoria quarter and features all the traditional Ivy touches including brightly coloured décor and modern art a plenty. The weekend brunch menu doesn't just cover the standards such as eggs royale served with chips, but also drifts into more lunchy territory too.
Where: Vicar Lane, LS1 6BB
The Restaurant Bar & Grill
What: As the name might suggest, The Restaurant Bar & Grill is more of a refined affair than some of the laid-back cafés in our guide. Set in an impressive building which used to be a post office, this is certainly a grand setting for a weekend brunch. Expect classic dishes such as Highland scrambled and avocado on toast, as well as healthy options like coconut yoghurt with fruit. An added bonus here is that for £25 you can add bottomless Prosecco to your brunch for two hours, to turn things into a bit more of a party.
Where: The Old Post Office, 3 City Square, LS1 2AN
Cosy Club
What: With branches now open all over the UK, Cosy Club continues to offer up crowd-pleasing brasserie-style food in theatrically decorated rooms and this is exactly what you get at the Leeds outpost. The brunch menu is available all the way until 5pm and includes ham hock hash served with a fried egg and breakfast gravy, and a delicious take on a shakshuka.
Where: 53 Albion Street, LS1 5AA
Grön Kafe
What: You'll have to venture a little bit out of the city centre to find Grön Kafe, which is located in the suburban area of Oakwood, but it's well-worth it if you're wanting a more unusual brunch. Owned by Leeds chef Matt Healy, Grön Kafe has a distinctly Scandi feel to it and that carries through to the food offering, with everything from crab scrambled eggs with radish, to banana bread with soya yoghurt and berry compote on the brunch menu.
Where: 454 Roundhay Road, LS8 2HU
Olive & Rye
What: This independent café in Leeds' wonderful Queen's Arcade is bursting full of charm and is great place to get cosy for a few hours while tucking into a big old brunch. Olive & Rye's menu is one of those where you'll feel like you're missing out unless you order everything. Popular choices include chorizo baked beans, Wensleydale cheddar and paprika on sourdough toast, and waffles with salted caramel, vanilla cream and a macadamia nut brittle.
Where: 18-20 Briggate, LS1 6LF
Laynes Espresso
What: This is a particularly great choice for brunch for any coffee lovers out there, as Laynes Espresso bar's primary focus is serving top quality cuppas. The spacious café's delicious brunch menu is somewhat of a bonus and features treats such as buckwheat pancakes topped streaky bacon and maple honey butter, and Turkish-style eggs topped garlic yoghurt and sage and chipotle sauce.
Where: 16 New Station Street, LS1 5DL
LS6
What: Also known as The Clock Café, LS6 has a long history to it and is in fact one of the longest running independent businesses in Leeds to this day. It might not have served a brunch menu when it first opened but it certainly does now, and mighty fine one at that. The menu, which is split into sections like 'eggs' and 'muffins' covers everything from toast and jam to a full Yorkshire breakfast, as well as offering a selection of sandwiches and wraps too.
Where: 14-16A Headingley Lane, LS6 2AS
Feed
What: Veering away a little from the classic British brunch, Feed offers the people of Leeds a short but sweet, New York-inspired brunch menu. This means that you can tuck into things like fried chicken and waffles served with crispy bacon and maple syrup, and a spicy take on smashed avocado which comes drizzled with sriracha. There's also the option to go bottomless for £27.95 a head, which includes an array of beers, cocktails and Prosecco.
Where: 163 Richardshaw Lane, Pudsey, LS28 6AA
Neighbourhood
What: Bringing a bit of New York glitz to Leeds, Neighbourhood is an incredibly fun place to brunch thanks to its ultra-extra décor which features pink bulbs everywhere you look and graffiti murals designed by Triston Eaton on the walls. In terms of the brunch menu, depending on how hungry you're feeling you can opt for anything from avocado toast, to the HBHD burger which comes with hot salted fries. This is another spot where you can add in bottomless drinks for £35.
Where: 5 Greek Street, LS1 5RW
Getting up to early to justify a brunch? Check out our guide to the best places for breakfast in Leeds