I spend a number of my lunchtimes here - I adore the decaf (I'm convinced it's the best in Leeds)…read moreand they do a good line in wholesome lunches - both well filled ciabattas and great warming soups. Top that off with an occasional peanut blondie or raspberry and white choc brownie and I'm one happy punter.

Tiny coffee shop near the river. A good, relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. The coffee is ok…read moreand a small selection of cakes and pastries to choose from. Quirky and ok.

All right, calm down. I know I like to doll out the stars, but this. I was so impressed with this…read moreplace! Let's get this in order so you can feel the vibe: Decor: Ultra cool. Love the art work, the graffiti style, the quirky furnishings and so on. You walk in and you know you've come to a place where even the littlest things have been considered -- a great thing. Staff: every person I interacted with was cool and friendly, from the bar to the barbecue (yes -- barbecue; I'll get to that!). Drinks: Although I only had prosecco and a g&t, there's more to explore. I need to get back and try out the cocktails, as this isn't your standard Carling joint. Food: Okay, so I've only eaten here the once, but I love what they're doing. Croissants for breakfast/late brunch snacks was an immediate bonus. And on weekends (Saturdays? Sundays?) if it's sunny, they crack out the barbecue! They've got a fab little outdoor seating bit where they get the grill going on the patio. I was a late comer, so they just about had lamb burgers left, but it was fab. Well cooked and filled with tzatziki. Wish the bun had been fresher, but other than that, it was great. All told, this place seems pretty faultless. An awesomely cool new (ish) bar down Brewery Wharf -- finally and alternative to the blerg of Oracle. Clientele seem miles apart from that place too. Phew!

Great idea for a place, they literally do everything; breakfast, lunch then turn into a full on bar…read morewith cocktails and all. Outdoor seating that gets the sun on a morning and early afternoon. Good quality food on a limited menu so you know the ingredients are fresh. Even comes with a resident dog who just mooches around saying hi to everyone. Coffee that can compete with all the high quality cafes in Leeds city centre. Unfortunately just not enough staff on so we had to wait a long time for food. If they can get the staff levels right this place could be a 5 star joint.

There's something addictively relaxing, inspiring, and ponderous about this delightful cafe,…read moresituated a stone's throw from the bus station of Leeds. Perhaps it's the creative types that inhabit the building, whose ebb and flow in and out of the place spark one's imagination, or perhaps it's the intrigue of the gallery next door. Either way, in this space, I feel as though I could spend the day writing, as the rest of the world speeds by on the busy road. If you're in the business of cakes, and eating particularly delicious ones, this place is where you set up shop. With most (if not all) being supplied by the eco-ethical cool local company That Old Chestnut, you can be assured you're in for a royal mouth treat. They're vegan, they're generously portioned, they're all about £2, and they're excellent. Yesterday I allowed myself to partake of a banana and chocolate loaf slice, and it was everything I desired, and more. Moist, flavoursome, chocolatey and with added nuts! I also had a few cups of the masala chai tea. Although I've forgotten the name of the tea brand, it was a fantastic cuppa, and perfectly reviving. The seating is varied, and plentiful for such a small space, so if you're lucky you can bag a squishy sofa. However, the plastic pawn seats are just as comfy, so grab a pew and get your thinking cap on. The music is ambient and unobtrusive, so there's no need to worry about loud chart distraction. It's a place to meet friends and catch up, it's a place to disappear into your own thoughts, it's a place to catch up on work poaching the free wifi, it's a place to delight in coffee, cake and tea. I hadn't time to test out the soup or sarnies, but I shall be back soon for more wifi antics and a deeper investigation as to the edibles -having been a fan of Bakery 164's sandwiches I'm sure they will not disappoint. If you get there before me, do let me know what you think! A lovely indie spot, and one that should be frequented by all.

Forgive me if I wax lyrical but as I sat in Cafe 164 I got the feeling that it was a place where…read morestories are made, deals done and beautiful people shake hands with life. It's such a comfortable place where not only did my latte and flapjack taste great but I could relax in the knowledge that they were ethical (I think). There are some very comfortable sofas (I gave up my chance to sit there as a largish group came in just behind me and I'm a nice, thoughtful guy) and I would very much like to settle down with a latte or two and a book for a long session of me time at some stage in the near future (they even have a bring one, take one book shelf). My only worry was that the ceiling looks a bit iffy and I had some chicken licken moments.

Can't miss the yellow, inviting my cafe right next to the train station, so I didn't think to check…read moreit out until a month into my stay at Leeds ‍ What a gem! Buttered sourdough toast with poached eggs were amazing (I've really become a fan of poached eggs recently). The granola was pretty good, but the fruit is sweetened a bit too much for my taste. Great place to hang out with my Kindle. Will frequent as much as possible with my remaining month in Leeds. Make a reservation if you can. They take walk ins, but you will need to wait right outside.

Best breakfast I've had in Leeds this visit. The dry cappuccino was served perfectly, I ordered one…read moreto go it was so amazing. The service was impeccable, and the food immaculate. My poached egg broke with a syrupy affect down my toasted sourdough as the steam slowly whirled off like smoke from a chimney on a cold crisp morning. I also ordered a sticky toffee custard danish which resembled the quality and flavor of a pastry from Tartines back in SF. The ambiance and mood was just right of a cafe, enough bustle to feel the verve and passion of the staff but not intrusive to the soul entering the day. I will be back and encourage others to give this place a try!

Lovely little cafe in Holbeck, a short walk from the train station and city centre. Serves super…read morenice coffee, all sorts of fruity brews and really good snacky food. Think door-wedge sandwiches, freshly made soups, salads, sushi etc. They also have local produce in stock - I bought some Yorkshire Honey in there the other day. Gorgeous. Price isn't cheap but - you get what you pay for. There's not much room to sit in but good for taking friends / clients. You could sit outside on the patch of 'grass' - but I'd wait for the summer months for that. Staff are super friendly and there's a selection of magazines / papers to grab if you're feeling the need to consume some literature along with your nosh. They tweet too - @outofthewoodsuk - in a nice personal way. Watch out for the cupcakes on the counter, they're very hard to not buy.

Opened in December, the second Out of the Woods in Leeds adds a delightful offering to Granary…read moreWharf. With such a fantastic reputation and community following from the first Out of the Woods on Water Lane in Holbeck Urban Village, the new juice bar serves coffee, soup, smoothies, juice, sandwiches, all things wholesome, just as good if not better than the last. In all the madness of opening a new shop in the christmas period, Ross & Jon (OOTW parents) even had time to open a 'pop-up' Christmas Shop also in Granary Wharf - selling gift boxes and presents that my parents loved. The interior is chic, so is the graphic or 'branding', very simple and decadent but most of all the staff are genuinely lovely. Out of the Woods provides very affordable prices for high quality local produce and excellent personal service. I have, like most, a thing for good coffee and well delivered service with a sense that your custom is valued. For me this is exactly what Out of the Woods is about and does a damn good job at that! Get down there for a coffee / meeting, lunch date, walk along the canal, breakfast before work, comfortable chat, healthy smoothie. etc, etc. I cannot recommend it enough. OH, THEY HAVE FREE WI-FI!!!! THANK YOU Out of the Woods.

This beautifully presented shop stocks a bounty of gadgets, ingredients and gifts. Situated in the…read moreClarence Dock development, Hob is a hub of activity. Although I do not feel Clarence Dock has reached its full potential in terms of creating a vibrant atmosphere, I am sympathetic towards their plight. Economically, it has not been an ideal time to attract businesses to fill the space. With that in mind, I commend them for not lowering their expectations and therefore quality of the area, by settling for less and accepting the arrival of mediocre companies. For mediocrity is an alien concept to Hob. When entering the shop, my eyes were bedazzled with the spectacular array of colourful and unusual items. It appears as though The Mad Hatter got a little jaded with the monotony of Wonderland, and decided to relocate to Leeds to open a shop. Dainty little carts display items from varying cultures. An Indian cart is covered with convenient spice packs to create the perfect curry. Authentic Indian and Chinese crockery are available, perfect for enhancing the most sophisticated dinner party. Chinese lanterns and various cooking items are available in their droves, with the warming scent of herbs wafting around the nostrils. When I was in recently, I noticed that my behaviour began to change. Who would have guessed that I, Kate, would ever be interested in the grace of a ginger grater, the comeliness of cutlery or the tastefulness of a teapot. I admit, I do enjoy a good teapot, but I behaved as though I was an expert, a veritable connoisseur of all kitchen based goods! It is a lovely shop to choose a gift for a friend or relative. From the choice of cookery books, kitsch kitchenware and many more treats, a present from here should by no means be considered a generic last resort. A section which introduces children to cooking is also a great resource to buy a birthday present which is a bit different from the usual My Little Pony or He-Man figurines. I am not out of touch, you take that back. At the rear of the shop, there is a small cafe which serves a range of sandwiches, toasties, soup and brunch. The food I have had has been both tasty and inexpensive, with the breakfast sandwiches earning particular profuse praise. A huge wooden table serves as an excellent base to devour your snack, the communal setting creating an intimate atmosphere. Whether you need to track down some yellow mustard seeds, some loose teas from around the world or the latest scribblings from your favourite chef, Hob is the ideal place to do so. Whilst eating a ham and cheese toastie, result.

Best coffee shop in Leeds. The food is amazing, the service is on point and the ambiance is…read moreperfect. They have a limit on the amount of time you can work from there.

This place serves proper coffee, it's in the Laynes espresso league!…read more This is a very good thing, Leeds needs more of these and no more chains, don't get me wrong I frequent them too! This place is a hidden gem tucked behind HSBC.

I just loved Banyan. The atmosphere, the wide range of food options from healthy veggie to meaty…read moreand delicious. Service was delightful - warm, attentive & funny. I went twice while in Leeds on business because the healthy options were just what I needed at day's end. A great option in City Centere for all types of tastes & palates.

Yep, loved this place. Great food, good atmosphere.read more

Out of the Woods is my local sandwich shop & all round fab independent cafe (yes, I am that lucky!)…read moreand I'm telling you, they do a mean sandwich. They also do lots of other goodness that you're bound to love. I can be a fussy eater. I don't do rocket, I've only just tried brie, I'm a bit strange about chutneys but the salami, goats cheese and mango chutney sandwich is one of the best sandwiches I've had. Even the rocket in it tastes nice. If its breakfast you're looking for, the choice ranges from porridge & granola to pastries and fruit. The breakfast smoothie is one of the best I've ever had. Seriously good. On top of all that, you can even buy Yorkshire Crisps and Lottie Shaw's parkin!! YES! Seriously though, this is a good place, it isn't too pricey and the menu is varied. Plus, they won't judge you. I went in in PJs once when I was unwell & they didn't bat an eyelid! Nice peeps!

Out Of The Woods is an awesome little coffee shop. I've never visited their original store on Water…read moreLane but the Granary Wharf place is a beauty. Really nice food (I recommend the ginger and cinnamon oatmeal cookies!), very good coffee and a really, really nice atmosphere. The place is decked out perfectly, really rustic yet somehow super modern. Really great place to visit. I'm just hoping they open another store closer to my place of work - hows about it guys? =)

The world would be a better place if we all had a little French in us. Some may beg to differ, but…read morenobody can deny that Parisians have that little bit of class and sophistication if a huge dollop of surliness at times too. So when I'm in need of a quick French fix I get my kicks at Cafe Rouge. It's a typical European style cafe and bar. Plenty of outdoor dining and lots of dark moody places to sit inside. It's a nice joint, with spot on atmospheric decor and waiters who look like they've just come in from the Eiffel Tower. They want you to know this is French and I think they do it pretty well actually. As for the drinks, well spot on sir, spot on. The wines are expensive but classy little numbers. Check out some of the sparkling for some fizz that's not Champagne but tastes as fresh and crisp as the real deal. You want a good coffee? No problem either. It's all there for you. As for the food, top marks once again. I personally like the goats cheese salad which is rich and creamy beyond words. After all, the French know their cheeses. You can go for more traditional options or even sandwich it up with a nice order of fries with that (although I think they'll curse at me calling them fries!).

During the day Cafe Rouge, and certainly this branch, is a reasonably nice posh place to go for a…read moredrink. Being situated behind the Corn Exchange and slightly off the beaten track it is usually a lot calmer than the branch at The Light and so easy to find a table. You can be sure to relax and have a good natter without the noise and hub-bub of a busy shopping centre. My only experience of Cafe Rouge as a night time bar was immediately after a virtual break-up, so not exactly a happy time unfortunately! Having been left at the train station at around 11pm at night I had to wander around and wait for my housemate to fetch me once he'd finished his shift at a nearby restaurant. A dreadfully long hour (with lots of miserable tears) later he finished his shift and took me to Cafe Rouge to cheer me up. We had a few pints of lager, standard fare, and then got a cab home but (in between cursing and crying) I was able to note how glad I was that it wasn't too busy and so embarrassing for me to be sat there in the state I was in! I guess the moral of this story is that Cafe Rouge here is a nice quiet version of t'other in't Light, with all the benefit and none of the rabble. Certainly good enough to take a friend who might need consoling in peace...