Top Breakfasts in Leeds: Best 15 Spots in 2024
Looking for breakfast in Leeds can be overwhelming, as the city is awash with excellent places to eat your first meal of the day and enjoy a refreshing coffee or tea. Lucky for you, we have rounded up the top 15 cafés, diners and restaurants for an amazing breakfast in Leeds!
Whether you are craving a hearty Full English, healthy smoothie or perhaps something a little different, we have you covered. Read on to discover the best places to enjoy breakfast in Leeds.
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The Best Restaurants for Breakfast in Leeds
1. The Ivy Victoria Quarter Brasserie
For the swankiest breakfast in Leeds, dive into the glamour of The Ivy Victoria Quarter Brasserie, which boasts a stunning art deco style and vibrant atmosphere. Originating in London, The Ivy opened its doors in 1917 and its popularity has been steadily growing ever since.
The Vibe
You’ll want to dress up for this restaurant, which has a very exclusive atmosphere. From the pendant lighting to the polished floors and iconic toilets (yes really!), The Ivy Victoria Quarter Brasserie is the perfect place for a birthday breakfast in Leeds or another special occasion.
What to Order
The breakfasts here are reasonably priced given the luxurious surroundings and are suitable for big appetites or for diners who prefer something on the lighter side. Opt for the full English breakfast for a classic start or choose the healthier options such as the smoked salmon crumpet or crushed avocado and roasted tomatoes on caraway toast. Vegetarian options are also available.
The Ivy Victoria Quarter Brasserie | Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS1 6BB | ££-£££
2. FINT
Breakfast in Leeds with a Scandinavian twist, anyone? FINT offers its diners a unique Scandi-inspired breakfast/brunch menu that is sure to leave your mouth watering. If you’re looking for something a little different in the heart of Leeds, this is the place for you.
The Vibe
This casual restaurant has diners in Leeds returning time after time for a true taste of Scandinavia. FINT has a great reputation for its friendly atmosphere and cool vibes.
What to Order
Catering for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans, there is something for everyone at FINT. If you fancy something healthy and bursting with flavour, then the Bay, Lemon and Cardamom Buckwheat Porridge with tahini granola and cinnamon apple butter is sure to tickle your taste buds. Hearty breakfasts are also available and are served with a traditional Swedish raggmunk (potato cake).
FINT | 73 Great George St., Leeds, LS1 3BR | ££
3. Laynes Espresso
You might need to book ahead for this breakfast in Leeds as Laynes Espresso is very popular with both residents and visitors to the city. A few minutes walk from Leeds station, this bustling café arguably boasts the best coffee in Leeds, as well as serving up a variety of tempting breakfast dishes.
The Vibe
We can describe the vibe in one word: busy. If you like a bit of bustle with your cup of coffee, then the atmosphere won’t bother you. Otherwise, you may find the constant stream of commuters lining up for their morning caffeine fix a little distracting.
What to Order
Coffee, coffee and coffee! This independent café prides itself on its coffee menu, so be sure to have a cup of roasted goodness alongside your breakfast in Leeds. The Laynes breakfast, featuring locally sourced meat, is a firm favorite among the community. The Turkish eggs served with garlic yoghurt and halloumi provide something unique for diners in Leeds stepping away from traditional British food.
Laynes Espresso | 16 New Station St., Leeds, LS1 5DL | ££
4. Browns
Having trouble finding somewhere unique to eat for your breakfast in Leeds? Browns is the ideal location for a special occasion. Set in the former banking hall of the Leeds Permanent Building Society, this venue will almost certainly leave a lasting impression.
The Vibe
There’s a slightly exclusive vibe in Browns, owing to the grand building and carefully selected menu. It feels pretty swanky without being pretentious, so it makes for a relaxed yet charming breakfast in Leeds.
What to Order
As well as the usual full English breakfast, there’s a range of savoury and sweet pancake dishes with either berries and creamy yoghurt or salty pancetta with sweet maple syrup. The most popular dish on the menu is the lobster Benedict with buttered spinach, thermidor sauce and delicious hollandaise.
Browns | The Light, 70-72, The Headrow Leeds, LS1 8EQ | ££
5. House of Koko
Located in Chapel Allerton (voted one of the U.K.’s top 10 coolest neighbourhoods by Time Out), House of Koko comes highly rated for its impressive breakfast in Leeds. With its laid-back atmosphere and carefully considered menu, this independent café is not to be missed.
The Vibe
House of Koko has an amiable vibe and welcomes its visitors with open arms. The café has a modern style that feels like it’s someone’s trendy living room. For the best breakfast in Leeds with a cosy vibe, take a seat on one of the brown sofas and catch up with friends or grab something to read from the stocked bookcase if you’re dining alone.
What to Order
To experience the best of House of Koko, opt for one of the more adventurous dishes on the menu for an exciting breakfast in Leeds. Choose from spicy shakshuka with red pepper ragù, pickled shallots, za’atar feta and eggs. Alternatively, opt for the batata harra hash made with triple-cooked Lebanese potatoes, housemade lemon aioli, feta and fried egg.
House of Koko | 62 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 4LA | ££
6. Hyde Park Book Club
Visiting a new city as a vegetarian or vegan can be tricky but you needn’t worry; many Leeds breakfast venues provide meat-free options. Set in the heart of the city’s main student area, Hyde Park Book Club provides hearty vegetarian and vegan breakfasts that offer amazing value for money. Meat isn’t even on the menu!
The Vibe
As one would expect from a café set inside a second-hand bookshop, this is a very chilled place where you can relax with a book or catch up with friends.
What to Order
Breakfast in Leeds is not very often solely vegetarian or vegan, so if you follow a plant-based diet, this is the place for you! Homemade fiery beans on toast is a nice cheap and tasty option, whereas the Big Book Club Breakfast (still priced under £11) boasts a hearty plate of food that has vegan bacon and vegan sausages as its main focus.
Hyde Park Book Club | 27-29 Headingley Lane, Leeds LS6 1BL | £
7. Fika North
Fika North deserves a place among the best breakfast in Leeds, as this Scandi-inspired café provides a friendly atmosphere and seriously good coffee.
The Vibe
As you would expect from the suburb of Headingley (one of the main student areas of the city), this café has an exceptionally chilled vibe and the staff are always ready to greet you with a smile.
What to Order
If you have a sweet tooth, this café is ideal as it serves up a variety of homemade cakes and fresh pastries. Be sure to sample the coffee, which has been sourced from a Leeds-based independent coffee roaster.
Fika North | 98 Otley Road, Leeds, LS6 4BA | £
8. Shokupan
Step away from British fare for something different and add a Japanese twist to your breakfast in Leeds. Delve into the small menu for a true Asian experience in the heart of Yorkshire.
The Vibe
Simple yet modern, Shokupan offers a cosy space for you to eat your morning breakfast in Leeds. No need to dress up — this is a relaxed space where you can attend to your hunger and chat with friends.
What to Order
If you’re looking for the best breakfast in Leeds, you don’t necessarily have to find somewhere with dozens of food choices. Shokupan only provides a few traditional dishes on its menu but what it lacks in size it makes up for in flavour. A must-try breakfast item here is the authentic Japanese Sando, which is a type of filled sandwich made with a special type of milk bread. The pork version is highly recommended.
Shokupan | City Central, 27 Wellington St., Leeds, LS1 4EA | £
9. Moose Coffee
If you are looking for a breakfast in Leeds that offers something for everyone, then Moose Coffee is the place to be. The menu here is as large as the portion sizes, providing a whopping list of American and Canadian-style breakfast options.
The Vibe
A word of warning: You might have to wait a little while for your breakfast as this place gets busy. It’s worth the wait, though, as the food is spot-on.
What to Order
It’s rare to find North American-style breakfasts in Leeds, so it would be rude not to order something traditional while you are here! The fluffy pancakes with streaky bacon are to die for, as are the plain pancakes served with house-made maple syrup and butter.
Moose Coffee | Bond Court, Wine St., Leeds, LS1 2JZ | £
10. Zaviya Coffee Bar & Restaurant
Not everyone wants to eat a cooked breakfast in Leeds. Some people prefer something lighter and healthier. Luckily, Zaviya Coffee Bar & Restaurant (formally Wolfox Coffee) provides both options for diners in Leeds.
The Vibe
More of a restaurant than a café, Zaviya provides exotic breakfast items in a fuss-free space.
What to Order
For an unusual beverage with your breakfast in Leeds, try the Midnight Blues: a warm drink made with condensed milk, blue matcha and vanilla or the 24k gold-topped cappuccino. For a healthy breakfast, choose the organic acai bowl, which has been crafted with acai and bananas, granola and cacao nibs.
Zaviya Coffee Bar & Restaurant | 2-4 Britannia St., Leeds, LS1 2DZ | £
11. Paria Shop & Café
If you like excellent coffee and cycling (yes you heard that right!), then Paria Shop & Café should be on your Leeds breakfast list. This stylish shop and café, set in the heart of Chapel Allerton, offers tasty pastries, decent Hard Lines coffee and a range of fashionable cycle gear to boot!
The Vibe
Friendly and local, Paria is a cyclists’ paradise, offering a modern space where you can park your bike and grab a coffee.
What to Order
The pastry menu changes daily, so there will always be something a little different available to try. The coffee here is the real star; order a flat white to experience the silky smooth beans for yourself.
Paria Shop & Café | 180 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 4NZ | £
12. Sociable Folk
If you prefer to spend your breakfast in Leeds people-watching outside on a sunny terrace, then Sociable Folk is the perfect place. However, if the Yorkshire weather is typically wet and cold, fear not, as there’s plenty of cosy seating inside.
The Vibe
As the name suggests, this coffee shop is ideal for socialising, providing a friendly vibe in a modern setting.
What to Order
Sociable Folk boasts a genuinely budget-friendly breakfast in Leeds, with a bacon sandwich costing around £4 to eat in. We recommend trying a breakfast sandwich alongside a tasty cup of coffee.
Sociable Folk | 10 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4JP | £
13. North Star Coffee Shop
If you fancy an amazing coffee with a little sweetness for your breakfast in Leeds, then head to North Star Coffee Shop, which serves its own coffee blends and provides a menu of ingredients sourced from local farmers.
The Vibe
People flock here for the amazing coffee and chilled vibes, and who can blame them? It’s also located in a great spot close to the water on Leeds Dock.
What to Order
They serve Yorkshire’s most famous coffee, so you’d be missing out if you didn’t order a cup of this roasted goodness. If you need a little something to fill you up for your breakfast in Leeds, then try the North Star French toast, made with brioche from their bakery, which is served with a variety of toppings.
North Star Coffee Shop | The Blvd., Leeds Dock, Leeds, LS10 1PZ | £
14. Olive & Rye
Breakfast in Leeds has never felt so charming! Olive & Rye is located in one of the prettiest locations in Leeds, the stunning Queen’s Arcade, which makes this breakfast spot the perfect place to start your day if you are a visitor to the city.
The Vibe
This cosy little café has a country farmhouse feel with little wooden tables and cushions lining the back wall.
What to Order
If you’re craving a full English breakfast in Leeds with a twist, then be sure to make it your first choice. As well as the usual mushrooms, beans and hashbrowns, the Olive & Rye Full English also includes crispy pork belly and homemade apple and fennel black pudding.
Olive & Rye | 19-20 Queens Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6LF | £
15. San Co. Co
Breakfast in Leeds doesn’t have to break the bank and you can’t beat the value-for-money menu at San Co. Co. Located right in the centre of the city, this café is ideally located for a bite to eat before hitting the shops.
The Vibe
This no-frills café has a casual atmosphere that will appeal to those looking for a budget breakfast in Leeds.
What to Order
If you have a big appetite but don’t want to blow your daily budget on your breakfast, opt for the Full English for a large plate of hearty fare.
San Co. Co | 12 New Briggate Leeds, LS1 6NU | £
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For the best breakfast in Leeds, you have a wide choice of restaurants to try. From glamorous art deco locations to Scandinavian-inspired cafés, Japanese and budget eateries, the city of Leeds is brimming with good-quality venues for your morning meal.
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