Breakfast has long been argued to be the most important meal of the day, it is also one of the most looked forward to for many and there are lots of different options you could choose. It might be a slice of toast, cereal, a full English or something in between.
Leeds has seen a rise in the number of restaurants offering breakfasts and brunch, gone are the days of the greasy spoon lording over the morning, now you can find all sorts of breakfast foods across the city. It depends what you fancy but with so many choices, we decided to narrow the list down.
Using Tripadvisor, we have put together a list of the 20 best to grab an early morning bite to eat. We have included the top-rated restaurants and cafes on the site, including some reviews from customers.
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This list is by no means exhaustive but it includes some of the best you can get to in Leeds. We have included traditional cafes, pubs, bars and fully fledged restaurants.
Residence 74 Cafe & Bar
Located on Otley Road, Residence 74 serves breakfast, brunch and an evening dining menu. It takes the number one spot on Tripadvisor with five stars from 284 reviews.
They serve everything from a traditional fry up to vegan alternatives, various eggs and sandwiches for brekkie.
One review said: "Residence 74 is a lovely spot for some outside brunch while the weather is good. Always a bit nervous about them not taking bookings for brunch as it always seems busy, yet somehow we've always managed to get a table without a wait.
Another said: "We love eating here and visit quite often. The staff are always friendly and helpful and the food is amazing. Would definitely recommend"
Harts Coffee House & Deli
Harts Coffee House and Deli is located in Boston Spa. They are a tea room passionate about Yorkshire produce and home made fresh food. It is a small venue serving locally famous picnics and afternoon teas as well as a range of breakfast products.
A review online said: "A delightful afternoon tea with a lovely atmosphere and staff are very friendly and can't do enough for you. Definitely recommend a visit"
Another said: "Beautiful warm welcome on a cold & frosty morning. Stopping here before on our cycling adventures & will again. Lovely hot coffee & eggs on toast today. Just right to warm us up & refuel before facing the icey air again. Always quality food, always good value. Thank you, see you again soon."
North Street Deli
North Street Deli, located in Wetherby, serves a range of hot and cold food and drinks which can be eaten in or taken away. Their breakfast menu features all the classics, including various sandwiches, eggs and a reasonably priced full English.
It has four and a half stars on Tripadvisor, with one review saying: "We were travelling through Wetherby and were looking for somewhere for a coffee and a snack and we came across this cafe by chance. Lovely atmosphere, lovely staff and lovely coffee and very reasonably priced…..what more can you ask for."
Another said: "Had brunch today, 21/12, very tasty food, good value for money. Sat on comfy sofas in window, nice ambience, relaxed atmosphere, busy but staff attentive. Will definitely return."
The Station House Cafe & Bistro
Located at Garforth railway station, the Station House is an Italian eatery, serving breakfast to awaiting commuters. They have a range of breakfast sandwiches, cakes and evening meals.
They have five stars from 245 reviews on Tripadvisor, one review said: "Excellent food, proper Italian feel. Good service, and friendly staff. Plenty of choice and reasonably priced."
Another said: "We visited here last night and had the most delicious food. Fresh quality ingredients lovingly made to authentic Italian recipes. The owner / chef and all other staff were incredibly attentive and so welcoming. We cant praise this wonderful restaurant enough, truly a little piece of heaven ! We can't wait to return."
West Park Lounge
West Park Lounge can be found on Otley Road, they serve Mediterranean food, with a popular breakfast menu. They serve full breakfasts, with a range of veggie options, omelettes and breakfast burritos.
One review on Tripadvisor said: "What an absolutely brilliant place. Lovely ambiance, excellent food at a very reasonable price and fantastic service. So glad we found you!"
Another said: "Visited again recently and had the sea bass as part of the new early bird menu. It was absolutely beautiful and was cooked to perfection. There’s also a new outside seating area which looks really nice; will be back in the summer to try it!"
Laynes Espresso
Laynes can be found on New Station Street in the city centre. They are a British cafe serving coffee, hot food and baked goods. They are known for having one of the breakfast and brunch menus in the city.
They have four out of five stars on Tripadvisor, with one review saying: "Great coffee, good food and super staff. Haven’t been here for 3 years but it’s still just as good. So refreshing to find good coffee in UK that isn’t one of the awful chains."
Another said: "This is a great place to get breakfast in Leeds. It’s got a great menu (good veggie options) and the coffee is brilliant. I ended up going back every morning cause it’s just such a good vibe. Great selection, good prices and really convenient location on Leeds city centre."
Heaney and Mill
Located on Otley Road, Heaney and Mill is a proudly independent restaurant in the heart of Headingley. They pride themselves on high-quality food across the board, the kitchen is led by MasterChef finalist Tom Rennolds and they have a famous brunch menu.
One review said: "i was a very fussy customer this morning, but nothing was too much trouble, thank you, brilliant brunch as ever."
Another review said: "Excellent food and friendly attentive staff. Not a "bottomless" brunch place but high quality well-presented food!"
Riveresque Cafe
Riveresque, located by the Calls in Leeds by the river is a traditional breakfast spot. They serve traditional full English as well as a range of other breakfast and brunch options, one review said it is perfect for a recovery meal after a night out.
One review said: "Great spot for a hearty brekkie by the river. Huge portions, hot food, great choice and friendly staff with views of the river...whats not to like?"
Another said: "Second visit to this wonderful place. Very tasty food, excellent service and outside seating with a view of the river."
Cha Lounge
Cha Lounge is located on Dock Street near the Calls in the city centre. They do a range of fusion foods with breakfast wraps, full English with a twist and sharing boards for brunch.
One review on Tripadvisor said: "Nice little find whilst scrolling through breakfast/brunch places in city. Food was delicious, good quality ingredients and service was great too! Would defo recommend."
Another said: "Brunch visit five stars for sure, first class quality, amazing food and a friendly ambience, back soon I hope, thank you."
Cranberry
Cranberry is a British cafe in Kirkgate, Otley. The cafe serves coffee, hot and cold food and is the number one spot in Otley for coffee.
Reviews on Tripadvisor say: "Nowt better than this coffee shop and more ...highly recommended for families and couples. Great staff and many thanks to Tom W."
Another said: "Friendly, attentive staff. Quick service. Food tasted fab and fresh - had warm baguettes and cakes. Would definitely eat here again!"
Eagle Tavern
Eagle Tavern on North Street near Sheepscar won the 2022 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice award. They are a British pub and bar.
It is a perfect place to stay overnight, with customers praising their breakfast, one review said: "Myself and my wife, stayed here last Saturday night.easy 20 minutes walk from the railway station. Rooms top drawer.great beer and red wine lol. And a lovely breakfast. Thank you so much Joanne and no problem at all Leanne. We will return."
Another said: "We would thoroughly recommend this pub as a place to stay. Fantastic welcome, beautiful rooms and bacon butties for an on the move breakfast provided on our last day. Thank you so much!"
Cafe & Bistro
Located in Thorp Arch retail park, Cafe and Bistro is reminiscent of a "greasy spoon". They serve breakfasts and brunch all throughout the day. Customers have praised the food and service, especially the massive all day breakfast.
One review said: "Went here for lunch with the kids. I had an amazing all day breakfast. It was huge and had spam in it which you don’t get very often nowadays and was a rare treat. Fried bread was probably the best I’ve had. Kids loved their meals (sausage , chips and beans and fish , chips and beans). Food came quickly and was amazing value. I think the breakfast was about 6 quid but I was full for the next week off it. Kids played on the hills around with a frisbee after (the park is now shut unfortunately). Had a great time. A hidden gem"
The Gourmet
The Gourmet located in Wetherby is a British cafe doing eggs benedict, full English, sandwiches and lighter options for breakfast. It's a "great place" for breakfast and one of the top spots in Wetherby.
One review said: "Stopped off at Wetherby on our way to Northumberland. Found the Gourmet easily from the main car park and ordered breakfast. Beautifully cooked, perfect toast and we were really impressed with the friendly, efficient staff. Can highly recommend."
Another said: "Food freshly prepared and beautifully presented. Latte coffee piping hot and very good. Staff all friendly and welcoming. Situated right in the centre of Wetherby although slightly tucked away. I was really pleased with my experiences (twice) of The Gourmet."
Cafe YumYum
Cafe YumYum located in Brewery Place near the Calls is raved about for its food. Customers say it is "excellent" and the breakfast is "amazing".
One review said: "We visited Yum Yum yesterday for breakfast, was fabulous service and great food! I had the small English and my husband had chorizo and hash! Absolutely gorgeous!
"Don't bother with the Jurys Inn folks when this little diamond is two minutes away!
Shame we had to rush off this morning, was so looking forward to going back ."
Another said: "Great cafe lovely people best breakfast ever. And what’s more an accessible toilet for myself a wheelchair user."
If Up North
If Up North is an independent cafe serving fresh coffee, cakes and pastries as well as a range of breakfast foods such as the traditional fry up as well as avocado toast and various eggs and veggie and vegan options.
One review said: "Cute and cosy little find! Delicious selection of fresh baked cakes which looked divine. Great selection of veggie/vegan options. Staff friendly and helpful. Pancakes were so scrumptious - a very large portion so be warned. Good selection of drinks but not piping hot when served! There was around a 15-20 min queue but well worth the wait!"
Another review said: "This little cafe in Call Lane is well a worth a visit for brunch. The coffee was lovely and a good start to brunch. We had pancakes with blueberry compote and peanut butter and a breakfast burrito off the menu. They were delicious and good value. Staff were really welcoming, friendly and efficient."
Olive & Rye
Olive and Rye, located in the Queens Arcade on Briggate is a very popular breakfast option. They serve pastries, savoury breakfasts and American style pancakes and syrup.
One review said: "I have visited three times in the past few weeks and Olive and Rye has been consistently amazing. American pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and pecan nuts are an indulgent treat. The halloumi and falafel sandwich is delicious with warm crunchy falafel."
Another said: "We arrived at peak brunch on a saturday. Took about 10 mins to get sat down but would wait twice as long to eat here. The food is amazing, can’t remember his name unfortunately but the guy serving us was so attentive and kind. My first time in but definitely not my last, new favourite brunch spot."
Blinok
Blinok is a cafe serving hot and cold food, including crepes and sweet treats. It is the perfect spot for a quick coffee and a sitdown.
Customers have praised the food, service and value, winning it five stars on Tripadvisor.
One review said: "Saw this restaurant when we were walking around otley. It was exactly what we neede for lunch. I had an amazing pancake and my wife had one of the best panini's she had ever had while out and about. The staff were great and service was good. Really good value. Exactly what we needed when we needed it."
Another said: "I live in Guiseley and have wanted to visit for ages. I wasn’t disappointed. Fabulous flat white & breakfast pancake. Will definitely be back!"
No 54 Tearooms and Antiques
No 54 is located in Fulneck, Pudsey, it serves breakfast, afternoon tea and lunch. Customers say it is a "hidden gem".
One review said: "Such a friendly but cosy tea room. We were delighted with our find. Lots of variety on the menu and as one of our group has mobility problems lovely that all on one level. We were never rushed, very friendly pleasant staff. We will return."
Another said: "Came today with a friend to have breakfast. We opted for Eggs Benny and Eggs Royale. Both came beautifully presented freshly made and hot.
"In these current times where smaller places are struggling to keep afloat it's great to see places like this gem being visited and used with frequency. A good place to catch up with a friendly ambient feel."
Mary Munch Cafe
Mary Munch is located on Gledhow Valley Road, it is a British cafe serving traditional cafe food such as sandwiches, full English and various sweet treats.
It has received five stars on Tripadvisor, with one review saying: "Love the breakfast, really good quality, lovely people. Rare to find a lovely space for breakfast, this is it."
Another said: "Every Saturday for the past couple of months me and my brother in between jobs have nipped into Mary’s for our breakfast sandwich, perfect sandwiches every time, very reasonably priced, friendly staffed and clean premises, this is now our weekly butty shop. Thank you."
Never Enough Thyme
Never Enough Thyme is located in Yeadon, they serve breakfast and brunch, including breakfast food afternoon teas. They have five stars on Tripadvisor, with one review saying: "Convinced my family to go on a walk with the promise of brunch at the end. Luckily came across this cafe. Lovely little cafe with great food. The server was really friendly and helpful. A good halfway point for our walk."
Another said: "Popped into this little gem of a place whilst visiting relatives. I had their full monty breakfast while my wife had crushed avocado with poached eggs. Both dishes cooked fresh and served on nice plates hot. Coffee was excellent. Great husband and wife team. Definitely recommended and fantastic value for money especially for us southerners. :)"
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