A brand new bakery is opened this week after becoming Instagram famous and loved by local celebrities.
The Savvy Bakery, in Lidgett Lane, Roundhay, opened its doors to the public on Wednesday offering brownies, cakes, coffees, cookies, and more. The business has over 50,000 Instagram followers but it wasn't an easy start.
Entrepreneur Savannah Roqaa built her online business The Savvy Baker almost overnight during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020. It started when friends shared photos online of the brownie care packages Savannah was dropping off to lift their spirits.
Read more: Instagram hit The Savvy Baker to open first Leeds café
She was soon receiving messages asking to buy her brownies - baked in her small Roundhay kitchen. But after growing hugely popular and being recognised by the likes of Leeds United footballer Kalvin Phillps, Savannah was ready to take the next step with the business.
It was always a dream of Savannah’s to eventually open a café. "Everyone is so excited", she said. "We are setting everything up today but we don't have any cakes out yet as of course we will be baking them all fresh for tomorrow's opening."
The cafe will be open from 8am every day and customers are welcome to come in for breakfast, lunch, a coffee break, or catch up with friends over a sweet treat.
Leeds Live reporter Lucy Marshall decided to see what all the fuss is about and try the new spot.
The taste test
Walking into the café there is a great atmosphere, super friendly staff, and the place is relaxed - perfect for a midday coffee or catch up with friends. There are lots of choices on the menu, but I decided to start by trying one of their coffee blends.
But it was pretty sunny so rather than the classic hot beverage, I decided to go for an iced coffee. I was tempted to get the lemon and ginger iced tea which sounded amazing, but the caffeine was calling my name.
There was also iced peppermint tea too, which I have never heard of before on ice, so there is a wide choice of classic coffee shop staples, but also a few options for those who want to try something different.
The iced coffee was delicious and just how I wanted it. Sometimes places make them too strong or weak, but this was a happy medium in between.
Of course, one cannot resist the urge to accompany a coffee with a sweet treat. As I was doing a taste test of the new spot I chose two cakes to try.
The first was a Biscoff flapjack. I ordered it purely for the way it looked. The handmade treat looked like a piece of art.
Biting into the gooey flapjack, goosebumps arose on my arms. It peeled apart beautifully and you could really taste that iconic Biscoff flavour.
Secondly, I went for a mint Aero brownie. As an Aero superfan, I had high expectations for this treat. It also had giant Cadbury's chocolate buttons on the top - delightful.
"Mmmmm", I said as I took the first bite. And I shook my head in disbelief of the deliciousness. While the Biscoff was great, the Aero stands as the winner here.
I would recommend The Savvy Baker to anyone who wants a quick snack, loves coffee, or wants a nice place to meet friends. The owner is incredibly nice, and grateful to her customers and this is a great local business we should all support (oh, and Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips has been in too).
