Breakfast is such an important meal of the day, and actually my favourite meal. Even if I wake up at like 2pm I feel like I have to eat something classed as a “breakfast”. Starting your day with breakfast is really beneficial to your health (providing its not pizza..), it gives your body the fuel you need to wake you up and keep you going throughout the day.  And it doesn’t have to involve a fry up or cereals packed full of sugar. There is so much variety of produce available now that is easy and cheap to source, to have a healthy breakfast, for people that are both on the go or that may have a bit more time to prepare food in the morning. If you are someone that skips breakfast, I’d really recommend as a New Years resolutions to give it a go, for at least a few weeks, and see how you feel!

Treat yourself to breakfast on a weekend

As well as making my own breakfasts, I LOVE getting up on a Saturday morning and finding a lovely little cafe for breakfast. There are SO many places now to go have a decent breakfast. A lot of independent businesses in Leeds open their doors early on a weekend to offer both traditional breakfasts, and dishes with their own twist.

It can be hard to decide where to try with there being so many choices in Leeds, so here are just a few places in Leeds City Centre that I have tried and that I would recommend, to help you narrow it down.

Laynes Espresso

Close to the train station is a lovely little venue called Laynes Espresso. They pride themselves on their traditional and quality coffee, providing a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy it in. As well as a decent coffee, you will find a delicious breakfast here, which I wouldn’t describe as your average “traditional” breakfast at all. And that’s why we liked it!

From 9am to 4pm on a weekend you can choose a from variety of dishes, a lot of which are gluten free, with a wide choice of vegan and vegetarian options too. Such as; Yorkshire Rarebit (v) (yet to try this but boy do I want to!!), Savoury or Sweet Buckwheat Pancakes, Home Backed Ham Hock and Egg Hash (to die for), and Sweetcorn Fritters (different but I loved it).

Here’s what we went for;

Sweetcorn Fritters (v) – Halloumi, Kasundi, Sliced Avocado, Poached Egg, Sumac.

I was pleasantly surprised with this dish. Very difference to anything I have had previously for breakfast. A little sweet. However for me I could not fault it. It was light, tasty and refreshing. I ate every last crumb.

Laynes Breakfast (v) – Braised Beans, Sourdough Toast, Poached Egg, Roasted Tomato and Shallot, Mayfield Cheese, Chestnut and Lemon Patty (v).

Not your traditional breakfast at all, but a real showcase of some amazing, mouth-watering ingredients that work perfectly together. Don’t worry for those meat eaters, you can add bacon!

As well as a tasty breakfast menu, this venue also offers a variety of sweet treats. A busy little place, but one worth getting in early to try (please note there is seating downstairs, so don’t walk away if it looks full from the outside!)

I definitely want to return here to try some of their other breakfast options!

If Coffee

A small cafe located down Call Lane, known for serving brunch, locally sourced produce, homemade cakes and sweet treats, and specialty coffee. Pop down to If Coffee between 9am and 4pm on a Saturday and you can enjoy dishes such as Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Avocado on Toast, Scrambled Tofu and a Breakfast Burrito. There’s also the Yorkshire Breakfast, more of a traditional full breakfast with plenty of bacon and sausage!

The array of homemade cakes, cookies and flapjacks as you walk in, are also worth a try (hard not to!!)

We went for;

Avocado on Toast – Smashed Avocado, Smoked Paprika, Lemon, on Sourdough Toast.

I opted to top with a poached egg, and a side of halloumi (had to be done). I also washed this down with their warming Mocha. Fresh, tasty, fulfilling.

Breakfast Burrito – Tortillas stuffed with Scrambled Eggs, Hash Browns, Spring Onions, Cheddar and Bacon. Served with Tomato Salsa.

Most things you want from a breakfast, rolled into one! Very delicious, and not messy or greasy at all.

If Coffee is a great, cosy place to try for breakfast, and they have also started to do Bottomless Brunch and cocktail offers too, so why not try for lunch too!!

Banyan

Ok so not an independent café to Leeds, BUT I had one of the best meals I have ever had for breakfast at Banyan, so it had to be worth a mention!

Based at City Square, open from 9:30am on a weekend and serving breakfast until 12pm, choose from such breakfast options as; Granola, Waffles, Full English, or even a Breakfast Burger! All their eggs are free range, and if you dine before 11am, all breakfasts are 2 for £12.95.

But just look at this…

Breakfast Hash – Sautéed bacon, chorizo, onions, diced sweet potatoes, chunks of avocado, wilted spinach, with poached eggs and Sriracha sauce.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Anyone who mentions sweet potato, bacon and poached eggs in the same sentence to me is a winner! I really enjoyed this combination. Very fresh and healthy, and I left feeling very full! (More of a post work out breakfast that pre!!)

Definitely worth a visit.

I have been to a number of other venues in Leeds where I have enjoyed breakfast, but so far these are definitely my top 3.

Also worth a mention; Archies, Olive & Rye and Côte.

I have a list as long as my arm of other independents in Leeds that I would love to try breakfast at, so watch this space for more reviews! If you have any recommendations you think I should try and review, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jens@jensfoodblog.com

So I hope that I have given you some food for thought and I really hope that you try one if not all of these lovely places for breakfast and enjoy it. Please share your feedback and photos with me on Facebook or Instagram when you have been!!

If you would like to contact me regarding my blog / ideas on where to eat/what to cook, or would like to work with me (advertising/reviews/publishing recipes/other), then please feel free to email me on jensfoodblog@gmail.com

Happy munching!

Jen

@jensfoodblog

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