Almeida in Leicester

It's a really nice, relaxing place to have coffee or food, my favourite coffee shop in Leicester with the best tastes and friendly staff!

This is the perfect stop for a quick bite. Tasty food served by friendly staff. Would highly recommended if you’re in the area.

Ordered 2 panini and 2 cold drinks. Food was ok to eat but lacks in flavour and panache. Staff look and behave unpleasantly and are just plain rude. Overall, the place lacks charm. The food mirrors the owners in that it is plain and bland every way!

I’ve been going here intermittently for over 15 years for a panini and coffee when I simply need to eat something to fill the void. It is soulless, with food that will pass if you’re hungry and appalling service!! Won’t bother returning again! Seems as though the grumpy man has finally rubbed off on the grumpy woman too!! Eugh!

Had a rare chance for lunch all by myself today (bliss) but not much time to linger. Also want sure quite what I wanted to eat. Wandered past and saw a sign for banana toastie with peanut butter. Which as it turns out was exactly what I wanted. It was lovely and I enjoyed it with a delicious chai latte sat out in the sun. Perfect lunch and didn’t have to share. Happy days 😁

One of the best coffee shops in Leicester... A must go to place

Such a miserable man serving us. Zero customer service. When you walk into a place like that a smile and to be welcomed wouldn’t go a miss. Wasn’t happy to help. Would never go back. Learn to smile and be kind to customers.

Friendly local eatery in centre of old town. Outside seating as well. Recommended.

Great couple serving great coffee for over 23 yrs! If you don't support them you'll loose them... See the bigger picture and appreciate what we have here still!

Excellent coffee juices and food I always have scrambled egg on a bagel excellent can't fault anything the owners are very pleasant and a delight to talk to

Read the reviews on trip advisor before heading here. The guy serving us had a terrible attitude making us feel an inconvenience for daring to choose this place eat! They clearly allow dogs in but as soon as the party with the dog left the two staff started slating the customers and the dog! If you hate dogs so much don’t allow them in! We thought his bad attitude was maybe us catching him on a bad day… then we read trip advisor and read he’s seemingly been grumpy unprofessional and with the same bad attitude since at least 2013! Quite why someone who is this way goes into a customer facing role I don’t know! Food and coffee average at best.

Absolutely awful man serving! If you hate customers so much don’t work in a customer facing job! And if you hate dogs so much don’t allow them in your cafe! Didn’t have a civil word for us, made us feel like an inconvenience. As soon as the customer with the gorgeous dog left thr two staff started berating trek and making faces about the dog being in there! Reading the reviews it seems like he’s had an attitude problem for over a decade! Wish I’d read them first - would not go back! Everyone has off days but given the frequency he has them it seems more like a personality traits! Food was bland and drinks average! The worse service I’ve received in the two decades I’ve lived in the city ! Avoid

A panini and coffee at Almeida is a real treat. They have a great selection of drinks and snacks, it’s the best place in town.

Amazing place for eat and drink a shakes

Lovely cafe. Cosy eclectic decor. Gluten free options brilliant.

I ate delicious eggs.. I loved the place and its atmosphere. Thanks to the owners of the place 💋

We wanted a quick snack that was tasty and reasonable. My favorite was Croques but as this has sadly gone, so we decided to go with other eateries in the area. The guy serving was hilarious asking about our day, tattoos, piercings and any other day topics that most people avoid. we ordered only after he had a countdown of everyone's reason for what they ordered which i really liked! at least he was interested unlike some of the staff at nearby cafes which are too young to interact in conversation. Would definitely return!!

My very favourite Café in Leicester, indeed a favourite eatery anywhere. I love the atmosphere and ambience, the owners of the café are lovely people who always make you feel at home . My fav go-to’s are the wonderful sardines on toast (with tomato for me) , I often have a toasted bagel with soup - miiiiiinestrone being a real fav, let’s not forget the hot chocolate and porridge 🥣 oats on these cold winter mornings… and of course the Coffee ☕️ … outstanding … great independent Café in the old Leicester lanes area , close to the Guildhall and Cathedral 👍🏼🏴‍☠️

Was looking forward to sampling the food and drink prior to a meeting. Phone was dying and needed it for train ticket home. I asked if I could charge it up a bit and I had the cable. Very unfriendly response of 'we don't charge appliances"... not helpful, no smile. Glad to take my business elsewhere, no wonder it was empty.

Had a coffee and snack here, sitting outside in a quiet street near the Guildhall. Maybe it was just because it was a lovely hot summers day, but there was a real ‘feel good’ atmosphere and I enjoyed my sardines (tinned) on toast.

One of my favourite cafes for having a quick cuppa in Leicester, where I can always trust they'll have a good choice of gluten free cakes and biscuits and I won't end up with stomach ache and regretting eating out.

Just down from the majestic Leicester Cathedral is this lovely independent coffee shop offering fairly priced hot snacks from paninis to jacket potatoes to scrambled eggs with toasted bagels and salmon. The service was with a smile and everything done to a nice standard. You can tell the owner maintains everything well and takes pride in their business. Best of all on a sunny afternoon their outdoor seating is usually flooded with sunshine rays. And you can even sit and admire the Cathedral which is on view. This is a nice place to stop before continuing your exploration of Leicester's historical lanes area (also down from the cathedral is Leicester Guildhall).

I popped in fir a coffee after visiting my jeweller. The place was immaculate very friendly and when I saw the juice list had to have one of those too both tasted wonderful. Will visit again.

Always friendly staff, good menu and a nice cosy place to visit in between a day of shopping

The coolest soundtrack and the best espresso in Leicester. What more do you want? #support your local café.

Friendly service and good coffee

Service is second to none. Great people. Well worth a visit.

Great coffee. The hot juice is so moreish. Fab food. Really look forward to lunch on a Saturday.

Really friend staff, and a great selection of gluten free food. We'll worth a visit

Great coffee and brilliant owners! And lovely little Italian biscuits.

I went to this place by mistake. I Google portuguese coffee and this was on the list... the name it's the only thing that's portuguese.

This place is awful!! The grumpy man was rude and needs some tips on customer service. The food we ordered wasn’t all that and the homemade lemonade was more like cleaning detergent. Seriously- coffee shops aren’t just about food, they’re also about customer service and this guy needs a course on how to speak to customers. He could smile more! Awful.

Food looks lovely but only 50% friendly! Try smiling when you serve the public, it's free and makes all the difference!

I've been walking over to Almeida for 18 years now to get my morning coffee and now my teenage kids are regulars for lunch on their own or they bring their friends when they have off from school. Almeida is like coming home....all the regulars know each other and have a chat whilst they have a coffee. Food is prepared fresh and coffee is always spot on. So glad I found you all those years ago!

Best coffee shop/cafe in Leicester. Staff are friendly and food is homemade and lovely. Coffee is brilliant. Glad I found you guys. I've kept coming back because it's nice when someone remembers your face and how you take your coffee!

Had a bagel and lassie, it was good and pretty cheap! Would return :-)

Nice comfortable independent shop.

Really nice, lovely atmosphere. We had the fruit juices, which were great

Rude miserable staff. Coffee and food was ok. But service awful.

Brilliant coffee, and the upstairs seating provides an oasis of calm among the hubbub of the city.

Amazing coffee. That's all you need to know about this place they do alot of other food and drinks as well they have a huge menu which I was not expecting when I walked in. I only had the coffee from here. And also bought some really nice cakes to take home with me. The staff are friendly and know what there doing. I've seen some of the comments on hear and I doesn't do this place any justice. If you want a good cup of coffee that not mainstream it's worth a visit I wasn't expecting much but was very glad I went for a drink here will go again when next in town.

Used to be a regular visitor here but finally the grumpy man serving put me off. Lovely coffee and nice food but not worth running the gauntlet for. Said I was ruining his coffee by having it with sugar. My partner opened the window upstairs as it was really hot and got a telling off from another member of staff (there was no sign to say not to open them etc). My partner refused to go back at that point and I should have listened. Try Croques or Cafe Mbriki round the corner if you want to support local business instead.

Nice quirky cafe, had a cake and a mug of tea. The lady served me, I sat outside on one of the blue chairs on a sunny Saturday afternoon worth a visit, near Leicester cathedral.

Lovely place, friendly staff, tasty coffee, loved the coronation chicken panini, good place to relax and have a breakfast before heading to work

A really good coffee, accompanied by freshly prepared food that were both very tasty. We all like the range of food which catered for our varied tastes. I’d recommend the sardines, rye and olive oil. The jackets and fresh juices went down well with the girls. Would certainly visit again.

In Leicester with my gluten free husband. Having researched beforehand we knew we needed the Cathedral area of the city, but as we walked up towards it there was Almeida with its chalk board outside and those magic words 'gluten free'. We made two visits, one for a quick drink and a chat with the delightful owner (herself a Coeliac sufferer and therefore beyond knowledgeable about the fears of cross contamination) and then we returned for a quick lunch. As a vegetarian I opted for the hummous and roast vegetable wrap and husband enjoyed a jacket potato loaded with cheese, happily eating in the knowledge that nothing would contain the dreaded wheat! Small, cosy and friendly which is a delightful change from having to go to a chain restaurant which has been Coeliac Society approved and trained. Very close to Cathedral and King Richard III Visitor Centre so excellently placed when the urge to stop for coffee hits you. Everything prepared fresh whilst you wait. For that personal touch and quick stop we will always visit here on tips to Leicester.

Small friendly business offering lovely fresh homemade snacks and treats and drinks. The staff were great and very helpful with a great selection on offer. Highly recommend, offers gluten free and fresh juices.

Visited this place on Tuesday afternoon, the guy that served us should either improve his customer service or change his job. Unfriendly and rude! Ordered chocolate and banana cake and obviously got the wrong one. I asked him twice whether it was the one I ordered as I had raisins in it and no sign of banana or chocolate. This guy tried to convince me that it was dried banana and no raisins. I attached a picture that pretty much says it all. This guy should learn the difference between raisins and bananas or just stop treating people like fools. Awful experience, stay away from this place.

Perfect place to relax and enjoy coffee and food. Recommend.

Title says it all. 50p charge for tap water and it was a very small wrap. They charged me more than the wrap so assumed they charged me for a bottle... on my way to the table I picked up a bottle of water. Instead of saying "our mistake, we should have mentioned we charge for water, keep the water" they asked me for the remaining money to cover the bottle. Slow service and they forgot a glass of juice, and then took ages to bring that.

MINUS 1 STAR is not possible. So one star will have to do. Talking about the client who is literally 2 steps away from you to two different members of staff and laughing is appalling. Also condescending. Keep coming here as it's a cute area. But not again. Why fund a company that is so rude. Stay away.

Beautiful coffee and fantastic service

Excellent little independent coffee shop. Lovely coffee, cakes and smoothies, as well as sandwiches.

Popped in for a quick lunch, service was quick and food good. Nice choice of bistro type stuff - wraps etc, nothing revolutionary but done well. There is seating upstairs as well.

Great coffee and snacks. Hot wraps to warm you on a cold day and chilled smoothies to cool you down on a hot day. The coffee is always excellent. The staff are always friendly, efficient and welcoming. Perfect spot for a lunch break.

I work next door to this place and it a very friendly coffee shop that also prepares nice fresh food too,

Excellent coffee shop in the heart of Leicester's cathedral area. A stones throw from the King Richard III visitor centre, it serves award winning coffee, fruit juices, cakes and lunchtime snacks and meals. Offering gluten, dairy and wheat free options - it has something for everyone in a spotless, tastefully decorated and comfortably stylish environment. Whether hunkered down in low winter with Italian panettone or enjoying the cool of the courtyard garden in the summer.

If you're going to be in a service industry the very least you have to be is polite and you also have to offer great service. This place has neither a polite host or great service. Almeida is akin to stepping into a medieval dungeon for drinks to be greeted by the executioner with his axe in hand.

Disgusting attitude of staff. I'd been here before and enjoyed to atmosphere so when I had time to kill i went in with two flatlmates. I wasn't planning on staying very long so just went to buy a can of Diet Coke, asked prior to this if card was accepted and was informed That under £5 there would be a 50p charge - which is fine but when I asked if I could pay on card I got laughed at. I also asked for a water for one of my friends and recieved really unpleasant scowl. Before paying I got asked if I was taking away my drink because if my friends wanted to stay they had to buy something - understandable if the cafe was busy but I could see ONE person in there. Not surprising when the service is as appalling as this. Patronising and rude and I am unsure how someone can treat others(especially customers) in this way.

A great little coffee shop, handy for the centre of town. Always lovely foo, a warm welcome and the best coffee in Leicester. Much better than the chains.

I have been going to Almeida for 14 or 15 years, whenever I'm in town. In its favour is that the coffee is *usually* (but not consistently) good, and I love their toasted sandwiches. The prices are also good and haven't increased dramatically in the time I've been going.

Called here on a trip to Leicester, and it was my first visit. It was a small café with small room downstairs and another upstairs. There was a small and pretty courtyard at the back. There was a large menu with choice of paninis, rolls with large range of fillings available. There was a good choice of cold drinks- I had ginger and apple which was refreshing . There was a copy of Times to read. I thought the service was good- pleasant and patient while I chose what I wanted and I did not have to wait long before the meal was brought to my table.

Skip the chains and go here. They know how to serve great coffee and actually treat you like a human

Lovely coffee. Lovely snacks. Charming, hardworking lady. Free Times newspaper and free, old men's and ladies fashion magazines. The man clearly has very severe difficulties relating to customers in a positive way and I suggest he attends a counselling course.

I've been to this cafe a few times and it is over priced for what you get. I find the man behind the counter rude at times, not sure if that is just how he is. They have good homemade stuff and always seem busy... But I think the service is questionable :( shame really. They don't serve anything with the wrap either - not even garish! Won't be back in a hurry! Soya milk in the tea was lumpy?!

I've been in here a couple of times and found it less busy than other places nearby, which is useful at times. The coffee was good and that's what it's about.

A friend and I, drawn into this cafe by the menu in the window, ordered a wrap, a panini, coffee and a glass of tap water. The service was passable but I'm afraid they committed the ultimate sin in my book and charged me 50p for the tap water. We spent ten quid on food and I find it really mean spirited when cafes do this. It's a shame really, the food was good, I struggle to find places to eat, dietary issues, but this pettiness will stop me returning.

Cute cafe by the cathedral with nice food, but service brings it all down. The man serving us held our plates above our table without saying a word, expecting us to take them off him, then snapped a couple of times as if we were disturbing his day. Never again!

Stopped here for lunch after visiting the cathedral. Plenty of choice on the menu and we all decided to have panninis. We had our pup with us so we were able to sit outside and watch the world go by. Service was a little slow but we were in no rush. The food was very tasty and didn't disappoint. There was limited choice re cake/ pastries but it may have been late in the day. Good service, good food, definitely recommend.

Popped in for a lunchtime wrap to take back to my desk. It was tasty enough but at £4.40 I shan't be calling in too often. There are lots of great eating places in and around the CathedralI offering excellent food at reasonable prices ..... I shall stick to one of those in future!

I found this cafe 13 years ago when a decent cup of joe was hard to find in Leicester --instant nescafe was the norm. I have been going most mornings ever since. I have found in a rapidly changing city centre, that I can rely on Almeida to serve me the best cup of coffee in the city, to have a chat with the other regulars, to be welcomed warmly and to have a wonderful little something to eat if I'm peckish.

Pleasant environment and reasonably decent food. Despite using the café several times over the years I've had my fill of the always frosty reception and the haughty froideur of the staff.

Stopped here mid-afternoon with friends. The menu is great, interesting juices, smoothies, cakes, coffees... It was difficult to decide! Found out they only take cash at the last minute though, so make sure you take change! We went and sat upstairs and had the impression we'd annoyed the guy working there... It might be because we moved the furniture so we could sit together and then noticed a tiny sign on the wall that you would never see unless looking for it not to move furniture... But either way, we didn't feel too welcome, which was a shame as the drinks were great (hot apply cinnamon and ginger juice especially) and the jacket potatoes and banana toastie were worth it!

Very good smoothies although I do not recommend the "lassies" if you are not a fan of yogurt.

After living in Leicester for over fifteen years this is probably the only coffee shop i have never been in. Needed a quick bite to eat for me, the wife and our one year old Prior to a wedding at the cathederal. After finding out that they are cash only ( what kind of premise in a city centre is cash only these days ) I left my wife as a hostage to order while I visited the nearest cash machine. Upon returning I queued behind an older couple ordering who couldn't quite make their mind up what to have. The guy on the tills' face was a painfully obvious mixture of irritation and disgust. They finished their order and I paid for our food. Our panninis were served with no side salad , no garnish and when we asked about getting some bread and cheese for our one year old we were made to feel like we were asking the guy to prepare a full Sunday dinner rather than a relatively simple request. the soundtrack to the whole encounter was acid jazz quietly playing on the shop sound system. I've read some other reviews on here. Yes the produce was nice, the presentation was basic but at the bare minimum at least look like you want customers in your shop. Needless to say this is the last time we will be going here.

Food was freshly made whilst there and was good fresh , change to have a selection of freshly made juices. Over good .. Need a card machine

It's true - happiness is a good cup of coffee...and at Almeida, you'll always be happy. This lovely, long running, independent cafe is always worth a visit. The coffee is perfectly brewed, the juices fresh and the food carefully prepared. Most importantly, you're always greeted with a smile. Whether it's a flat white on the run or a light lunch over your morning paper, I couldn't recommend anywhere in Leicester more highly than Almeida. Go. Go now!

Lovely independent cafe. Range of food with lots of gluten free options- so rare in town. Friendly service, central location. Pleasant outside space.

Had a fantastic brunch here and was surprised by the amount of gluton free options available which is rare to find

Goodness looking at the previous reviews I have to say either there has been a complete change of ownership or I must have a friendly face compared to the previous reviewers! My elderly Canadian Aunt and I popped in at 10.50am having planned to visit the Guildhall Richard III exhibition (only to find it not yet open) Our service was prompt and we had a nice chat and enjoyed talking to the lady serving. Everywhere was clean and tidy the coffees and flapjacks were served promptly. My Aunt stated that it was the best coffee she had tasted in England! The cafe is very convenient for visiting the Cathedral or the Guildhall, also on the edge of The Lanes shopping area. There are a great many cafes in the area so there may be quite a bit of competition which reflects possibly in the reviews received? My Aunt thought it was good value for money and liked the lady serving, so I'm not really sure why our experience appears to be so different from that of other reviewers.

Surly welcome. I see from the reviews we were not the only ones to notice, the women did smile however. It took at least 30 mins for the first part of the order to arrive, a buttered bagel followed by toast and sardines. Stone cold toast one slice was the crust, unpleasant taste the end of the loaf, sardines from the tin. Asked if we could possibly all be served together(usually the custom)... no .. not possible each item individually made apparently..tuna mayonnaise paninni, hardly too tricky. Lots of others to serve.., it was a long order, ( what for 4 people??) we should remember we are not the only ones, thanks for that explanation guys, well we were by the time we had finished. The place was empty so heaven help them if they get busy.

Inaccurate reviews unfortunately. Looks-wise, fine. Comfortable seating and atmosphere, fine. But the edgy service, unfriendly ungracious attitude and impolite uptight staff, not fine. £3.50 for half a pint of fresh juice filled half with water ice cubes, not fine. On requesting removal of said ice cubes the staff member topped up the glass with…cranberry juice drink out of a supermarket carton, not fine. Rip-off. Sardines on toast made with tinned sardines, not fine. Didn’t even get round to the coffee and only came here (for the first time) because some reviews had recommended it with 5-stars. Unfathomable. Ended up having decent food, coffee and service around the corner. Pretentious, unsatisfactory, misguided, delusional and avoidable.

Me and my husband visited this cafe last week for the first and last time. We were greeted by surley faced chap who did not even crack a smile when we ordered our food.My husband had jacket potato with cheese onion mix, very average no garnish, i had mozarello and tomato panini, again no garnish or offer of any utensils if i wished to use them. It was tasteless and i left half of it. On leaving we weren't asked how we found the food, the blond girl working there was pleasant but customer service is just not there!

I was a student for 4 years in Leicester and it was my regular spot. I'd go there for some peace and quiet, while I enjoyed the most amazing tomato&mozarella; panini and a nice cup of coffee. It is probably the thing I miss the most about Leicester!

Seriously excellent cakes. We happened upon Almeida after going to see the Richard III exhibition. But I'd make a trip to Leicester just to eat the cakes, in the calm restful atmosphere with cool music. Coffee was good too. And a great range of fruit nectars.

Just have to say this was my 2nd visit to this place, I enjoyed the jacket potato with coronation chicken the first time, I had to go back today to have another one. Which tasted as good !!

Really nice little cafe restaurant and upstairs lounge in an old house in Leicester city centre. Run for 14 years by the same person, popular with visitors to the nearby Guildhall exhibition and Leicester cathedral, housing the latest finds relating to King Richard III.The cafe owners are very pleasant and the place is relaxing with newspapers. Food is freshly prepared and gluten free toasted sandwiches are available , by people who understand about "free from" food and the ordinary menu has good daytime snacks also and not too expensive.

I love this place when I am in Leicester. I have started using it for breakfast. They do fantastic homemade Granola. The coffee is great one of the few places where they do superb non curdled hot soya milk americano. Fantastic Vanilla milkshakes my kids love

No cream for my coffee. Always a bad start for me. Person serving didnt crack a smile and appeared disinterested. However, coffee, carrot cake and hot apple juice were good.

Can't believe I haven't been here before! Not had better coffee anywhere. The atmosphere is really friendly with a lovely seating area upstairs. Food is great, staff really nice.

Really friendly people, good food and great service - well worth a visit!

Love it here! High quality produce - local where possible including own home roasted beans for the coffee. Great fresh juices made while you wait. Also, fresh food and lunchtime meals - couldn't get nicer - great fresh bread and generous fillings. Worth a special mention for the cakes - which are all homemade. Never eaten breakfast here but they do do it, and pack up food for takeaway too. If you eat in it is a stylish and trendy but relaxed set up with plenty of papers and magazines to read. Best thing is the friendly quick service which is always spot on! Last thing - near the door is now a deli selection of great products and loads of listings for local and community events - art, music, sport, drama and festivals. 5* for this - a must visit!