Empire Cafe in Leeds

Can’t believe we have only just found out about this place. We visited for lunch and we will definitely be back. The service was great, helpful and friendly staff who talked us through the menu. We didn’t book but was lucky to get a table outside which was fine.good idea to book as plenty of people had to be turned away. We both had a starter, the spam pakora was amazing. My flat bread was tasty but a little burnt on the bottom. The mains were outstanding we both had a half chicken and different sauces. Good drinks selection too. Really pleased we found this little local gem

Visited tonight after hearing many good reviews. We dined early at 5.45pm but it was already busy. We got a nice table right by the kitchen which was great for watching the chefs, although watching them eat and drink in the kitchen wasn’t great. The service was friendly throughout but very, very slow at the start. Took ages to get drinks… We were advised to het 6 dishes between 2 of us. We ordered the special of porchetta which was like a pate - it was decent. The lamb neck was lovely. Mushrooms were okay. Monkfish was nice but very expensive for 1 skewer, should be 2 skewers really. Duck eclair was lovely but again felt like it should have been x2 to a portion. We also ordered the n’duja flatbread but we got another pork dish who he was okay. They noticed the error and offered to make us the flatbread but we said no, it was fine. They did knock this off the bill which wasn’t necessary but a nice gesture. Overall the service was really good but the food wasnt impressive. Not for over £100 for 2 people which was only x5 very small plates and a bottle of wine.

Completely perfect. Individual service in a quiet classy restaurant with its own signature. Big shout for Sam Greedy the manager and his team. Signature smoky chicken duck eclair and great Cocchi vermouth

We were so impressed with this lovely little restaurant where they've got everything right. The food, service, and atmosphere are all amazing. I can't find any reason not to return as soon as I'm back in Leeds.

Well, well, well! Talk about surprises, I thought I had seen this establishment on Adam Richman Eats Britain on Food Network channel. It's not what I expected but actually BETTER than what I saw on the programme. I have yet to truly try the chicken from the from the rotisserie, which is locally sourced and is non-halal, but what we did have today was something to share and just a drink. 1. The welcome = Friendly, warm and welcoming 2. The service = Excellent service and interaction 3. The drinks = Probably one of the nicest coffees I've EVER had from a restaurant. 4. The food = Ordered the Dhesi Chana with a Roti and I was in shock! The Chana dish (Chole) was sweet and sour with a kick but you could taste the lemon coming through which cut through and leaving a warm feeling and tingle in your mouth from the masala and tamarind. Being Panjabi and trying this Panjabi dish in a non-Panjabi place was tasty, very impressed! I'll be returning as there's lots to try out but the rotisserie is the stand out to try and that will be next. In the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger "I'll be back!”

Superb every time. Finally after visiting Empire Cafe five or six times and it being consistently good I’ve got round the writing the review. The service is always exemplary, the ribs and chicken with Indian rub have been the stand outs. And of course the potatoes. Decent wine list, not overly expensive and a constantly changing small plates menu. Excellent cocktails also.

The food was absolutely delicious, they change up the menu too which is great. Top service too and the place had a great atmosphere. Would highly recommend

What’s not to like!?! I became aware of the Empire Cafe a while ago and circumstances have conspired to make it difficult to get there, but, we did it on a Saturday night in July. We’d booked, didn’t seem much opportunity for a walk in. Welcomed and sat down with some water (it was a hot day) while we waited 5 mins for our table to become free. Once sat down we got offered the drinks menu and the food menu with a number of recommendations - 2 of which we took. Cocktails were excellent, first place I’ve ever been asked how spicy I wanted my Bloody Mary to be (on a scale of 1-10) - it was excellent. Food was served quickly, straight out of the kitchen and piping hot. All dished are unique to this restaurant, even the ‘standard’ dishes have their own spin on them. Presentation was excellent. Special mention for the staff who clearly enjoyed what they do, and were very knowledgeable about the menu and were just all round friendly and welcoming people. We did starter plates and mains, will definitely go back for mains and desserts because they looked special too!

This is a gem in the middle of Leeds city centre. A few outdoor tables and imaginative, delicious food. A combination of small plates, sides, and the star of the show rotisserie chicken with a great choice of ‘lathers’. Very good service too.

It was my daughter’s graduation meal and it was her choice to go to Empire Cafe. Two of us ordered steak which was nice,and three of us ordered half chicken. They put the plate down in front of me and in any other circumstances I’d have sent it back and asked if they were joking! A small leg and a few bits of chopped up meat. Not sure what happened to the breast or a half chicken as it was described, the portion of potatoes were just as ridiculous. It was disgraceful. Read the other reviews on here regarding the chicken, everyone is saying the same. If you are going to this place, have the steak and make sure they don’t sit you in the dungeon downstairs.

Superb - service - food - everything! We went for a last minute date night and were not disappointed- quality of food was superb and hosts were attentive and just what you’d expect - will definitely return - thank you!

We arrived 15 minutes early, there is not a lot of room to dance around staff and arriving diners. A very tight spiral staircase to the downstairs and toilets. We were shown to our table 20 minutes late. The 2 hour time slot process is clearly not working. Once sat, we selected our choices and ordered. Waited some time for starters which were nice, then a longer wait for main courses, again, well prepared and flavoursome, but, by the time we ate our food there was no time left in our slot as they were hovering and wanting our table back. Offered desserts upstairs, which was packed with arrivals. We paid up and left. Shame.. Worth a visit but it will be a long time before we choose to return.

Visited here 20/01 and our meal was perfect from start to finish. We were seated downstairs quickly in a lovely table in the corner. The decor is fantastic. Drinks were ordered quickly and each staff member we dealt with from bar, to waitress to front of house was superb. A special mention goes to Sam though who is extremely personable, attentive and makes you feel at ease. He was also very knowledgable about the menus. If every restaurant had a member of staff like Sam, dining experiences would be much better. Each dish we ordered was tasty and presented well. The food prices we thought were very reasonable and we will not hesitate to come back. We are already working out when our next visit will be. Thank you to all at Empire for the great meal and service.

Lovely staff, nice atmosphere but very overpriced for basic food. We ordered a whole chicken between 2 people and 2 sides. The chicken was tiny and the potatoes were rock solid. £30 for a small chicken Isn’t justifiable.

Lovely little place, off the main shopping street, chicken was juicy and spicy we got a whole one between the two of us , along with the potatoes and a couple of the salads from the side menu . The desserts were a bit if a let down, the crème brûlée was very watery and had way too much alcohol in it, so it overpowered the it, the crust had a bitter / burnt taste to it. The frangipani was pretty dry and hard, and could of done with more ice cream, at £10 each we expected better quality. We were seated up stairs, three tables over looking the kitchen, but it was way too cold for me! We got blankets given by the lovey staff, but it was still too cold . Would recommend booking down stairs in the winter months

Compact and cosy, this is a real gem. Book in advance, it’s popular for good reason. Food is great, simple and beautifully presented. Chicken is delicious. Wine list excellent too. The service is friendly and professional. Thoroughly recommend

Yeah this place is great. Went for lunch. Sat upstairs next to the kitchen. Starter plates were immense. People on Tripadvisor saying they aren’t good value which is nuts when you think about the work, time and experience it takes to put these things together. Let’s be honest, if you are leaving here and going to Greggs, 1. Order more food 2. This kind of food isn’t going to please you if you usually fill up on a frozen pasty. I can’t deny that £30 for a roast chicken is toppy at first but it fed 3 of us so it’s only really £10 for a main course. The hot honey sauce was incredible. We had all 3 puds with some pudding wine. Didn’t disappoint. Anyway, awesome food, staff were great and I can’t wait to go back.

Randomly stumbled across this place last night after spotting the cosy outdoor atmosphere with a gas heater and outdoor seating. All the staff were very welcoming and friendly and the waiter Sam provided us blankets as we wanted to sit outside and he also let us know the bar could make any classic cocktails if we wanted them, as these weren’t listed on the menu - which was great! I had a ‘Rosé spritz’ from the specials menu which was lovely! And my partner had a Long Island ice tea and a beer. My partner also had a conversation with a member of staff who worked in the kitchen and he was telling him all about the original signage that is displayed on the building which was really nice to hear about. We only stayed for 1 drink as we had to get the train but we will definitely be back soon to try out the food! We had a great time, it’s a cosy, welcoming hidden gem.

Just a huge thank you to the staff at The Empire cafe for returning a bag that was stolen from my workplace! The cafe is very cute and the menu looks amazing! I will go and have some food soon! Thank you, again!

Such a lucky find on our long weekend in Leeds. What a brilliant place. We’ve eaten in a good number of places with various Michelin stars and I couldn’t help but feel the small plates section of the menu are in that league. We did only stick to the small plates, but still, absolutely brilliant food. The only let down in our opinion was the carrots, but the duck eclair and the crab toast was amazing. The service was spot on too. Totally looked after and never forgotten.

Very disappointed. We had booked a large table (6 of us) upstairs but instead were shown downstairs - 6 pensioners struggling down a metal spiral staircase. The room was so poorly light we had to illuminate the small-print menu with our phones. I had the half-breast chicken with roast potatoes. The potatoes were good. The chicken, however, were several pieces of greasy meat, “lathered” in a sauce which was tasteless. Not at all appetising to look at or eat. Prices on the high side. To say that the place is a homage to the old market traders who used to frequent it is a travesty. Will not return.

Great food. Very different. We had two small plates & half a chicken between two. Just the right amount. Great service and friendly and knowledgeable staff. Upstairs (actually ground floor) is height stools; downstairs (basement) is proper chairs. But some might find it dark. £80 for 2x 3 courses, bottle of red and coffees. Sure I’ll be back. Book though as it’s pretty snug.

Absolutely love this spot! Brilliant concept, service is absolutely wonderful, the food and drink is top tier. The ever-changing selection of small plates are innovative and so well done, the rotisserie wall is fantastic, and everything we’ve tried has been excellent. If you haven’t been yet, go. If you have been, go back!

A hidden gem in the city centre . Fantastic food and complimented by superb staff. Service was swift with suggestions offered from the menu. We’ll worth a visit.

Excellent lunch- walked in and seated upstairs straight away. Baba ganoush was a smoky treat and the espresso hollandaise a nice surprise. Had to have the chicken and it was the best roast chicken I’ve had. Shmaltz potatoes are like food meth. We will be back.

Poor service. Twenty minute wait for drinks that never came, despite them not being busy, staff too busy chatting. The bacon bap I had was delicious, but no gluten free options on the breakfast menu meant my wolf couldn’t have anything!

I was extremely disappointed with the offering we had, starters minimal, I get they are by definition a starter but, on rib at 8 quid, and a fatty one at that, spam pakora was thinking oo something special with spam, was a spam fritter, one...

What a find! Exciting dining in relaxed bistro/brasserie style Leeds backstreet bar. We were advised to try the small plates (outstanding!) and added the signature rotisserie chicken, schmaltz potatoes with a Caesar salad side. The flavours and presentation were exceptional. Glad we had space for...

Empire cafe is in the heart of Leeds a hidden gem. Fantastic service. Staff made a delicious mocktail for my wife. We opted for the half chicken and some sides. Chips were brilliant. Quirky location and love everything this cafe is trying to do.

Nice buzzy place and the main course chicken and steak are good value. We’ve been twice and the small plates you can order were very small. 2 tiny eel wantons we’re about £8. Octopus in a brava sauce , 3 minuscule pieces. Again £8 (...

We have been a couple of times to what is probably the best restaurant to appear in Leeds recently. Empire Cafe is an absolute must do, whether you visit during the day for breakfast or later in the evening to sample their regularly rotating small...

We had great expectations after reading all the reviews here. However, they were not met. We ordered a whole chicken, potatoes and two side dishes for four people. The chicken was served in pieces, not whole and not much. Unsure where the breasts were. The...

Regularly visit here for breakfast and it's great- best granola dish of anywhere i've tasted. The bacon sandwich is also amazing and there's no skimping on the bacon! Staff are friendly but can be a little slow, which is my only complaint.

The hottest place in Leeds right now. Empire café is unique. Exciting tasty, fun, friendly. Honestly can’t wait to go back. The ever-changing menu is something we look forward to trying time and fine again. Every dish was delicious. Yes it is the best Bloody...

Everything was amazing! Rotisserie chicken and the steak and chips are to die for - and the olive oil ice cream is so worth the try! Ambience was 5* too! Will be back

Great little restaurant . Nice staff. Good food. Its located in a neglected area so nice surprise. Was hard to hear partner as music downstairs is so loud had to ask for it to be turned down. Staff member did not look to enamoured at...

Tiny basement restaurant with lots of atmosphere and a super menu. Possibly the best newcomer in Leeds. 4 of us loved the food of a talented young chef with many interesting dishes. Definitely worth trying. Only negative is a good restaurant doesn’t need loud music...

An amazing foodie experience, at the right price, in the right environment. Parijat, Sam, et al, thank you. We’ll be back!

Newly opened and tucked away from the main streets of Leeds, this is a great find. On the site of the old coffee house. Good to see it back Small but well done out and very cool. Food was fantastic, drinks great, service was smooth...