Cosy cafés in Leeds to visit for a hot drink

Bruschetta

Location: Leeds Corn Exchange, LS1 7BR  

If you are new to Leeds, one place I recommend going is Bruschetta, based in the Corn Exchange. The Corn Exchange is a nice little day out and it’s great for shopping for items for your uni room like posters, and plants, there are also small independent stalls there too. Right in the centre you'll find Bruschetta cafe and they do the nicest hot chocolates. It's the perfect place to stop after you’ve done your shopping and because it’s an open plan cafe, you're still a part of the atmosphere and is a great spot to people watch.

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92 Degrees

Location: Clay Pit Lane, LS2 8EU 

This a lovely cafe on Claypit Lane, close to the city campus. It's a great place to go in those long breaks, between seminars and lectures, if you need some time away from uni and want a delicious hot chocolate. It is a small student hub as it’s always buzzing full of students working and socialising. This cafe is also central to some of the university accommodations, so it's a perfect place to go to while getting to know your new flatmates or catching up with old friends. The food menu is also very good here and if you are vegetarian or vegan they have plenty of options for you.

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Caffè Nero

Location: The Headrow LS1 6LB 

Caffe Nero is a staple place to go to for a hot drink. There are many dotted around the centre but this one, in particular, is the best. The staff are really friendly and the tone is a perfect mix of people meeting up for a coffee and students doing work. The upstairs is the perfect set-up for a group study session and the central location means it's accessible to everyone. It's also close to the Trinity shopping centre if you need a pit stop after a long day of shopping.

IF… Up North

Location: Vicar Lane LS2 7JF 

Another recommendation is IF...up North cafe. I recommend a mini day of exploring at Kirkgate Market, the indoor market in the city centre. It's the perfect place to look around at all the different stalls from flowers to jewellery, to fabric to food counters from all over the world. It's also right next door to the IF… up North cafe, this one of three cafes with this name in Leeds and a hot chocolate from there is an ideal way to end a busy day at Kirkgate. 

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LBU's Gaia Café

Location: City Space Portland Way LS1 3HE  

The last place I am going to recommend is our very own LBU cafe in the Portland Building. The staff here are so friendly, the space is so welcoming whether you're working or on a break. It's located close to the library so before your early morning library session you can grab a quick drink and take it in with you (of course I recommend the hot chocolate). You can also scan your Leeds Beckett rewards card to get stamps towards a free drink. 

So, there you have it, some of my favourite places to get a hot drink and hangout or study in the city and around the university.