This hidden gem can be found on Fish Street, a ginnel that runs between Albion Place and Kirkgate. The Empire retains its original painted signs but don’t be misled by its unassuming frontage – alongside its famous rotisserie chicken, this cosy cafe serves up culinary delights that have received praise from food critics. The Empire’s food is lovingly made with produce from the nearby market, while its German ‘wall of flame’ spit keeps turning all day long.

Housed in an historic spot that’s been feeding Leeds for over 120 years, Empire Café is the place to come for the best breakfast bacon baps you’re ever likely to sink your teeth into, with juicy rotisserie chicken and steak suppers served later in the day. But don’t just take our word for it. Empire Café is also beloved by the Guardian’s Jay Rayner: “I loved the Empire Café: I loved the enthusiasm of the staff, its attention to the good things”.

The Empire Cafe may look effortlessly simple on first glance, but there’s so much to this local favourite that makes it one of the most unusual restaurants in Leeds. First, the location, hidden away down a long-forgotten side street in place of a long-shut greasy spoon. Then when you head inside, it’s been tastefully, classically decorated, but it’s only small, whether you eat upstairs or in their underground dining room.

Tucked down a ginnel in the city-centre, this compact all-dayer has gained a huge rep for its breakfasts, rotisserie chicken, creative, seasonal sharing plates and good cocktails. Said chickens, served with chicken schmaltz potatoes, rotate in an open rotisserie which helps them self-baste in their juices. Diners then add a flavoured “lather” (say, smoked garlic and hot honey or Kashmiri butter), and a crumb.

Roast chicken and clever small plates in a converted city-centre caff. In 2022, Sam Pullan and his partner Nicole Deighton took over a long-deceased caff in a tucked-away corner off Briggate, turning it into an original and innovative restaurant. The revived Empire feels young and exciting altho… Read more

When it comes to pushing the boat out and finding some of the finest food in the city, Empire Cafe is a must try. This critically acclaimed eatery has been wowing diners with a meaty menu specialising in rotisserie chicken, complete with a variety of aromatic rubs and signature chicken-schmaltz potatoes.

When to go: For a laid-back lunch or an indulgent date night in the evening. What to have: The famous ‘wall of flame’ rotisserie chicken. Since opening on Fish Street in 2023, The Empire Cafe has quickly become an unofficial hangout for local hospitality folk and foodies in the know.

Feeding Leeds for over 120 years, Empire Café is a café, bar and open fire cooking restaurant all wrapped into one. Their wall of flaming rotisserie chicken is a local favourite, served with potatoes cooked below in the juices. View this post on Instagram

Feeding Leeds for over 120 years is this hidden gem called Empire Cafe, down a little alleyway in Leeds city centre. Expect wine, a wall of flame rotisserie chicken, small plates, perfect for all meal types. Our head of Events, Emily loves this spot.

To find out the latest food and drink news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds. Stuck at home and wishing you were there?