The Empire Cafe

Went to the empire cafe for brunch one Saturday. The service is unassuming and subtle. The Bloody Mary (I had virgin) had a good kick and heat and depth and super nice garnish. I went for the steak and egg and replaced the chips with the kimchi hash which was really nice. The full breakfast was also good. It’s a very small space but cozy. The only issue I found was it was very cold inside with breeze coming through the door which made the food go cold quickly.

The meal kicked off with the Spam Pakora, an inspired fusion dish that immediately set a high bar. The batter was remarkably light—airy and crisp, acting as the perfect counterpoint to the savory, salty filling. What truly elevated this starter was the accompaniment: a beautiful egg yolk jam. This unique condiment, which was a first for us, The cocktails went down a treat, acting as the vibrant background music to the food. Their quality clearly matched the kitchen’s own precision. Alongside the starter, the Caesar Salad was a triumph of freshness. The lettuce was impeccably crisp, but the most memorable addition was the crispy anchovies. Rather than being mixed into the dressing, these provided a powerful, salty crunch that transformed the familiar side into a thrilling, textural experience. The Half Chicken was nothing short of excellent. It was cooked with precision, resulting in meat that was beautifully moist and perfectly tasty. The fabulous desserts provided the perfect conclusion. The choice of a gorgeous Crème Brûlée sealed the deal. The sugar crust had that wonderful, audible snap, giving way to a rich, silky custard that was creamy without being heavy. It was a textbook execution of a beloved dessert, leaving us completely satisfied. Verdict: From the daring egg yolk jam on the Spam Pakora to the surprisingly delicious crispy anchovies on the Caesar, this meal demonstrated a strong commitment to quality ingredients and innovative detail. We highly recommend

Simply stunning. My pals and I will be talking about this for a long time. We had the rotisserie chicken, streak and ribs from the main menu which were all cooked impeccably. The starters were really great. On the menu when we went there was duck eclair which was rich and a lot of fun. Plus venison vindaloo. My mate said it was the best dish he has ever had. High praise! Beautifully cooked venison, delicately spiced with a tangy sauce. Service was also top notch, friendly and relaxed. Definitely go! But make sure you book as it is popular.

On a very quiet Wednesday in Leeds, this place was busy and for good reason. The staff are fantastic and very knowledgeable, the food amazing. We both had the rotisserie chicken with different flavours. Both were melt in your mouth delicious. The roast potatoes, perfection! I can see why this place is so popular.

Hidden gem! Great food and service. The rotisserie chicken was amazing. Quite a small spot with seating upstairs and downstairs. Nice to sit near the open kitchen.