It isn't always straight forward to find a good place to work in Leeds. Especially since there is so much to consider. The availability of good coffee and cake. Access to free and fast Wi-Fi. Tables big enough for a laptop and a plate. Working plug sockets. We have done some research to help you find the best work spots in Leeds (and surrounding areas), where you can actually get some work done and not stress about having to buy a drink every 30 minutes.
Atmosphere is everything, plug sockets are prime, and you can do without death stares from the barista because you've been there an hour and not ordered a second cappuccino - Confidentials, Leeds
City centre
Located in Munro House at the corner of Duke Street and York Street, Cafe 164 is open from 8 to 5 on weekdays, and 9-5 on Saturdays. After a recent refit and cafe extension there is lots of space, with plenty of tables big enough for a laptop and a coffee.
Lovely staff and delicious coffee, sandwiches and cake! Would highly recommend as a place for a coffee or to get some work done in a lovely setting! - Trip Adviser Review
Cafe 164 serves incredible sandwiches made using bread that is baked fresh, every day. Yum! Pretty uniquely for the city center, there are a range of parking options close by including St Peter’s Square, the Markets, Victoria Gate or Quarry Hill car parks. The station is also only a 10 minute walk away - so no worries about not knowing where to leave your car.
This uber cool cafe located on George St combines Nordic style with an Aussie-influenced menu (that is affordable), and Irish charm. It has great Indie music (not too loud or distracting), and serves incredible single-origin coffee. Episode One has a community feel, with the option to share a table, while still offering single tables, and space for those needing a quiet spot to knuckle down. The Wi-Fi is reliable and there are plenty of plugs, so no worries about running out of charge! Episode One is open 7-5 weekdays, 9-5 Saturday and 12 - 4 Sunday, this is a great city center work spot!
We found Kapow Coffee by accident whilst wandering through the beautiful arcades of Leeds one Sunday. There are a couple of Kapow Coffee shops in Leeds but we loved the cool, vintage style of the Thorntons Arcade cafe with its hessian bag chairs and exposed wooden floor. This cosy cafe has a great range of coffees and teas, and some delicious brownies! Although Kapow looks small from the outside it boasts three floors - so plenty of seating. There is even a big round table which is ideal for big paper projects or work with friends. Again this cafe has long opening hours everyday of the week, so is ideal if you need to catch up on some emails or need to finish that project whilst out and about.
200 Degrees is conveniently located on Bond Street, not far from the station, or shops. The cafe has a cool decor with a mid-century feel, inspired by 1930s-1950s design. We love the amount and variety of seating options - from soft armchairs, to wooden seats, and even standing work areas. The coffee is great, and the food selection is ideal for working. 200 Degrees is cosy, and feels friendly with drinks brought straight to your table, so you don’t have to hang around at the end of the counter, or leave your laptop unattended for too long! With loads of plug sockets, fast Wi-Fi and long opening hours, 200 Degrees is a great option for remote workers in Leeds.
Headingley and Hyde Park
Headingley has so many great cafes, so it was hard to pick the best places to work. We selected those listed below based on their plug socket availability, Wi-Fi reliability and comfort.
This relatively new cafe is located on North Lane in Headingley. It is a 'proper British cafe' serving a large menu of favourites including full English breakfasts, homemade cakes, and a range of hot drinks. In addition to being a great spot to relax, we love Its All About the Bean as a remote working spot as it also boasts big tables, great Wi-Fi and loads of plug sockets. We love working at Its All About the Bean because you can enjoy a coffee and a cake, and settle into working for a couple of hours with no worry about being harassed by waiters/ waitresses. It also has a range of games like Jenga and Scrabble that provide a great break from work!
A recent addition to the Headingley cafe scene, Fika North is located in Far Headingley (near the Fishermans Wife and Sebbys Deli). It is a fab Scandi cafe with great coffee, Cawa bakes, and comfy seats. There are plenty of places to work with big tables. As a bonus each table has two plug sockets. You can find out more about Fika North by reading our recent post here.
21 and Co was launched in Headingley following the success of a pop up in 2018. This unique cafe located in the Headingley Arndale centre supports young people with Down syndrome.
'We aim to help young adults with Down syndrome get vital work experience...' - Ailith Harley-Roberts, Service Manager at Sunshine and Smiles
With a range of hot and cold drinks, cakes and bakes, toast with various toppings, and lots of seating, this cafe allows people to work whilst also supporting young people with learning disabilities. We loved the family feel of the cafe, and the range of art work on the walls - helping us to focus on our work, whilst feeling a part of the community.
Coffee on the Crescent is brilliantly located in Hyde Park, opposite the Hyde Park pub - making it a fab spot for those wanting to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Coffee on the Crescent is beautiful with reclaimed wooden tables and shelving, and clean walls showcasing local art. There are lots of seating options with plug sockets, should you need them. The Wi-Fi is also fast and reliable. The food and drink is epic - but you can find out more about that on our recent post about Coffee on the Crescent here.
Kirkstall
Number One, Kirkstall Forge
• https://www.kirkstallforge.com/office/
You may not have thought about heading out of Leeds to get your work done, but Number One Kirkstall Forge offers a great work spot (right next to the canal and the station). Number One Kirkstall Forge has a range of co-working spaces, which you can hire for long term periods, but it also boasts a fab space for those wanting a space to log in for a couple of hours. We love the floor to ceiling windows which allow light to flood into this modern space, and also enjoy looking out over the river whilst working.
To keep you fuelled up whilst working you can buy drinks, cakes and other food from Butler’s which is located on the ground floor of Number One, Kirkstall Forge. This fab eatery is open from 7:30am on weekdays.
Archive is a cool cafe situated on Kirkstall Rd, Leeds (in the old archive building for ITV). With fab coffee, savoury and sweet food, and a great decor, Archive is a great cafe for any occasion. But with plugs, fast Wi-Fi and lots of seating, Archive is also an ideal remote working spot withing distance of Kirkstall shops, and Leeds city center. This Kirkstall rd cafe is open from 7:30am on weekdays, and 10am on weekends, allowing you to work around your schedule.
If you have a place that you love to work in Leeds or a surrounding area, then let us know by commenting on this post! We would love to update this post with your suggestions!