A popular, intimate Leeds restaurant with excellent rotisserie chicken and inventive small plates, though cramped seating, occasional stock shortages, uneven service, and a genuinely expensive full meal warrant planning.
The Empire Cafe stands out for its rotisserie chicken and a hidden-away city-centre setting that feels memorable for planned meals. Attentive hospitality is a clear strength, but recurring reports of slow service and cramped, uneven seating keep it just short of the very top tier.
Tucked into a side street in central Leeds, The Empire Cafe feels like a compact, candlelit discovery rather than a sprawling dining room. Reviews paint an intimate scene of artwork, an open kitchen, relaxed music, and tables close enough to watch the cooking; one diner summed up the appeal as a cosy little place where the chicken is almost part of the décor. It is popular, so reservations are sensible, and the small footprint means your table location matters. The cooking is modern British with a playful, cross-cultural streak: rotisserie chicken and steak sit alongside Spam pakora, gochujang-laced dishes, kimchi hash browns, curry-inflected plates, and changing vegetable combinations. The chicken is the safest bet, with potatoes earning near-equal billing, while the small plates reward curious eaters. Execution is not flawless—some diners found dishes underseasoned, portions tight, or certain desserts mishandled—and service can swing from genuinely thoughtful to frustratingly slow. Budget around £45-60 per person for a typical full meal before drinks, so this is an occasional treat rather than a casual bargain. Families can manage the menu through familiar choices such as egg or sausage muffins, steak and chips, rotisserie chicken, chocolate cake, and chips, while vegan and vegetarian options are also clearly listed. However, this is not a straightforward children’s restaurant: the current menu is creative, the room can be dark and cramped, and one review specifically found the breakfast experience poorly suited to a child. Picky eaters may be happier with the Hatch menu or a simple chicken-and-chips order, and allergy-sensitive families should confirm arrangements carefully.
Area vibe: Busy commercial and retail heart of Leeds with a mix of historic and modern architecture.
Safety: Generally safe with good lighting and steady footfall in evenings, though quieter late at night on some streets.
What's nearby: Close to Leeds railway station, The Headrow, Trinity Leeds shopping centre and numerous bars, theatres and office buildings.
The safest order is the rotisserie chicken with schmaltz potatoes, but the small-plates menu offers more surprising choices.
This is a small, popular restaurant with an inventive menu, potentially slow service, and prices that can feel steep for the portions.
Expect a cosy open-kitchen setting with artwork and candlelight, though the small, dark room is not ideal for every occasion.