Whether you’re running errands with the pooch in tow, need a venue for a doggy date, or want to add a snack onto a successful morning’s dog strolling, Leeds has a cafe to keep you both happy. With all the caffeine you could ask for (and absolutely none for the wigglier member of the family), plus excellent canine customer service, these West Yorkshire cafes make an art of allowing dogs inside.
1. North Star
Address: Unit 32, Leeds Dock, The Blvd, Leeds LS10 1PZ
Telephone: 0113 466 0025
Reservations: Optional
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Breakfast sandwich
Mention “coffee” plus “Leeds” in the same sentence and good-caffeine maths will immediately lead you to North Star. It’s something of a local legend in the city’s bean scene, with its own coffee academy that appreciates coffee varieties like a wine-lover would do grapes. Staff aren’t just fluent in types of coffee, however, but also in dogs. The dog-crazy team is on first-name terms with many of their regulars’ furry friends, and provided that dogs are clean or have their own blanket, they are welcome to take a seat, human-style.
There’s even a ‘dog of the week’ board, which customers travel specifically to try to be featured on. When your dog isn’t dealing with their new-found fame, they will be scrounging outrageously for the regularly changing food menu that includes French toast, seasonal soup and curried cauliflower rarebitt. There’s also an in-café shop, selling soaps, hand creams and ceramic homeware. Talk about a destination that keeps everyone–and every woof–happy.
2. Mill Kitchen
Mill Kitchen photographed by Emily Nicholson @pet_stories_
Address & map: Sunnybank Mills, 83-85 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5UJ
Telephone: 0113 257 1417
Reservations: Optional
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Southern Style Potato Hash
A fantastic place in the centre of Farsley, around a 20-minute drive west of Leeds’ city centre, Mill Kitchen benefits from outdoor seating (a perk for muddy dog paws) and a no-fuss atmosphere inside that is fully welcoming to dogs. With large tables, this former textiles mill is a popular haunt for families and groups–creating a buzzy, bustling vibe that won’t make you feel self-conscious if your pup doesn’t sit statue-still while you eat.
The food menu changes seasonally (and sometimes daily) but features delicacies like sourdough crumpets with roast rhubarb and yoghurt, vegan and vegetarian full English brekkies, salad bowls, and some dangerously addictive baked goods. There’s coffee by North Star, and milkshakes made with Leeds-based vegan ice cream, Northern Bloc. A tip: the best seats are beside the window, which turns into a divine suntrap on a warm day. Perfect for a post-walk curl-up.
3. Moose Coffee
Address: Bond Court, Wine St, Leeds LS1 2JZ
Telephone: 0113 244 3180
Reservations: Recommended
Price range: ££
Recommended dish: Sauls Smoked Chicken Cheddar Waffle
Moose Coffee is inspired by American & Canadian breakfast culture, with a diner vibe serving eggs, pancakes and, of course, coffee. They also have plenty of veggie and vegan options, such as tofu “scrambled eggs” potato hash and vegan hot chocolate. In fact, Moose prioritise sustainability, using locally-sourced produce where possible, water refill stations instead of plastic water bottles and biodegradable straws.
When it comes to bringing your dog, the Moose staff would be delighted to meet your four-legged friend. On their website it recommends giving them a call if you’re thinking of bringing your pooch down so they can make sure there’s a suitable dog friendly zone for them (especially at busier times!).
4. Tandem Leeds
Tandem photographed by Emily Nicholson @pet_stories_
Address: 574 Meanwood Rd, Meanwood, Leeds LS6 4AZ
Telephone: —
Reservations: Not necessary
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Biscoff Blondie
Near the ball-chasing favourite, Meanwood Park, Tandem is a bohemian cafe, lifestyle store, and art gallery in one. This former bike shop is run by interior-design lovers Hannah Slater and Hatty Crallan, who work ‘in tandem’ (see what they did there?) with local artists, designers, and makers to showcase their wares in the cosiest of settings. The owners also love dogs, with regulars like Gizzy, a rescue whippet, striding inside to get warm after walkies.
Food is real soul-hugging stuff: vegan baking, such as banana, coffee and walnut cake, hot chocolate, or poached eggs. And there’s plenty to keep your eyes occupied once the tailed-one has nodded off, with greetings cards made by local illustrators, one-off pieces of pottery, handwoven rugs, and houseplants. The latter is not an invitation for the dogs to start eating that type of greens, however.
5. Woodlawn Coffee Co
Woodlawn Coffee Co photographed by Emily Nicholson @pet_stories_
Address & map: 60A Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4AP
Telephone: 0113 258 0077
Reservations: Not necessary
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Almond croissant
You can’t miss this teal-blue building in the centre of Horsforth—a hipster, urban-styled café with exposed brick walls, chipboard floors, classic movie posters, and fresh flowers on the tables. Dogs are allowed anywhere inside this pooch-welcoming eatery, with water available, plus tickle-based attention for the well-behaved.
Expect excellent coffee from North Star, brewed nice and strong like a morning wake-up should be. Plus,treats like sandwiches, omelettes, smoked salmon bagels, and baked goodies from Tarte & Berry—hello, crème egg brownies. *Someone* is not going to be happy that chocolate is strictly off-limits for dogs. Still, cuddles help.
6. Fika North
Source: Fika North
Address: 94 Otley Road, Far Headingley, Leeds LS6 4BA
Telephone: 0113 824 3489
Reservations: Not necessary
Price range: £
Recommended dish: Sriracha Prawns Bagel
Bringing the Swedish concept of fika to Yorkshire, the Scandi ritual of pairing a coffee break with good conversation and something sweet, Fika North is a buzzy modern social space with punchy caffeine, cool art, and cute pooches. We’re talking specifically about Nelly, the café’s in-house mascot, an eight-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who is so tiny that she’s still mistaken for a puppy. You stop that ageing clock, girlfriend! Rumour has it that customers come in just for a nuzzle with Nelly, though regular clients will spot a few other familiar dog faces, too.
There’s Hugo the French bulldog, Luce le Floof—a Cypriot rescue pup whose breed can only be described as part-fluff, part-scruff, and Spike, another senior Jack Russell. This dog-loving venue provides water and treats for the canine chums, while humans are well-catered for, too. Expect Swedish specialities such as Selma buns, a cardamom-flavoured cake filled with almond paste and cream, and Skagen—a savoury toast topped with prawns, dill and crème fraîche. There’s also craft beer, organic wine, cocktails, and kitchen takeovers from local chefs.
