A must visit for anyone looking for great value and quality food in Leeds City Centre. The location might put off a few but believe me you are making a big mistake.
We have visited The Empire Cafe a few times when in Leeds and have never been disappointed. So when we found ourselves in town with our youngest daughter who was visiting from Australia she was keen to go.
The Empire Cafe is currently getting slightly overshadowed by its newer sibling that is getting rave reviews – The Highland Laddie (it’s on the list – we actually booked for Sunday lunch recently but had to cancel!).- but please don’t forget The Empire Cafe is top notch and well worth a visit.
Nestled in the back streets, between the main shopping area of Briggate and Leeds City Market its location might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But it’s literally around the corner from The Ivy Asia so it can’t be that bad surely!
The Empire Cafe Food Choice
I am sure you can source the menu if you are keen but there is only one thing on the menu for me and that’s Chicken! WTF You are doing a review of a restaurant that specialises in CHICKEN!
I hear you. My mantra to Mrs K when we go out is always the same. “Don’t bother ordering Chicken you can cook that the same at home. Going out gives you the opportunity to have something you would never cook at home, so that rules out Chicken!”
But this is different Chicken. It is rotisserie chicken produced on a specialised German rotisserie machine. So what its still chicken. It may well be but I guarantee you will not have tasted chicken like this before.
So did you have chicken then? Erm no! I asked the waitress what her favourite thing on the menu was and she told me she really rated the ribs. So I went with them. In fairness I did this in the knowledge that we were also ordering a full chicken that I had no doubt I would be tucking into.
The ribs came with a bacon fat glaze and they were stunning. I was slightly (massively) put out that I had to share with my fellow diners.
We ordered a ful chicken and you can flavour it with a lather and a crumb. The super helpful waitress told us we could split the chicken in two so we could try different lather crumb combos. We went for Garlic, Lemon and Tarragon for one half and Smoked Garlic and Honey on the other. Both were stunning and both were ordered with the Empire Dry Herb Mix.
From a sides perspective we went for a French Bean Salad which again was lovely and then what could only be described as the worlds most moorish side dish.
As The chickens are doing their thing on the rotisserie in a tray underneath is a mountain of new potatoes that is getting soaked and cooked on the fat dripping from the chickens. They are perfectly mouth sized and irresistible. Once you start you just can’t stop eating them! They are included with the chickens as a no cost side. Enjoy them you will not regret them.
Is The Empire Cafe Good Value For Money?
For 3 adults including a couple of drinks each the bill was well under £100, which for me was amazing value and no evening meal was required. Make an effort to track it down the next time you are in Leeds City Centre. Believe me you will not regret it!
Right then we defo need to go to the Highland Laddie now!