The Empire Cafe is a restaurant in Leeds City Centre, Leeds. Rated 4.7 stars from 370 Google reviews. Known for rotisserie chicken and charcoal-fired mains and craft cocktails and attentive bartending. Best for lunch or dinner and couples. Price range: £20–60.
Rankings updated June 2026
The Empire Cafe
| Rating | 4.7★ |
| Reviews | 370 |
| Best for | Lunch or dinner |
Quick Verdict
The Empire Cafe delivers theatre, craft, and flavour in a tucked-away Leeds spot where rotisserie chicken and attentive service justify the hype.
You want charcoal-fired rotisserie and craft cocktails in an intimate, open-kitchen setting with staff who care about detail.
About The Empire Cafe
The Empire Cafe sits hidden in a Leeds city-centre side street, punching well above its modest footprint with rotisserie chicken that reviewers call "juicy and flavoursome" and "easily one of the top 3 meals I have ever eaten". The menu extends far beyond its signature spit-fired bird—steak, prawns, duck, and a mixed grill with lamb all earn 10/10 praise—but it's the open kitchen theatre that sets the mood: diners watch chefs work the rotisserie and charcoal, and staff willingly explain the craft. Service lands consistently warm and attentive without hovering; cocktails are crafted with genuine care (adjustable spice levels, proper glassware), soft drinks are thoughtfully curated, and the team handles dietary needs—coeliac, dairy-free—without fuss. The vibe is relaxed and cosy, with seating that lets you peer into the kitchen or catch views of the "wall of chicken". At 4.7 stars across 370 reviews, it matches the rating of Sukhothai and Blue Sakura, and sits just behind the zone's top Italian and cocktail spots.
In the last 90 days, The Empire Cafe has drawn 39 substantial written reviews (50+ characters of genuine feedback) — a measure of how actively its reviewers have been writing lately.
What Stands Out
Rotisserie chicken and charcoal-fired mains
Reviewers describe the rotisserie chicken as 'juicy and flavoursome', 'sensational', and 'easily one of the top 3 meals I have ever eaten'; steak and prawns earn equal praise.
Craft cocktails and attentive bartending
A genuine barman crafts authentic cocktails in front of you; reviewers highlight willingness to adjust spice levels and proper glassware preparation, impressing even cocktail makers.
Open-kitchen atmosphere and warm service
Diners praise the ability to watch chefs work, the 'relaxing ambience', and staff described as 'friendly', 'attentive without being overbearing', and willing to explain the rotisserie craft.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
6 Fish St, Leeds LS1 6DB, United Kingdom
Visit WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions about The Empire Cafe
Yes. Reviewers with coeliac and dairy-free needs report the team handled both without fuss, and staff are willing to adjust dishes or remove items from the bill if ingredients don't suit.
The rotisserie chicken is the signature, but steak, prawns, duck, and the mixed grill with lamb all earn top praise. Don't skip sides like charcoal roasted tomatoes, chicken schmaltz potatoes, or French bean salad.
Yes. A genuine barman crafts authentic cocktails in front of you, with attention to detail like proper glassware and willingness to adjust spice levels on request.
Intimate and cosy with an open kitchen where you can watch chefs work the rotisserie and charcoal. Described as 'relaxed' and 'chilled out', with friendly, attentive staff.
Yes. Reviewers praise the breakfast and lunch offerings, with one noting 'great value' on the breakfast menu and another calling it a 'perfect spot for a cosy meal'.
It's tucked away in a side street in Leeds city centre, described as a 'hidden gem' and 'hidden away', so worth knowing the location in advance.
Also in Leeds City Centre
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How We Rank Venues
Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
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