Coffee before work, sushi for lunch and spritzes in the sun – you can do it all at Wellington Place.
Just a short walk from Leeds Station, this city-centre neighbourhood is home to everything from cafés and coffee shops to lively restaurants and bars. Grab a quick bite on your lunch break, catch up over wine and charcuterie or bring your mates together for tacos and tequila.
We’ve mapped out where to go throughout the day, so you can eat and drink your way around Wellington Place from your first coffee to the final cocktail.
Start the day with breakfast and coffee
Sociable Folk
Credit: Bevan Cockerill
When it comes to breakfast at Wellington Place, there’s one place that never lets us down – Sociable Folk. The much-loved Leeds café has been keeping workers, residents and loyal regulars fuelled with coffee and breakfast for well over a decade now, with no signs of slowing pace.
Step inside and you’ll find a bright and airy space where you can sit and enjoy your morning brew. With a menu spanning everything from bagels to classic bacon sandwiches, it’s the perfect spot to kickstart your morning. The team are always on hand with friendly service to brighten your day.
Where: Sociable Folk, 10 Wellington Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4JP.
When it’s open: 7am – 3pm, Monday to Friday.
What to order: You can’t go wrong with a sausage sarnie and a flat white.
Where to go for lunch at Wellington Place
Waki Maki
In the mood for sushi? Waki Maki has you covered. This independent street food vendor started life over at Leeds University Student Union before opening its Wellington Place venue in July 2025. Since then, they’ve cemented themselves as one of the top spots for lunch.
The concept is simple – pick all your favourite fillings, from fresh salmon and tuna to veggies, kimchi and sesame seeds, and build your dream poke bowl or jumbo sushi roll. You can also get your hands on hot favourites, including gyoza, katsu and chicken teriyaki.
Where: Waki Maki, 11 Wellington Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4AP.
When it’s open: 11am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
What to order: A salmon poke bowl and a tempura prawn sushi roll for a bit of crunch.
Madre
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When your lunch break calls for more than a meal deal, make your way to Madre. Inspired by the colourful restaurants of Mexico City, this lively eatery serves everything from tacos and cocktails to statement dishes fresh from the wood-fired grill. There’s a cracking lunchtime offer too, while tacos are two-for-one every Tuesday.
These are no ordinary tacos. The fillings span from slow-cooked beef shin birria to crispy Baja fish, but the rest of the à la carte menu deserves a look too. You can tuck into oysters, a mighty fine tuna tostada and big sharing dishes cooked over fire.
Where: Madre, Unit 2AB, 4 Wellington Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4AP.
When it’s open: 12pm – 11pm, Monday to Sunday.
What to order: The £15 lunch combo, which gets you two tacos, a side and a drink. The Baja fish and mushroom tinga tacos get our vote.
Best places for after-work drinks and dinner
Veeno
Credit: Bevan Cockerill
If you’re a wine-lover, Veeno is a must-visit. Founded by Nino Caruso, Veeno is built around the Italian tradition of aperitivo – coming together over good food, wine and conversation. Much of the menu is imported from Italy, including wines from the Caruso & Minini family vineyard in Sicily.
You can tuck into freshly made pasta and pizza, but we like to embrace the aperitivo spirit with a sharing board and a bottle of red. Piled high with cured meats, cheeses, olives and Italian specialities, the signature Italia board is a real treat.
Where: Veeno, 5 Wellington Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4AP.
When it’s open: 12pm – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 12pm – 10pm on Saturdays.
What to order: The signature Italia sharing board – perfect for evening grazing, and a glass of wine. Ask the Veeno team for their recommendations, they know their stuff.
Hoist House
Credit: Bevan Cockerill
Hoist House is Wellington Place’s resident pub and a reliable spot for post-work pints. It really comes into its own during the summer, when the outdoor tables fill up with drinkers making the most of the sunshine. Throw in a strong line-up of draught beers and rotating guest ales, and you’ve got all the makings of a great after-work session.
There’s plenty of pub grub on offer too, from fried chicken and gyros to wood-fired pizzas made for sharing when hunger strikes. Four-legged visitors are welcome as well, with their own doggy treat menu and plenty of fuss from the team.
Where: Hoist House, 5 Wellington Place, Whitehall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4AP.
When it’s open: 11:45am – 10pm Monday to Wednesday, 11:45am – 11pm Thursday to Saturday.
What to order: We like to visit on Wing Wednesday, when their crispy fried chicken wings are half-price all day. Pair them with a pint of Little Faith for maximum enjoyment.
Plan a night out at Wellington Place
Credit: Bevan Cockerill
Can’t decide where to go? Make a full evening of it with this three-stop Wellington Place food and drink trail. The venues are just a few steps apart, so you can move from wine and sharing plates to craft beer and pizza.
Start at Veeno
Veeno
Kick off your evening with a glass of Sicilian wine and a small plate or two at Veeno. We love the bruschetta topped with ’nduja and mascarpone, while a bowl of Nocellara olives is always a good idea. Have a natter, soak up the Italian hospitality and take your time before moving on.
When it’s open: 12pm – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 12pm – 10pm on Saturdays.
Move on to Mad Frans
Credit: Bevan Cockerill
Next up, it’s Mad Frans. Known for its craft ales, creative cocktails and friendly atmosphere, it’s a Wellington Place staple. Drop in at 6pm on the first and last Wednesday of each month to catch their popular quiz.
When it’s open: 12pm – 9pm, Tuesday – Wednesday, 12pm – 8pm Thursday – Friday, 12pm – 9pm Saturday and 12pm – 6pm Sunday.
Finish at Hoist House
Credit: Bevan Cockerill
Round off your night at Hoist House. With a regularly changing line-up of guest ales alongside cocktails, fizz and spirits, there’s plenty to work your way through, while a wood-fired pizza is the perfect way to fend off the hunger before your journey home.
When it’s open: 11:45am – 10pm Monday to Wednesday, 11:45am – 11pm Thursday to Saturday.
Discover drinking & dining at Wellington Place
From morning coffee and lunch on-the-go to dinner and after-work drinks, there’s plenty to discover at Wellington Place.
