The story
Tucked away on Fish Street, Empire Cafe has earned a reputation as a hidden gem in Leeds city centre. As Only Scrans notes in their video, this is a spot for “creative small plates and a legendary rotisserie chicken” served in a historic, intimate setting. The menu leans into bold, fusion-forward cooking, with standout dishes including the pluma, a spam pakora, and those much-talked-about chicken fat potatoes.
It’s the kind of place where the cooking feels personal and the room buzzes with quiet confidence—cosy, trendy, and unmistakably Leeds. With a stellar 4.7 rating and a loyal local following, Empire Cafe proves that sometimes the best meals come from the smallest, most unassuming rooms.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 4 dish mentions say about the food
The Pluma earns singular praise, with reviewers calling it a tender, flavorful standout. The overall vibe is warm and comforting, a cozy spot for unpretentious, satisfying fare.
“The pluma comes with truffle oil, a cheese dumpling, a pork sauce with black treacle, cayenne, and lemon juice, topped with fried cabbage. Oh my god, that's the best bite I've ever had. The ingredients and care taken are incredible – it's elevated without being pretentious.”
What creators say
1 creator has covered Empire Cafe. Most active: Only Scrans
Empire Cafe is a hidden gem in Leeds city center, serving creative small plates and a legendary rotisserie chicken in a historic, intimate setting.
Dishes mentioned
Pluma
The pluma comes with truffle oil, a cheese dumpling, a pork sauce with black treacle, cayenne, and lemon juice, topped with fried cabbage. Oh my god, that's the best bite I've ever had. The ingredients and care taken are incredible – it's elevated without being pretentious.
Spam Pakora
The spam pakora has about 14 spices and is served with egg yolk jam and chili flakes. I'd never had egg yolk jam before – it's a first. Justice for spam, people turn their nose up at it but this is fantastic.
Rotisserie Chicken
The chicken is cooked on the rotisserie for ages and it melts in my mouth. The skin is packed with flavour that permeates deep into the meat – it's moist, tender, and juicy throughout. This is a masterclass in rotisserie, a million miles better than supermarket chickens.
Chicken Fat Potatoes
The potatoes sit below the rotisserie and soak up all the chicken fat and grease all day, then they get crisped up in the oven. Oh my god, it's life-changing stuff – the ultimate side.
