On Wednesday, a friend and I headed to North^ Coffee on Kirkstall Road for a morning of coffee and co-working.
Having only opened its doors in January, the café is still relatively new to Leeds, but it is already working to establish itself as more than just somewhere to grab a drink.
As part of the wider North^ Church complex, the team is creating a welcoming community space where people can work, meet and connect.
Arriving just after the café opened at 9.30am, I was more than ready for my morning caffeine fix. The space immediately struck me as somewhere you could happily spend a few hours. With plenty of seating options, generous spacing between tables and a relaxed atmosphere, it felt perfectly set up for everything from catching up with friends to settling in with a laptop for the morning.
My friend and I had planned exactly that. We ordered our coffees before finding a table to work from for a few hours, and it didn’t take long for us to settle in.
I opted for a latte, which arrived in an oversized mug that immediately put a smile on my face. There’s something I love about being able to wrap my hands around a large mug of coffee and thankfully, the coffee itself was just as enjoyable. Smooth, well-balanced and full of flavour, it was exactly what I needed to start the day. My friend chose an iced coconut latte made with coconut milk, which she thoroughly enjoyed, and between us we certainly got the caffeine boost we were hoping for.
After making good progress with our work, we decided to cool down with one of North^ Coffee’s summer refreshers. I chose the Dragonfruit and Mango, while my friend went for the Raspberry and Pineapple. Both were light, refreshing and packed with fruity flavour, making them an ideal choice on a warm summer morning.
Although we didn’t sample any food during our visit, there was a tempting selection of pastries and snacks available, alongside meal deals that pair a sandwich with a drink and either crisps or cake. It certainly looked like there were plenty of options for anyone planning to stay a little longer over lunch.
What stood out most throughout the morning was the atmosphere. Staff were genuinely friendly and welcoming and there was a noticeable sense of community among the people using the space. Rather than feeling like somewhere people simply pass through, it felt like a venue that encourages people to stay, whether that’s to work, meet friends or simply enjoy a good coffee.
That focus on community extends beyond the café itself. North^ Coffee regularly shares co- working offers on its social media, including a Wednesday promotion between 12pm and 2pm when a second drink is half price.
They’re also beginning to build a programme of community events, with family-friendly activities such as Kids Craft sessions taking place over the summer, giving local families another reason to make use of the space.
Overall, I had a really enjoyable morning at North^ Coffee. The relaxed atmosphere, excellent coffee and welcoming environment make it an easy place to recommend,, particularly if you’re looking for somewhere to escape the office for a few hours or simply enjoy a slower start to the day. I’ll certainly be returning the next time I’m in need of a productive morning – with a good cup of coffee!
North^ Coffee is open Tuesday to Thursday from 9.30am until 3.30pm on Kirkstall Road, just outside Leeds City Centre.
Photography by Alex Christensen.
