With preparations for Christmas getting into full swing, and with the already bustling streets of Leeds being made even busier with the addition of festive shoppers, we ducked into Nesso Coffee for some respite and to escape the hordes (and the seemingly relentless wintry rain), taking the opportunity to sample some of its latest offerings as we did so.
For those yet to enjoy what it has to offer, Nesso Coffee, is an independent Italian-inspired café created by award-winning Leeds chef, Bobby Geetha. Part of its rapidly growing reputation has been due to its flair for innovation, and Bobby and the team have looked to sprinkle an extra bit of sparkle to the city’s food and drink scene this Christmas with two new launches at its Merrion Street venue. These include a freshly unveiled Italian-inspired Bottomless Brunch, where for £27.50* per person, guests can enjoy 90-minutes of unlimited drinks paired with a menu celebrating Italian classics. (More information on what’s included can be found here.)
While the Bottomless Brunch was indeed tempting (another time perhaps) we went for a slightly less indulgent option, choosing a main, hot drink, and dessert.
As would be expected of an Italian-inspired café with a growing reputation, the Latte (£4.25) packed a hefty caffeinated kick, while the Hot Chocolate (£5.20) was of an equally high standard.
For our mains we went for slight variations on a theme: the Salmon/ Halloumi & Avo on Toast (£10). Both dishes were well put together with a delightfully runny and perfectly poached egg always a firm favourite with this particular reviewer. The punchy Marinara Sauce helped bring the smashed avocado and Hollandaise together on a bed of delicious toasted Pugliese bread. Excellent.
Finishing off proceedings were an exquisitely flaky Pastel de Nata (£3.50) showing that Nesso is able to turn its hand to Portuguese treats just as well as it can Italian ones. We could resist the newest of its additions to the menu either: the Panettone Sticky Toffee French Toast (£9.50). Featuring a thick slice of traditional Panettone that had been baked until golden, the dish was adorned with soft-serve vanilla gelato, warm sticky toffee sauce, seasonal berries and a Biscoff crumb finish. The result was as substantial a dessert as you could ever wish for and lent itself perfectly to the Christmas vibe, even if the pouring rain outside most certainly did not. Only available until the 31st of December, get it while you can! You won’t be disappointed – a real Christmas showstopper!
Our Verdict
In summary Nesso Coffee proved to be a most welcome oasis just a few metres away from the hustle and bustle of Leeds. The cafe manages to be both modern and yet cosy, while the service was also flawless. Situated not far from the Headrow on Merrion Street, this is the ideal location to rest your feet and indulge in some delicious coffee and treats following a bout of retail therapy or after buying Christmas gifts for loved ones.
*Introductory price from November to January 2026. £32.50 per person from February 2026.
*Pre booking required