As the cooler weather begins to set in, one of our favourite pastimes is whiling away an hour or two in a nice little cafe; a thrilling book in one hand and a cup of exquisite coffee in the other…
Leicester has its fair share of charming establishments, all offering comfort, escape and that all important caffeine fix. Here are a few of our favourites…
The Cosy Club Highcross Street, Leicester
When the temperature drops, you want delicious coffee in a cosy place, right?
Well, where could be more cosy than the city’s aptly named Cosy Club? Yes, with
its sumptuous velvet sofas and charming lighting fixtures, it’s just as cosy as it sounds! Housed in the former Veejay Knitwear factory, the Cosy Club is packed with quirky nods to its previous life – brightly coloured cotton and spinning wheels within the bar, a Loom Room and some original textile pieces from Leicester on the walls.
This place has tonnes of character – splashes of bright, colourful upholstery and a real magpie sense of decor that is just on the right side of cluttered. A quirky spot which never fails to deliver delicious coffee – and a welcome smile!
Merchant of Venice Granby Street & Loseby Lane
As venues go, this is certainly one of those places which draws you in and makes you want to stay – a rich, warm and luxurious space which is just a little bit special. As well as serving great coffee, the Merchant of Venice also serves up a feast for the eyes in terms of its stunning Shakespeare inspired decor.
As you enter, you’re greeted by the sight
of beautiful gilded ceilings, impressive paintings and sumptuous seating, including wooden swing seats in the windows! A charming place to take a date, or to visit solo; sit, sip a warm beverage and watch the world go by…
Sipp Cafe Bar Granby Street
A candy coloured venue which is hard to miss, this delightful little cafe bar is a gorgeous new addition to the Leicester street scene, and a great place to grab a coffee.
Inside lies a wonderful retro aesthetic, which
is reminiscent of the old 1950s diners of yesteryear, and there is plenty of scope for a good Instagram snap, social media fans will
be pleased to know! A pink vintage motorbike draws the eye into a downstairs corner, and retro signage adorns the walls as well as images of screen icon Marilyn Monroe. A lovely little spot, which is guaranteed to charm and conjure up some welcome nostalgia (as well as a great caffeine fix!)
The Exchange Bar, Rutland Street
If you’re after a place to meet a friend for coffee and an affable autumn catch up, we can think of no where better than this cosy little venue, which is located in the city’s Cultural Quarter.
Featuring wooden floors, sumptuous Oxblood chairs, and soft homely sofas, it’s one of those venues which welcomes you in – especially at night when the colder weather begins to bite.
When darkness falls, there is always a warm, ambient glow calling out from within this place, where candles are lit and an abundance of fairy lights adorn the walls, windows and ceilings. The perfect backdrop for your next cosy post (or pre) theatre cappuccino!
Cocco & Delilah, Cank Street
This delightful (and highly instagrammable) little cafe boutique is new to the Leicester food and drink scene, and definitely somewhere which needs to be seen to be believed. It has the wow factor (and then some!) Feminine, chic and utterly adorable, this pastel perfect venue looks like something straight out of a story book and that’s exactly what the owner – a former fashion designer, wanted to achieve. The coffee here
is as delectable as the interior, and there are a delightful selection of cakes on offer, which look (almost) too good to eat. (Make sure you photograph them first!)
The perfect place to stop and indulge yourself with style, during a girly shopping trip.
By Louise Steel
