Lebkov Leiden

Fresh sandwiches, good coffee, and a queuing system that seems anarchic yet has its own logic. Miss the lunch deals though — Lebkov, bring them back!

I like everything about Lebkov. The coffee is great, and the food is fresh and they use good quality stuff. I dont really like sandwiches but I always finish my sandwich when it comes from Lebkov! Miss it a lot now that I am away, looking forward to have some coffee there when I am back in Leiden!

Lebkov is our go-​to when running to the train station early in the morning or chilling after a long ride home. They’re a solid café: very welcoming, and uniquely decorated. The baristas take your order from you wherever you happen to be standing at the bar, and are quick at filling it! Word to the wise, iced drinks in the Netherlands are blended with the ice; it’s strange but it makes their iced Americano a perfect espresso gulp. Their chai lattes are also nicely spicy and creamy. You’ll love catching a train after having your Lebkov, so stop in for sure!

I got a simple ham sandwich for breakfast which I don’t expect much. But wow, it’s really good! And the orange juice is fresh squeezed.

Best coffee in Leiden and they also make fantastic pea soup. If you’re into sandwiches, these are also really good! Four stars because it gets very crowded at lunchtime, and although they have free wifi, the tables are not the most comfortable to work at. But in general, cool atmosphere and a good place to go, surprisingly enough since it’s right at the train station!

I’m staying near the train station in Leiden and finally made it in here for some warmth and coffee. Was pleasantly surprised to find that they have decaf options, so I ordered a medium decaf latte (€ 2.75) and splurged on added whipped cream (€.30) both of which were delicious. The service was prompt and professional, but as the Dutch are a thrifty people I didn’t actually get a whole lot of whipped cream. The place is bright, clean and pleasant, and it has free wi-​fi. There are tables outside as well, but as it is like 8 degrees celsius outside I preferred the inside option. I can’t comment on how the food tastes, but it all smells good and looks exceptionally fresh.
One nice little touch: there are sugar grinders with cinnamon, vaniila and other flavors to add to your coffee right next to the stirrers and sugar packets. I recommend it over the fast food places inside the station, although honestly none of them were bad for what they are, and some have specials which make them good value when you are on the run.

I started frequenting the Leiden Lebkov & Sons about a year ago. Since then, it’s been getting busier and the service has become hit or miss. It can be incredibly tough to find a table in there on the weekdays. Worse yet, the quality of the coffee is entirely determined by who’s brewing it.
I hate to say it, but the ol’ cliché about «the better-​looking the cook, the worse the food» definitely applies here. Many of the baristas seem to have been hired based entirely on their looks and the guys behind the counter are much worse at their jobs than their female counterparts. If you visit, try to flag down one of the girls. More often than not, the guys will fill a large cup of coffee about halfway and burn the contents too. They’re rather clueless and/​or indifferent. The clientele can also be pretty rude and they tend to leave their empty cups and plates on the tables despite the conveniently located bins up front.
On a brighter note, Lebkov’s got one of the best sound systems in town and they’re often playing the Stones and old soul tunes in there. Their sandwiches are pretty tasty too.

Always a great coffee and friendly service. A quick bite to eat with quality ingredients and comfortable atmosphere, not to mention a pleasant blend of music.