Starbucks Coffee

Same as any other Starbucks. Coffee isn’t great but it’s just a good place to linger if you want to study or use their wifi or just waste away some time– if I wanted to go somewhere for the quality of their coffee I’d rather go to La Bottega Milanese in the Light. The toilets here are always disgusting– dirty, but they also need to be refurbished.

Though there are a million Starbucks in Leeds — without even mentioning other well known franchises and independents — I’ve found myself here dozens of times over the last few months and it’s become something of a regular pre-​work drinking hole, with it being so close to my office .
The prices may be a little higher than other chains — particularly when food is involved — and the interior is pretty bland apart from three really nice («ethnic») paintings, but the staff are always really lovely and the music is enough for you to have a private conversation without drowning you out. There’s a friendly atmosphere, it’s almost always tidy and the staff always seem to be having fun, whether experienced old hands or new kids on the block.
Yes, yes, Starbucks is The Man and should be brought to their knees in favour of local independent shops, but they now support Fair Trade and give jobs to local people, so I’m all for it when I’m strapped for time!

Despite my disagreement with Starbucks’ prices and the state of their actual coffee, sitting in here with a skinny Chai Tea Latte and a Rocky Road is the best it can possibly get. It’s in a gorgeous little building with plenty of natural light and seating: a perfect stress-​free environment.

Ahh, so after a long time avoiding the inevitable chain for the cute independent places, I finally broke my vigil and came in for take out coffee the other week. Perhaps it’s hypocritical on my part, perhaps there are bigger fish to fry in the whole chain-​store debate, but man. I have to say. Damn good coffee. To be fair, since now Starbucks are serving fair trade coffee so this eases my guilt a little!
To the coffee. It was made beautifully and generously portioned, I love all the extras that you can add; such as the vanilla and cinnamon shakers. The service was swift, friendly and perfect if you’re in a bit of a rush, as I was, since the queue of about 5 went down within five minutes or so. I even splashed out on a humongous cookie, which was a little more expensive than most of Leeds’ indie bakeries, but it was a damn good cookie too and big as a house.
This branch has a few outside seats for those who fresco, or like myself, have yet to be rid of that evil weed addiction; tobacco. Whilst it’s a modestly sized branch (one toilet I believe) it’s certainly a pleasant spot to sit and take in a delicious energy boost. Lovely staff, lovely service and all round good coffee on the go. Recommended!

I’m not a massive fan of Starbucks but I used to pop into this one after work as it is open after I finished at 5.30 and sometimes I needed a bit of coffee and a muffin before I went home. It is quite small but they maximise seating space by putting seats outside on the pavement. Whilst this is on the main road the traffic is never racing by as its in the city centre, the pavement is really wide and its quite nice in the sunshine! I like this Starbucks in favour of others because of the seating out the back too. It backs into the shopping area The Light. The glass roof covering allows all the restaurants to provide this indoor yet outdoor seating area that creates almost a courtyard feel. The Starbucks seating is secluded, away from the street and busy store, surrounded by tall plants. And you can get wifi — bonus!

Just wanted to clear up something from Rachael’s review. There is no upstairs to this Starbucks. The upstairs is actually Confetti! So whilst it might look large from the outside, it’s actually very narrow inside and once it’s full, it’s full. I know from experience, I work there!

Ahh Starbucks. Obviously one of my favourites!
Tis store is deceptively large, looks small from the outside but it’s like the Tardis once you get in. With extra seating upstairs it’s plenty big enough to sit down and enjoy an Eggnog latte in the afternoon… bliss!
They also sell the coffee beans for you to make your own coffees at home along with usual starbucks mugs and cups and flasks… etc.
Fast, friendly service, always busy… go early.