Jasmine Cafe

The heart of Jasmine Cafe’s menu is the baked goods section. A rotating selection of handmade Arabic pastries prepared in a central kitchen and delivered fresh daily. Savoury options include the iconic kibbeh, golden-fried bulgur wheat shells filled with spiced lamb, alongside musakhan chicken pastries layered with caramelised onion and sumac, and zesty spinach triangles. The cheese with muhammara, a roasted red pepper and walnut sauce adds a tangy, nutty dimension, while falafel provides a reliable vegan option. A box deal lets you mix and match six or more pastries at a discount, making it an approachable way to sample the range.

Beyond the pastries, lighter bites include the yalanji fatteh, a layered vegetarian cup of tangy vine leaves, bread, chickpeas, and yoghurt, and a halloumi sandwich on ciabatta with tomatoes, rocket, and fresh mint. Limited-edition wraps rotate seasonally. Recent specials include a butter chicken sandwich and a makdous sandwich featuring pickled aubergine stuffed with walnuts.

Jasmine Cafe takes its drinks as seriously as its food. The signature karak tea, a fragrant, homemade spiced black tea with milk is a clear favourite, with regulars noting its aroma fills the café from the doorway. Arabic coffee and Turkish coffee anchor the specialty menu, while a Saudi coffee dalla served in a traditional pot offers a ceremonial, cardamom-spiced option for groups of four or more.

A full espresso bar covers the standards. Americano, latte, cappuccino, flat white, with oat, almond, and soy milk alternatives available. Iced coffees include a Spanish latte, and syrups range from vanilla and caramel to a distinctly Middle Eastern cardamom option. The tea selection extends to a wellness blend of thyme, rosemary, cloves, lemon, honey, turmeric, and mint.

Cold drinks lean into Middle Eastern flavours: fresh mango juice, hibiscus rose juice, and Shani sit alongside organic iced teas.

The cafe’s sage green painted shopfront immediately sets it apart on Cookridge Street, with large plate glass windows revealing warm starburst pendant lights in gold wire burst design.

Inside, white marble-effect tables and dark upholstered seating create a clean, modern base, while a large arched Moorish-style mirror on the wall adds a sense of height and cultural character. A statement tropical palm anchors the window seating area, where you can look out across to the Gothic stonework of Leeds Civic Hall.

The counter area has a richer, more enveloping feel. Warm sandy walls, an illuminated glass display cabinet of pastries, and wooden shelves lined with Arabic ceramics, ornate teapots, and decorative vessels. An antique-style curved brass Arabic lamp and Islamic geometric star patterns on the wall signal an interior shaped by genuine cultural identity rather than generic café styling.

Brass Moroccan lattice lanterns with teal glass panels sit on the tables as centrepieces.

Board games are available for a more leisurely visit.

There are 3 car parks within 483 meters of here.

Q-Park The Light

Google Map Directions

Pre-book a space here

Q-Park The Light is 161 meters away. It has 402 parking spaces. This is a pay-display car park. The height restriction is 2.2 meters. There are 24 blue badge spaces available. The car park features include lifts, help-point, cctv, covered, lighting. Payment can be made by card, app.

CitiPark Merrion Centre & First Direct Arena

Google Map Directions

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CitiPark Merrion Centre & First Direct Arena is 483 meters away. It has 956 parking spaces. This is a pay-display car park. The height restriction is 1.83 meters. There are null blue badge spaces available. null electric charging points are available. The car park features include patrolled, lifts, single-level, cctv, covered.

NCP The Core

Google Map Directions

Pre-book a space here

NCP The Core is 483 meters away. It has 313 parking spaces. This is a pay-display car park. The height restriction is 2.05 meters. There are 4 blue badge spaces available. The car park features include patrolled, lifts. Payment can be made by card, cash, app.

Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cookridge Street sits at the edge of Leeds city centre’s civic quarter, putting you within easy reach of several other spots worth exploring. For Italian flavours, La Piola is a short stroll away, or head to The Oxford Place for a different atmosphere just around the corner.