Mistal Kitchen

The menu changes with the seasons, built around fresh, locally sourced ingredients with weekly specials that keep regulars coming back. Eggs Benedict with homemade hash browns is a clear favourite, served with perfectly poached eggs on toasted sourdough. The full vegetarian brunch plate brings together grilled mushroom, smashed avocado, grilled tomatoes, crispy hash browns, and pea shoots — a generous spread that fuels a morning on the Chevin.

Weekly specials bring bold flavours to the counter. Recent highlights include roasted squash and mushroom tacos spiced with ancho and arbol chillies, loaded with avocado, pico de gallo, and sharp pickled onions, served alongside sriracha-pickled slaw. The grilled cheese special features golden sourdough packed with oozing mozzarella and mature cheddar, served with fresh salad and crunchy slaw. Sweetcorn fritter tacos and a generously stacked halloumi burger round out the heartier options, while the signature chaat masala fries — skin-on fries with mint yoghurt and mango chutney — are a standout side.

Lighter options include toasted pitta bread with hummus and carrot sticks, aubergine and hummus focaccia, and cheese on toast. The in-house bakery is central to the café’s identity, with a glass counter showcasing cakes baked fresh on site. Vegan and gluten-free options sit alongside chocolate Nutella cake, orange and elderflower cake, lemon drizzle, and flapjacks. Custom cake orders are available through the café directly.

MISTÅL Kitchen does not serve alcohol — the focus here is on quality coffee, tea, and soft drinks. The house coffee is a Charlestown Blend roasted by Casa Espresso in Baildon, served with organic milk from Acorn Dairies in North Yorkshire. Latte art comes as standard in grey ceramic cups, and matcha lattes are available for those after something different.

Soft drinks come from Steep Soda Co in Manchester, and a straightforward tea service rounds out the offering. It is a café that keeps things simple and does them well — proper coffee, good milk, and nothing that distracts from the food and the setting.

The café occupies the old cowshed wing of Yorkgate Farm, and the building’s agricultural past is still visible in the exposed wooden beams and rafters that stretch overhead. Wooden dining tables and chairs fill the ground floor, warmed by large leafy plants — monstera and trailing greenery — that soften the stone walls and add life to the space. Natural light floods in during the day, keeping the room bright and airy. A glass-fronted display cabinet at the counter showcases the day’s cakes, each one labelled and inviting. A mezzanine floor above doubles as a free co-working space on Thursdays and Fridays.

Outside, a flagstone courtyard sits in front of the rough-cut Yorkshire stone building. Rustic wooden tables and benches line the entrance, flanked by chalkboard signs and pot plants. In summer, hollyhocks and climbing plants grow against the walls; in winter, a wreath hangs on the blue-grey painted door. For the evening supper clubs, a fire pit glows in the courtyard beneath fairy lights strung overhead — a setting that transforms the café into something altogether more intimate after dark.

Dogs and muddy boots are welcome on the ground floor, and the café has its own free car park on site.

MISTÅL Kitchen sits on East Chevin Road in Otley, directly opposite the Chevin Forest Park car parks and next to the Chilli Barn. The Otley Chevin — a popular woodland and moorland ridge for hiking and walking — is right on the doorstep, making the café a natural stop before or after a walk. Central Otley is a short drive or walk away.

The café has its own free customer car park on site, though spaces may be limited on Saturdays when weddings take place at the neighbouring Chilli Barn. The Chevin Forest Park car parks are directly opposite on East Chevin Road: Yorkgate Quarry Car Park (LS21 3DG), East Chevin Quarry Car Park (LS21 3DE), and Surprise View Car Park (LS21 3DG). Leeds City Council charges apply — a day ticket costs around £4 for residents. Note that Yorkgate Quarry car park is locked at 6pm.

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10:30am – 3:00pm
Friday: 10:30am – 3:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 4:00pm