My 5 Favourite Independent Cafés in York

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About the author: My name is Cailin and I’m UniHomes' York Content Ambassador. I'm currently studying English and Related Literature at the University of York, and alongside my studies I also play water polo for the York women’s team and I'm the life drawing officer for the Art Society. Outside of uni I really enjoy all of the sports that make up triathlon, as well as painting and sketching, writing and cross stitching (and reading, but I think that comes with the territory of being a literature student); if you couldn’t tell, I like to think of myself as a collector of hobbies and sports and I love sharing my passions with others!

On account of York being quite attractive for both tourists and students alike, there's no shortage of coffee chains throughout the city.

York, however, is also known for its independent coffee and brunch scene and, whether you’re in the final year of a PhD or the first year of an undergrad, there's always something new to discover.

Here are my five personal favourites as a (self-proclaimed) brunch connoisseur!

My top 5 independent cafés in York

1. Rise

Rise is rated as one of the best restaurants in York, in part for its amazing menu choices (which are frequently updated) and for their social media presence.

Located on Fossgate in the city centre (near a bus stop that runs through both the University of York’s East and West campuses and on to the station), Rise stands picturesque along a cobbled street surrounded by a whole collection of gift shops, restaurants and other cafés.

From matcha to chai to coffee, there'll definitely be something on the menu for you, though if you need any recommendations then I suggest you try an açai bowl.

Top tip: if you decide to pop in for a visit, make sure to arrive sooner than later to avoid the queue (especially on the weekend)! 

Curious about what else the city centre has to offer? Check out our guide to York's city centre here.

📍 Address: 44 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF

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2. Spring Espresso

If you’ve arrived at Rise and don’t quite feel like waiting out a queue, I highly suggest popping over to neighbour Spring Espresso if you’re in the mood for the best pistachio brioche French toast you’ve ever tasted.

With two locations (one on Fossgate and the other on Lendal), Spring Espresso has a great menu and even greater coffee, but is a little bit quieter and more spacious than Rise – perfect if you want to get some work done as a student or do some people watching from their window seats.

Unfortunately neither of these cafés offer student discounts but Spring Espresso – offering more ‘traditional’ coffee and brunch options – has a cheaper menu selection than Rise, if you’re looking for simple breakfast staples and pastries.

📍 Address 1: 45 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF

📍 Address 2: 21 Lendal, York, YO1 8AQ

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3. Sophie

The River Ouse is one of York’s stand-out attractions; if you’re looking to soak in the summer sun or cozy up inside during the winter, one of Sophie's locations (both of which are right by the river) is the perfect fit.

Known for picturesque interiors and a decadent display of pastries and cakes, alongside the brunch menu, Sophie is the perfect spot to meet with friends. Plus, the luxury hot chocolates are a must-try, especially considering the wide variety of unique coffee syrups.

And the best part? Sophie doubles as a cocktail bar if you’re craving an Aperol Spritz in the sun or a Baileys hot chocolate in the winter.

📍 Address 1: East Lodge, Lendal Bridge, York, YO1 7DP

📍 Address 2: Skeldergate Bridge, York, YO1 9WJ

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4. Kynd

Kynd is one of my personal favourites, especially when I have friends and family coming to York for a visit.

With a 10% student discount and an absolutely scrumptious selection of both sweet and savoury breakfast and lunch options, Kynd’s seasonal drinks and sourdough toasties constantly keep you coming back for more.

My absolute favourite drink to get at Kynd is an iced matcha – they pride themselves on sourcing their authentic and high-quality matcha green tea leaves from fields in Kagoshima, Japan.

While they offer a selection of syrups and options from raspberry and white chocolate to pistachio, as well as tropical mango colada matcha, the regular old iced matcha with oat milk has become my go-to (especially on hot days).

📍 Address: 2 Clifford Street, York YO1, 9SB

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5. 200º Coffee

Last (but definitely not least) is a hidden gem on Petergate, hardly a two-minute walk from the York Minster (and where I spend majority of my time during exam and deadline season): 200º Coffee.

With a spacious and ambient interior, the small chain 200º is the perfect place to sit down with a laptop – in fact, there will probably already be a collection of both students and members of the general public working on their own projects and documents, creating a calm but motivational working environment.

The café chatter creates great background noise if you’re working or meeting up with a friend. Their loose-leaf tea pots are the perfect companions for a cold day, and there's a selection of fridge sodas if you’re looking for something lighter in the summer.

📍 Address: 68 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HZ

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I have only mentioned five of my favourites, but York is such a dynamic city with fresh and unique cafes around every corner, and my best advice is to try something new because you never know when you’re going to find a new favourite spot!

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