By Study Inn
Leicester is a vibrant city packed full of amazing food options. In fact, we think it’s one of the best places to eat as a student in the UK. So, it’s unsurprising that Leicester is home to some delicious brunch spots for when it’s too late in the day for breakfast and too early for lunch. Whether you’re brunching with friends after a late night or looking for a good spot to take visiting friends and family, you’ll find brunches to suit all tastes, dietary requirements and budgets.
Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch
The word ‘brunch’ was first coined in 1895 by a British author Guy Beringer who playfully joined the words breakfast and lunch into a portmanteau. He used it in reference to an alternative to heavy, post-church Sunday meals of the time in favour of something lighter.
”Brunch is cheerful, sociable and inciting…It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.”
But the term ‘brunch’ as we know it today surged in popularity in the late 90s once more, cementing itself in common usage. These days, brunch is a preferred weekend meal for many and is considered a student staple, especially after late night partying or studying.
With this in mind, here are our picks for the best brunch spots that Leicester has to offer.
Top brunch spots in Leicester to impress your mates
Whether you like your eggs runny or poached, or you prefer scrambled tofu, there are endless options for a good brunch in Leicester.
James’ Café Bistro, East Bond Street
This is an independent, family-run café that is definitely worth checking out if you’re planning on doing some shopping, as it’s only a stones throw from the rear entrance of the Highcross shopping centre. It’s friendly and welcoming, with a cosy atmosphere and serving a wide variety of freshly prepared brunch options catering to all diets.
From hearty full English breakfasts to American style vegan soy milk pancakes to die for and everything in between, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
| Distance from city centre | 5 minute walk from city centre, located on East Bond Street |
| Price range | £10 for a full English / veggie or vegan breakfast and £6-10 for lighter dishes, £2-3 for hot drinks and vegan shakes from £3 |
| Dietary requirements catered for | Vegetarian, vegan, & many dishes can be made gluten free on request |
| Food variety | No specific brunch menus but a wide range of homestyle bistro dishes are available |
Merchant of Venice, Granby Street
Clearly a Study Inn favourite at this point, as the Merchant of Venice has made it into our best places to eat as a student list and our top 10 round up of the most Instagrammable places in Leicester!
This café is known throughout the city for its delicious food at affordable prices. It has a laid-back atmosphere despite the gold decor, and lucky diners can kick back and enjoy brunch on its swinging window seats. Located near the train station, it’s an ideal place to start your day.
Brunch options on their all day breakfast menu include, the Leicester Breakfast, the Venice Breakfast, a Vegan Breakfast and the Merchant Breakfast – all of which include a coffee or tea upgrade for just £1. Enjoy perfectly poached eggs, well seasoned dishes and crunchy ciabatta.
| Distance from city centre | 6 minute walk from city centre, located on Granby Street |
| Price range | £8.20 for a breakfast, £3-8 for toast, pancakes and panini |
| Dietary requirements catered for | Vegetarian, vegan, & many dishes can be made gluten free on request |
| Food variety | The aromatic gourmet flavours of authentic Italian coffee, ice cream, pastries, salad and more. |
KAI, St Martin’s Square
This beloved brunch spot in Leicester is known for its popular all day brunch! The KAI menu has a bit of everything to satisfy any craving; eggs cooked however you like, French toast, American-style pancakes (made with organic flour) and even occasional middle eastern inspired dishes like shakshuka.
What makes this place so special is the fact it specialises in brunch. It caters for those on a vegan or gluten free diet and has some great breakfast cocktails for those that indulge in alcohol. As for the decor, it has a fresh atmosphere with white chairs and wood panelling giving it an air of modernity and a natural vibe.
| Distance from city centre | 4 minute walk from city centre, located on St Martin’s Square |
| Price range | £7-9 for food, £2.50-4 for hot drinks and between £5-7 for cocktails |
| Dietary requirements catered for | Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free |
| Food variety | Good mix of classic brunch dishes, American style pancakes and specials |
Boozy, bottomless brunch more your thing?
For those who like to indulge in daytime drinking, bottomless brunches are now commonplace. Not just a haven for hen parties, bottomless brunches are where it’s at – and many come with alcohol-free mocktail options for non-drinkers too. Here are a few of our favourites:
Knight and Garter, Hotel Street
If you’re looking for a luxurious brunch time spot, start your weekend in style at the Knight and Garter. Here you can enjoy bottomless mimosas with any meal.
Their brunch cocktails are playfully called ‘Waker Uppers’ and feature classics like mimosas and Bloody Marys, as well as more unique cocktails such as their Cherry Cola Float too!
Of course, it’s not all booze as there’s a wide range of food options too – from traditional breakfasts, pancakes and smashed avocado, to breakfast brioche buns and dry aged steak with duck eggs! They even have a ‘Crustacea Bar’ serving oysters, dressed crab and prawns, making this an ideal place for a special occasion or treat.
| Distance from city centre | 3 minute walk from city centre, located on Hotel Street |
| Price range | Upgrade any meal for £17 per person to go bottomless |
| Dietary requirements catered for | Limited vegan and gluten free options, but good range of vegetarian options |
| Food variety | Unique and luxury options, like oysters and steak |
The Distillery, Market Street
The Distillery is a fab student-focused pub in Leicester and its bottomless brunch does not disappoint!
With many bottomless brunches being advertised as 1.5 hours, The Distillery offers a generous 2 hours of unlimited drinks. That additional 30 minutes may not sound like much but it ensures you get your money’s worth and then some!
Alcoholic tipples available are exhaustive and include Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, Passionfruit Bellini, Hop House 13, Peroni and lots more.
The brunch menu is massive and there are options to suit all tastes. You can even upgrade your brunch food and drink options for a fiver; why not add a burger or opt for an even larger selection of alcoholic beverages? It’s this mix-and-match, anything goes style that makes this a fantastic spot for a late morning or early afternoon drinking session.
| Distance from city centre | 4 minute walk from city centre, located on Market Street |
| Price range | £28 per person including food option (optional £5 upgrades for additional food and drinks menu choices) |
| Dietary requirements catered for | Vegetarian, vegan and while not advertised, certain dishes can be made gluten free |
| Food variety | Huge range of options from Belgian waffles, traditional breakfasts, jackfruit crumpets, pizzas, wraps and more |
Olivia’s Townhouse
Brunch, but make it Tapas! Olivia’s Townhouse offers a modern take on a bottomless brunch served every Saturday between 12-5pm. The menu includes a range of smaller dishes in the Tapas style instead of the usual stodgy fare associated with breakfast or brunch. The decor is beautiful and there are lots of unique features such as retro pink telephones on the wall, which makes for some great photo opportunities.
The base price is £25 for two small plates and 3 drinks for 1.5 hours, with the option to go bottomless for an additional £10. While this may seem expensive, we’ve included it due to the fact they also have an impressive range of bottomless mocktails for non-drinkers.
Their ‘Brunchin’ Menu’ doesn’t have much in the way of vegan, vegetarian or gluten free options at first glance. However, they do accommodate most dietary requirements and have separate menus. We advise checking in advance before you book.
| Distance from city centre | 4 minute walk from city centre, located on Market Street |
| Price range | £25 per person including 2 small plates and 3 drinks with the option to go bottomless for an additional £10 |
| Dietary requirements catered for | While not on the brunch menu, there are vegan and gluten free options but you’ll need to enquire before you book |
| Food variety | Small tapas style plates with a range of Asian and Spanish-inspired fusion dishes |
Get closer to the best brunch spots in the city
It’s no doubt that Leicester is a fantastic city for foodies—Brunch included! Students living at Study Inn Leicester will find themselves in a prime location with easy access to all of the amazing brunch spots listed above. Located in the heart of the city, you can be sure you’re only ever minutes away from perfectly cooked eggs, artisan breads and great coffee (maybe even a mimosa, or two!). Explore even more benefits when you choose Study Inn Leicester as your student accommodation and enjoy student life, with added style and luxury. We have flexible start times and a range of studio apartments or ensuite rooms available.
