Federal Leeds review: I tried the new brunch cafe that everyone is queuing for - and it's worth the hype
Call me cynical, but when a new opening in Leeds attracts huge buzz on social media, I’m always a little cautious.
Is the place genuinely that good, or are the queues out the door down to cracking algorithms rather than authentic charm?
As it turns out, Federal is as good as the hype surrounding it.
The Aussie-inspired café and brunch restaurant started life as a small spot in Manchester, before expanding to four sites across the city. It’s become known for its vibrant matcha lattes, ‘Gram-worthy brunch dishes and friendly staff.
The new Leeds branch, located in the former home of The Collective on Boar Lane, is Federal’s first venture outside its home city - and queues to bag a table have been a common sight at the weekend.
When we visited, there was a lively, social atmosphere, with tables packed quite closely together. Unsurprisingly, given its popularity on TikTok, the crowd was largely under-30s.
The menu offers a good mix of lighter breakfast options, including nutty granola, an açai bowl, toasted bagels or eggs any way on sourdough. There’s also a tempting selection of sandwiches made with Lovingly Artisan ciabatta, filled with chorizo, hummus and falafel, steak, or smoked salmon.
Flanking the menu are the all-day brunch plates, such as Turkish eggs, cheddar corn fritters with bacon or salmon, and plenty for those with a sweet tooth.
Ordering is easy, either via QR code at the table or at the counter, and we couldn’t fault the staff. They were warm and personable, striking the perfect balance between friendly chat and impressively speedy service.
Drinks arrived in record time, with food following shortly after.
I had to try the viral iced blueberry matcha, served with oat milk as standard. With gorgeous, vibrant colours, it tasted just as good as it looked - the earthy matcha blended beautifully with the creamy oat milk and sweet blueberry syrup. My friend opted for an iced vanilla latte, which was deliciously sweet and smooth.
For brunch, I chose the halloumi and shrooms, adding a side of avocado. It was absolutely divine: big, juicy portobello mushrooms roasted with thyme, topped with perfectly poached eggs that burst open and coated the dish.
The signature Fed sauce was sweet and tangy with spicy tomato notes, the avocado was fresh and silky, and the dukkah mix brought a welcome crunch. The sourdough - which can sometimes be a challenge to cut into - was well toasted and easy to enjoy.
My friend asked if her eggs benedict with salmon could be served on a bagel rather than the standard sourdough, and the team were more than happy to accommodate. Her eggs were poached perfectly, the hollandaise had a sharp tang, the salmon was fresh, and the bagels were satisfyingly chewy.
At £14.50 for the halloumi and shrooms (plus £3 for avocado) and £12 for the salmon eggs benedict, it sits at the pricier end of the Leeds brunch scene, but we couldn’t fault the food and service.
So, if you’ve walked past the queues outside Federal and wondered whether it’s worth it, I can say - categorically - yes.
Factfile
Address: 34 Boar Lane, Leeds, LS1 5DA
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 7.30am-4pm; Saturday, 8am-5pm
Website: https://federalcafe.co.uk/
Scores
Food: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Service: 10/10