Le Pain Quotidien Review, Leeds

Le Pain Quotidien in the Victoria Gate shopping centre, Leeds is a place that I really have grown to love since it opened last year. It is the perfect place for brunch with friends, meetups with colleagues or even a romantic first date. LPQ is somewhere I have frequently mentioned omy blog, but today I thought I would give LPQ their own special review to highlight how beautiful both the location and food can be.

The bakery first opened its doors in October 2016,  part of the new Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds city centre. It is the chain's first premises outside of London and is situated on the first floor, with a wonderful view of Victoria Gates beautiful architecture. Le Pain Quotidien specialises in Belgian food and inside it is like stepping into a traditional boulangerie with homely wooden furnishings, organic condiments laid out on the tables and bright yellow sunflowers to add a touch of warmth. It is casual, yet very chic and has the most inviting atmosphere, making it one of the cosiest, yet sophisticated places to visit for lunch.

Open from 9am to 9pm, the restaurant and bakery caters for their customers culinary needs at all times of day.  From all day brunches and traditional breakfasts consisting of avocado and toast through to popular Belgian tartines, to homemade hearty meals in the evening, such as slow cooked stews, stroganoffs and risottos. The restaurant and bakery also has gluten free and vegan options, making it widely accessible for those who have special dietary needs.

On this particular occasion that I had visited LPQ, I ordered their watermelon cooler and an avocado and feta tartine, which is a Belgian open top sandwich with a side order of olives. The items arrived beautifully presented and all the ingredients tasted incredibly fresh and satisfying. The portion sizes were also great substantial, which is great when you're busy and looking for a meal to fill you up.

Prices can be on the more expensive side, but when the service is with a smile and the surroundings are as beautiful as this place, it is worth paying that little bit extra and it is in a shopping centre where the stores are more upmarket. If you're looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and looking for somewhere to transport you to Europe, it is definitely worth the visit, even if it is just for a coffee (which is just as good as everything else on the menu I've tried).

Have you been to a Le Pain Quotidien restaurant before?