Review: Six Health Cafe & Brasserie, Wellington Street, Leeds

This spacious establishment has been many things over the years but now it has been taken over by a quaintly-named café, which has taken up residence in this stylish, spacious building and by all accounts means to stay there a while. Actually, it’s more than a café. They bill themselves as a brasserie specialising in breakfast, lunch and dinner and as a ‘health café’ with organic coffee, brunch and juice bar... with special prices too, you may expect. And you would be right, for there are far cheaper places to dine but few offer the charm and elegance of this bright, airy building.

Some cafes cram in the diners. Not here. There is plenty of space between tables and the high ceilings feed the relaxation vibe.

The menu deepens the theme with such offerings as organic hot Buddha bowl, described as a signature dish of organic steamed rice, topped with organic steamed vegetables and a choice of sauces which included Gochujang spicy red chilli pepper or a light spicy coconut and chilli garlic sauce (£12). There’s also avocado treat (£7 for smashed avocado on sourdough bread with lemon and black pepper) and avocado royale (£8 for similar but with grilled halloumi cheese, cherry tomato and organic poached egg). And even an organic avocado burger.

Pushing against this current of wellbeing, we cast our hooks and reeled in the ‘grand breakfast’ at £9 and eggs Benedict with ham (£8) both of which were delightful. It looked like a work of art: organic fried egg, Portobello mushroom, hash brown, cherry tomatoes, streaky bacon, spicy lamb sausage and toasted sourdough bread. I could have had complimentary organic baked beans, too.

The eggs Benedict and ham looked fab, too. This dish comprised poached free range eggs, roasted ham, hollandaise sauce, pumpkin seeds and fresh roasted brioche. Food here doesn’t just taste and look good, it feels good.

I had an espresso (£1.70) and my wife chose a 250ml pineapple, coconut and banana juice – all organic and no added sugar – which she said was the highlight of her meal.

Also on offer were ‘healing shots’ of turmeric (orange, turmeric, ginger and lemon) or ginger and lemon with a dash of cayenne pepper. There is also an extensive choice of organic herbal teas, organic coffees and vegan coffees and lattes.

For those wanting with bigger appetites, there are larger meals to be had: the confit de canard (organic leg of duck with honey and Morello cherry sauce at £15) being one, with banana bread, waffles and pancakes to follow.

Six deserves a ten for service, by the way. Our bill came to £21.60.

Six Health Cafe & Brasserie, 66-68 Wellington Street, Leeds

Phone 01132 460112

Rating: 5/5