As its name suggests, the Hidden café is a bit hard to be found but it is definitely worth the efforts. Landed on the ground floor of the Leeds University Union, it is there to offer it all for your break – hot drinks, delightful smoothies, or organic tea, freshly baked cupcakes, handmade toasties and ciabattas, soups and salads. All these are wrapped up in cosy vintage style of elegant armchairs, comfy sofas, colourful tables, shelves with flowery china, and packed bookcases to fill up your free time.
The prices are modest. You can grab a 3-piece breakfast for as little as £3.50, which would include coffee, sandwich and Seabrook crisps, and the lunch won't be much more than this, too.
My personal choice is the Mango Tango smoothie - a nice blend of raspberry, mango and apple juice for £2.25, or a carrot cake and a shot of espresso, which altogether shouldn't be more than £3,50. For anyone who feels in a decadent mood, I would prescribe the almighty Pure Decadence hot chocolate (£2.90) – that is a combination of hot chocolate, marshmallows, and fudge pieces topped up with a whipped cream, which definitely brightens up the day (or night).
Sometimes, mainly at noon, the café could be a bit noisy though, as many students choose it for their society or group meetings. The good news is that the venue is spacious enough, and arranged in a labyrinth-like way which always gives you the option for a "sweet escape".
One thing I particularly like is that the Hidden café offers an opportunity to "hidden" artists to uncover and share their talent, by providing space for their own exhibitions. So, if you want to showcase your creativity all you have to do is write to hiddencafe@luu.leeds.ac.uk and arrange your first piece of glory.