Fossgate is York’s unofficial ‘Brunch Street’. The road is lined with charming cafes and brunch spots, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. But students deserve nice things too, right? For those of you new to the city, Fossgate is the perfect place for a quick pit stop with friends before heading off to explore the streets of York.
Of all the cafes, Le Specialty is my personal favourite. The owners have really bottled that warm-fuzzy feeling that you want from a cafe, especially as the weather starts to get colder! The decor includes lots of mellow peachy tones and plenty of plants, helping you to instantly relax.
The cafe’s main attraction is its speciality coffee, which is owner Leon Tan’s passion; he has been roasting coffee since 2012. Le Specialty sports a wide variety of beans. On my last visit, I saw a Brazilian dark roast with chocolate, walnut, and toffee notes… sounds good, right?
But I have to confess that I’m not actually a coffee drinker! Regardless, Le Specialty remains my favourite cafe because they also stock an excellent tea selection. From high-quality matcha and hojicha to loose-leaf infusions, there’s always something new to try. I ordered the Lavender Matcha Latte the first time I visited, and now I’m slightly addicted. It perfectly balanced the flavour of the sweet floral syrup without overpowering the grassy notes of the tea.
The cherry on top is Le Specialty’s mouth-watering food menu. There are brunch staples like the bagel but also a range of Malaysian-inspired dishes such as wonton soup, gyoza, and vermicelli noodles. You can also try a Croffle (the love child of the croissant and waffle). It has all the buttery, flaky goodness of croissants and an added crispness from the waffle iron. It’s delicious! The cafe pairs them with sweet and savoury toppings like maple syrup or pistachio cream. You’ll never be able to eat waffles again!
I would definitely recommend you pay them a visit this semester in between the chaos of lectures and essay deadlines!