Opposite
Attraction
Since opening in VQ in
2009, Opposite Cafe has continued to make a name for itself for healthy,
homemade food and coffee. With a record of success at the Northern Barista Championships,
including a third place last year for manager Howard Barwick, Opposite are now
regarded as one of the top coffee bars in the country.
Nor is this simply a matter of personal taste as, in addition
to being named in The Guardian’s list of top 10 Coffee Bars, Opposite have
recently been featured in The Independent’s list of the Top 50 Coffee Shops in
the UK.
According to Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, the UK Barista champion and owner of
Colonna & Smalls, “This tiny unit in the Victoria Quarter was set up to
explore speciality coffee, with the food and usual cafe offerings stripped
right back so that it’s an exciting coffee experience.”
Opposite’s dedication to
speciality coffees, including their own blends, makes it a Mecca for coffee
devotees and ensures its reputation is well deserved.
Owner, Louisa Henry said,
“VQ is the perfect setting for us, with customers who appreciate good quality
in food and drink – something we've always strived to achieve.”
Lou sources beans
from world renowned micro-roasters such as Square Mile Coffee and Has Bean, and
the cafe also offers seasonal espressos - different blends of espresso beans
from around the world depending on what greens are in season – as well as single
origin coffee, really fair Fairtrade.
“We’re simply going to make the best coffee
we can,” says Lou, “so that we do justice to the people who’ve grown it, farmed
it and produced it.”
VQ Centre Director, John Bade added, “For a
small independent such as Opposite to the plaudits of two national newspapers
is a credit to Lou & her team. Opposite has developed a loyal customer base
since they opened here, which I’m sure will continue to grow over coming
years.”
Opposite Café
Upper Gazebo
Queen Victoria Street
Victoria Quarter
Leeds
www.opposite café.co.uk
