The Underground Bakery in Leeds City Centre is known for its handcrafted breads and pastries, with the signature cruffin being a must-try. From the cozy vibes of Otley to the bustling streets of Leeds, Marcus Fisk and Ash Lees bring a blend of tradition and innovation with the opening of their second venue on Call Lane, promising a culinary adventure for all who visit.
What is the specialty of The Underground Bakery in Leeds City Centre?
The Underground Bakery in Leeds City Centre specializes in handcrafted breads and pastries, offering a unique ambiance that blends goth and chic. Their signature item is the cruffin, a creative fusion of a croissant and a muffin, with a rotating selection of flavors that promise a new culinary adventure with every visit.
The Rise of The Underground Bakery
A cherished gem nestled in the heart of Otley, The Underground Bakery has become synonymous with cozy mornings and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread. It’s not just a bakery; it’s a testament to the dream of Marcus Fisk and Ash Lees. It all began in the comfort of Ash’s basement, where lofty ambitions to redefine the bread found in our supermarkets took root. They envisioned a world where bread was crafted, not produced; where pastries were created with passion, not just baked for the masses.
Since their inception during the challenging times of the global pandemic, the duo has nurtured their baby from a wholesale operation to a thriving local hotspot. Not even two years later, triumphantly, they cut the ribbon to their Otley shop. Now, in 2024, they’re ready to sprinkle a touch of their homemade charm onto the bustling streets of Leeds city centre. With the grand opening of their second venue on Call Lane, they invite both locals and visitors alike to savor a blend of tradition and a dash of innovation.
The evolution of The Underground Bakery is more than a business expansion; it’s a cultural shift. Where once stood the empty husk of Bad Apples bar, there now beats the heart of a communal bakery, echoing with the sound of dough being kneaded and the clatter of coffee cups. This transformation is a bold statement against the sterile, mass-produced loaves lining supermarket shelves, offering a beacon of hope for those yearning for authenticity in their daily bread.
Crafting a Unique Ambiance
The Call Lane location, chosen by the founders, bridges the gap between the quaint charm of a market town and the dynamic pulse of a city. The contrast is stark, yet it’s exactly what Marcus and Ash aim to harmonize. “We wanted to open in the city centre… in our minds, it’s potentially a million miles away from what Otley is”, Marcus stated. The intent? To transplant the soulful essence of Otley’s market town vibe into the heart of Leeds, seeding a community-centric approach to daily shopping habits among urban dwellers.
Upon entering the new venue, patrons step into an atmosphere where goth meets chic. The dramatic transformation from a typical bar to a bakery wonderland is complete with black painted ceilings and opulent chandeliers, all bathed in the warm glow of yellow lighting. During the renovation, a serendipitous discovery was made – the building’s original mosaic flooring. These tiny, intricately placed squares are a nod to the venue’s past, adding character and preserving the rich tapestry of its history.
The interior of The Underground Bakery isn’t the only aspect that’s been thoughtfully curated. Their dedication to detail extends to the very core of their offering. You won’t find just any bread and pastries here; their menu is a carefully composed symphony of classics and innovative twists. The heart of their selection lies in staples like almond croissants and savory danishes, but it’s their special items that truly set them apart. Imagine biscoff rocky road, cherry crumble brownies, and olive chipotle sourdough loaves – each a handcrafted masterpiece singing its own delicious tune.
A Menu of Delectable Delights
The true star of the show at The Underground Bakery, however, is the cruffin. A marvel in its own right, this delightful pastry is the result of a marriage between a croissant and a muffin, and it’s easy to see why it’s a crowd favorite. With the flavors constantly on rotation, every visit promises a new adventure for your palate. From blueberry & lemon to biscoff & white chocolate cheesecake, each cruffin is a celebration of taste and texture.
Marcus, while overseeing his gastronomic empire, maintains a fondness for the classics. “Bread wise, my favourite is the wholemeal and rye”, he shared. His pastry preference? The timeless pan au chocolat. But whether you lean towards the traditional or the adventurous, The Underground Bakery has something for everyone. Each bite is an experience, a moment to savor, a connection to the craft of baking at its finest.
As the sun rises on a Sunday morning, if you find yourself wandering the streets of Leeds, follow the queue snaking down Call Lane. At the end, you’ll discover The Underground Bakery, a haven where the smell of freshly baked goods mingles with the rich, bold aroma of locally roasted coffee from Casa Espresso. But heed this advice – arrive early. In this world of delectable treats and warm cups, “once they’re gone, they’re gone” is not just a saying, it’s a daily reality.
The Underground Bakery invites you to be a part of their story, to indulge in their passion for quality, and to witness the transformation of Call Lane into a street lined with the finest, most authentic bakery delights. Located at 7 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7DH, doors open on the 24th of May, 2024, welcoming everyone from early birds at 8 am to night owls until 3 am, Wednesday to Sunday. The Underground Bakery isn’t just expanding; it’s redefining the essence of community, quality, and taste in Leeds City Centre.
- The Underground Bakery in Leeds City Centre specializes in handcrafted breads and pastries, offering a unique ambiance that blends goth and chic.
- Marcus Fisk and Ash Lees started The Underground Bakery with lofty ambitions in Ash’s basement, aiming to redefine supermarket bread.
- The bakery has evolved from a wholesale operation to a thriving local hotspot, with a new venue opening on Call Lane in Leeds city centre.
- The Call Lane location bridges the charm of a market town with the vibrancy of a city, aiming to create a community-centric approach to daily shopping habits.
- The star of The Underground Bakery is the cruffin, a creative fusion of croissant and muffin with rotating flavors that promise a new culinary adventure.