I’d been meaning to get to Leoni’s for ages. I actually tried to go one lunchtime with my husband a few weeks ago and we couldn’t get in — it was completely full. That should probably tell you everything you need to know upfront.
Spoiler: the coffee was exceptional, the food was lovely, and I’ll be going back.
The Visit
I went on a weekday morning after the school run with a friend and her baby. Leoni’s is one of the very few places actually open in Malton at 9am, which is useful to know if you’re an early bird or you’re killing time after drop off and need somewhere to be.
The ground floor was busy when we arrived, so we headed upstairs, which worked well because my friend was breastfeeding and felt more comfortable having a bit more space. One thing worth mentioning if you’re going with a pram — there’s a covered, secure area down the side of the coffee shop to leave it, which is brilliant and not something you always find. We left the pram there and headed up with just the baby, no problem.
The atmosphere upstairs is really cosy. Exposed brickwork, mismatched furniture, and art on the wall which you could actually buy from local artists.
The Coffee
Right, the coffee. Leoni’s isn’t just a nice independent coffee shop — there’s a proper story behind it. It was established in 1996, and the original founder, Simon Robertson, went on to win the UK Barista Championship three times. Three times. He placed eighth at the World Championships. The current owner, Dominic, trained under him for nine years before taking over in 2021. Their espresso blend — Competition Blend Number 5, a mix of Ethiopian, Brazilian, Honduran and Vietnamese coffees — is the same one that was used in those championships.
Which is all to say: when the coffee is good here, there’s a reason for it.
My friend recommended the coffee shake, so that’s what I went for. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and it turned out to be brilliant — a proper thick, icy coffee milkshake, not just flavoured milk. The texture is much more like a McDonald’s shake than a coffee blended with cold milk, which sounds like a strange comparison but honestly it’s the most accurate one. Really satisfying, especially on a warm morning.
The Food
I had a Malton Monster alongside it, which I’d describe as somewhere between a scone and a hot cross bun. It had cherries and cinnamon in it and whatever else is in there, and it was delicious — warm, dense, a bit spiced. Really good.
My friend had the porridge, which she said was lovely and came with sugar and cream on the side. My one observation — not hers — is that the presentation was a bit underwhelming. There were about five blueberries on top, which looked a bit sparse on what is otherwise a nice-looking dish.
The only other thing I’d flag is that if you’re going in the morning hoping for a proper savoury breakfast — eggs, avocado, eggs benedict, that kind of thing — Leoni’s might not hit the spot. The morning menu leans very much towards baked goods, toast and sweet options. They do have more substantial lunch options (paninis, sandwiches, salads) but those come later in the day. If you know that going in, it’s fine. I didn’t, and I was after something a bit more savoury, so it’s just worth being aware of.
Would I Go Back?
Yes. Absolutely. The coffee alone is worth going back for, and I want to try more of the baking. I’d also like to go for lunch at some point to actually see the full menu — if we can get a table, that is.
It’s a brilliant little independent and exactly the kind of place Malton does so well. If you haven’t been, it’s worth the visit.
Leoni’s Coffee House 16 Wheelgate, Malton, YO17 7HP Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm Closed Sunday leonismalton.co.uk
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Whoa! What cozy-looking coffee shop. Must be a good place to chill out, enjoy a date, or even do your creative work. Thank you for introducing it to me.