The surprising coffee capital of the UK where 8 out of 10 cafes are independent

"Fancy a brew?" "I'll put the kettle on then." Hearing those words are no longer as familiar as it once were as coffee has overtaken tea in the UK.

Grabbing a coffee either on the go or at a café is as part of British culture these days as it is in Italy. But while we all have our favourite chain, be it Pret, Starbucks, Costa or Cafe Nero, nothing beats finding a decent independent coffee shop you can call home especially when it can seem our high streets are dominated by the same chains.

So with the demand for coffee only growing, where is the best spot in the UK to find an independent coffee shop? A study by Reviva Coffee reveals the UK city that is the hidden gem when it comes to thriving coffee culture.

And it probably isn't where you'd expect. In fact this county is synonymous with tea. Yorkshire Tea, to be precise.

However the study discovered the best UK city to find independent coffee shops is in the Yorkshire city of Leeds. It has a staggering 584 coffee shops, of which 86.3% are independent, and just under 14% are chains.

Placing second is Edinburgh. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or just needing a cosy pit stop, Edinburgh has you covered with its outstanding coffee scene with 560 shops, 85% of which are independents.

In third for best UK cities for independent coffee shops is Bristol which has 347 coffee shops, 86.3% of which are independent.

Brighton comes in 4th with 329 coffee shops with a whopping 90% being independent while in 5th place is Sheffield with 85% of its 314 of its coffee shops independents.

A Reviva spokesperson said: "Leeds is well-known for its thriving independent coffee shop scene, offering a diverse range of options for coffee lovers. Many locals and visitors alike enjoy exploring the city's unique cafes and coffee houses, which often feature locally sourced ingredients, specialty coffee, and welcoming atmospheres."

La Bottega Milanese is a favourite with locals according to leeds.independentlife.co.uk. They describe it as "an Italian-inspired cafe with a focus on aesthetically pleasing spaces and quality coffee, including their own blend, La Classica.

"Bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Leeds, La Bottega Milanese encapsulates everything we love about European café culture with strong coffee, sleek interiors and a warm, convivial atmosphere."

When this independent coffee brand opened its first tiny shop on The Calls back in 2009, it was the only place outside of London where you could still enjoy an espresso at 11pm.

Since then, LBM's presence in the city has grown and it now has cafés in St Paul's Street and Bond Court, so maybe technically that makes it a chain now?

Independent Life adds: "When it comes to food, La Bottega's mantra is 'if it's not from Italy, it's from Yorkshire'. You'll find imported Italian desserts such as tiramisu and cannoli here, along with heartier options like sandwiches which are prepared using fresh ingredients from the local markets.

A Tripadvisor review says: "La Bottega Milanese continues to be one of the best independent coffee shops in Leeds. The people are lovely and the location just cannot be beaten, especially on a sunny day if you opt for one of the tables outside in Bond Court - it's easy to feel like you're on a continental holiday. As you'd expect the coffee is top notch with a range of other food treats to tempt you. Definitely a go-to place whether it's to grab a coffee or meet up."

Other favourites mentioned in the Independent Life's list are Laynes in new Station Street, described as "a vibrant yellow espresso bar that has been bringing cups of joy to Leeds' coffee connoisseurs for more than ten years."

Laynes serves sweet treats that are made in its very own bakery in nearby Armley and boasts its' own Laynes' house blend, Square Mile's 'Red Brick', which boasts notes of cherry, chocolate, plum and almond. This can be brewed in all of your favourite styles or made caffeine or dairy free at your request.

A Google review says: "If you're in Leeds and looking for a cosy café for breakfast and coffee, you can't go wrong with Laynes Espresso. Their coffee is excellent, and the baristas really know their stuff... The atmosphere is welcoming and the staff are friendly.'

Then there is Kapow with two city centre cafés, dedicated to offering the best coffees from small roasters in the UK and further afield. They have cupping sessions to help customers develop their taste buds but don't even think about workign here. This is a 'laptop free zone' and is purely for socialising.

Stage Espresso & Brew Bar, St. George Street celebrates great music alongside delicious coffee, regularly hosting live music events, including performances by its in-house jazz ban. There are modern and classic board games available to play and the café frequently changes the single origin coffees on its menu and these are available on espresso or filter. You can also pick up a bag of whole bean or ground coffee from roasters like Maude, Round Hill Roastery and Hundred House Coffee to take away.

Out of the Woods at Water Lane and Granary Wharf serves coffee from West Yorkshire roasters Dark Woods, which can be brewed however you choose. For summer, there are some iced seasonal specials to try. A Tripadvisor review says: "I visit Out of the Woods most weeks for a coffee and sometimes a quick lunch. They do a great flat white and their daily filter brew is always delicious. They also have a creative rotation on their 'toastie of the week' really friendly staff and owners that take the effort to get to know their customers."

Sonder in the Grand Arcade is part art café, part homeware shop, run by husband and wife duo, Olivia and Dave, has been described as 'the most aesthetic coffee spot in Leeds' with its retro sofas, bare plaster walls and a Japanese vibe.

Leeds Independent Life says: "Sonder looks super stylish and it's perhaps no surprise that coffee here is presented in the cutest of cups. All of the drinks on the menu can be made iced or vegan and there are some new options that have been introduced for the summer, including Pink Guava, Watermelon & Lime Cooler or Mint Choc Chip Iced Chocolate."

But these few are just a taster. Leeds have so many independent coffee shops it would take you just over a year and seven months going to a new one each day to visit them all.