La Bottega Milanese is a family-run brand rooted in a deep heritage of retail and hospitality. Their speciality coffee shops and continental bars in Leeds and York combine Italian café culture with Yorkshire’s finest – and, as owner Katia Pereira explains, there are more ingredients that make up this harmonious recipe. “With origins in Portugal and South Africa, we bring together diverse cultural influences and a shared understanding of what true hospitality means. For us, family, tradition and culture are at the heart of everything we do.” This focus on inclusivity shapes an experience that feels both authentic and welcoming.
“We are shaped by both European and African influences and perspectives,” Katia continues. “My father has spent over 30 years in retail, while I have built my career over the past decade in hotels and restaurants.” Her brother Enrique complements this with his experience in finance, specialising in optimising business performance – which proved an unlikely catalyst for how the family came to own their favourite coffee shop.
“My brother was the first of us in Leeds, arriving here as a student,” Katia explains. “Whenever my father or I were in town, we found ourselves drawn to La Bottega Milanese; it quickly became our favourite coffee shop.” Over time, they began to see the brand’s potential, and in 2021 the family took over this already respected business, beginning to elevate both customer service and product quality. “From a customer perspective, our focus has always been on delivering a truly memorable experience,” says Katia. “We draw inspiration from heritage luxury brands, shaping an environment and level of care that reflects the same attention to detail and sense of occasion.”
Internally, too, they have invested heavily in their people, prioritising wellbeing and personal growth to build an independent team and a strong culture where everyone feels part of the family. “Our ethos is grounded in the belief that the people behind the brand define everything it stands for,” Katia says. “When our team feels valued, supported and genuinely happy, that energy naturally extends to our customers.”
And customers have a lot to look forward to, as Katia outlines their current aims. “We want to create a modern coffee shop experience with a subtle nod to traditional Milanese life and Italian heritage. While our inspiration is rooted in that culture, our connection to Yorkshire is just as important. We place a strong emphasis on sourcing our products locally, working closely with regional suppliers to ensure quality while supporting the local community.”
Katia’s hopes for LBM’s future are equally admirable. “We are focused on elevating the brand as we grow, with a considered approach to expansion,” Katia confirms. Rather than scaling rapidly, they intend to establish themselves in each city – “ensuring every site reflects our identity in the most authentic way. We move deliberately, selecting spaces that align with our values and vision.”
At every stage, La Bottega Milanese’s commitment remains the same: “to deliver exceptional quality and create the best possible experience for every customer.”
