The Very Best Pubs in Leeds

If pubs are the heart and soul of a city, then Leeds is in fine fettle. Tick off all these taprooms at your leisure…

A city without decent pubs isn’t a city at all. And a city with great pubs is a great city indeed. Happily, Leeds is the latter, with a stellar range of taverns and taprooms that are more than just a place to get a pint.

The very best pubs in Leeds have a certain something that draws you in and tells you all is right with the world – pubs with character, pubs with history and pubs that charm your socks off. Head to the bar, it’s your round.

The Lamb & Flag

The Lamb & Flag wears many hats. Come on a weekday afternoon and it’s the ideal venue for a quick browse of the newspaper with a pint of Leeds Pale. In the evening? The post-work crowd spill in, there might be a networking event popping off in a corner and the kitchen starts turning out tempting plates of steak and ale pie or pan-fried seabass.

It’s different again on a sunny day, when the enviable courtyard comes into play and people take their beers or gins outside in one of the city’s most convivial spaces. The bar is exceedingly well-stocked, with spirits galore, the Leeds Brewery range of beers (Leodis lager and the likes) plus plenty of suppable guest ales.

The Lamb & Flag, 1 Church Row, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HD.

Myrtle Tavern

Looking for the perfect pub? You might just have found it. Ace beer, two beer gardens, quizzes, tasty food and even the occasional street food truck – there’s not a box the Myrtle Tavern doesn’t tick. Did we mention beer gardens? Yes, there are two, one covered and the other an absolute giant, fringing a cricket pitch.

Sup on beers from Kirkstall and Ossett breweries, wander through the premium gin menu and then find out what the kitchen is capable of. Lush sharing plates include treats like paneer kebab with coriander coulis and king prawns in a chilli lemon butter.

Myrtle Tavern, Parkside Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4NE.

The Fenton

It’s not just a staple of The Otley Run’s latter stages, The Fenton is a great Leeds pub in its own right. With its dark wood, warren of rooms and innate charm, it’s the kind of place that lures in fresh students who become regulars, adding them to the locals who already make a frequent pilgrimage here.

You can sup on well-kept craft beers, play pool, feast on superior pub food and even spill out to the yard at the back. Here a sound system rocks on until late, the stars twinkling over another perfect night.

The Fenton, 161-165 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3ED.

Whitelock’s

Whitelock’s has been packing them in since 1715 and, magically, it’s lost none of its charm. While other pubs may make similar claims in terms of age, none of them have the wonderful courtyard, atmospheric exterior, gorgeous interior, handsome windows and pressed-tin bar top that combine to make Whitelock’s such a one-off.

Of course, history means nothing if the pub itself isn’t welcoming and the beer isn’t top notch. You don’t have to worry on either account. Grab a table inside or out and you’ll bask in a lively atmosphere while drinking from an ever-rotating range of cask ales and beers. The grub here isn’t to be sniffed at either – think superior fish finger sandwiches and top notch roast dinners.

Whitelock’s Ale House, Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HB.

The Angel

Leeds is famed for its pubs squeezed into hidden, narrow yards, and The Angel Inn is one of the very finest. As a bonus it’s a Samuel Smith house, and thus one of the cheapest in the city, serving up their own drinks at a keen price. That doesn’t mean it lacks character or vibe – both are in abundance over two floors and four rooms of a pub that has been here in one form or another since the 1700s.

Order up a pint of Taddy Lager, Old Brewery Bitter or their premium Organic Lager and enjoy it in one of the quirkiest pubs in Leeds city centre. Of course, as it’s a Sam Smith pub, expect to be scolded for looking at your mobile phone or swearing loudly – both are frowned upon.

The Angel Inn, Angel Inn Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LN.

The Duck and Drake

There’s been a pub on this site for hundreds of years, and The Duck and Drake still boasts its original Victorian facade. Inside you’ll find a no-frills, friendly pub in two halves – there’s a snug tucked away at the back. The main room has long been home to a vibrant, local music scene – pop in every Wednesday for a jam night or at the weekend for bands.

There’s a monthly stand-up night too, best enjoyed with a pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, a quick quaff of Theakston’s Best and one of the best pub snacks in Leeds – a pork pie with mushy peas and mint sauce.

The Duck and Drake, 43 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DR.

The Adelphi

If you ever decide to do a pub crawl of the best Victorian-era pubs in Leeds – and why wouldn’t you? – The Adelphi is a must on the itinerary. The gorgeous dark wood interior has lost none of its lustre since the pub was first built in 1897, despite several changes of hands and sympathetic makeovers.

Grab a cosy armchair and take your pick of a rotating selection of craft beers on tap – maybe Siren’s Yulu or SALT’s Huckaback New England IPA. The food is a winner too – their great steak and ale pie is pub grub heaven. Planning a Sunday lunch? The one here is a cracker, with tables upstairs if downstairs is too packed.

The Adelphi, 3-5 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.

The Cross Keys

This is a cracker of a pub that makes this bit of Holbeck well worth trekking out to. It’s a free house, so take your pick of local brews, guest craft ales, a deep range of bottled beers and a great choice of wines and fizz by the glass.

Come on a Sunday and the place is buzzing with people here for the roasts, while the food across the week is really good. Shin of beef with salsa verde, ham hock croquettes with curry sauce. A belting salt beef sandwich is made for pairing with a pint. Sit inside, upstairs or outside – this is a pub that has it all.

The Cross Keys, 107 Water Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5WD.

Kirkstall Bridge Inn

Is there a better place to sup a pint than beside the River Aire? The Kirkstall Bridge Inn is part of the reliably excellent Kirkstall Brewery family, and makes the most of its waterside location, especially during the summer. If the weather is less pleasant, worry not, because inside you’ve got a cracking, cosy old-school pub.

They offer up Kirkstall classics, such as the perennially popular Virtuous, Dissolution IPA and Three Swords. It’s the perfect neighbourhood pub, and especially vibrant on Sundays when the kitchen serves up a mean roast. It draws a wide, mixed, cosmopolitan crowd, from locals to students, so grab a good spot and enjoy the vibe.

Kirkstall Bridge Inn, 12 Bridge Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3BW.

The Old Cock

6 foot or taller? Be warned. Otley’s wonderful Old Cock has the kind of low stone ceiling you might negotiate safely before you’ve started a session, but that you’ll soon forget about after a few pints. Duck inside for a warm welcome and an ever-changing range of guest ales – this is a pub that CAMRA has blessed with awards after all.

It also has a mean whisky range, while the beef sandwiches with dripping are the perfect fuel for a liquid lunch. It’s hard to believe it only opened in 2010, this is a pub that feels like it has been here forever – that’s never a bad thing. The log burner roars throughout winter, providing respite for Chevin walkers and those who just want a cosy pint. Bliss.

The Old Cock, 11-13 Crossgate, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1AA.

The Beck & Call

A case study in how to breathe new life into a tired neighbourhood pub, The Beck & Call has quickly become a Meanwood favourite since its transformation from the True Briton. It’s a big old place, given a redesign and a lick of paint by the fine people behind Headrow House and Belgrave.

Expect quality beers, top notch pub food – the pork and apple burger is spot on, Sunday roasts are both deliciously generous – and a family-friendly feel. There’s even a playground for the little ones, screens for that essential Thursday night Europa Conference tie and loads of outdoor space for those al fresco sessions.

The Beck & Call, Stainbeck Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2NP.

The Meanwood Tavern

You can find the genius of Whitelock’s in the Leeds suburbs with sister venue The Meanwood Tavern. Based on the site of the Becketts Arms pub that was open until the late 1990s, it takes its cues from the neighbourhood where you’ll find it and the pubs of yesteryear. Expect mahogany furnishings, warm colours and a curved bar, brought up to date with modern fixtures and fittings.

It fits up to 160 punters, who can take their pick of an unrivalled ale and craft beer selection, with food from kitchen residents Pizza Loco. The pizza is great but, trust, us, the gnocchi ‘chips’ are a pub snack of genius. Throw in live sport and quiz nights and it’s got everything you need in a pub.

The Meanwood Tavern, 607 Meanwood Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4HQ.

The Roebuck

High up on a hill above Otley, The Roebuck rewards a hefty hike up from Otley with a wonderful welcome. This stone-built wonder beckons you in with a crackling open fire, exposed brickwork and a sense of well-being.

There are gorgeous views all around, if you can manage to pull your eyes away from the mouthwatering menu. Beers are likely to be from Black Sheep, Saltaire and Ilkley breweries, but one of their star attractions is the food. The handcrafted pies are the stuff of local legend, the local bangers and mash a treat.

The Roebuck, 1 Roebuck Lane, Newall With Clifton, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 2EY.

The Boundary House

Another entry in the pantheon of peerless Leeds pub gardens, The Boundary House boasts long benches ideal for big groups of mates, or you can lounge in rattan chairs on the patio. Pick your spot with a local beer or draught mainstays such as Aspall Cyder or Birra Moretti. Dig into some pub grub – think prawn cocktail and fish pie – or push the boat out with a Barnsley chop from the grill.

It’s kid friendly from the mini play area down to their own dedicated menu, while Sunday roasts come with a side of seriously tasty pigs in blankets that demands you order it.

The Boundary House, 24 Church Side, Methley, West Yorkshire, LS26 9EE.

The Junction Inn

Pass through Otley and it’s hard to miss the landmark Junction Inn, a pub beloved not just of Otley locals but also a draw for those in the surrounding area or heading to the market town for a night out. It may be the lure of the ales, the stone-built and wooden-clad warmth of the interior, or maybe the frequent live music that pulls them in.

When the mercury plunges, warm up next to the fire while sampling the wide range of beers – Boltmaker and Landlord from Timothy Taylor’s are staples. You might have to shuffle up when a band arrives to entertain the drinkers, or you can head to the back and take your turn on the ever popular dartboard.

The Junction Inn, 44 Bondgate, Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS21 1AD.

The Roundhay Fox

What better way to round off a walk around the splendour of Roundhay Park than by grabbing a table in this pub right on its western edge? The warm glow of the fire will draw you in, but sinking into an old armchair is what will keep you there. Doom Bar is always on the handpulls, along with a rotating line-up of regional ales, with all the bottled craft beers and artisan gins you’d expect.

There’s a solid wine list and a highly tempting food menu that makes you choose between classics like beef and red wine lasagne and fillet of sea bass. Suns out? Grab one of the coveted outdoor tables and watch the world go by from this wonderful vantage point.

The Roundhay Fox, Princes Avenue, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2EP.

The Cardigan Arms

Rich in atmosphere, the old Cardigan Arms has enjoyed a new lease of life since Kirkstall Brewery took it over in 2017. It retains all its old Victorian charm, with a plethora of dark wood, etched-glass windows and lots of rooms to get lost in. You’re onto a winner with the beer range, with the reliable Kirkstall selection bolstered by a cavalcade of guest beers from sours to stouts.

Come on a Sunday for one of the best pub roasts in Leeds, come every other day for a buzzing atmosphere and brilliant beer. Check the calendar for the legendary pub quiz and kebab night.

Cardigan Arms, 364 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2HQ.

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