The Best Pubs in Leeds

Quick picks: the best pubs in Leeds

• Best historic pub: Whitelock’s Ale House
• Best for pub food: The Highland Laddie
• Best for live music: The Duck & Drake
• Best neighbourhood pub: The Cardigan Arms
• Best for families: The Beck & Call
• Best for affordable pints: The Angel Inn
• Best riverside pub: Kirkstall Bridge Inn

Best pubs in Leeds city centre

The Victoria & Commercial



Credit: Mark Newton Photography

When The Victoria & Commercial reopened in December 2025 after more than five years, beer-lovers of Leeds rejoiced. Kirkstall Brewery and the team behind Whitelock’s have carefully restored the Grade II-listed interiors, bringing its dark mahogany, stained glass, brass fittings and cosy drinking booths back to their best.

The tap list is up there with the finest in the city. Eight handpulls and 14 keg lines pour Kirkstall Brewery and Five Points favourites alongside rotating guest beers and an excellent Guinness. It gets particularly lively after work, when the booths fill up and it’s often standing room only around the bar. As for the food, expect comforting favourites and elevated classics, including a mean Guinness and beef shin suet pudding and a traditional roast with top-tier trimmings.

Best for: Beautifully restored interiors and traditional pub charm.
Where? The Victoria & Commercial, 28 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3DL.

Whitelock’s Ale House



Credit: Daniel Johnson

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, few can match its hidden courtyard, stained-glass windows, pressed-tin bar and beautifully preserved interiors. It’s just as inviting on a cold midwinter evening as it is at the height of summer.

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.

Best for: Enjoying a well-kept pint inside charming interiors – and one of the city’s cosiest courtyards.
Where? Whitelock’s Ale House, Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HB.

The Duck & Drake



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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.

Best for: Live music, real ale and an old-school atmosphere.
Where? The Duck and Drake, 43 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DR.

The Angel Inn



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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, phones and swearing are discouraged, so prepare for a decidedly old-school drinking experience.

Best for: Affordable pints in one of Leeds’ hidden historic yards.
Where? The Angel Inn, Angel Inn Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LN.

The Lamb & Flag



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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 spills in, there might be a networking event taking over a corner and the kitchen starts turning out tempting plates of steak and ale pie or pan-fried seabream.

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.

Best for: Local beer, quality food and courtyard drinking near Leeds Minster.
Where? The Lamb & Flag, 1 Church Row, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HD.

The Adelphi



Credit: James Broome

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 from the rotating selection of craft beers and cask ales. 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 must, with tables upstairs if downstairs is too packed.

Best for: Victorian character, cosy corners and comforting pub food.
Where? The Adelphi, 3-5 Hunslet Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ.

The Fenton



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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.

It’s gloriously unpolished, with affordable pints, games of pool and regular live music keeping the place lively. You can spill out into the yard at the back too – we’ve lost many an evening doing just that – where the sound system keeps things going until late.

Best for: Otley Run spectating, games of pool and an unpolished student-pub atmosphere.
Where? The Fenton, 161-165 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3ED.

Best neighbourhood pubs in Leeds

The Highland Laddie



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Now, if you’re after pub food that goes above and beyond the ordinary, it has to be The Highland Laddie. Owned by the team behind the wonderful Empire Cafe, this former Tetley’s pub has been reinvented as a drinker’s pub with a dining room – which means you can expect a cracking pint and a menu that’s bound to tempt you into staying longer.

Start your visit off with one of the city’s best pints of Guinness, then settle in for the bar snacks – oysters with scampi fries crumbled on top, this is serious stuff. But there’s a reason the Good Food Guide named it Britain’s Best Pub in 2025. Dishes change regularly and the chefs use open fire to put unexpected twists on the classics. From keema shepherd’s pie to beef tartare, there’s always something new to try.

Best for: Acclaimed pub food and great Guinness in a charming setting.
Where? The Highland Laddie, 38 Cavendish Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1LY.

Kirkstall Bridge Inn



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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 perfectly 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 crowd, from locals to students, so grab a good spot and enjoy the vibe.

Best for: A scenic pint by the River Aire.
Where? Kirkstall Bridge Inn, 12 Bridge Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3BW.

The Beck & Call



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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 beer, generous pub food and a family-friendly atmosphere. The sriracha butter chicken burger hits the spot, while Sunday brings deliciously generous roasts. 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.

Best for: Families, Sunday lunch and one of Leeds’ biggest beer gardens.
Where? The Beck & Call, Stainbeck Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2NP.

The Cardigan Arms



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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 Cardi Choir nights – complete with a big pub singalong.

Best for: Victorian splendour, Kirkstall beer and community atmosphere.
Where? Cardigan Arms, 364 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2HQ.

The Meanwood Tavern



Credit: 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 from an impressive selection of cask ales and craft beers alongside homemade sourdough pizzas. The pizzas are great but, trust us, the monkey bread might just become your new favourite bar snack. Throw in live sport, a weekly quiz and one of Leeds’ liveliest bingo nights, and it’s got everything you need from a neighbourhood pub.

Best for: Pizza, live sport and neighbourhood pints.
Where? The Meanwood Tavern, 607 Meanwood Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 4HQ.

Best pubs around Leeds

The Old Cock



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Six feet 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, and that’s no bad thing. The log burner roars throughout winter, providing respite for Chevin walkers and those who just want a cosy pint. Bliss.

Best for: Award-winning real ale in an atmospheric Otley setting.
Where? The Old Cock, 11-13 Crossgate, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1AA.

The Roebuck



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High up on a hill above Otley, The Roebuck makes a welcome stopping point after the climb. This stone-built wonder beckons you in with exposed brickwork, low beams and a crackling open fire – this is what country pub dreams are made of.

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 slow-cooked Yorkshire lamb a delight.

Best for: Country views, open fires and a post-walk pint.
Where? The Roebuck, 1 Roebuck Lane, Newall with Clifton, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 2EY.

The Boundary House



Flying the flag for South Leeds, The Boundary House is well worth the trip out to Methley. With a relaxed local pub atmosphere, a tap list packed with crowd-pleasers and a food menu that goes beyond what you might expect, it’s one of the best pubs in Leeds’ suburbs.

You won’t be short on space, either – especially not in summer. The beer garden is one of our favourites, with long benches ideal for big groups of mates alongside comfy rattan chairs on the patio. It’s kid friendly too, with plenty of room for little ones to run riot on the grass.

Best for: An unexpectedly extensive food menu and long afternoons in the beer garden.
Where? The Boundary House, 24 Church Side, Methley, West Yorkshire, LS26 9EE.

Opening hours, menus and events can change, so check with each pub before visiting. This article was last updated in August 2026. Cover image credit: JMA Photography.
Andrew Porter-Emery Senior Writer
Andrew Porter-Emery is a Senior Writer at Leeds-List with more than 20 years' experience writing about food, drink and culture across Yorkshire. An author of three books and former contributor to the Guardian, Observer, NME and The Face, he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Leeds – its restaurants, bars, live music venues and everything in between – and knows what separates good from great. When he's not writing, you'll find him at a city gig, at a table somewhere new or, ideally, reading a book in a pub with something interesting in his glass.
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