The annual Rate Good Roasts shortlist is one we can always look forward to in Leeds.
Rate Good Roasts provides us with an annual list of roast dinners that are well worth the type, and the number one recommended is not too far from Leeds.
Last year, it was Shear's Yard that took the hotspot for the nation's best roast dinner, and this year we've seen a solid five entries into the top 15 that are pretty close to the city centre.
Now in its fifth year, the Instagram page reviews roasts across the country and ranks ten different categories, including: meat, veggies, sides, Yorkshire puds, drinks, value, potatoes, gravy, service and sides- so there’s no messing about here.
This year the top slot was given to The Hawthorn in Haworth for its delicious Sunday dinner inside a gorgeous country pub, steeped in history (find out more at the end), before places like long-standing local favourites and Michelin Guide-recommended Ox Club and newcomers Braizin' Squad over in Meanwood snook their way into the top roast list.
Keep reading to find out what to expect from the top roasts from Rate Good Roasts.
The Ox Club
The Headrow, Leeds city centre
Image: The Ox Club
Ox Club was the only Leeds location to make it into the top ten- and given its reputation to be regularly booked up on a Sunday, its really no surprise. The menu changes with the seasons, but with options like roast rump cap of beef, bone marrow and chive gravy or confit fennel, apple and herb porchetta with smoked trotter and and fennel gravy to look forward to, you'll be in for a treat whenever you visit.
The menu spans across far more than just a roast on a Sunday and there's chalk stream trout crudo; aged beef tartare; oysters and Bloody Marys to take advantage of here too.
Taking the 11th spot of the year for Rate Good Roasts, Blackhouse has the three course dinner that gives you a chance to find out exactly why this place has such a reputation for its meats.
Choose from lemon and black pepper half-roasted chicken; sage and garlic rubbed pork loin or roast beef, served pink or well, with steamed greens, beef gravy, rosemary carrots, roasties Cumberland stuffing and, of course, a Yorkshire pud. Those looking for a meat-free selection will be delighted to spot the spiced squash wellington on the menu too, with roasted tiny totes, spinach and porcini gravy.
In joint 13th place with Old Gate in Hebden Bridge, The Tetley's roast dinner is officially one to check out this year, according to Rate Good Roasts.
Using locally-sourced meats, this is a menu that'll have you drooling for sure. Choose from Roast Sykes House Farm silverside of beef; slow-cooked Yorkshire porchetta; pulled Lishman's lamb shoulder; plantbase 'lamb' with pomegranate molasses, with Yorkshire puds, roasted herb potatoes and all the sautéed greens you could wish for. Topped off seasonal root veg, sticky miso glaze, apricot and sage stuffing balls and copious amounts of homemade gravy.
Taking a very respectable 14th place, Braizin' Squad, who took over the kitchen inside Boot & Rally in Meanwood late last year, hasn't been in the Leeds foodie scene for long, but has certainly left an impression.
Every week there's a slightly different menu, but no matter when you pop down you'll be full to the brim- and dreaming about each course long after you've visited. The herb-stuffed porchetta with a slow-braised pig cheek served in jus is an all-round crowdpleaser. Perfectly cooked with a soft yet crispy texture oozing with flavour, between this and the gorgeous served-pink grilled beef rump cap, any meat eater will agree that this roast really is a feast for the senses. Although each roast comes with a huge Yorkshire pud, grilled seasonal veggies and roast potatoes, the sides are well worth adding for those looking to add extra flavours to the classic weekend treat.
Taking the top spot was The Hawthorn in Haworth. Located an hour from Leeds in Brontë country, this gorgeous country pub has had quite some limelight, featuring in the likes of Time Out after Rate Good Roasts crowned it as the best of 2022.
The former home of a clock-makers, The Hawthorn serves up a selection of meats every single Sunday, including dry-aged Heritage breed beef topside; slow roasted braised shoulder of Swaledale lamb; Chicken Supreme; market fish; a veggie Goulash Crumble and a Chateaubriand for two, all of which include garlic-roasted potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, green beans, carrots, bacon and chestnut winter greens, cauliflower cheese, a Yorkshire pudding and some pan juice gravy.
American chart topper Jason Derulo is visiting Leeds for a night of radio bangers that will get stuck 'In My Head' and yours too.
Known for soundtracking the early 2010s and beyond, Derulo is heading back to Leeds playing out at the iconic First Direct Arena.
The Florida-born performer has five UK number one singles to his name, so it's safe to say his setlist will be stacked with massive hits sure to 'Take You Dancing' all night long.
His latest effort The Last Dance is an eight track EP featuring collaborations with INNA and Melody as well as the bouncy lead single 'Sexy For Me'.
This leg of shows is titled after this project and Derulo is asking anyone going to wear their best futuristic or metallic attire and accessories - You might end up being his 'It Girl'.
Jason Derulo gig guide
Jason Derulo is coming to First Direct Arena Leeds on 6 February / Credit: Supplied via Wikimedia Commons
Jason Derulo UK tour dates
Fri 30 Jan - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 31 Jan - London, UK - The O2
Mon 2 Feb - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
Tue 3 Feb - Brighton, UK - The Brighton Centre
Thu 5 Feb - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Fri 6 Feb - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Sat 7 Feb - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 Feb - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
Jason Derulo tickets for First Direct Arena gig
If you want to see Jason Derulo 'Talk Dirty' to a huge 13,000 arena crowd over some 'Trumpets' then you'll want to get tickets to this event.
Luckily there's plenty of opportunities for you to see Mr. Derulo 'Wiggle' right in front of your eyes as there's tickets available HERE.
Jason Derulo setlist
Although the tour hasn't kicked off yet, here's one of the Pop/ R&B champs latest sets from September last year which contains some 2010s classics and big belters.
Swalla
Wiggle
Take You Dancing
Acapulco
Savage Love
Whatcha Say
Who Hurt You
Tip Toe
Breathing
In My Head
Ridin' Solo
Spicy Margarita
Love Tonight
The Other Side
Dame Un Grrr
Talk Dirty
Want to Want Me
Don't Wanna Go Home / Shots
Who Hurt You
What are the stage times for Jason Derulo in Leeds?
The 'It Girl' hitmaker is visiting the UK for his The Last Dance Tour / Credit: Supplied via Wikimedia Commons
First Direct Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning as much as we ′Don't Wanna Go Home', at least we'll be tucked up in bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6.30pm with a kick-off time expected to be 7.30pm with support from Czech rising star THERA and Manchester EDM group LZ7.
How to get to first direct arena
Bus Station
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
This family-run farm in Leeds is hosting a huge Tulip Festival this spring with over one million tulips
Clementine Hall
Farmer Copleys is inviting everyone to basque in fields of tulips this April.
We all know and love Farmer Copleys for its incredible pumpkin patch and seasonal shenanigans.
It's the perfect spot to go with the family and escape the hustle and bustle of the city for an afternoon.
Based in West Yorkshire, nestled between Pontefract and Featherstone, the Copley family have everything you need for a seasonal experience you won't forget.
So you best believe we got very excited when they announced they'd be hosting a Tulip Festival this spring.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Spanning over 8 acres, Jack and the team have planted over 600,00 bulbs bulbs consisting of 100+ different varieties of all shapes and colours that arrived directly from the Netherlands.
In addition to the 500,000 planted last year that means there's over one million tulips to enjoy - now that impressibe.
Varieties include Carnaval de Rio, Tom Pouce, Gavota, Lily Flowering Mix, Blushing Appledorn, Wedding Dress and Rodolfo.
The festival will include five sections that have been split by 5 metre walkways enabling the best customer interaction in the field.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There'll be two dedicated pick your own areas where an all seasons mix of bulbs have been planted to ensure that visitors have a wide range of tulips to explore, pick from and create the perfect bunch of tulips.How lovely is that?
There will also be plenty of photo opportunities, fairground rides and a bar to enjoy the view with a tipple or two.
The festival will take place from Monday 13 April to Sunday 3 May 2026, with tickets starting from just £9.
To find out more and to book your ticket, take a look at Farmer Copleys website. We'll see you in the tulip fields.
Sophie Smith -
20th January 2023 
