Once the nights turn dark, there's not much better than tucking away in the corner of a cosy pub with a good pint and a bowl of chips.
Thankfully, Leeds is blessed with many. Roaring fires add extra comfort, as do old-fashioned characteristics like low-slung wooden beams and wood panelling, whilst big windows serve to let in a bit of light on the darker days.
It's fair to say we're pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to cosy pubs in Leeds. To help you pick where to go, we've put together some of our favourites below.
Keep reading to discover more.
Whitelock's Ale House
Turk's Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB
Image: Whitelock's Ale House
One of the oldest pubs in Leeds, Whitelock's is easy to miss - tucked away down a side alley off the main high street. A former marketman's pub, inside you'll find historic features like an old wooden bar and stained glass windows as well as good selection of beers, ales and traditional British dishes.
This laid back spot in Leeds offers classic modern European dishes, alongside regular live music and cinema nights. Food-wise, think lemon and thyme chicken wings, braised beef cheek and hearty stews. As for the drinks, there's a solid wine and cocktail menu as well as a good selection of beers on draught.
The Lamb and Flag
1 Church Row, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7HD
Image: The Lamb and Flag
Housed in a renovated 19th-century building, The Lamb and Flag boast a locally-sourced menu and a strong selection of local ales. A stone's throw from Leeds Minster, there are two bars - one upstairs and one down. Between them, you'll find ten different hand pulls pouring some of the best beer in Leeds.
With cosy alcoves and roaring open fire, The Cross Keys is an excellent place to while away a few dark winter hours. It also has an interesting connection to Leeds' history as the place that engineer Matthew Murray developed the first locomotive. One of the city's last true freehouses, it is at the heart of its community and a popular choice for locals.
This Georgian-style pub in Chapel Allerton is the epitome of country-chic, with blazing open-fires interiors, a large garden, an excellent Sunday roast menu, and more. Its award-winning food menu is not to be missed, covering everything from hearty sandwiches to posh mains, with a decent wine list and some lovely casks on the bar.
Out at Tadcaster, the Rockingham Arms blends modern with traditional. Built back in the 18th Century as a traditional country inn, it still retains many of its features today - giving it a charming, old-world appeal. Its menu, however, introduces some more contemporary themes - with dishes like greek-style super bowls, Morrocan vegetable tagine, and slow-roasted belly pork.
The Timble Inn
North Lane, Timble, Otley LS21 2NN
Image: The TImble Inn
Out in Otley, this charming inn has a beautiful bar, restaurant and b&b rooms upstairs for those who want to make a proper night of it. Close to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it makes a perfect post-walk stop off if you're looking to warm up with a nice drink and some traditional food.
Feature image - Whitelock's Ale House
Eats
In pictures – Mexican restaurant Madre opens up in Leeds at last
Madre is one of those few restaurants that has been making us jealous of Manchester for years - but finally, it’s Leeds’ turn.
A couple of months after the launch of Salon Madre, a colourful pool hall and taqueria, it’s time for Leeds to welcome its sister restaurant.
Madre will open its doors on Wellington Place this week, promising to educate us all in the art of ‘sobremesa’, which means to linger at the table long after the meal is over.
And trust us, after popping in for a sneak peek today, you won’t be in a rush to leave this place.
The unit has been totally transformed by the Madre team - it’s all jagged angles on the tables and soft curves on the walls, with a colour palette that goes all the way from deep terracotta to neon green.
From an open kitchen you can see the team constructing tacos and piling oysters with jalapeño mignonette and salsa brava.
The menu is split neatly into four sections - snacks (elote, wings, Caesar salad and guac); raw (oysters, tuna tostadas, and aguachile); tacos (including birria); and parilla (wood-fired dishes like BBQ octopus and slow cooked lamb breast).
Click through the gallery below to see inside Madre Leeds
Madre LeedsA selection of the Madre Leeds menuDishes at Madre in LeedsMargaritas are a mustBeef birria tacosFire-roasted mushrooms with egg yolkMadre opens in Leeds this weekBone marrowMadre on Wellington PlaceOysters with salsa
Pull up a seat at a tile-topped table and you can expect to dig into everything from rich Oaxacan-inspired moles and salsas to Baja-style mariscos and Sonoran grilled meats.
Pop down on a Tuesday and you can take advantage of Madre’s two-for-one taco deal - we can’t really think of a better evening than tucking into dinner at Madre before heading across the road for happy hour margs and a game of pool at Salon Madre.
Madre is brought to the city by the teams behind London’s famous Breddos Tacos and esteemed Liverpudlian eatery Belzan.
Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
The Hoot -
3rd October 2023 
