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
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.
Find out more here.
Blackhouse
East Parade, Leeds city centre
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.
Find out more here.
The Tetley
Hunslet Road, Hunslet
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.
Find out more here.
Braizin’ Squad
Inside Boot & Rally, Meanwood Road, Meanwood
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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.
Find out more here.
The Hawthorn
Main Street, Haworth, Keighley
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.
Find out more here.
You can find the full Rate Good Roasts list of the best roast dinners across the UK here.
Feature Image – The Hoot Leeds
