When the weather is rubbish, there’s nothing 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.
To help you pick where to go, we’ve put together a list of our favourites below.
The Victoria & Commercial
Great George Street, LS1 3DL
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Newest and maybe the most festive is The Victoria, originally opened in 1865 this historic pub has recently been reborn courtesy of Kirkstall Brewery and Whitelock's Ale House.
The interior here is absolutely beautiful, even without the decorations it feels festive. So if you're looking for that Christmas feeling all year round, this is the place to be.
Whitelock’s Ale House
Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Of course it wouldn't be a cosy pub guide without the iconic Whitelock's Ale House. The oldest pubs in Leeds, Whitelock’s is easy to miss – tucked away down a side alley off the main high street, but once you find it it's well worth the hunt.
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.
Crowd of Favours
4-12 Harper Street, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7EA
This laid back spot in Leeds is the perfect spot to get nestled in, enjoy a few pints and escape the dreary weather.
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 Highland Laddie
38 Cavendish Street, LS3 1LY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Empire Cafe, The Highland Laddie is one of Leeds' newest pubs but it's as cosy as it gets.
Fabulous traditional interiors with a proper homely feel to it, and of course the food is absolutely banging. Think oysters, ham and chips and belting sausage rolls.
The Lamb and Flag
1 Church Row, Leeds City Centre, LS2 7HD
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..
The Brunswick
82 North St, Leeds LS2 7PN
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This absolute gem at the top of town has everything you could ever want in a pub. Great drinks, a warming atmosphere, a pool table and brilliant food.
The staff are always lovely and there's usually an adorable dog knocking about too.
After making a huge name for themselves in the market, Pollini's Pizza Slice is opening up a brand-new site.
Okay, it's safe to say we're spoilt for choice for brilliant pizza spots in Leeds but there's not many places where you can grab a slice on-the-go.
And that's exactly what Pollini's Pizza Slice are bringing to the city.
Huge, giant, 24-inch slices of New York-style pizza cooked fresh and served to you within seconds.
Whether you're after a simple margarita, a fiery pepperoni or you like to be that little bit controversial with ham and pineapple - there's a flavour for everyone to enjoy.
They opened inside Kirkgate Market back in 2022, and ever since then they've been inundated with hungry punters looking to grab a slice on their lunch break.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And now they're venturing out of the market and opening a new shop in the old Poco Sicilian Street Food site on Lands Lane.
Announcing the exciting news to their social media, Pollini's Pizza Slice said: "We have some EXCITING NEWS!
"With the new year, we’re opening a brand new pizza shop to satisfy all our amazing customers—there are so many of you! Still here every day at Kirkgate Market, serving up massive fresh slices and big smiles to keep you happy!
"But very soon… we’re opening our brand new home at 24A Lands Lane, right in the heart of Leeds city centre.Here’s your first look inside… Can’t wait to welcome you there as well!"
At their new site you'll be able to get your classic slices as well as whole pies, the perfect Friday office pick-me-up if you ask us.
We don't know the exact opening date yet, but we'll be sure to let you know when we do.
Ireland’s famous fast food phenomenon, the spice bag, has landed in Leeds
Clementine Hall
You can now get your hands on the iconic takeaway staple right here in Leeds City Centre .
Pour yourself a cold glass of water, because it's about to get real salty up in here.
The spice bag is an Irish delicacy that is often devoured after a few Guinness on the streets of Dublin, for example.
It consists of shredded and battered chicken, chips, onions and peppers - all deep fried, loaded into a bag and tossed in lashings of salt and pepper seasoning.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Oh, and of course dipped or lathered in a sauce of your choosing. The classic being curry sauce, obviously.
It's never been available to buy in Leeds before, until now.
Located inside Trinity Kitchen, Doles Dirty Bags are serving up...well, dirty bags I suppose.
Image: The Hoot LeedsImage: The Hoot Leeds
They're bringing the spice bags to the people of Leeds and we're absolutely over the moon that they are.
They've got a couple of options for you to choose from, including the classic chicken spice bag as well as the garlic spice bag which has lashings of garlic butter inside - yum.
There's also a BBQ beef spice bag as well as a vegan tofu one, so absolutely no one has to miss out on the deliciousness.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
They're also serving up a selection of burgers if that's what you fancy.
But if you want to sample a spice bag for yourself, then you're going to want to be quick as Doles Dirty Bags will only be cooking inside Trinity Kitchen until Sunday 29 March.
So have a couple pints down the road at Whitelock's and get yourself to Dole's, we assure you they'll sort you out good and proper.
Clementine Hall -
22nd January 2026 
