Considering all the ups and downs we've endured over the past (nearly) two years, we can completely understand anyone who thinking of swapping out cooking for dining out in Leeds this Christmas - especially on Christmas Day.
The good news is, if you are looking to do just that, you're spoilt for choice. Christmas, typically hospitality's biggest time of the year, was all but cancelled for the industry in 2020 - so this year Leeds restaurants are going all out on the big day.
Whilst there are loads of restaurants in Leeds offering Christmas menus, those that are staying open on Christmas Day have created extra-special offerings just for the occasion.
Keep reading to discover where to go out to eat on Christmas Day in Leeds this year.
If you're going all-out this year, the Deer Park probably has one of the most extravagant Christmas Day menus in Leeds. Of course, that comes at a price - namely £97.95 for adults (champagne and cocktail included), or £41.50 for kids.
Think starters like burrata and fig, a seafood sharing plate for two (seared wild Atlantic scallops on a tomato risotto, Szechuan pepper squid, king prawns with lemon mayonnaise, Devon crab rillette, rustic bread and butter) and grilled goats cheese with beetroot rosti.
Mains-wise, roasted turkey gets a lift with a cranberry pastry parcel, lemon and thyme stuffing and a Cumberland pig-in-blanket, whilst further choices include pan-roasted halibut in Thermidor sauce, beef wellington with bread sauce and Bordelaise jus (vegan option available) and candied root vegetable bake.
Cocktail choices are vast, including favourites like espresso and french martinis, Aperol spritz, blood orange and passion fruit collins and old fashioned. If you're not going in for the booze though, the classic five-course menu on its own is £82.50.
If you're looking for a bang-up Christmas dinner in cosy settings, you can tuck into five festive courses at Leeds pub The Adelphi this Christmas Day with prices starting from £64.95.
Think mains like turkey with all the trimmings, a root vegetable and walnut wellington, pan-fried salmon, roast sirloin of beef or rump of lamb - plus sweet, indulgent desserts followed by a cheeseboard.
There's also a separate three-course menu for children, priced at £27.95.
Leeds pub The Roundhay Fox is open on Christmas Day serving three festive courses for £62.95. Open for both lunch and dinner, the kitchen is cooking up a specially created menu with choices like beef fillet wellington, slow-cooked pork belly, turkey, venison steak and sweet potato and apricot tart.
There's a separate menu for children, priced at £30.50, with similar choices to the adult menu served in smaller portions - like curried vegetable wellington, hand-sliced turkey, and rump of lamb, plus chocolate or vanilla ice cream for dessert.
With two Christmas Day sittings at 12.15pm and 2:15pm, Weetwood Hall is a fine choice for a three-course festive lunch. What's more, you can even book a room upstairs if you want to turn your Christmas lunch into a getaway.
Mains choices include roast turkey, beetroot and goats cheese tarte tatin, slow-cooked beef suet pudding or poached salmon, whilst desserts include the classic Christmas pudding and a chocolate torte.
Children's menus are also available, priced from £25.
For 1920s glamour in spades this Christmas Day, head over to Browns - a solid city centre favourite. Priced at £85 for adults and £16 for children, there is a five-course menu on offer with all the seasonal favourites plus bubbles and a few additional surprises.
Think Browns festive turkey with cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets, red wine jus; rack of lamb with butternut squash fondant and pickled blackberries; and beef or portobello mushroom, chestnut and spinach wellingtons - all served with garlic and thyme roast potatoes, mulled wine braised red cabbage, shaved Brussels sprouts with chestnuts, maple roast carrots and parsnips.
Malmaison's Chez Brasserie is pulling out all the stops for Christmas day with four courses and a complimentary welcome glass of champagne for £99 (or £49.50 for children aged 5 to 12 years old).
Begin with truffled arancini 'for the table' before digging into starters like beef tataki or crab and oak-smoked salmon, followed by a mix of contemporary and traditional mains choices ranging from turkey breast to beef fillet, pan-fried cod, or spinach and vegan feta pithivier (it's a pie).
If you don't like turkey, Miller and Carter could be a shout this Christmas Day The steakhouse is serving up a five-course Christmas Day menu for £72.95 - with a 'steak experience' course served as an option instead of mains like turkey, risotto and grilled seabass with prawns.
The restaurant also has a four-course Christmas Day set menu for children and a gluten-free Christmas day menu.
As we approach St. Patrick’s day it’s important we talk about the famous Irish stout loved by people all over the world.
There are so many pubs in and around Leeds that provide a lovely cold pint of Guinness, and I’m sure we could keep updating this list forever but here are some of our favourites.
But what makes a good pint of Guinness? There are five crucial stages to achieving the perfect pint of Guinness. First of all, you need to use a clean, cool branded glass- this is essential to get you off to a good start, a warm dirty glass is just a disaster waiting to happen.
Next, pour the first part of your two-part pour at a 45-degree angle until it’s 3/4 full. Now you need to be patient, and allow the drink time to settle. Top up by pushing the handle away from you, leaving a 15-21mm dome-like head. Again, let your drink settle and admire your perfect pint of Guinness.
Templar Hotel
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This spot is a bit of Leeds legend, with the original 1927 wood panelling, booths, stained glass and bar still holding out it’s completely steeped in history. On top of all that, it’s a fantastic spot to grab a quiet pint and especially a pint of Guinness.
Where to find them: Templar Street, LS2 7NU
Whitelock’s Ale House
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Whitelock’s is the oldest pub in Leeds, founded all the way back in 1715, their popularity in Leeds has never faltered. With a lovely cosy atmosphere during the colder months and sun trap outside seating to spend the summer days - Whitelock’s will always be near the top of our list when recommending pubs around our great city. They’re the only pub in all of Leeds to feature on Guinness' very own Harp Guide - so you know it must be good.
Where to find them: Turks Head Yard, LS1 6HB
Brewery Wharf Tavern
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Relatively new to the Leeds pub scene, the Brewery Wharf Tavern is really going to come into its own during summer. Overlooking the canal on Leeds Dock, we can't think of a more scenic place to sink a few pints of the black stuff.
Where to find them: 3 Brewery Pl, LS10 1NE
The Highland Laddie
Voted the Best Pub in Britain of 2025 by The Good Food Guide, everything The Highland Laddie touches turns to gold and that includes the Guinness. Make sure you grab a couple of bar oysters to go with it, because doesn't that just sound like a match made in heaven?
Where to find them: 38 Cavendish St, LS3 1LY
Oporto
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This Irish pub on Call Lane is an absolute classic. Whether you're stopping here for an after-work pint in the sunshine or stumbling in at 3am, a pint of Guinness here is always a good idea.
Where to find them: 33 Call Ln, LS1 7BT
The Adelphi
An abundance of late Victorian architecture, The Adelphi is the perfect setting for a casual yet distinctly memorable drinking and eating experience. Whether you’re looking for a lazy lunch or family dinner, The Adelphi offers tempting and flavoursome food, an explorative drinks menu and an authentic, homely atmosphere to suit all occasions.
Where to find them: Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ
O’Neill’s
This friendly Irish pub in Leeds is just across the road from the train station and they are never short of Guinness - obviously. The atmosphere is great, just what you would expect from an Irish bar. If you're looking for a spot to celebrate St Paddy's day this year, you can't wrong giving O'neill's a go.
Where to find them: Boar Lane, LS1 5DA
Nation of Shopkeepers
Not only a great spot in Leeds to grab a Sunday roast, Nation of Shopkeepers also pulls a lovely pint of Guinness. There's plenty of reasons to spend a full day here with the choice of the open courtyard or the cosy booths inside, as well as delicious burgers and fried chicken to accompany your pint.
Where to find them: Cookridge Street, LS2 3AG
The Brunswick
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A firm favourite amongst Leeds locals, The Brunswick, has 9 keg lines, 6 cask lines, and over 50 beers in the fridges, it is most definitely a beer lover’s heaven. So of course, they serve a very good pint of Guinness.
Alongside this, their food is all home cooked and made with the freshest ingredients. They also cater for vegans and vegetarians so everyone is made to feel welcome at this cosy, neighbourhood pub.
Where to find them: North Street, LS2 7PN
The Duck and Drake
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This historic pub on Kirkgate is known for its banging live music, buzzing beer garden and of course, cracking pints of Guinness. This is a spot you'll want to visit when the sun comes out.
Where to find them: 43 Kirkgate, LS2 7DR
Read more:
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Korn announce huge Leeds gig on first UK tour in a decade
Daisy Jackson
Korn have announced a major Manchester gig as part of a new UK tour – their first in more than a decade.
The nu metal legends will be heading to the First Direct Bank Arena later this year, making a monumental return to British shores.
And they’ve announced very special guests will be joining them on the tour too – support will come from Architects, as well as Youth Code.
Korn burst onto the scene back in 1991 with their seminal self-titled debut album, and have gone on to release a whopping 14 studio albums.
The Californian group have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, collected two Grammy Awards, and headed out on countless world tours.
They’re often cited by newer bands as a major influence and have pushed the limits of the rock, alternative and metal genres.
The Ringer has described Korn as ‘a genuine movement in a way bands cannot be now’.
As well as performing in Leeds, Korn will play at venues across the UK including in Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and London.
They’ll be joined by Architects, a British metalcore band who have continued to top the charts even after the tragic death of founding member, guitarist, and principal songwriter Tom Searle.
Korn will be at our very own First Direct Bank Arena on Monday 26 October, with pre-sale tickets available from Tuesday 17 March at 8am, before a general on-sale from Friday 20 March at 8am.
Run, don't walk - as we reckon these tickets will fly off the shelves.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd December 2021 
