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.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!