17 of Yorkshire's best pubs we really think you should visit
Yorkshire is blessed with a rich abundance of great pubs to grab a pint - we all know that.
Here at Yorkshire Live, we are inundated with press releases featuring awards winners as well as some rather random company’s best picks. So, in a hopeful attempt to display some of our own knowledge and authenticity we’ve put together our selection of editorial's favourite Yorkshire pubs.
From across the team, with us all based well across the region, we’ve submitted our choices with a few lines telling you why we love them so much. We have our fingers firmly crossed that you believe you know what we are talking about.
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The list below features suggestions from major cities such as Sheffield, Leeds and York as well as some hidden gems where you can enjoy Yorkshire’s rural delights. Some of the pubs have great accompanying food menus, others offer enchanting views and, to be frank, a couple are just unapologetically all about the beer - which is no bad thing.
Take a scroll and see which venue takes your fancy. Don’t forget, you can tell us your favourite Yorkshire pub by commenting on this article or by telling us on Facebook.
House of The Trembling Madness
48 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS
Visiting the House of The Trembling Madness really does feel like stepping back through time into the middle ages. The historic ale house, which was built in 1180AD, is decked out in black and white mediaeval architecture and numerous animal heads scattered across the walls, giving it a real air of authenticity. There's great beers on offer and also serves fantastic pies. It's the ultimate Yorkshire pub and serves as a great refuge in the winter when you can warm your cockles by the fire. A must-visit if you're exploring York.
Suggestion from Samuel Port
Whitelock’s Ale House
Turk's Head Yard, Leeds, LS1 6HB
It feels an obvious one but equally it would be strange to not include Whitelocks in this list. The historic Leeds city centre pub has been serving the good people of Leeds for more than 300 years. Lots of the traditional fittings are still in place and it has an enviable selection of beers on tap.
Suggestion by Craig Jones
The Pub
5-9 Water Street, Todmorden OL14 5AB
This is a great little pub right in the centre of Todmorden. It has a real 'local pub' vibe but fits in great with the town with its quirky character. It has a vast array of draft beers and lager, as well as wines and ciders. Situated on a cobbled street just by the river, The Pub is a great place for walkers to rest their weary feet and for locals to get together for a natter over a pint or three. It doesn't do food but has got a great choice of snacks and every type of nut you could wish for!
Suggestion from Faye Preston
The Scarborough Arms
North Terrace, Scarborough, YO11 1HU
If you find yourself in the North Yorkshire seaside resort during the Scarborough Open Air Theatre series then a visit to this pub is a must. There’s a great selection of beers while their Sunday roast is arguably the best in Scarborough.
An ideal place to fuel up before heading to see a superstar perform in North Bay.
Suggestion by Craig Jones
The Sportsman
1 Street John's Road, Huddersfield, HD1 5AY
The Sportsman on the edge of Huddersfield town centre serves a wonderful pint and has historic features such as hand-painted tiles in the toilets depicting sporting scenes.
It also has a distinctive curved bar. And is a friendly and popular place to enjoy a pint or two.
Suggestion from Andrew Robinson
The Pear Tree Inn
Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, WF14 9DL
Ideal spot when the sun is out. Based off Huddersfield Road, sitting on the banks of the River Calder, the pub is a lovely destination for an outdoor pint in the glistening summer shine. Listed online as dog friendly, I recently visited with my friend and his pet pooch Ernest, we weren’t disappointed.
Alongside the booze, there’s a very extensive menu which offers dishes outside the ordinary realms of pub grub.
Suggestion by Craig Jones
Arcade Beers
6 Station Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1LN
A hidden gem down a Huddersfield side street boasting a wide range of craft beers and other drinks to enjoy. This friendly pub is perfectly placed for a cosy pint in a historic part of town.
Suggestion from Abigail Marlow
Valhalla
4 Patrick Pool, York, YO1 8BB
Founded in 2017 Valhalla York pays homage to York’s Viking heritage juxtaposed with lots of heavy rock music. There’s a fine selection of craft ales and beers.
The rather grand hall seating set up upstairs is something rather special to behold.
Suggestion by Craig Jones
The Top Brink
Brink Top, Todmorden OL14 6JB
Another great stop-off for walkers in Calderdale Valley, this fantastic pub is a great place to start and finish a hike. Up in the hills above Todmorden, it is surrounded by beautiful countryside. It has a large beer garden and ample seating inside. It sells locally brewed beers like Vocation Heart and Soul as well as your mainstream largers and real ales. I've been in search of the best cheese and onion pie since moving to this part of Yorkshire and I found it on this pub's menu - delicious!!
Suggestion from Faye Preston
Riverside Kelham
1 Mowbray Street, Sheffield, S3 8EN
Situated on the outskirts of Kelham Island, The Riverside is my favourite pub in Yorkshire because of its stunning riverside beer garden, range of drinks, friendly staff and monday night pub quiz. And it's not just a great spot for the summer months - in winter, the pub provides a cosy spot to enjoy your drink in the warm, and even play one of the pub's many board games that they have stashed away.
Suggestion from Yasmin Wakefield
The Old Bridge Inn
Priest Lane, Ripponden, HX6 4DF
One of Britain's oldest pubs – a section of the Old Bridge Inn dates back to the 1300s – is more than just an 'old pub'. It's cosy, atmospheric and serves good real ale and homecooked hearty fare. The beer garden next to the rippling river Ryburn is just the spot on a sunny day. When it's freezing, the bar and lounges – each with a proper wood fire – are the ideal places to defrost.
Suggestion by Dave Himelfield
White Lion Hotel
Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EX
This is my all-time favourite place to stop off for a bite after a dog walk and mooch around the wonderful Hebden Bridge. It is so dog friendly - even for my slightly troubled pooch - with ample quiet corners inside and a large beer garden outside. The food here is delicious with a great mix of traditional pub grub dishes as well as fancier options and possibly the best gravy I've ever had!
Suggestion from Faye Preston
Golaccio
28 Kirkgate, Huddersfield, HD1 1QQ
Formerly based in Leeds, I produced something of a love note when the former base of 90s Italian-inspired football bar Golaccio closed at the start of 2023. Thankfully, this year, we saw the team move to a new home in Huddersfield town centre.
Admittedly, it comes with a bit of a niche, but football hipsters will love seeing classic Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma and Sampdoria jerseys in each corner. A great place to catch a match on Sky Sports and TNT. While it is also becoming popular for a quick pint for those on their way to watch Huddersfield Town at the John Smiths.
Suggestion by Craig Jones
King’s Head
18 Street George's Square, Huddersfield, HD1 1JF
I love the King's Head which is beside the grand entrance to Huddersfield railway station. As well as being inside an imposing and historic building, the King's Head always has a cracking list of proper beers from Timothy Taylor and other fine brewers.
There's a good atmosphere but be warned that it can get very busy on Huddersfield Town home games.
There are also some truly cracking pubs 'on the tops' in and around Huddersfield including Golcar Lily at Bolster Moor, the Huntsman at Upperthong, and The Scape House Inn at Scapegoat Hill, near Golcar, which all offer a great dining experience.
Suggestion from Andrew Robinson
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, LS2 8JP
I’ll put my hands up, I know this is really stretching some people’s boundaries of what a pub is. But Belgrave is one of my favourite places to grab a pint in Leeds. Always a great, lively atmosphere. When we do get the sun, the rooftop terrace is one of my favourite places in the city centre.
You can also grab a slice of pizza or a burger. Their gig venue is pretty special also.
Suggestion by Craig Jones
Birch Hall Inn
Beck Hole Road, Beck Hole, near Whitby YO22 5LE
Yorkshire's smallest pub is the quintessence of the phrase 'less is more'. It comprises one small room with a hatch through which landlord and landlady Neil and Glenys will serve you well-kept local ale and fat stotties. Birch Hall Inn is too small for a beer garden but you can admire this leafy corner of the North York Moors from the picnic tables outside. Just don't expect to find a seat in peak season!
Suggestion by Dave Himelfield
Evil Eye
42 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS
Another where I’ve played a little loose with the rules but at the end of the day this is our list…so hopefully that shouldn’t matter. As we’ve already mentioned, there’s some wonderful drinking establishments in York. Many hidden away in their famous winding streets like Evil Eye.
More of a cocktail bar (you have to try the Alan Shearer) but you can still get a good selection of pints. Even if I am stretching the term ‘pub’ that’ll all be forgotten when you are sat in the venue’s outside rear seating area taking in a great view of York Minster.
Suggestion by Craig Jones
You can find the latest food and drink news in Yorkshire and nearby by visiting our What's On homepage. There you can also find days out guides for things to do across the region.
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