Leeds’ Highland Laddie crowned Best Pub in the UK — and what it says about the city right now

Leeds isn’t just keeping up; it’s leading the way. From neighbourhood gems to national headlines, the city’s food and drink scene is thriving, fuelled by independence, ambition, and a shared belief that great hospitality still matters. And this week, there’s another reason to raise a glass: one of Leeds’ very own has just been crowned the best pub in the country.

A proper pub done properly

The Highland Laddie, a small but mighty pub in the city’s east, has just been named Best Pub in the UK by the Good Food Guide. Not bad going! and as the inaugural winner of a brand-new national category, it’s a fitting first feather in the cap for a city whose hospitality scene is quietly, but powerfully, redefining itself.

The Highland Laddie is everything a great British boozer should be. Rescued from closure just over six months ago, it’s been lovingly revived by people who care deeply about what makes a pub special: warmth, familiarity, and a sense of place. There’s a proper pint (many argue it’s the best Guinness pour in Leeds), a dining room serving classic dishes and small plates with precision, and an attention to detail that borders on art.

What’s remarkable is how quickly it’s become woven into its community. Locals talk about it like it’s always been there, a sign that it’s managed to do what so few new openings can: feel timeless. The Highland Laddie’s win is more than just a trophy; it’s a symbol of what can happen when heart, heritage and hard graft meet.

A city stacked with success

This isn’t an isolated story. Leeds has been quietly, and now loudly, claiming its place on the national stage. Last year, Bavette in Horsforth was named Best Neighbourhood Restaurant in the UK. This year, Silver’s Deli, picked up Uber Eats’ Best Restaurant award. Sqew took home the Best UK Kebab prize.

These are not chains or global names, they’re independents, born of ideas and passion, led by people who love Leeds and know their customers. It’s that mix of ambition and authenticity that gives the city its edge. Leeds’ food scene isn’t trying to be something it’s not. It’s confident enough to be itself, and the rest of the country is starting to notice.

The big names keep coming

Of course, Leeds’ rise hasn’t gone unnoticed by the big players. Dishoom, Federal, and Chick-fil-A are all preparing to open here, each picking Leeds as their next big move. It follows Flat Iron, which made Leeds its first restaurant outside London in 2023, and Pizza Pilgrims, who opened their first Northern site in the city, helped in part by co-founder James’ own Leeds roots, having studied here and worked at the legendary Salvo’s.

Leeds clearly has a pull: a mix of independent grit, loyal food lovers, and a city centre that never stands still. It’s a testing ground and a proving ground, a place where both independents and established brands can thrive side by side.

The women shaping what’s next

Another defining feature of Leeds’ hospitality scene right now? Women leading from the front. Lattawan Buchanan (AKA Chef Fern) is about to open Tori Nori, bringing inventive Japanese-inspired small plates to the city. Savannah Roqaa is returning with The Savvy Baker, a much-loved local success story that’s built an empire on brownies, branding, and brilliant energy. And Rosita Rogers is preparing to open her third House of Koko, taking over the reins of the iconic Mrs Atha’s site — a move that feels symbolic, passing one independent torch to another.

This new wave of female-led hospitality brings creativity, empathy, and a sense of community that perfectly reflects where Leeds is heading, a city of collaboration, not competition.

The bumps in the road

Of course, growth brings tension. The planned arrival of STACK, a large-scale shipping container complex proposed for the area outside Kirkgate Market, has divided opinion. Some independent operators have raised concerns about how the planning consultation was handled, pointing to its timing over the 2023 Christmas period, while the council highlights strong public support, with more than 2,000 residents backing the plans. Others, particularly businesses on that side of town, are optimistic about the project, seeing it as a chance to bring fresh energy and create a safer, more vibrant space at night in an area that has long needed it.

The debate is a microcosm of the broader challenge Leeds faces: how to grow while protecting the local ecosystem that gives the city its soul. Big developments can drive footfall and vibrancy, but Leeds’ greatest strength has always been its independents, the small, slightly scrappy, soulful spaces that make the city feel alive.

A city that just keeps moving

There’s no doubt about it, Leeds hospitality is having a moment. But it’s not a fluke. It’s the product of years of work, as people invest their time, talent, and money in making the city somewhere worth eating, drinking, and living in.

The Highland Laddie’s win feels like a celebration not just for one pub, but for a whole community of makers, chefs, landlords, and risk-takers who’ve believed in Leeds even when the odds were stacked against them.

From the suburbs to the city centre, from old boozers to shiny new openings, this is a place defined by passion and perseverance. And if the past year is anything to go by, the next round for Leeds hospitality is already being poured.