Outdoor seating area at The Cross Keys with people enjoying drinks and conversation under sunny skies, flanked by umbrellas and festooned with string lights and brewery pennants.

The Cross Keys

Gastro pub with bags of history and class, serving classic British dishes and local ales.

Sunset view outside The Cross Keys with a prominent signboard featuring the pub's name, advertising excellent food, fine wines, and superb beers, with a person walking away in the background.

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Leeds City Centre sits The Cross Keys. A cosy gastro pub that serves classic British food using sustainably sourced ingredients, including Yorkshire reared meat, from across the county. Not only is the food memorable but so is the ale and wine offering that’s up there as one of the best in the city.

There are gluten free, vegan friendly, and vegetarian friendly food options available.

Location Details

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Take a look around

  • Sunset view at The Cross Keys with warm golden hues in the sky, street lights on, and a sign featuring crossed keys silhouetted against the evening glow.
  • A pint of beer with a colorful label featuring a bird and citrus fruits, served at The Cross Keys pub, with a blurred background of the bar interior.
  • Freshly made chorizo sandwich with tomato and arugula on a crusty baguette at The Cross Keys.
  • Delicious crispy chicken burger with fries served at The Cross Keys, with a vibrant red tulip in the foreground adding a touch of elegance to the dining experience.
  • Interior view of The Cross Keys showing a traditional bar with a variety of beer taps, exposed brick walls, and hops hanging from wooden beams.
  • Friendly dog with paws on the bar counter at The Cross Keys, showcasing a pet-friendly atmosphere.
  • Outdoor seating area at The Cross Keys with people socializing at wooden picnic tables on a sunny day, surrounded by red brick buildings with greenery.
  • Traditional Sunday roast meals prepared at The Cross Keys, featuring Yorkshire puddings, roasted meats, and side dishes of vegetables on a kitchen counter ready to be served.
  • Interior of The Cross Keys showing a cozy pub atmosphere with dark wooden tables, red leather bench seating, a brick fireplace, and a unique crossed keys symbol on the wall.
  • Outdoor seating area with wooden picnic tables at The Cross Keys, surrounded by brick buildings and greenery on a sunny day.

The Food

The menu changes seasonally at the Cross Keys to fit with their focus on sourcing the freshest and most sustainable food pairings. In their words “let the best ingredients sing together as mother nature intended.” And you can get a fill safe in the knowledge you’ve cut down on food miles and supported small businesses in Yorkshire.

Some of the signature dishes include: salmon and tarragon fish pie; the ‘Three Dales’ roast pork loin with all the trimmings; seared scallops with celeriac purée; and girolles and citrus butter

Roasts

The Cross Keys are roast connoisseurs with a four times runner up award for ‘Best Sunday Lunch’ category in the Observer Food. Choose from beef, gammon, lamb (or a mixed meat of all 3!) or green lentil & barley (suitable for vegetarians or vegans with a rosemary cobbler instead of the Yorkshire). On request they can make all the roasts gluten free.

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The Drink

Ales

The Cross Keys have the classic four hand pulled ales front of house. One of these is there own brewed collaboration with Kirkstall brewery, always alongside a stout and a porter. On the bottle are selections from across Europe, America and Australia.

Wines

The wine is one of the best in Leeds with a Verre de Vin and Coravin systems ensuring you can get almost anything by the glass, including the champers.

For the crafty ones out there, they have a nice selection of gins, bourbons, rums and single malts to polish off the night with a cap or two.

The Place

History

Built at the beginning of the 1800s this Georgian pub comes with a bit of hype. In the last decade it’s been the finalist in the ‘top three gastropubs in the UK’. And described as “a hidden gem” by the Metro. It was built as a watering hold for the surrounding foundries.

Spread across two floors, you’ll be sat for a wine and dine experience upstairs or parked up downstairs in the pub proper for a drink. The bottom floor room – James Watt – acquired its name following a period of 3 months in 1802 when, as they story goes, James Watt used a room to get rival engineer Matthew Murray and his workforce drunk with the intention of stealing his architect secrets.  

Socials

Drink and food tasting shindigs; quiz nights with gallons of beer sup for grabs; and a large courtyard and beer garden are just some of the perks on offer for you, the family, and your friends when you visit the Cross Keys pub.

Quiz

Every Tuesday at 7:30pm the Cross Keys host a weekly pub quiz with a wide range of topics to get your brains into. Expect everything from popular culture to sports rounds. Book online to avoid disappoint. One of the Leeds’ Pub Quizzes By Day of the Week.

The Cross Keys also dog friendly, so great for a post/pre dog walk. There are a few decent dog friendly places in Leeds. If you are interested in the others take a look at our list of dog friendly pubs in Leeds.

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Where to Park

The nearest parking is paid at Q-Park Sovereign Square.

Access

The bottom floor (pub area) has disability access.

Opening Times

Monday: 12:00 - 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 - 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 - 11:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 - 11:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 - 11:30 PM
Saturday: 12:00 - 11:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 - 10:00 PM

What To Do Next

Pop next door for some more pub brewskis at the Midnight Bell!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat in at The Cross Keys?

Yes you can eat in/dine in at The Cross Keys. There is also have an outside seating area. A great shout on a sunny day!

Does The Cross Keys have a beer garden?

Yes The Cross Keys does have a beer garden.

Does The Cross Keys offer takeaway?

Unfortunately The Cross Keys does not offer a takeaway delivery service.

Can I order The Cross Keys delivery in Leeds with Deliveroo?

No, unfortunately delivery is not available for The Cross Keys through Deliveroo in Leeds.

Can I order The Cross Keys delivery in Leeds with Just Eat?

No, unfortunately delivery is not available for The Cross Keys through Just Eat in Leeds.

Can I order The Cross Keys delivery in Leeds with Uber Eats?

No, unfortunately delivery is not available for The Cross Keys through Uber Eats in Leeds.

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