Six fantastic Yorkshire gastropubs have been named in this year’s Estrella Damm UK Top 50 Gastropubs. The prestigious list, now in its 17th year and sponsored by Estrella Damm for nine of them, celebrates the finest pub dining experiences in the country. It is compiled through votes from pub owners, food critics and industry experts, making it a true benchmark for excellence.
Six of Yorkshire’s best pubs feature in the 2025 list, including some of the region’s Michelin-starred restaurants. A new entry, and one that has been lauded by critics and food magazines, The Highland Laddie in Leeds city centre has entered at 30th position, hailing the rise of classic pubs that retain the nostalgia of bygone years but bring something extra in the food department. Named ‘a drinkers’ pub with a dining room’, the sister venue to Empire Café sits comfortably among its more longstanding contemporaries.
Other standout mentions include The General Tarleton, a Tommy Banks venture, which was named ‘One To Watch’. The Black Bull in Sedbergh also slipped into the top 100 but missed out on a top 50 spot this year.
The Star Inn, Harome (5th)
The highest-rated Yorkshire pub this year is the iconic, The Star Inn, with its stunning thatched roof exterior and one of the cosiest pub settings we’ve had the pleasure to visit. With a roaring fire and all the hallmarks of a classic country pub, it’s easy to see why it continues to shine.
What Estrella Damm awards has to say: “Star Inn chef-patron Andrew Pern is something of a local celebrity, not least because he’s had the pub for more than 20 years and owns several other sites across the north-east of England. “rich man, poor man” style: pan-fried foie gras teamed with rich black pudding, doused in a sticky scrumpy cider reduction.
Further menu highlights have included Rievaulx shot partridge with juniper-creamed Brussel sprouts, pine-smoked Alsace bacon, smoked beets and clementine with Port wine juices; and baked sherried fig frangipane with toasted marzipan, nibbled almost brittle, candied clementine and figgy toffee ice cream.”
The Angel at Hetton (6th)
Next up is The Angel at Hetton, another Michelin-starred spot boasting one of the most inspired interiors, with a modern Nordic, stripped-back approach that lets the food do the talking. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Michael Wignall, it has been steered in exciting directions, including a fantastic tasting menu and one of our favourite dining experiences in Yorkshire — the Sunday roast.
What Estrella Damm awards has to say: “The glorious restaurant menu has featured dishes including Loire valley rabbit loin and merguez, salsify, trompette and poached pear to start. Mains have included Monkfish, quail, venison and garden-inspired vegetarian options including Jersey potatoes, parsnip, king oyster mushroom and lovage. Desserts are just as sumptuous, with Tahitian Vanilla cheesecake with salted granola, buttermilk, roasted beetroot puree and yogurt; or how about caramel tart with poached pear, frozen custard and condensed milk ganache.”
The Abbey Inn, Byland (13th)
Tommy Banks’ pub to rival all pubs, The Abbey Inn serves up gastropub favourites elevated to the very best they can be. The burger is a fine example of what Banks has set out to achieve with this venture.
What Estrella Damm awards has to say: “Ingredients for the seasonal menu that champions classic, British food, are sourced from the Banks family farm and restaurant garden. Located in nearby Oldstead its farm has a two-acre kitchen garden which has abundant seasonal produce.
“Keeping its authenticity as a pub it also serves classics from Byland burgers to a hearty grill selection, as well as soft serve Sundaes.”
The Highland Laddie, Leeds (30th)
Praised by food critic Jay Rayner and named best pub in the country, The Highland Laddie feels a little like Arctic Monkeys saying Don’t Believe the Hype — understated, but packing a serious punch. Praise has been flying in from all directions, and we can’t wait to try it ourselves.
What Estrella Damm awards has to say: “The team reopened the small but mighty pub, which was previously known as the Highland and was closed in 2023, in spring 2025 and in the same year, it took the top spot in the list of 100 Best Pubs in Britain, published by the Good Food Guide.
“Praised for its menu that ‘nods to pubs of all stripes’, the guide made special mention to the pub’s bar snacks, which include half-pints of shell-on prawns and sausage rolls baked to order with homemade brown sauce as well as slices of ham carved off the joint and warmed through on the fireplace with butter-brushed dinner rolls, served alongside a dedicated mustard menu.”
The Pipe & Glass, South Dalton (31st)
Local to us in East Yorkshire and just a short drive from the historic market town of Beverley, The Pipe & Glass is a regular on this list — and with good reason.
What Estrella Damm awards has to say: “The pub has expanded its accommodation offering with four new stylish rooms converted from old lambing buildings based just a few minutes from the main pub.
“Menu highlights have included slow-cooked crispy shoulder of lamb with mutton and kidney faggot, lamb belly boulangere, butternut squash, redcurrants and barley; Yorkshire game and pistachio terrine with pickled pear, raisins, mulled wine jelly, pistachio crisps and game ‘tea’; and braised onion with mushroom and Cheddar ‘rarebit’ with leeks, smoked baby onions, hazelnuts and soubise cream.
“Desserts have included white chocolate and cranberry bread and butter pudding with spiced clementine Suzette and cardamom custard; liquorice panna cotta with treacle roasted figs, parkin and pistachios; and baked dark chocolate ‘millionaire’ pudding with salted burnt butter ice cream.”
The Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax (49th)
Squeezing into the list this year at number 49, The Shibden Mill Inn is a stunning country pub filled with wooden beams and cosy nooks — perfect for cold winter days. High-quality food in a beautiful setting; what’s not to love?
What Estrella Damm awards has to say: “Mains have consisted of halibut loin with Romanesco, black pudding, apple, radish, potatoes confit in crustacean oil and bisque sauce; Waterford beef loin, Jacob’s Ladder, celeriac, malt and onions; and salt-baked celeriac with hen of the woods, baron bigod, hispi cabbage and burnt apple.”, potatoes confit in crustacean oil and bisque sauce; Waterford beef loin, Jacob’s Ladder, celeriac, malt and onions; and salt-baked celeriac with hen of the woods, baron bigod, hispi cabbage and burnt apple.”
“On the à la carte menu, you can expect to find dishes such as puffed cod skins with horseradish and crème fraîche; baked cheddar with ale bread and Marmite butter; and Shibden Ale sausage roll with caramelised apple ketchup to nibble on. Starters have included barbecue turnip with white bean, apple and savoy; Yorkshire game pressing with pickled walnut purée, candied walnuts and turnip cream; and cured monkfish with pumpkin, dukkah spice and strawberry vinegar.
If you’d like to see all of this year’s Estrella Damm UK Top 50 Gastropubs, visit the website here.
Read More: The Yorkshireman’s Must-Visit Restaurants In Yorkshire For 2026
Feature Image Credit: The Highland Laddie
