Kirkstall Taproom & Kitchen — Restaurant in Leeds

This is an unusual place. Unusual, but in a good way. Part pub, part brewery.

The Kirkstall Brewery is located in mid-sized industrial unit , about 20 minutes’ walk from the city centre. The Tap Room, as you’d expect, adjoins the brewery.

A good-sized venue, essentially one large room with a separate bar area, looks to be about 100 covers. The ambience is industrial, with brick walls, wooden tables and some interesting heritage signage dotted about. Place had a good vibe for a Wednesday night, with a couple of large groups and some smaller parties in the house. A few large, covered tables outside, for those who like tobacco – these are probably popular in the summer as well. I sometimes sit outside a pub in the summer, even though I don’t smoke.

Decided to visit on a recommendation, as apparently the pizza is very good – booked in advance, which was successful, but possibly unnecessary, as there were tables available.

The food menu is an excellent one – a strong and unique range of pizzas, with different and interesting toppings on a thin, yet fluffy, base. I had one with chicken and blue cheese – this had a good flavour, with a hint of chilli. Different. Pizzas are available in 12” and 8” – 8” seems tiny for a pizza though, tiny and smol. Well, probably not that smol. Anyway, I went for the 12” 😝

Good range of sides – I spotted scrolls (sort of like pizza buns), which I love, but didn’t actually have on this occasion – there was a woman eating some at the next table, and they looked generous. Opted for the garlic gnocchi, which I’ve seen others rave about online, and some little chorizo bites. All really good – the chorizo bites were thick and dense, full of flavour. Tasty. The gnocchi was decent.

The beer, of course, which is what this place is all about, was the Kirkstall Pilsner for me. There were many beers available, as it was and as it should be – different types. I don’t drink ales, so not best placed to comment there, but there was much choice. For myself, I noted they also offer Veltins. You could certainly have a raucous session here.

You order at the bar and food comes to the table. Excellent. The price is very reasonable for food this good.

Large windows at the entrance allow you to see into the brewery and I note that there are tours available. I see they are also hosting an Oktoberfest event in the last weekend of September. Although that is not October. Claw machine inside for the winning of prizes, including beer – the cans inside are presumably empty if it has the usual arthritic claw.. 😃

Will definitely visit here again if I get the chance and would recommend for a visit if you like beer, pizza or a combination of the two. If you don’t like beer and pizza, this would be an odd...

My first time being here and it was absolutely stunning. Nice atmosphere, wide menu to order from and the great thing is that you make the beer there and you can see it from the window, i heard that you can book a trip to see how they make the beer. Friendly staff and a dog friendly place with a dog menu to order from.

There is a parking for customers but it’s only few spaces but the larger car park is just opposite of the place. And it’s indoor and outdoor...

The taproom pizza oven was temporarily out of operation, but the chef made the most AMAZING pork and fennel sausage rolls, served hot with either onion chutney or apple sauce. The oven will probably be sorted soon, so I’d waste no time and head over before they’re taken off the menu!!. (I wanted to buy another but...