The Best Pubs in Leicester

The Black Horse in Aylestone is a fantastic Everards pub worth travelling out from the city centre for, offering a great selection of real ales. It features a beer garden that provides a great space to relax, along with activities like drag bingo, quiz night, and skittles. The food menu includes tempting options such as coconut and jam sponge with custard, with food served from 12noon to 8.30pm.

Bar Dos Hermanos is a welcoming spot known for its great food, excellent bar, and lovely staff. The breakfast and brunch menus are highly praised, with the Huevos Rancheros being a must try. It is also a fantastic place for authentic tapas in a lively setting and is considered good for special occasions.

This riverside pub is a fantastic hub where you can grab a cold beer and catch the big game on TV, all while enjoying street food inspired dishes. It's a welcoming spot that buzzes with activity, from retro gaming sessions to lively quiz nights, making it perfect for groups of friends. The real magic is the terrace, a prime spot to relax with a drink and maybe a cherry bakewell, all while taking advantage of the clever yellow card scheme that slashes food prices in half.

The Old Horse is a classic pub that has been an iconic spot since 1864, offering a warm welcome and a carefully curated selection of ales, craft beers, ciders, and an impeccable pint of Guinness. Its menu features pub snacks, classic favourites, toasties, and Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, all made with ethically sourced produce from trusted suppliers. You can enjoy your meal throughout the pub or in its perfectly formed dining area, making it a great place for good food and good times.

The Rutland & Derby is an independent pub with a kitchen and garden in Leicester's cathedral quarter. It features an astro-turfed roof terrace where you can enjoy great real ale and roof beers. You can take advantage of half price off the food menu on Monday nights. In the summer, the Twilight Terrace is a beautiful spot for drinks.

The Queen of Bradgate is a unique pub that doubles as a furniture store, where all the chairs are available for sale. It offers a top notch food menu, excellent cocktails, and a great selection of craft beers and cask ales. You can enjoy live music, check out the vintage cinema upstairs, or try a cocktail masterclass. Don't miss the secret garden and the very good, interesting burgers served by friendly staff.

The Marquis Wellington is a welcoming Everards pub known for its friendly staff and great real ales, including good straight beer and options like Maisels weisse. It offers outdoor seating, and the richly decorated facade adds to its charm. The pub serves really homey food and is praised for its great service.

Tucked away just off a peaceful tree lined walk, The Kings Head is a true haven for anyone who adores a perfectly poured pint. The team behind the bar are famously welcoming, and the real ale selection is absolutely staggering with more handpumps than you can count. Upstairs, a brilliant roof terrace offers a quiet spot to enjoy your drink, while the pub itself remains a wonderfully calm place for proper conversation with friends. It’s a no fuss gem that puts excellent beer and friendly company front and centre.

Welcome to The Real Ale Classroom, a friendly and cosy micropub founded by two secondary school teachers. This award winning pub offers a great selection of ales, fantastic beer and spirits, and encourages customers to take their education into their own hands. It was Leicester’s first micropub, having been established in November 2015, and its Lutterworth location also won the 'best pub experience' at a tourism and hospitality awards. You can even hire the space for private functions.

This pub is the home of great beer, offering a wide choice of beers and ciders alongside a nice menu with good vegetarian options. It is known for its really good beer selection, wonderful Sunday roasts, and good service, making it a great spot for special occasions. You can enjoy your visit at their outdoor seating on the street, where pleasant staff provide a warm welcome.