Only open about 7 weeks. The Highland Laddie sister to the team at Empire Café is a traditional boozer on the outskirts of town, holding its head up high in a unique corner position on Cavendish Street, nestled with a few tables and some giant electrical reels outside for some extra people spillage. It's exactly what Leeds needed.

Entering the venue, you are greeted with all the joys of a traditional pub, all brass and leather upholstery, dark colours and quirky artwork; it instantly transports you back in time.

In years gone by oysters were considered somewhat of a peasant food, and many bar tops served them alongside ales and stouts, and The Highland Laddie has brought back this little showcase of theatre with a perfectly formed oyster bar for their guests to get their mollusc fix. Available were served natural or with lemon, Laddie hot sauce or pearl mignonette, which was my personal favourite. Plump fresh Lindisfarne oyster with a vinegary, pickled taste sensation – I loved the little pearl silver skin onion that popped into my mouth at the end. It was up there with one of the best oysters I’ve tasted. Available as a single or multiples for your tasting pleasure.

The menu is a selection of bar snacks and small plates with a few larger plate offerings and plenty to choose from. I was spoilt for choice but started with their lobster madeleines served with chorizo butter. The madeleines were gorgeously golden with hints of lobster yet still retaining the sweetness we all love, moist and an utter delight dipped into the chorizo butter – a great pairing. These were quickly followed with an order of tandoori chicken drummers, chips and curry sauce, the Highland Laddie burger served with clotted cheese and caramelised onion, and, because it sounded delicious, a bowl of their brothy peas and cabbage. 

Every single dish was perfectly executed, simple in nature yet delicious in taste, giving a nod to the bygone era. The chips were dark, crunchy and Moorish, served with a ramekin of curry sauce, which again was nothing short of divine. The tandoori drumstick covered in a gorgeous spice and succulent chicken was quickly demolished. The burger was served like burgers should be orange gooey cheese, caramelised onion, a slightly toasted bun and juicy pink beef in the middle. Simple yet mega. The brothy peas with cabbage are a revelation of simplicity. All dishes we shared between the two of us, and we were satiated to a T.

After such mouth bangs, we had to opt for one of their desserts and had to go for the Crème Caramel with rum-soaked dates and a sea salt chocolate quenelle of joy on top; it brought back so many memories of the 70s/80s of being young and enjoying these with my family, perfectly drenched and wobbly. 

The ambience was casual and relaxed, and the staff were calm, chilled and informed. I couldn’t have asked for a better lunch experience. The Laddie has a dedicated dining room with a log burner for those cosy nights yet allows diners to also eat in the bar. I can’t wait for a cold winter's evening when I can head down to indulge in more of their offerings.

The menu offers dishes such as BBQ sardines with pork trotter gravy, minced offal on toast with fire pickle chilli, and pork schnitzel served with two fried eggs, bringing back ingredients which were once discarded and shining a light on the amazing flavours that they have to offer.

I could have happily sat there all day and tried everything they had on the menu. It’s a joy to have a new Rockstar venue in Leeds, and they have nailed their brief perfectly.

The drinks are also well thought with a comprehensive wine list and a variety of cask ales and stouts. The French Pinot Noir was a great choice: light, classy, all strawberry and smooth like silk.

So, whether it's solo dining, couples, or groups of friends of all ages, The Highland Laddie is one that should not be missed off your radar; they even have a couple of cheeky parking spaces outside, perfect for your designated driver. 


The Highland Laddie
36-38 Cavendish Street
Leeds
Ls3 1LY


Wed/Thurs 11-11
Fri/Sat 11-12
Sunday 12-10

“Perfectly executed, refined simple nostalgia”

The Highland Laddie
38 Cavendish St, Leeds LS3 1LY
Reservations: opentable.co.uk
Wed/Thurs 11-11
Fri/Sat 11-12
Sunday 12-10

https://www.highlandladdie.com/