Occasion: Lunch
Party Size: 3
Overall Rating: *** Very Good
Date Visited: October 2012Price Per Person: £6-£10 lunch
The White Swan is a Leeds Brewery pub adjoining the world famous Leeds City Varieties and tucked up an alley off Briggate in the city centre. This place is ideal for those looking for somewhere to relax and enjoy a spot of lunch. If you are shopping in Leeds this would be a great place to take a break. It’s ideal to meet up here with friends as the atmosphere is traditional, relaxed and yet contemporary at the same time.
The venue successfully mixes old and new features with a piano in the corner and origami birds hanging across the bar. It certainly has a relaxed vibe with wood flooring, cream and green walls and the furniture is traditional so expect dark wooden tables and chairs and high stools propped against the walls. The White Swan retains the charm of a local pub whilst at the same time appealing to all with its modern twist.
When I visited here on a weekend it as very busy so expect to have to wait for a table or try to avoid peak times unless you book a table in advance.
The White Swan’s menu is varied but definitely traditional, selling great pub food classics such as Fish and Chips, Burgers, Chilli and Steaks. The starter’s selection is quite limited with 4 or 5 to choose from - expect to pay an average of £4-6 for this course. Main meals are pretty standard in terms of pricing £8-10 and side dishes £3.50. They do a set menu here which would be ideal for those wanting to dine before visiting the variety club next door this is priced at 2 courses for £10.95 or 3 courses for £12.95 (note this is only served between 5pm-8pm) 
For those looking for lunch then I recommend the doorstep sandwiches served between 12pm-5pm and priced at £5-6 with various options from a Fish Butty, Roast Beef, Crayfish tails and Hummus to name a few. The portions were generous and the bread was delicious, soft and fresh, sourced locally from an Otley bakery. You get to choose from white or granary bloomer or a soft tortilla wrap and each sandwich is accompanied by a generous helping of hand cut chips and a side salad all of which was cooked perfectly and well presented so no complaints at our table. The menu does change here but it always tends to lean towards the classics which suit most people’s preferences so a good crowd pleaser.
Obviously this is not a restaurant so expect to find a seat and then place your order at the bar. The staff here are friendly and accommodating, efficiently taking our order. The wait on food was reasonable and surprisingly good to say that every table was taken, so very well organised. If you like your traditional beers then you’ll find plenty on offer here with a wide selection of drinks available.
I think this a charming pub that would be a safe place to go with anyone as the menu is varied yet traditional. It’s not pretentious and has a relaxed ambience meaning it’s a great venue to meet up with friends or family where you can actually talk without being drowned out by music.
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