Friends of Ham

Super spot close to the station and a wondreful selection of cheeses and wines… so great for me!

Absolutely amazing. 1^st time here. Great staff with amazing recommendations. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and will come back often.

When I want to impress my friends, I bring them here. Friends of Ham wins it for ambience, beer/​wine selection, food (great selection of iberico and french hams and cheeses), price and staff. It’s not a dinner place, more tapas/​snacks, but it’s definitely a must when visiting Leeds.

Called into Friends of Ham based purely on the name as well as it’s handy location near to Leeds train station. While there’s nothing specifically wrong with the pub it’s got nothing that makes it stand out either.
There was a pretty big selection of cured meats and cheeses available but as I’d just eaten these didn’t hold any interest for me and the beer that I got was ok but nothing special and wasn’t cheap either. In my opinion there are better pubs in the area however you could also do a lot worse

The food here is awful I would not go back or recommend to any one at all.
The place is in a very bad location with no parking and there is rubbish outside

This is a great but loud place to enjoy selections of cheese and meet. They have a good wine selection too. Their beers are ok is you like hops. They always list many good beers beer but never seem to have the one I really want on tap. Nevertheless, I will come back for more iberico ham and blue cheese.

We stopped in for a drink, but we couldn’t help but stay for a Spanish ham and cheese sharing platter (and a second beer from their extensive selection). They keep the menu straightfoward, which makes service nice and quick, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s not a huge place, so I wouldn’t go there hungry on a Friday night expecting not to stand, but given its location, you’re not exactly wanting for choice in the area. Friends of Ham fulfills a great niche in a very hip part of downtown Leeds. May it remain the institution it deserves to be.

When we arrived in Leeds on a festive Saturday lunch, there was only one place I wanted to head for our first lunch, and that was the much talked about Friends of Ham.
It was understandably rammed when we first arrived, and I was initially worried that we wouldn’t be able to get a table — we were welcomed in and told to get a drink at the bar (already rammed with people) but our name wasn’t taken, leaving me slightly on edge for being remembered. However, I really shouldn’t have worried as about 10 minutes later, we were ushered to the much calmer downstairs and to a lovely table, tucked away in the corner. Perfect!
The menu is really for the meat & cheese lovers. Whether you’re after a large deli board or just some oil & bread with a glass of wine, it’s the perfect place to be. We went for the HAM’s Ploughmans, some bread & oil, and the Raclette (potato with cheese and cornichons).
The HAM’s Ploughman’s, with a nice sharp cheddar and parma ham, offered me my first taste of Nduja, which was delicious, with a little spicy kick. All the bread — yes, it was a little bit of a carb overload! — was nice and crunchy, perfect for mopping up oil and the bottom of the Raclette. The cheese atop the potato was like the perfect grilled cheese, with a lovely browned top.
We had to catch the waiter’s eye for both reordering drinks and getting the bill, but understandable considering the number of people pouring through the door.
Does anybody fancy a trip to Leeds?

The perfect place to stop for a light lunch conveniently close to the train station in Leeds city centre. A complete change from the usual fish and chips, pizza or burgers.
I found the menu initially a little confusing but basically there’s a list of different meats and cheeses. Following advice from the friendly server I chose one meat and one cheese which were served with bread, crackers and an onion tapernade.
Combinations of meat and cheese are priced as follows: £5/​1, £8.50/2, £11/​3 and £14/​4. The £14 option is a good deal for two to share.
The meat I chose was Cecina de León (Spanish cured beef) and this paired perfectly with the Monte Enebro (soft blue Spanish goats cheese).
The décor of the restaurant follows a rustic theme which goes perfectly with the food and drink they serve. The impressive drinks menu is also worth stopping by for, even if you’re not eating. I had the New World IPA which is from a local Leeds brewery and surprisingly refreshing despite its 6.2% alcohol content!

It’s time to update the review back to it’s original rating.
They still have table service downstairs but you chose where to sit and they are quick and happy to give advice even when I had the most specific requirements ever!
The menus have been vamped up from a piece of paper to a menu with a leather type cover.
Although shuffle board is still in the corner it isn’t covered over so it’s almost back to it’s further glory.
I will not be avoiding this place anymore :)

I’ve been to this place 3 times. The first was great — relaxed, efficient and very enjoyable. Sadly both of the next 2 visits were very much below par and that marks the end of me going there.
The first time it was chaotic. The lady who served us — very nice — had no idea about any of the beers on offer which is decidedly odd for a specialist beer bar. Our order came in bits and bobs and paying was not easy, but we managed in the end. It took so long for any food menus to come we decided we’d eat elsewhere. As we left there was a great deal of confusion about the bill which the staff had made a mess of. We paid eventually but it was complicated.
The next time we went here the staff — none of whom I recognised — were cold, distant and decidedly unhelpful. We’d bought our drinks upstairs and paid for them but when we went downstairs — like many others had done — the welcome wasn’t great. We decided enough was enough and we’d leave after one drink. When we tried to go the staff downstairs tried to make us pay for the beers we’d already paid for upstairs and weren’t too polite about asking us to do so. We explained we’d already paid upstairs and had to get the barman upstairs to confirm this. This is not how to run a bar efficiently, or indeed with any good customer service.
The sad things is the place had such a cool reputation that we’d marked it as being a place we’d return to, but after this kind of treatment Friends of Ham is somewhere I won’t ever be visiting again. Good beer, hopelessly run.

Friends of Ham is a place I’ve been dying to visit since I first heard about it, over a year ago, the prospect of fine ales, good wines and pig-​based food on the menu is always going to score highly in my book — on my first visit I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed.
The worst thing about Friends of Ham is the location. The fools have only gone and put themselves in Leeds, completely oblivious to the fact that I live in Manchester. As Leeds is a pretty cool city too, I guess I’ll overlook that small problem.
On entering the place we were greeted by the friendly bar staff, who were all too happy to share their knowledge of the produce they sell.
My first reaction was of surprise at how small Friends of Ham — almost like the little tapas places you get in Barcelona or the alcove-​like coffee shops in Paris, a few stools a large bar (with plenty of enticing produce) and that’s about it. Apart from the stairs downstairs which lead to a large open and inviting room with smart décor and a great mixture of formal tables, benches and comfortable looking sofas — it’s got something for everyone!
Talking of everyone, there seems to be people from all walks of life in Friends of Ham; Young remote workers tapping away on laptops whilst sipping a glass of red or a pint (in a windowed glass) of a local ale, Middle aged couples sitting down for a smart lunch of charcuterie or cheese platter and groups of friends starting a day of drinking can be found within the cosy walls.
Friends of Ham is everything I could ask for in a bar, apart from having to get a train to Leeds to visit it regularly!

Friends of Ham has really grown on me lately! Being an unfortunate regular train commuter (particularly at night) I have to wait quite a while for my train back to the badlands of Doncaster, which means having to burn time. Wetherspoons isn’t somewhere I really go by choice over anywhere else and I find ‘Spoons to be extremely boring. Friends of Ham is perfectly situated for me. A bar near a train station that isn’t mediocre or crap!
I prefer sitting near the bar when I’m on my own, though a lot of times now you struggle to get a seat.
The place is great, as everyone has said, but the two main reasons I can’t mark this any higher is because i don’t eat pig (meaning I don’t get the full Friends of Ham experience) and that this place has become a victim of it’s own success and is always RAMMED RAMMED RAMMED. They could really do with another premises in the city somewhere else to meet demand and kill off some of the crowds in here. In the evening this place is always busy especially on weekends. Downstairs you even have to wait to be shown to a seat these days in busy times. A lot of evenings I’ve often just given up and gone to Leeds Tap instead.

A real gem that all ‘Loiners’ should be incredibly pleased with having that can be found nowhere else. We’d love to have a Friends of Ham over here in the Republik Of Mancunia.
With a few seats at the bar on street level, where you can stop by and grab a quick bite on the way to/​from the station, the beating heart of the place is found downstairs. Lots of seating space, a bustling atmosphere and friendly staff on hand to provide your choice of cheeses and/​or meat platters.
I didn’t eat in here but was envious of what I saw others tucking into. Instead I downed a delicious ‘Villainous IPA’ from Huddersfield’s Magic Rock Brewing.
Loved the vibe, loved the beer, loved the interior. Triple love!

I’ve got to say that I’d love it if there was a friends of ham in every UK city, although I’d never want this great concept watered down to be some sort of dodgy franchised chain!
FofH is as independent as they come and this is reflected through their attention to detail on sourcing fine quality beer from here and abroad and their dedication to providing finely sourced meats and cheeses which are served on selection platter boards!
The staff are what gives this place an extra boost though as they’re so friendly, helpful and knowledgable while also being effortlessly cool!
Magic Rock beer and fine cheese was the perfect way for me to start my Saturday! Nice work Friends of Ham!

Love Love Love this little gem of a place. Once again, it was actually the lovely Row who recommended we meet there. Let me walk you through my first Friends of Ham experience…
First impressions really shouldn’t matter, but they do conjure up an opinion don’t they? Well as I walked from the train station, I was on the other side of the road to Friends of Ham, you know where the cycle shop is? As I glanced over, it almost looked like a Victorian Christmas scene! The small window front was filled with condensation; beyond this, I could make out twinkly lights and groups of jostling people — in my romantic mind, I’d like to think they were raising their glasses, wishing each other a Merry Christmas, but as I’m pretty it was earlier in the year, this is purely my over-​active imagination. But you get the picture?!
I ventured into a warm, friendly environment. I wouldn’t say it was a laid back kind of atmosphere, as everyone seemed to be so busy, whether it was the bar-​staff making recommendations to punters, or a couple of ladies talking animatedly sat on the window seat or the group of lads talking passionately about their choice of beer.
I must admit, I did feel a little intimidated initially. This was due to the extensive range of drinks and food on offer. I sat by myself for a good ten minutes, staring wide-​eyed at the cheese menu, the meat menu and the HUGE range of beers and wine on offer.
I’m not a beer person, but I’ve been informed that the beer on offer here is great. I am however, partial to a glass of wine, and on the numerous occasions I’ve been back to Friends of Ham, I’ve never been disappointed. Red or White, Rioja or Sauvignon Blanc, it’s always hit the spot. This is in part to the knowledgeable, and very approachable bar staff — who surely must be called something else — somehow bar staff doesn’t seem to do them justice — this is in no way derogatory to bar staff, but staff here really are so informative about the food and drink on offer. Confident but not cocky and certainly not intimidating. I’ll be honest, even if I know what I want when I visit Friends of Ham, I still make out I don’t, just so I can gleam a bit more knowledge. …is that wrong? Probably.
As well as the superb wine on offer, I have sampled some of the menu. I’ve not tried many of the meats yet, but have had a number of the cheese (s). I absolutely love the description of the food. It’s simply put, without any of the pretension you can sometimes encounter in specialist eateries. The food is described in not too much detail, but enough for you to know whether you’d like to try or not. I’ve just looked up the menu online
— I mean, come on, don’t you just love descriptions such as ‘Made by Rafael Baez and his daughter Paloma, in Ávila, Spain’ ‘The King of French brie, a raw milk farmhouse handmade cheese that melts like nothing else’
Anyhow, as I’m salivating over the cheeses, I’ve remembered I’ve not even got to the best bit yet… downstairs. An absolute magical, secret place, that you’d absolutely never have known it was there from outside. Maybe I’m just a dramatic person, but blimey, I was so excited to discover this underground hideaway.
The décor is warm, homely and inviting with small quirky vases with one or two flower stems on each table. One long table and bench down the centre of the room, so ideal for groups of friends, and the rest of the space is made up of different sized tables and leather sofas and chairs. There’s even a shuffleboard down there, with a shelf around the side of the room to perch your pint whilst playing. It’s little touches like this that excite me. There are pockets of people everywhere, all engrossed with each other. This is a perfect place to catch up with friends.
There are two not-​so-​positive comments to make. Firstly, it can be a little pricey. Two glasses of wine and a sharing board came to £25. Although I don’t live or work in Leeds, so perhaps I’m not very realistic about bar and food prices, who knows. However, I do know that it’s a little out of my budget which makes it a ‘special treat’ which isn’t a bad thing at all. It means the novelty factor never wears off, and it certainly doesn’t deter me from going when I do want to go somewhere a little bit special. Also, I guess if prices were run of the mill, maybe it would become too busy and lose that specialness — you really do feel as if you are one of a secret few that know.
The second thing is, and it’s not a negative in the slightest, but I keep forgetting the bloody name. I know it has ham in the title and that’s as far as I get; so in our house it’s become that ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ place. …well we know what we mean!

Friends of Ham… where to begin with the superlatives? Ultimate proof that a simple concept executed brilliantly with passion and a clear vision will prosper. Th price list seems a little daunting at first, but you eat your food, drink your drink, and relax in the surroundings and you know exactly where your money went.
It was a Sunday, as most of my imbibing days are, and I’d met my friend Nat after she’d finished work for what was meant to be a quick drink before she suggested FoH. It was quite busy but we were served quickly and found a seat downstairs before going back to order a meat board — I’ve a pretty heavy lactose intolerance so had to pass on the cheese. The wine we chose was Matsu El Picaro, a young yet wonderful Spanish red from a family winery. I’ve had their wines through Latitude before so I knew what I was getting with it, and Nat was equally as happy with the choice — pleasingly light and mildly leather scented with cinnamon, anise and blackberry palate… the bottle didn’t last long.
The meat we chose (well, I. Nat didn’t want anything to eat but I knew there’d be picking at my board so I got her a scotch egg. Only the vegetarian option was available but the bartender assured me it was delicious, and it was (hey, picking works both ways!)) was served on a rustic style board with some pickled baby gherkins, and we had chorizo (spicy and slightly smoky), serrano style ham (sweet and almost oaky in maturity), and finnochiona (straight up delicious). The quality of the meat was like nothing I have eaten before, other than my past visits to FoH, and I feel it backs up my comment earlier about knowing where your money goes.
At this point, we realised that we’d been there for over two hours talking about all the things good friends talk about in lovely surroundings, and we were running late to meet Nat’s girlfriend at North, so paid our tab and left having had a thoroughly good start to the evening.
Recommended if within your budget.

There are very few things which can make me as happy as meat, cheese and artisan beer. Friends of Ham delivers on every count. Platters of delicious piggy and dairy products (both locally made and from further afield) are delivered to tables of hungry diners and devoured with rapturous appreciation.
However, it is arguably the beers which are the best thing on other. Served by the pint, ½ and ¹⁄₃ they constantly change but always interest. The bartenders are knowledgeable and are happy to guide you to an interesting choice or pour you a sample to taste for yourself. So nice in fact that I often find myself enjoying a quiet drink and a nibble on more occasions than I would care to admit.
Friends of Ham has just celebrated its first anniversary. Hopefully it will be able to celebrate many more in the years to come! A business to cherish!

What a lovely way to spend a spare hour.
I haven’t been back to Friends of ham since I first came here last month.
Although I have passed it many a time as I drive my bus up New Station Street.
The atmosphere is so relaxed and so are the clientele.
I got here at 4pm, purchased myself a pint and dived straight down stairs.
The music is a little louder than I remember it but that isn’t a problem as I am a Billy no Mates today and I am on my lonesome.
The lighting also seems brighter giving the feeling of much more space that last time.
It is by no means a size able place it definitely seems larger than it did the last time I came here.
The décor is very warm and relaxing.
I sat on the long cushioned bench which maybe wasn’t such a good idea as my bum started to go a bit numb.
2^nd impressions?
I really like it here. Next time I need to actually plan to come here and try the food.
But I need to come with someone who knows their cheeses and meats as I am a total cheese & meat virgin.
But reading through the menu is making my mouth water.
I really look forward to coming back for a planned visit.
I have given it 5 stars because I really like the vibe and feel of the place.
The beer is very good too.
The next time I come here I will try the food.

Well, friends. I’ve someone to introduce you to, and they’re Friends Of Ham. And, they’re the kind of folk that you’ll instantly take a shine to since, I’ve only visited once, but know that any Friend Of Ham is a friend of mine.
Nestled in along the wee side street, where the lovely Laynes have made their home, you’ll find this fantastic pub-​come-​lounge. Whilst my friends and I didn’t spend a huge amount of time upstairs, if you’re in for a quick pint you’ll find a selection of seating at the bar that will give you full view of the range in which to sup.
For starters, beer specialists and connoisseurs, this is your home. Lined up in the fridge are a number of unique and rare bottles, ranging from Trappist to Craft, where there’s certain to be something that’ll quench your thirst and light up your taste buds. I’d even hazard, there’ll be something even you’ve not heard of. Of course, there are hand pulled ales to pick from too, which I fully intend to return and try. Even a cursory visit will leave you planning your next attendance — there’s simply too much to try! We went for the house red, which was extremely drinkable and affordable, but here’s a tip –if you’re a four, and all want it, just buy the bottle –you’ll save a bit of cash. We, foolishly, bought a glass separately and received this advice after the fact. (Numpties!)
Take a trip into the underbelly of the bar, and you’ll discover a cosy hub downstairs, housing a huge central table, a number of little intimate spots and perhaps some of the comfiest sofas known to posterior. There’s an array of miniature seating, especially for the wee ones, and a plethora of exciting and amusing board games for those who want to add in an element of competition to their visit. The plush, country home style of the room makes it perfect for chatting, relaxing, and given that it’s in a basement you could quite easily lose five hours down here in blissful comfort, sipping on delectable drinks, until the small hours. I especially enjoyed the table with a range of book covers for decoration.
Now, on to the charcuterie. So, they’re called Friends Of Ham. Well, that’s as may be, but you’ll soon realise that it’s nothing to do with veganism when you glance at the menu –here you can expect a meat and cheese feast of the most divine proportions. And, this is certainly not a critique, at least –not from me. I am a confirmed carnivore, and this is the place to indulge. There’s several ways to approach this, and understand that you might be overwhelmed when glancing over the options, but it *will* pass –your excitement will calm, and you can order appropriately. Perhaps the most sensible manner, on a virgin visit, is to go for the two meat and two cheese option, and spend a good while picking which meats and sundries you wish to pig out on. The beer will keep you occupied whilst you choose, if nothing else.
When there’s proscuittio di parma, carne salata malenca, alejandro magno chorizo, and more to decide on, it’s tricky. Bring a friend, and mix and match. As for cheese, I can recommend the Wookey Hole Cheddar (it’s near my homelands, after all) and the Cornish Yarg (again, my beloved South West). Of course, there are some serious stinkers, for those that like a kick to their fromage –I am less brave when it comes to mould, but according to my cheese fiend friends, the range was incredible. Of course, you can bulk up a two-​meat-​two-​cheese plate (which is £13.50) with olives, bread sticks, pork scratchings or even cured beef tongue. One plate will likely satisfy two lovers on a snacking mission, and definitely one hungry camper.
My eyes are consistently bigger than my stomach, so initially I was hoping for more per plate, but my friends– it very nearly defeated me. My only thought was that I’d perhaps like more bread to partner with the items, but this is simply as I’m unused to eating pure cheese! Oh — and order some chutneys if you need a bit of moisture. What can I say? The meat was incredible. Beautifully smoked, raw delicious bits of pure beef, succulent and flavoursome proscuittio. I can’t wait to return for more more more.
The lady that served us was lovely, and you can tell that the staff have a genuine interest in making sure you’re happy and loving what they do, without being overbearing. That, in combination with fantastic food, delightful drinks, an excellent space in which to relax, and an overall ambiance that somehow transported us to the likes of the Mediterranean, and you’re on to a winner. Come rain or shine, this ultra cosy hub is the place to discover, and long may you be friends of Friends Of Ham. If you listen carefully, just for a moment, you can probably hear the rumbling from afar — nope. That’s not a 5.6 on the richter scale; it’s my stomach, begging me to return.