York is home to some amazing restaurants (especially cute little cafes and tea places). However, it’s especially easy to fall victim to some of the tourist traps in the city. That’s not to say that they aren’t good…. but there are just better options out there in York for you!
In fact, the food scene in York is just one of the many, many things that I love about our home. So without further ado:
Ultimate York Restaurant Guide
Brew & Brownie
It is located at 5 Museum St, York YO1 7DT
I’ve blogged about Brew & Brownie before. And I drag nearly everyone who visits us in York along to their location opposite Museum Gardens. It was so popular that they’ve opened up a smaller “take away” cafe next door! People have left their partners for their ricotta pancakes, or so I’ve heard. You can read my full post on Brew & Brownie.
The Sea Catcher
It is located at 1B Clarence St, York YO31 7EL
Tucked away over by York St John University, this is the top-rated fish ‘n’ chips place in York! The portion size for the price is insane and you only need to take a quick peek at TripAdvisor to see that they are doing an absolutely roaring trade!
Mannion & Co
It is located at 1 Blake St, York YO1 8QJ
If you are in the mood for a cheese platter, you go to Mannion & Co. Or a tasty brunch or a light but exquisite lunch, it’s definitely the place for you. They are especially famous for their Yorkshire rarebit! You can read my full post on Mannion & Co.
The Pig & Pastry
It is located at 35 Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1NA
The Pig is my local breakfast place. They are busy all the time. They don’t take bookings and queues can be around 30 minutes. But they move quite quickly and the food is so worth the wait! You can read my full post on the Pig & Pastry.
The Fisherman’s Wife
It is located at 1 Ebor St, York YO23 1AX
Another local for us! Sam swears by their fish and chips (though he still says the best fish and chips in the world is at Cappleman’s in Scarborough). But one of the things that he loves about it and says that it deserves accolades for is that they fry to order, so your fish isn’t sitting in its batter under heat lamps. The chicken nuggets there are un-real – insanely tasty, but I’m a crispy chip (french fry) person, so chip shop chips never do it for me.
Barbakan
It is located at 58 Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
One of the things I miss most about America grocery stores, is that I used to buy and stuff my freezer at home with potato and cheese pierogis. I bought them frozen because I was too lazy to make my own, and I can’t find them frozen in the UK anywhere. Barbakan has amazing, tasty and cheap pierogi.
House of Trembling Madness
It is located at 48 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS.
Close to the Shambles there’s a little cave-like shop. It’s the House of Trembling Madness and it sells a huge selection of beer. If you’re looking for a unique and eccentric bottle to take home with you, this is definitely the place to go. There’s also a tiny pub and restaurant round the back.
Goji
It is located at 36 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
They do amazing veggie burgers and have a lot of vegan options as well. They did a killer vegan cardamom cake that I dreamt about for weeks after I ate it! Personally, I’d love if the owners of Goji released their own cookbook one day!
The Hop
It is located at 12 9ta, 11-12 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA
In the guise of a real ale house, many people claim to go to The Hop for the best pizza in York. Their menu is small, but with fresh-stone baked pizza what more do you really need? Every Monday they do a 2 pizzas and a bottle of wine deal for £19.95, which you can’t really beat!
Coconut Lagoon
It is located at 56 Clarence St, York YO31 7EW
Many people agree that if you want a good curry in York, you have to go to Coconut Lagoon. It definitely won’t be the cheapest curry that you’ve ever had in your life, but it will be extremely tasty. The restaurant focuses on South Indian classics and it is extremely vegetarian friendly!
York Roast Co
It is located at 78 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ
This small, family owned restaurant was featured all over the news this year and their business went through the roof when they started selling their “Yorkshire burrito”. (Imagine a Yorkshire pudding used as a tortilla and you’ve got the perfect picture.) They are quite the phenomenon and people are still raving about them and queuing to get one!
Bettys
It is located at 6-8 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QP
Everyone around England knows or has heard of Bettys. It’s probably the most famous tea-house of them all. There are several locations around the North, but the York location is especially beautiful. If you try to eat on the weekend, you’ll have to queue for awhile. But if you just want to pop into the bakery there are a plethora of tasty treats for grabs. I especially recommend the Fat Rascals. You can read my review of Bettys’ Lady Betty Afternoon Tea.
Shambles Kitchen
It is located at 28 Shambles, York YO1 7LX
I have three words for you “pulled pork burger”. That’s really all you need to know! It’s their most famous dish and when they sell out for the day, they are done. Some days that could be way earlier than you expect. Sometimes you’ll see a queue around the block for their sandwiches!
El Piano
It is located at 15-17 Grape Ln, York YO1 7HU
A great place to go for vegetarian and vegan tapas. When Lindsay stayed with us in York we knew that she’d definitely be adventurous enough to try it out with us. The portions were insanely generous and everything on the menu was vegan yet super flavourful and filling.
Filmore & Union
It is located at 62A Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ
They’ll always have a special place in my heart, because when we came up from London to go flat-hunting, we camped out at Filmore & Union sucking down their fresh-squeezed tasty juices and smoothies. It’s a bit pricey (about £4 per juice) but really fresh and delicious!
Perky Peacock
It is located at North Street Postern Tower, Under Lendal Bridge, York YO1 7DJ
Yet another brunch option in York. I may have left London, but I certainly haven’t left all the tasty brunch options behind! There are only a few options every day, but they are all equally delicious, and you couldn’t hope to be in a more beautiful and historic place. You can read my full review of the Perky Peacock.
Melton’s Restaurant
It is located at 7 Scarcroft Rd, York YO23 1ND
It’s probably the most expensive option on the list, Melton’s is perfect as a splurge for a special occasion. The chef trained with the Roux brothers at La Gavroche and he’s brought Michelin Star quality dining to York.
Cafe No 8 Bistro
It is located at 8 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ
A beautiful bistro in York, serving up beautiful, award-winning food for both lunch and dinner. A bit on the pricier side, but an excellent option for a special occasion in York!
Oshibi Korean Bistro
It is located at 9 Franklins Yard, Fossgate, York YO1 9TA
A Korean dining option in York that is famous for it’s bibimbap. There are plenty of bibimbap, BBQ, sundubu jigae to find something incredible for everyone. I’m always a fan of the pan fried rice with kimchi as well.
Il Paradiso del Cibo
It is located at 40 Walmgate, York YO1 9TJ
This restaurant is legendary with local University students. The food is wonderfully cheap, super tasty and in large portions. And who wouldn’t want to stuff their faces on Italian food for under £6? They also show footie all day long, if that’s your thing.
Hairy Fig
It is located at 39 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF
A deli/cafe option that you might have noticed if you’ve had a casual wander through the Shambles. It sells speciality fine foods, including delicious options from Spain, Italy, France and Mexico. If you want to buy truffles in York, this is the place to go. In the summer, the seats for the cafe are out on the street in the sun and you could almost imagine that you were in an Italian city square instead of Yorkshire.
The Star Inn The City
It is located at 3 Museum St, York YO1 7DR
If you’ve heard of the Michelin starred restaurant, the Star at Harome, this is the York-based sister restaurant. It has the best views in York with tables overlooking the River Ouse. It serves contemporary British food and you can always pop in just for a drink and the view.
And last but certainly not least:
Skosh
It is located at 98 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX.
Skosh was the restaurant wunderkind of Britain last year with critic after critic telling people to book a train to York just to eat here. After celebrating our anniversary with a long awaited dinner at Skosh, I can fully say that it is worth every utterance of acclaim that people have given it. Eating here should be a life priority. You can read my full post on dinner at Skosh.
Have I enticed you to York for it’s food scene now? Or perhaps there’s something you think I’ve missed off my list?
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