Food and Drink in York

Polly Checkland Harding

Our guide to the best food and drink in York not only covers this historic city, but extends east to the market town of Skipton and west to Hull, too. We think this is all to the good: here, you can read about French food served in a 16th century cellar in Skipton and the mysterious skull at a Grade II*-listed pub in Hull (the Ye Olde White Harte), as well as food and retail destination Spark:York. Each of these great places has something interesting to offer – read on to discover more.

Our top picks

Arras

Arras, The Old Coach House, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW - Visit now

Nestled in the heart of York, a city steeped in history, Arras is a restaurant that’s anything but historical. With strikingly modern decor, this fine dining restaurants applies truly out-there ideas to largely-British ingredients.

Arras
Ian Jones

Pearly Cow York

Pearly Cow York, 1 Clifton, York , YO30 6AA - Visit now

Pearly Cow delivers a culinary adventure through Britain’s best seasonal meat and seafood dishes.

Ian Jones

Skosh

Skosh, 98 Micklegate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6JX - Visit now

Skosh is a popular restaurant in York that serves food in the form of snacks and small plates, meaning you can enjoy a variety of dishes.

Skosh
Courtesy of Skosh

Le Caveau

Le Caveau, 86 High St, Skipton BD23 1JJ, BD23 1JJ - Visit now

Combining the recipes of regional French dishes with local produce, Le Caveau serves excellent meals underneath the heart of Skipton.

Le Caveau

Ye Olde White Harte

Ye Olde White Harte, 25 Silver Street, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 1JG - Visit now

A pub with two well-stocked bars and a large beer garden, Ye Olde White Harte is an incredible historic gem, constructed in 1550.

Ye Olde White Hart
Ye Olde White Hart. Image courtesy of Visit Hull.

Micklegate Social

Micklegate Social, 148-150 Micklegate, York, North Yorkshire, Y01 6JX - Visit now

Micklegate Social is a beautiful corner property overlooking the walls. Speciality coffee, ten craft beer lines and fresh food.

Micklegate Social
Courtesy of The Micklegate Social

Le Bistro Des Amis

Le Bistro Des Amis, 1 Jerry Croft, Skipton BD23 1DT, BD23 1DT - Visit now

Catering for light lunches as well as they can cater for three course meals, Le Bistro Des Amis is a charming French inspired eatery.

Le Bistro De Amis

The Old House

The Old House, 5 Scale Lane, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 1LA - Visit now

The Old House by name, old house by nature – this award-winning gastropub in Hull Old Town is the city’s oldest domestic building.

The Old House
The Old House

Ambiente

Ambiente, 14 Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6LQ - Visit now

Ambiente is a tapas restaurant based in a Georgian Grade II listed building next to Monk Bar, with food inspired by Spanish Tabancos.

Ambiente
Courtesy of Ambiente Tapas

House of the Trembling Madness

House of the Trembling Madness, 14 Lendal, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8AA - Visit now

House of the Trembling Madness is a medieval ale house with a quirky taxidermy animal collection. Parts of the building date back to 1180AD.

House of the Trembling Madness
Courtesy of House of the Trembling Madness

Thieving Harry’s

Thieving Harry’s, 73 Humber Street, HULL, Yorkshire, HU1 1TU - Visit now

Thieving Harry’s is a community café in a converted warehouse with a down-to-earth vibe, overlooking the marina.

Thieving Harry's

Brew & Brownie

Brew & Brownie, 5 Museum Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7DT - Visit now

Brew & Brownie is an independent cafe in York, a hip coffee and tea shop equally famous for its take on classic café food.

Brew & Brownie
Courtesy of Brew & Brownie

Craven Kitchen

Craven Kitchen, Unicorn House, Devonshire Pl, Keighley Rd, Skipton BD23 2LP, BD23 2LP - Visit now

Serving up bold flavours and nationally love classics Craven Kitchen is a firm favourite among local curry fans in Skipton.

craven kitchen
Craven Kitchen

Hitchcock’s Vegetarian Restaurant

Hitchcock’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 1 Bishop Lane, High Street, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 1PA - Visit now

Strange, but highly rated, Hitchcock’s Vegetarian Restaurant in Hull has been an unconventional spot for over 25 years.

Hitchcock's Vegetarian Restaurant

Roots York

Roots York, 68 Marygate, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 7BH - Visit now

Roots is a relaxed tasting-menu restaurant in the very centre of York. It’s the sister restaurant to Michelin-starred The Black Swan.

Roots York
Courtesy of Roots York

The Fat Badger York

The Fat Badger York, 2-4 High Petergate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7EH - Visit now

The Fat Badger York (formerly known as the Lamb & Lion Inn) is a 4 star AA rated Inn rich in old English character. It’s grafted into the city centre walls, not far from York Minster.

Lamb & Lion Inn
Courtesy of Lamb & Lion Inn

Elsworth Kitchen

Elsworth Kitchen, 18-20 Coach St, Skipton, BD23 1LH - Visit now

Elsworth Kitchen elevates the already high quality local produce of the Yorkshire Dales to produce innovative and hearty dishes.

Elsworth Kitchen

The Garden Room at The Principal York

The Garden Room at The Principal York, Station Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO24 1AA - Visit now

With views across sweeping manicured lawns all the way to the Minster, The Garden Room is a beautiful setting for drinks and afternoon tea.

The Garden Room at The Principal York
Courtesy of The Principal York

The Narrow Boat

The Narrow Boat, Victoria St, Skipton, BD23 1JE - Visit now

The Narrow Boat is in an excellent location and serves hearty home cooked comfort food alongside exceptional beers, ales and ciders.

The Narrow Boat

Spark:York

Spark:York, 17 - 21 Piccadilly, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 9PB - Visit now

Spark:York is an all-new destination space in York, taking in street food, retail, co-working and entertainment.

Spark:York
Courtesy of Spark:York

Butler Whites

Butler Whites, 2-3 Humber Street, Hull, Yorkshire, HU1 1TG - Visit now

This casual bistro occupies the transformed warehouse of a local fruit merchants, the functional interior given a sophisticated update.

Butler Whites

Bettys York

Bettys York, 6-8 St. Helen's Square, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8QP - Visit now

Bettys York is a traditional Yorkshire tea room with beautiful interiors inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner, around since 1936.

Bettys York
Courtesy of Bettys York

Gusto da Gianni

Gusto da Gianni, 26 Newland Ave, Hull, Yorkshire, HU5 3AF - Visit now

Multi-award-winning authentic Italian restaurant Gusto da Gianni showcases the finest produce and cooking techniques from across Italy.

GUSTO DI GIANNI

Where to go in York

York
Restaurant
Pearly Cow York

A flawless culinary adventure through Britain’s best seasonal meat and seafood dishes.

York
Bar or Pub
The Welly

Legendary nightclub in Hull, The Welly hosts regular events, musicians and club nights – all affordable and all incredibly entertaining.

York
Gallery
Mill Bridge Gallery

Fine art, photography and sculpture – all by talented local artists – are exhibited in the Mill Bridge Gallery located in a canal-side building.

York
Restaurant
Sotano

Sotano, in York, is a divine Mediterranean tapas bar and restaurant, also serving charcuterie boards of the finest ingredients.

York
Bar or Pub
Evil Eye

Evil Eye in York is a cocktail bar focused on embracing the spiritual, and engaging with the community.

York
Restaurant
Valhalla

Valhalla is ‘a venue that paid homage to York’s Viking heritage and somewhere with purely Rock ‘n Metal music in its soul’.

York
Bar or Pub
Fossgate Social

Coffee shop by day, bar by night – Fossgate Social is a small but vibrant independent venue serving speciality coffee, craft beer and cocktails.

Restaurant stock image
York
Restaurant
Izakaya

Tasting menus and full course dining experiences are on offer, bridging relaxed and fine dining to suit every taste with Japanese cuisine.

York
Restaurant
Legacy

Legacy, in York’s iconic ‘The Grand’, offers a modern British and Yorkshire-inspired tasting menus paired with an exceptional wine list.

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