12 of the best tea rooms in the North York Moors

It’s always worth making time to stop for tea (or coffee) on a visit to the North York Moors. 

There’s plenty of scenic walking trails that will take you through heather clad moorland and along the heritage coastline plus lots of places to stop for a traditional Yorkshire afternoon tea along the way.    

Here are just some of the North Yorkshire tea rooms to try while exploring pretty villages and market towns and for more places to eat, read our guide to dog-friendly pubs in the North York Moors  .

1. The Black Swan in Helmsley

The historic Black Swan at Helmsley dates back five centuries and comprises three distinct houses – all from different historical periods. The traditional tea room offers around 20 varieties of tea and delicious home-made pastries, it's one of the best places to get afternoon tea in North Yorkshire. 

It’s located right in the heart of the market town of Helmsley which marks the start of the Cleveland Way and you can take a scenic walk between Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey to see two English Heritage sites and burn off some calories at the same time.

2. The Joiner’s Shop in Ingleby Cross

The Joiner’s Shop  is a North Yorkshire tea room with an idyllic setting in the lovely village of Ingleby Cross which is in between Stokesley and Osmotherley. You’ll find a great selection of speciality teas and coffees (including their own Rounton Coffee) and a range of options for breakfast, lunch and brunch.  

After your delicious meal with friends or family you can head to the pretty village green or take a one-mile walk to nearby Mount Grace Priory, a Yorkshire National Trust site with gorgeous gardens to explore.

3. Graze on the green in Rosedale

Graze on the Green is located in beautiful Rosedale Abbey which is right in the middle of the North York Moors with five different walking routes leading to and from the village. Enjoy a North Yorkshire afternoon tea at any time of year and during the colder months you can huddle by the roaring fire with dogs welcome by your side. 

In the summer you can take a seat in the beautiful garden and make the most of the stunning views or get tea and cakes to take away and eat them on the village green.

4. The Forge Tea Room in Hutton-le-Hole

The Forge Tea Room and Ice Cream Parlour in Hutton-le-Hole is a great place to stop for refreshments while visiting this very pretty village. Classic lunch options include soup of the day, sandwiches and baked potatoes and there’s a variety of creamy ice creams to eat in or take out.

There are views out over the lovely village green (where you may see some sheep grazing) and you can even get a discount if you have also visited the Ryedale Folk Museum which is also located in Hutton-le-Hole.

5. The Cocoa Tree in Helmsley

The Cocoa Tree is a lovely little dog-friendly tea room in Helmsley that has lots of vintage touches. Very friendly staff, delicious home-made scones and cakes, a good choice of sandwiches and very nice ice cream too! 

You’ll find hearty portions of lunchtime favourites on the menu and if you’re visiting with a four-legged friend you can take them for a walk around the dog-friendly Helmsley Walled Garden after you’ve finished your meal.

6. Cafe Williams in Kirkbymoorside

This Kirkbymoorside cafe is located in a traditional honey-hued cottage in Kirkbymoorside. You can sit down to a pot of Brew Tea loose leaf tea in a variety of different flavours, locally produced Rownton Coffee and enjoy afternoon tea with all the trimmings served with a miniature bottle of prosecco.

Head to Kirkbymoorside on Wednesday and you can browse a number of stalls at the weekly market and there are lots of independent stores to call in on any day of the week.

7. Tea, Toast and Post in Robin Hood's Bay

This dog-friendly cafe is located in Robin Hood's Bay on the North York Moors Coastline. Tea Toast and Post can be found in the former post office in this quaint fisherman’s village and as you’d expect from the name you’ll find lots of tea and toast options on the menu. 

The tea room is just a few metres from the beach at Robin Hood’s Bay and is a bit of a hotspot for music with regular live acts and a great jukebox too. Park at the top of the seaside village and explore the fascinating maze of alleys that were once a haven for smugglers on your way to the cafe.

8. Falling Foss Tea Garden

The beautiful Falling Foss Tea Garden is just a few miles from Whitby and is well worth a visit if you’re in this neck of the woods. The enchanting gardens are located at the top of the Falling Foss waterfall and you’ll find lots of walks to try before stopping for refreshments at this lovely tea garden with picnic tables so you can enjoy your food alfresco in the woodland.

There’s a family-friendly woodland trail to follow before playing pooh sticks from a bridge above the garden’s gently flowing May Beck.

9. Middleton Post Office Tea Parlour near Pickering

This lovely English tea room and post office is located in the peaceful and picturesque village of Middleton near Pickering and is a great choice for an afternoon tea in North Yorkshire. The dainty sandwiches and cakes are served on vintage china for an authentic 1940s fee and there are lots of savoury and gluten-free options available too.

Middleton Post Office Tea Parlour is within easy distance of Pickering Castle and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway if you fancy taking a scenic steam train through the countryside.

10. Old School Coffee Shop, Grosmont

Look out over the NYMR heritage steam trains from The Old School Coffee Shop near Grosmont Station. The fabulous building has lots of original features with nods to its Victorian schoolroom heritage throughout.

Bookshelves are filled with reading options to enjoy during your visit and a wood-burning fire is perfect for warming up in front of after a bracing walk in the North York Moors. Dogs are also welcome to join for refreshments - no matter how wet and muddy they are!

11. Malton Relish in Malton

Malton has become known as Yorkshire’s capital of food in recent years so you’ll find artisan suppliers and a wide choice of places to eat. Malton Relish sells a range of locally sourced food from their deli counter and there’s an on-site cafe where you can get tea, coffee, cake and a selection of deli dishes.

They can arrange to have food platters and hampers sent to your Malton holiday cottage if you’re staying close by and regular evening supper clubs offer 5-course seasonal menus if you fancy dining in style.

12. Danby Bakery in Danby

This Yorkshire tea shop and bakery may be small but it comes with stunning views across the North York Moors from its idyllic location in the pretty village of Danby. You’ll find a wide range of pastries and cakes that are all baked on site, tasty sandwiches that can be eaten in or taken away and thick ice cream milkshakes that are made with locally produced Beacon Farm ice cream.

To build up your appetite you can take a scenic walk along the River Esk and call in at the nearby Danby Lodge National Park Centre which features regularly changing exhibitions and lots of information on the North York Moors.     

Plan your getaway to the North York Moors

If you fancy sitting down to a Yorkshire afternoon tea as part of a getaway to ‘God’s own country’, there are lots of holiday cottages in the North York Moors where you rest your head after days of exploring.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat in Robin Hood’s Bay or a dog-friendly holiday home in Helmsley, browse our range of North York Moors cottages to find your perfect base.