Gorgeous Team
10 April 2018
Wondering where to eat on your next visit to York? From traditional tea rooms to French restaurants, you’ll find plenty of choice within York’s city walls.
York may be a historic UK city, complete with Viking remains and medieval city walls, but that doesn’t mean its restaurant scene isn’t bang up to date.
Here are our 10 favourite places to eat in the city of York.
Mr P's Curious Tavern credit @mrpscurioustavern
Mr P is a well-known Yorkshire restaurateur and his Curious Tavern has a crowd-pleasing menu of modern pub classics with a refined touch, with suggested wine pairings too. Or why not opt for the seven-course tasting menu for a delectable flavour of the restaurant’s best dishes? Plus, its cosy but refined atmosphere and occasional live piano player makes it a sophisticated place for a special occasion.
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Signature dish: The Yorkie Bar – the restaurant’s take on the iconic chocolate bar, served with hazelnut and tonka bean ice cream and even more excellent when paired with a Bailey’s coffee.
Skosh credit @skoshyork
Located in a Grade II-listed building, Skosh is a perfect choice if you can’t choose between the mouth-watering selection of dishes on offer! The food is served in the style of small plates and snacks, so you can taste lots of different things, and combines British cooking with exotic, international flavours. It’s one of York’s trendier restaurants, using innovative ingredients like ‘gunpowder’ spice, dukkah and yuzu.
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Signature dish: The hen’s egg with cheddar, mushroom and Pedro Ximenez sherry is a firm favourite with customers.
Lucia Wine Bar and Grill credit: @luciarestaurants
You’ll feel like you are on a balmy summer holiday in the Mediterranean with a seat outside Lucia Wine Bar and Grill – but, in case the weather is a little chilly, they do provide blankets and heaters. There’s a great choice of Spanish and Italian options on the menu, with vegan and gluten-free diners well catered for too. There’s also an extensive cocktail menu if you fancy an indulgent tipple afterwards, making it a great location for a long and lazy evening sharing conversation with friends.
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Signature dish: You have to try the pan-roasted pork belly with pancetta and sautéed savoy cabbage.
Le Cochon Aveugle credit: @lecochonaveugle
You can get a little taste of France in the centre of York with a visit to Le Cochon Aveugle (the blinded pig). Under the expertise of head chef Joshua Overington, who has featured on BBC Two's Great British Menu, the restaurant showcases seasonal produce in a heavenly tasting menu. The food on offer changes each day due to the availability of produce, making it a really exciting place to eat out in York.
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Signature dish: Due to the ever-changing menu, there is no signature dish – order the blind tasting menu and prepare to be wowed!
The Star Inn the City credit: @thestarinnthecityyork
You can look out over the river as you enjoy your meal at The Star Inn the City! From the same restaurateur as Mr P’s Curious Tavern, this brasserie-style restaurant is located on the edge of Museum Gardens in the old Engine House and uses the best of Yorkshire produce, offering a taste of the countryside in the city. Its great menu and enviable waterside location make it a firm favourite for extra-special meals.
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Signature dish: It’s not just for a Sunday – the Yorkshire pudding starter with caramelised shallot, gravy and fresh horseradish is the only thing you should eat while in God’s Own Country!
Melton's credit: @meltons_restaurant
This fine-dining restaurant has been one of the best in York since the 1990s. Owner Michael Sharpe trained with the Roux family and is one of the main organisers of the popular York Food Festival, so he knows his onions! Melton’s offers fixed-price menus for lunch, early evening and dinner along with a five-course tasting menu that’s more suited to a special meal. And for oenophiles, there are over 120 wines to sample too!
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Signature dish: Hand-dived scallops with pomegranate and raisin dressing is an unusual but popular starter.
Bettys credit: @bettys
We couldn’t have a list of the best restaurants in York and not include Bettys! The regal interiors were inspired by the Queen Mary and it’s been a feature of York since 1936. As well as the traditional afternoon tea selection and the fabulous cake trolley, you’ll find a wide range of breakfast and lunch dishes on the café’s menu, making it a perfect choice for an elegant bite to eat any time of the day.
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Signature dish: It has to be the traditional afternoon tea – the combination of delicate sandwiches, dainty sweet treats and a pot of freshly brewed tea cannot be beat!
Mannion & Co credit: @mannionsofyork
Originally a greengrocer opened by the Mannion family over 30 years ago, Mannion & Co is now a smart bistro/deli/bakery that sells and serves artisan local food. It’s a great spot for brunch, lunch or dinner where you can tuck into small plates with continental flavours, and the cakes and pastries are also exceedingly tasty.
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Signature dish: The charcuterie boards allow you to have a nibble of everything good sold at the deli counter!
The Rattle Owl credit: @therattleowl
This York casual dining – but still exquisitely delicious – restaurant is set in a restored, listed building and uses seasonal produce from across Yorkshire. Wines on the menu are typically from organic and smaller-scale producers and you can even buy some to take away thanks to the Owlet micro shop.
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Signature dish: The Sunday roast is iconic, but make sure you book in advance!
Cafe No. 8 Bistro credit: @cafeno8bistro
This charming bistro is located on Gillygate and includes both a cosier front room and a lighter and more spacious garden room - we particularly like the walled garden which is right next to the city walls. The menu offers simple modern food using high-quality seasonal produce and is a great option for any time of the day.
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Signature dish: A Yorkshire lamb rump is given a Moorish twist with apricots, preserved lemon, feta and pistachio couscous.
Is your tummy rumbling while you eagerly count down the days until your York getaway? Maybe you’re looking to stay somewhere close by, so you can walk off your meal as you head back to your stylish accommodation before resting contentedly after a delicious meal in the city walls. Our collection of luxurious York cottages offers you just that – take a look at our full collection to find your perfect place to stay.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.