Julie Smith
14 February 2022
Here at Gorgeous Cottages we are rather partial to a trip to Richmond in Swaledale. Especially as there is a selection of fabulous cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Here’s our guide to ten of the best places to eat in Richmond. You can always walk off the meal afterwards with a walk along the River Swale or up to the impressive Richmond Castle, then head to a charming Yorkshire Dales pub in a nearby village such as Reeth or Muker.
Ten places to eat in and around Richmond:
1. Rustique Restaurant, Richmond
Oh la la – this fabulous French-themed restaurant may be located down Richmond’s cobbled Finkle Street but the gaelic interiors will transport you straight to Paris. Rustique Richmond is styled like a Parisian street complete with street lamps and a view of the Eiffel Tower. The menu itself includes a range of French classics and the vibrant restaurant is perfect for either a date night or a fun-filled evening spent with friends.
It’s up to you whether you go for a set lunch or evening menus or choose from a selection of a la carte dishes which are expertly cooked using fresh local ingredients..
Price: £££
Typical dishes: Steak frites, moules mariniere, creme brulee
Where to stay: The Secret Garden in Richmond
2. La Piazza, Richmond
Photo credit: Instagram @jaynechung
If Italian is more your thing, then La Piazza in Richmond is a great choice for pizza and pasta, not to mention delicious Italian desserts. There’s a happy hour on mid-week lunchtimes and early evenings, and best of all, you can get a takeaway. Perfect if you are staying at one of our nearby Richmond cottages!
Along with the pizza and pasta classics, a range of chicken, steak and fish dishes are also available with an extensive Italian wine list to help wash it all down. A special children’s menu on offer at this family-friendly Richmond restaurant too making it a great choice for families..
Price: ££
Typical dishes: Spaghetti carbonara, risotto verde, tiramisu
Where to stay: Evergreen, Richmond
3. The Station Cafe and Bar
The Station is a fabulously converted Victorian railway building that is home to an art gallery, cinema, microbrewery and The Station Cafe and Bar.. You can stop for a coffee and light bite before catching a film, call in for a tasty breakfast, lunch or evening meal and have a catch up with friends over coffee and a cake.
The venue is spectacular and the cafe is right in the heart of this huge light-filled space which is also used as a hub for local activities and courses. After your meal it’s well worth looking around some of the other shops and businesses that are based here including Kacao chocolaterie, The Station Book Stall and Richmond Brewing Company.
Price: ££
Typical dishes: Eggs Benedict, Red pepper and feta flatbread, fish pie with cheese and chive mash
Where to stay: Castles & Cobbles, Richmond
4. The Black Lion Hotel, Richmond
If you fancy some pub grub, The Black Lion Hotel is a great choice. It’s a dog-friendly pub where you can get cask ales, relax in front of open fires and enjoy light bites at lunchtime and something more substantial of an evening.
The Black Lion is located just off Richmond’s market square in a whitewashed Georgian building and guests can choose to eat by the roaring fire in the dog-friendly cosy snug or dine in a more formal bistro restaurant. Afternoon teas are served daily between 3pm and 5pm with traditional roasts available each Sunday.
Price: ££
Typical dishes: Black Sheep beer battered haddock and chips, Yorkshire pork chop in cider and apple sauce,
Where to stay: Xanadu in Richmond
5. The Frenchgate, Richmond
This Grade II-listed building was once the residence of a Georgian gentleman and is a great choice for a spot of fine dining in the centre of town. We love the elegant dining room with traditional oak tables and original fireplaces where you can enjoy a locally sourced seasonal menu with fresh Yorkshire Dales ingredients served up on the finest crockery.
Frenchgate is one of the best places to eat in Richmond so it’s just right for a special occasion or a romantic candlelit meal for two and after your dinner you can retire to the well-stocked bar for a nightcap.
Price: ££££
Typical dishes: Roast loin of Swaledale lamb, pan roast fillet of sea bream, Yorkshire parkin
Where to stay: Harper House, Richmond
6. The White Swan, Gilling West
Photo credit: Instagram @matthewadamhill
A few miles from Richmond is the lovely Georgian village of Gilling West (home to a number of Gorgeous Cottages). The White Swan is a great country pub in the village that uses artisan local produce including top quality Yorkshire meats that are prepared in the pub’s on-site butchery.
Burgers and steaks are something of a White Swan speciality - burger nights are held in the pub each Tuesday with six different options to choose from. There are also lots of Spanish tapas and street food options on the regular evening menu which is ‘born and bred in North Yorkshire, influenced by the Iberian.
Price: £££
Typical dishes: The bodega burger with iberico beef marquez and smoky chorizo, dry aged flat iron steak, crispy calamari with aioli
Where to stay: The French House, Gilling West
7. The Raby Hunt, Summerhouse
Photo credit: Instagram @kristylina
You’ll have a little bit of a drive to get to The Raby Hunt from Richmond, but as the restaurant holds a coveted two Michelin Stars, it is well worth the extra effort. What was once a Drover’s Inn has been transformed into one of the UK’s finest destination restaurants, perfect if you’re looking to push the boat out for an extra special indulgent treat.
Chef James Close serves a tasting menu of around 15 different courses that showcases the best local produce in unexpected and delicious ways with wine flights available to match the various dishes. The modern food served here has an international twist and if you manage to book a seat at the Kitchen Table you can watch the food being expertly prepared right before your eyes.
Price: £££££
Typical dishes: Razor clam with almond and celeriac, suckling pig, mille-feuille
Where to stay: The Fernery, near Darlington
8. The Burgoyne, Reeth
Photo credit: Instagram @thomas_chef87
The setting of The Burgoyne is idyllic – the elegant dining room looks out over Reeth’s pretty village green. The fine dining seasonal menu uses ingredients such as Swaledale lamb which you can tuck into as you soak in the stunning views with a relaxed atmosphere that will make you want to linger a while.
Along with daily lunch and dinner services, you can also pre-book for afternoon tea at The Burgoyne if you fancy tucking into a selection of dainty finger sandwiches and delicate cakes during your getaway to Reeth near Richmond. You can enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding Yorkshire Dales from the picturesque village green and there is a selection of pubs you can visit after your meal.
Price: £££
Typical dishes: Soy & ginger cured salmon, guinea fowl breast, chocolate fondant
Where to stay: Foxy's Den, Reeth
9. Kelly Marie's Bar & Bistro
Whether you’re looking to start your day the right way with a full English breakfast or enjoy some bistro style food on an evening, you’ll find it all at this family run Richmond restaurant. All the meat served at Kelly Marie’s comes from the local Richmond butcher and fish and seafood is sourced from a nearby fishmonger so everything on the menu is as fresh as can be.
A steak night is held in the bistro each Thursday, seafood specials include glazed cod and prawn thermidor and there’s an extensive cocktail menu available which features classics such as cosmopolitans, bellinis and mojitos.
Price: £££
Typical dishes: Poached eggs and avocado, Whitby scampi in breadcrumbs, chargrilled swordfish in garlic butter.
Where to stay: The Mill House, Richmond
10. The Punch Bowl, Low Row
Photo credit: Instagram @harrim8
The Punch Bowl is a fabulous gasto pub in the pretty village of Low Row near Richmond. Good food in scenic Swaledale surroundings – what more could you want? We especially love the open fire and wooden bar at this characterful 17th inn and it’s hard to beat the spectacular views.
Food served at The Punch Bowl Inn includes pub classics such as sausage and mash with fancier fayre available if you’re in the mood to try something a little different. Meat on the menu is all sourced from local Dales butchers with seasonal game that is caught in the nearby North York Moors.
Price: £££
Typical dishes: Duck breast with fondant potatoes, pan fried seabass with gnocchi, burger in brioche bun.
Where to stay: Moorview, Low Rowow
Plan your getaway to Richmond
If this has whetted your appetite for a getaway to Richmond, you'll find lots of lovely holiday cottages dotted in and around this charming Yorkshire Dales town. Read our gorgeous guide to Richmond for lots of inspiration of things to do during your getaway or discover some of the best Yorkshire Dales walks to work off some of those extra calories.
You can browse our full range of Yorkshire holiday cottages here.
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.