Julie Smith
21 November 2021
If you’re in the mood for some of the UK’s finest food, there’s no better way to ensure a memorable culinary experience than by dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Yorkshire has been one of the UK counties with the highest number of Michelin restaurants for several years and there are currently seven Yorkshire restaurants with at least one Michelin star.
The Raby Hunt Inn which holds two Michelin stars is also just a short drive from the top of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Park in County Durham.
Yorkshire’s Michelin-starred restaurants
The Star Inn at Harome
Just outside the market town of Helmsley in the North York Moors National Park, you’ll find a characterful thatched 14th-century building in a peaceful hamlet. It’s the setting for a magical Yorkshire restaurant, The Star Inn at Harome with low beamed ceilings, wonky walls and Michelin starred food.
The Star Inn at Harome is one of several Yorkshire restaurants run by local restaurateur Andrew Pern. Others in the group include The Star Inn the City in York and The Star Inn the Harbour at Whitby.
A la carte menu items include duck and partridge from nearby Rievaulx Abbey and seasonally changing tasting menu makes the most of local seasonal produce. Sunday roasts are also available which can be upgraded to be served with a Yorkshire Pudding Royale.
Stay nearby: St Aidans, sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
The Black Swan at Oldstead
One of two Yorkshire restaurants with a Michelin star owned by celebrity chef Tommy Banks, The Black Swan at Oldstead is nestled in pretty countryside at the edge of the North York Moors between Helmsley and Thirsk. The Banks family have farmed at Oldstead for a number of generations and much of the produce used on the menu is grown on-site.
A number of special cocktails are made on-site using The Black Swan’s preserved fruit and herbs and tasting menus are served for both lunch and dinner with dishes created around items such as local lamb, lobster and halibut.
Stay nearby: Tickleberry Cottage, sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
Roots
Tommy Banks’ second Michelin star restaurant is located in a 19th-century building in the centre of York and uses produce grown in the farms and gardens of The Black Swan at Oldstead.
An eleven course tasting menu with optional drinks package is served for dinner with a smaller lunch option available on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is located close to Museum Gardens and is designed to offer guests a taste of farm-to-fork dining in the heart of the city. Three seasonal menus focus on fresh and preserved root vegetables so they are showcased at their best throughout the year.
Stay nearby: The Mustard Pot, sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
The Angel at Hetton
Often thought of as the UK’s first gastropub, The Angel at Hetton is a historic 15th-century country inn with a stunning location in the Yorkshire Dales National Park between Grassington and Skipton so you can enjoy a wonderful view as you tuck into your meal.
The Angel at Hetton has held a Michelin star since 2019 under the helm of head chef Michael Wignell. Diners can choose from a la carte and tasting menus with vegetarian options available for each.
Stay nearby: Ripley's Rest, sleeps 4
The Pipe and Glass
Once thought of as a bit of a culinary desert, East Yorkshire has seen something of a renaissance in recent years, with The Pipe and Glass in Dalton leading the way. Standing on the site of the original Gatehouse of Dalton Park, this excellent gastropub-cum-restaurant is well worth striking out for.
The interior has a rustic but refined look and it provides a comfortable backdrop to what is very fine dining indeed.
Stay nearby: The Tailor's Workshop, sleeps 4
The Man Behind the Curtain
If you’re looking for an avante-garde meal from one of the UK’s most cutting edge chefs, it’s hard to beat a visit to Michael O'Hare's The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds. Stylish asian-influenced dishes are presented like pieces of art in surroundings that include mirrors, graffiti, skate boards and even a motorcycle.
Only one tasting menu is served for lunch and dinner which you can either wash down with wine or a cocktail. Dishes include tuna nigiri, aged beef and scallop.
Stay nearby: Bobbin Cottage, sleeps 2 + 1 dog
Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall
One of Yorkshire’s newest Michelin star restaurants can be found within the luxurious Grantley Hall hotel, which is located in the Nidderdale countryside near Ripon. The grand Georgian mansion dates back to the 17th century and is surrounded by stunning Palladium grounds, making Grantley Hall the perfect setting for a fabulous fine dining meal.
Shaun Rankin is a leading chef who has been awarded numerous Michelin stars during his glittering career and has now brought his expertise to Grantley Hall. His 10-course ‘Taste of Home’ menu features herbs from Grantley Hall’s kitchen garden along with local Yorkshire meat, seafood and cheeses. There’s also a smaller 7-course lunch menu available on Sundays.
Stay nearby: Apartment No. 9, sleeps 4
The Raby Hunt Inn
Although technically this one is in County Durham and not in Yorkshire, it’s just a short drive away from the northern edge of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The restaurant has gained a very prestigious two Michelin stars under owner and head chef James Close with a global tasting menu that’s inspired by travel.
The 15-course menu includes dishes from New York, Tokyo, Sweden with oysters from Lindisfarne in Northumberland and a trio of pastries for dessert.
Stay nearby: Plum Tree Cottage - Richmond, sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Plan your foodie getaway to Yorkshire
With such a rich selection of Michelin starred restaurants to choose from, Yorkshire has become a must-visit destination for any foodie worth their salt. You'll find excellent dining pubs throughout the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, top quality fish and chips at the Yorkshire Coast and the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.
For even more Yorkshire restaurants read our guide to the best places to eat in Richmond.
Whether you choose to go north, south, east or west, there are Michelin restaurants throughout Yorkshire and lots of lovely holiday cottages where you can rest your head after your foodie adventure.
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.