Best places to eat in York
What better way to get to know your new area than over delicious food and drink? Just a few steps from Hungate, you will find the best places to eat in York’s thriving café and restaurant scene – the only problem you’ll have is deciding where to try next! From high-end dining, rustic street food and quaint tea rooms, foodies are catered for at every turn.
All of the locations below can be found within the city centre, meaning after a busy week at work it won’t be long before you’re catching up with friends over dinner and drinks or taking a leisurely read of the Sunday papers over a tasty brunch.
If your job is home-based you will find plenty of coffee shops in which to plug in your laptop and enjoy a change of scene, good coffee and an energy-boosting lunch.
Betty’s is a Yorkshire icon. It’s been delighting customers with its delicious and tempting selection of artisan breads, cakes and chocolates for 100 years. And you’ll find its world-famous afternoon tea is an amazing treat whatever the occasion. It’s also the perfect place to bring any new guests you might have visiting. Everyone from grannies, to overseas friends, to university pals will love this slice of Yorkshire tradition. There’s also a fantastic shop meaning you can enjoy its products at home too.
6-8 ST. HELEN’S SQUARE, YORK YO1 8QP
Describing itself as a ‘dysfunctional family-run, neighbourhood cafe’, this place is bursting with high-quality, local ingredients. The tasty brunch and lunch menus will keep you coming back for more. And if you need some inspiration in the kitchen, there’s even a cookbook exchange programme, where you can, you guessed it, take a book and leave a book. Or just take a book and leave a donation in the charity box.
35 BISHOPTHORPE ROAD, YORK YO23 1NA
When a spot of serious indulgence is called for, head to one of York’s best restaurants, the 5-star Grand Hotel, for a fine dining fix. Executive chef Craig Atchinson’s style is modern British cuisine, his menus are seasonal, taking inspiration from the fruit, vegetable and herbs grown in the surrounding areas. Local grouse, rabbit, fish and wild edible ingredients all feature on the restaurant’s menu. Book in for the nine-course or five-course tasting menus and prepare to be wowed.
STATION RISE, YORK YO1 6GD
Sometimes, only fish and chips will do, so why not head for one of the best. At Drakes, you can indulge in a full Yorkshire experience – seriously – a large fillet of cod or haddock with chunky chips, mushy peas and either a York brewery ale of choice or unlimited Yorkshire Tea. Oh, and you get granary bread and butter and tartare sauce.
97 LOW PETERGATE, YORK YO1 7HY
Don’t be fooled by the name, these guys make seriously good sandwiches. Like the Reuben – homemade beef brisket pastrami on rye with sauerkraut, blow-torched Swiss cheese, dill-pickled gherkins, mayo and mustard. The ever-changing menu is prepared from scratch in the small sandwich shop every day. And because the kitchen is small, and the establishment is so popular, they sell out most days. Make sure you get there between 11.30am-2.30pm for the best chance to try everything.
28 THE SHAMBLES, YORK YO1 7LX
It’s no surprise this is a go-to place for music-lovers. Its friendly and relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by the sounds of music on vinyl, or live and acoustic. The guys source their own house blend coffee from Indy Coffee Roasters – an independent Yorkshire roaster - to ensure the journey from bean to cup is as short as possible. It’s also home to an extensive and diverse record collection you can flick through while you’re there.
29 MICKLEGATE, YORK YO1 6JH
With an enviable riverside position close to the historic Lendal Bridge and Tower, The Star Inn is the perfect place for drinks with a view (check out the cocktail and gin menu!). Food-wise, the Michelin-starred menu focuses on modern English cuisine, with local and seasonal ingredients.
LENDAL ENGINE HOUSE, MUSEUM STREET, YORK YO1 7DR
http://www.starinnthecity.co.uk
This creative hub is a blend of independent businesses, social enterprise and community groups, housed beneath a canopy of lights. Food- and drink-wise, there’s around 10 great places to choose from, whether you fancy a gourmet burger, burrito, Thai, Mediterranean, a sundae or cake. There’s also a fab cocktail bar – treat yourself!
17-21 PICCADILLY, YORK YO1 9PB
With some of the best places to eat in York right on your doorstep, the city centre is an ideal place to live. View our Hungate development in York.
