The Best places to eat York (Best Restaurants); That will leave your mouth watering!
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York is well known for its historic past and grand architecture, bringing in millions of tourists throughout the year, but it’s also the ultimate destination for foodies and those looking for a special culinary experience. There’s a huge range of high-quality dishes to try inspired by countries all over the world. So what are you waiting for? I mentioned some of the best places to eat in York – on my best things to do in York post. But this is a great list of top restaurants for you to check out (oh yeah, don’t forget to check out the best York hotels)!
Here are our top picks of the best places to eat in York. Be ready for your taste buds to tingle. If you’re not hungry now you will be after reading this post!
Best York Restaurants
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Skosh
If you’re an indecisive diner like me then Skosh is the perfect place for you. Skosh has an extensive menu of snacks and small plates, allowing you to try the whole menu – well maybe not the whole menu or you’ll be rolling out this cool restaurant! Have little or as much as you want when you want. Skosh attentive serves mean diners can choose whether they want to graze as you go or gradually be served course by course. Book early to avoid disappointment as this place books up quick, sometimes even weeks in advance – I’m not surprised why!
Location: 98 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX
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The Rattle Owl
Based on one of York’s most historic streets, The Rattle Owl is a casual dining restaurant committed to serving fresh local produce. I was recommended to go on a Sunday and experience their Sunday dinner, you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy roast a tasty sirloin beef, with bone marrow fritter, onion puree gravy beef and Yorkshire pudding, finished with a salted caramel chocolate delight – Yum! There’s also an extensive wine menu to complement their dishes served at a reasonable price. The service is personal without being intrusive, meaning you can relax and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere at this delight of a restaurant.
Location: 104 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX
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The York Roast Company
A family-run venture since 2004 and is one of the best places to eat in York. The York Roast Company has blown up all over the UK for its unique Yorkshire pudding wrap. Enjoy pork, turkey, ham or beef in a gigantic Yorkshire pudding wrap served with roasted veg, stuffing and gravy – messy but delicious! Serving only the very best quality British ingredients with a side of friendly customer service and a touch of Yorkshire charm, The York Roast Company is not one to miss out on.
Location: 78 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ
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Pairings Wine Bar
Pairings is an independent wine bar in York run by sisters, located on historic Castlegate. Serving fine wines by the glass, local ales, signature cocktails and great coffee alongside cheese, charcuterie, deli foods and desserts, this cosy bar caters for everyone. If you’re not a wine connoisseur, don’t worry, the friendly staff are very knowledgeable and will pair your wine to the dish you choose. Pairings is a great way to spend a romantic evening with loved ones or to catch up with old friends over wine and tapas.
Location: 28 Castlegate, York YO1 9RP
If you’re a foodie – you should check out the best restaurants in Manchester UK!
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The Cut and Craft
If you’re a meat-lover, this is the ideal place to eat in York for you – Named as the best steak house in town, we so far agree. The signature steak meal is priced at £10, making it an affordable night out for the whole family. The menu also features colossal burgers and delicious steak and ale pie, as well as vegetarian options and fish dishes. The atmosphere is electric and the staff are very attentive, making The Cut and Craft one of the best places in York to eat.
Location: 8 St Sampsons Square, York YO1 8RN
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Melton’s
Melton’s is perfect for any special occasion or a romantic date night with the other half. Melton’s menu offers an immaculate collection of tasty local and international dishes using only fresh regional produce, all perfected presented. Mix that with the friendly, warm service and it’s easy to see why this charming restaurant has remained a local favourite over the years. Sample the delights of local duck with five-spice and soya, steamed rice and pak choi, or flavoursome mussel risotto with anise air. All I can say is they need to keep hold of the chef as he’s worthy of Michelin stars!
Location: 7 Scarcroft Rd, York YO23 1ND
You should check my York Harry Potter post if you’re a Harry Potter fan!
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Betty’s Tea Room
No visit to York is complete without a trip to the famous Café Tea Room – known worldwide as Betty’s tea room. The surroundings are beautiful, the staff are friendly and professional and the food is outstanding. Afternoon Tea consisted of dainty sandwiches, delicious scones and calorific cakes. There’s also a piano playing on the ground floor adding to the relaxed atmosphere of this wonderful restaurant. Make sure you pre-book to avoid the inevitable queues at one of the best places to eat in York.
Location: 6-8 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QP
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The Press Kitchen
The Press Kitchen is a relaxed, informal & independent modern British neighbourhood restaurant & wine bar located within the heart of the city serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is very creative and the flavours worked amazingly together, so hats off to the chef! There’s an extensive wine list serving by the glass and staff are very attentive that nothings too much trouble. This was one of my favourite meals ever!! In one word sensational.
Location: 59 – 63 Walmgate, York YO1 9TY
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Barbakan
If you’re up for trying something a little different head to Barbakan, a Polish inspired cosy and nice restaurant serving traditional hearty dishes which is why it’s one of the best places to eat in York. I’d recommend the Hungarian pancakes with flavoursome stew and finish off with one of their homemade desserts – the apple cake with meringue tasted like Christmas with all its wonderful spices. Give this place a try you won’t forget it!
Location: 67-71 Manchester Rd, Manchester M21 9PW
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Shambles Market
By far one of the best places to eat York! Shambles Market is a long-established outdoor city centre market open 7 days a week selling local produce, crafts & clothing, as well as serving up some impressive lunchtime street food. Enjoy a slice of authentic Italian homemade pizza from Pizzoli’s or pick out a tasty pastry from Café M and watch the world go by. If you’re on a health kick and need some fast healthy food, look no further, KERP serves up some of the freshest produce around. Enjoy authentic French food at affordable prices. You’ll be spoiled for choice with over 14 different traders serving cuisine inspired from India, Asia, Italy and more!
Location: 5 Silver St, York YO1 8RY
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Ate ‘O Clock
Ate O’Clock is a small café/restaurant – tucked down an alley in York. It’s slightly hidden from the outside world so you have to know where it is, but that’s probably best because if everyone knew about it, you might not be able to get a table. It used to be just Kenny Noble in the kitchen cooking up local produce with big plates of food, and it still is. Ate O’Clock also has some great features – like mini-movie sets in the loos and all the clocks are set at 8 o’clock.
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GOJI CAFÉ
Goji Café is a vegetarian café and deli, just off the main square in York. They aim to bring you colourful, joyful and life-enhancing treats. The cafe is the place to meet with friends or work on your laptop. You can pop in for a quick lunch break, sit down for a light cream tea or cosy up to the cosy fireplace with their speciality hot chocolate (served in their famous Yorkshire ‘ginormous mugs’), while watching the world go by, or order from their fabulous takeaway menu. The menu changes daily and caters for vegetarians
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THE JUDGE’S LODGING
At The Judge’s Lodging, we serve honest food cooked from scratch using fresh and seasonal produce sourced from trusted suppliers. With multiple dining locations, you can ensure you will always find something to please you. At the heart of everything we do is a promise to deliver great experiences for our customers, whether enjoying a drink with family and friends in our bar, or dining among family and friends in our restaurant.
Loved by every generation for over 160 years, The Judge’s Lodging is an indelible part of York’s history. At the heart of the city centre, it’s nigh on impossible to walk in and not find something that takes your fancy. With a huge range of freshly prepared seasonal dishes, you can choose from a quick snack in our shop or sit back and enjoy the best value fine dining in the city. Whatever you do, it’s guaranteed to be memorable. About us; The Judge’s Lodging is owned by Thwaites Brewery. Head
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Star INN The City
Opened in 2014, the Star Inn The City serves delicious homemade food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our specialities include traditional British Sunday roast, juicy Yorkshire beef and lamb, succulent pies and mouth-watering desserts. We have a warm family atmosphere with a relaxed country feel to create an enjoyable environment where you can sit back, relax and watch the world go by outside in our panoramic beer garden. Please note that our kitchen closes on Sundays but we are available to serve you until 8pm on weekdays.
Final thoughts
PLACES TO EAT IN YORK Ranging from historic to innovative, world-famous to up and coming, the dining scene in York is as varied as it is exciting. Whatever your taste, whatever your budget there are Michelin stars on offer in the city walls. Whether you want a restaurant that has earned a place in the history books or somewhere that is award-winning for its unique blend of pastry and gravy there are good foodie options to suit everyone.