The best restaurants in York

If you’ve heard of The Star Inn at Harome, Andrew Pern’s Michelin-starred gastropub near Helmsley, you’ll know that this city pub is well worth a visit. Housed within the city’s Museum Gardens, this stylish all-day eatery majors in rustic dishes made with Yorkshire’s best produce.

This British restaurant by Andrew Pern is housed inside a Grade-II listed building that was once York Minster school. Menus change seasonally, often featuring a retro twist.
Think pheasant with a ‘fruit n nut’ sausage roll, and a liquorice and forest fruit arctic roll.

Cresci Pizzeria has made a name for itself by offering some of the best pizza available in York. All of the process is kept in line with the standards of Neapolitan culture, so you’ll find all of the iconic toppings on the menu here (and you can leave your pineapple at home).

We’re big fans of Lucia’s chic interiors and slick Italian cooking. The heated courtyard is one of York’s most pleasant places to have lunch, and just a short walk from York Minster. Visit in the morning for a good strong coffee and a piece of cake, or on Sunday for a top class roast.

Starting off life as a street stall in the Shambles Market, Los Moros is known for its mouth-watering plates of homemade delights, such as falafel, hummus and merguez sausage. Whatever isn’t pickled, preserved or made in-house is sourced locally, meaning it’s all as fresh as can be.

The Fat Badger is a charming, historical pub in the centre of York. Inside you’ll find plenty of wooden panelling, leather seating, and pints of Guinness with the logo on top. Out the back is a large beer garden with pods that offer shelter for when the weather turns.

The second restaurant from chef Tommy Banks has become the place to eat in York, with tables still hard to come by. Everything on the seasonal menu revolves around fresh produce grown and foraged on the family farm in Oldstead, which is lightly handled in order to allow each flavour to shine.

If you’re looking for the best Indian food in York, then you’ve come to the right place. The restaurant is named after the 29 states of India, which inspire the diversity of the menu here, so you can expect to find plenty of authentic blends of flavours and regional dishes found in India.

Bold murals, wavy walls and blue lighting mark this former coach house out from the cosy establishments that dominate York’s food scene, but it’s the stand-out quality of the food that we love. Inventive canapes, and wow-factor plates make Arras a destination for serious gastronomes.

No.8 Bistro is a quaint and intimate eatery serving up everything from homemade pasta with slow cooked beef ragu to chicken shawarma filo parcels with hummus. The food here is all about unfussy plates made using high quality ingredients - so it’s perfect for a quick pitstop.

The Cut & Craft has been a huge hit in both York and Leeds, and the former is especially nicely designed with timeless interiors and an enviable spot on St. Sampson’s Square. Huge dry-aged premium steaks are the order of the day here, alongside a long list of classic sides and sauces.

Skosh is neither big nor flashy, and yet you’ll always find it near, if not at the top of review websites and locals’ list of their favourite restaurants in the city. Small plates influenced by international flavours are the essence of Skosh, so expect a palate-teasing menu full of creativity.

Mannion & Co started as a greengrocer over 30 years ago, but the family-run business has transitioned into an all-day restaurant and cafe, and a cracking one at that. Get ready for plenty of eggy breakfasts in the mornings, then some internationally-minded plates in the evening.

Coffee shop in the morning, restaurant in the afternoon - Partisan is a beloved independent business in the heart of York. Sustainability is the name of the game here - as well as working with an endless list of quality local producers. The menu isn't vegan, but there's loads of plant-based options to choose from.

Set in a former chapel in the heart of the city, Nola channels 1920s New Orleans with its Art Deco glamour, evenings of live jazz and a menu of small plates. Expect seafood, steaks, and plenty of veggie options, all served in a glamorous, music-filled dining room.

Just a stone’s throw from York’s famous Minster, Bow Room pairs seasonal produce with a refined Jacobean setting - which is quite the combination in our opinion. Take a seat in the bright dining room, with its large bow window, and enjoy beautifully crafted dishes with ingredients grown from the onsite gardens.

Like many fantastic Indian restaurants, Mumbai Lounge does away with any bells and whistles, but excels when it comes to superior cuisine. With a whole range of regional specialities, plus all your classic curries, sides and sundries, the menu at Mumbai Lounge promises to please.

The clue is in the name with this restaurant, where you can expect to find dishes showcasing both the sea and land (specifically game dishes). Expect flavours that change with the seasons, and that are inspired by a zero waste ethos.

This quintessential Yorkshire tea room is a must-visit. Most associate Bettys with afternoon tea - and it does do a mean one - but there’s a whole menu of savouries for lunch and dinner, from Yorkshire rarebits to omelettes and salads, in addition to its sweet offering.

Tucked away inside York’s five-star Grand Hotel, The Rise may not have quite the same accolades as Legacy, but it’s a favourite for elegant all-day dining. Seasonal menus are packed full of refined British classics, making it an excellent spot for everything from breakfast to afternoon tea.

Ambiente Tapas comes with a slight edge, with a stripped-back industrial interior and a large open kitchen, it’s great for both a relaxing lunch and a fun night out with friends. Expect plenty of small plates, paella and Spanish wine, as well as a vibrant atmosphere each evening.

Melton's has been quietly pleasing York’s foodies for more than two decades, and has a legion of local fans as a result. Michael Hjort's food is original and refreshing, using local produce to great effect and mixing up classic flavours, but with restraint. Very reasonably priced tasting menus are in tune with Melton’s admirable ethos.

Set inside one of Yorkshire’s most glamorous country house hotels, the restaurant at Middlethorpe Hall is spectacularly fancy. Smart waiters appear at the slightest head raise, while drapery, candles and an abundance of cutlery help set the scene for very fine dining indeed.

The latest signature restaurant at The Grand is a masterclass in fine dining, taking quality local ingredients from all over Yorkshire and distilling them into elegant, modern plates. The Grand is over a century old now, so if it's a celebration you're planning, there aren't many more impressive spots in the city.