Harden's survey result
Summary
“You haven’t had afternoon tea ’till you’ve been to Bettys” – “a peerless institution” for over a hundred years, which “has not really changed” and where a visit “is likely to involve you in a long queue for a table (which says it all)”. “Go there hungry” to make the most of the brunch, sandwiches and cakes – all “beautifully presented in opulent surroundings”.
Summary
“Still the most civilised place on Earth” – these archetypal tea rooms have been a “Yorkshire institution” for a century now, founded as they were in 1919. There’s “no point wasting calories elsewhere” when here you can enjoy “afternoon tea, exactly as it should be”: “surrounded by starched white tablecloths and napkins, plus silver teapots, with a great selection of sandwiches (extra if you want them!) and cakes, plus unlimited tea or coffee served in grand surroundings by lovely staff”. “Every town should have one. Why don’t they?”
Summary
“Still the most civilised place on Earth” – these archetypal tea rooms have been a “Yorkshire institution” for a century now, founded as they were in 1919. There’s “no point wasting calories elsewhere” when here you can enjoy “afternoon tea, exactly as it should be”: “surrounded by starched white tablecloths and napkins, plus silver teapots, with a great selection of sandwiches (extra if you want them!) and cakes, plus unlimited tea or coffee served in grand surroundings by lovely staff”. “Every town should have one. Why don’t they?”
Summary
“The most civilised hour or two you’ll ever spend” could well be at this archetypal and epic English team room “institution” – “a legend that always lives up to its reputation”, with “exquisite” cakes, teas and light bites that are “a fabulous treat” (“can be pricier than most, but not to be missed”). It’s “always busy”, though, and “the queues are not so good”.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Bettys?
Restaurant details
Bettys Restaurant Diner Reviews

"Always the same high standards, and large queues."

"Betty’s is great, a real institution and I think it does enough to live up to its reputation. It isn’t cheap but it has that feeling of being a bit special. The tea rooms are stunning and the staff are absolutely brilliant. I doubt it would be your every day place if you’re a local resident but it’s great for a special occasion and more or less an absolute must for the tourist such as me on this occasion "
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £23.50 |
Filter Coffee | £3.75 |
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Bread | £0.00 |
1 Parliament Street, Harrogate, HG1 2QU
Opening hours
Monday | 9 am‑5 pm |
Tuesday | 9 am‑5 pm |
Wednesday | 9 am‑5 pm |
Thursday | 9 am‑5 pm |
Friday | 9 am‑5 pm |
Saturday | 9 am‑5 pm |
Sunday | 9 am‑5 pm |
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