Breaking news
Harden's says
'Great British Menu' winner Tommy Banks and family, who run popular restaurant-with-rooms The Black Swan at Oldstead, have opened a new restaurant in central York. The PR info for Roots says: "Make a choice. Order as much as you like, eat, drink and be the creator of your own menu."
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Perfect from start to finish” say fans of the “stunning food and amazing wine list” at the Banks family’s converted pub in the city-centre, where “innovative preparation methods transform humble and not so humble ingredients to make everything into a delight”, choosing from a ‘Core’ menu at £95 per person, or a ‘Signature’ one for £145 per person. The Telegraph’s William Sitwell – a man who is hard to impress – agrees, saying in his May 2025 review his meal was “heavenly”. But while all reports in our annual diners’ poll do acclaim the cooking, the prices are increasingly becoming a major turn-off – sceptics feel that “the environment is underwhelming and doesn’t feel like the special occasion demanded by the bill”, or that “for all the hyperbole, the food is good-only, leaving poor value for money”.
Summary
“Such imaginatively constructed cooking” (“truly outstanding and innovative, and no duds which is unusual on a tasting menu!”) continues to generate high enthusiasm for the Banks family’s converted pub in the city centre, which is nowadays rivalled locally only by Skosh in terms of the number of reports it generates in our annual diners’ poll and is among our top-50 most commented-on venues in the country. “A very well constructed wine list to match the food” is also a feature that inspires praise. Even fans, though, can find it “overpriced”: “great food… but you have to pay for it”.
Summary
“Combining skill and originality in equal measure – with a menu that’s is unexpected and exciting”; Tommy Banks’s converted pub in the city centre is applauded in all reports as a “fabulous” destination: “knowledgeable service coupled with the beautiful presentation and amazingly flavoured food makes for a truly unforgettable meal”. However, even those who acknowledge that it’s “excellent” still often feel that “bills are simply excessive” (“we love Tommy Banks, but won’t be returning”). The overall verdict? “Excellent… but at a price”.
Summary
“We went the day after having eaten at The Black Swan and all enjoyed this more!” – “Tommy Banks continues to surprise, amaze and delight in equal measure” at his family’s converted pub in the city centre, which nowadays is the most talked-about place in town, and one of the most commented-on restaurants nationally in our annual diners’ poll. Head chef, Will Lockwood, moved here from The Black Swan in late 2021 and his tasting menus showcase “the Banks ethos of local produce and sustainability”. “Each course is a work of art starting with lots of foraged and locally sourced ingredients”, all “served impeccably in a relaxed manner by knowledgeable and friendly staff” and “complemented by good wine pairings”. “The location even allows a gentle post-prandial stroll along the river bank – assuming York's legendary floods are not present!". The experience is, however, decidedly “not cheap” and as a result even some who rate it as “exceptional” feel it’s “a one-visit-only job”.
For 34 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 Roots?
68 Marygate, York, YO30 7BH
Restaurant details
Roots Restaurant Diner Reviews
"This is the most outstanding food I have had for many a year. One of the courses - a scallop on - was just incredible. It had both of us doing that "oh my word" face. Only thing pulling down a full 5 star across the board was a slightly bare room and service could be quicker."
"Amazing food. I'd go back tomorrow if I could afford it. Definitely a special occasion restaurant. Innovative methods transform humble and not so humble ingredients. Everything was a delight. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £70.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £7.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
68 Marygate, York, YO30 7BH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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