Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in Harrogate
Hardens guides have spent 32 years compiling reviews of the best Harrogate restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 67 restaurants in Harrogate and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing Harrogate restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured Harrogate Restaurants
1. The Alice Hawthorn
British, Modern restaurant in Nun Monkton
The Green - YO26
“From a humble inn to an outstanding eatery in a very short time” – this “lovely pub in the delightful village of Nun Monkton” has been turbocharged in recent years by investment from millionaire plumber Richard Harpin and is run by Claire & John Topham. The latest investment has been a new block adding 12 bedrooms, which opened in early 2022. Practically all reports acclaim “a well-balanced menu providing relaxed, comfortable dining with first-class service”. (The name, by the way, is that of a famous racehorse, and another reason to visit is England’s tallest maypole, on the village green).
2. Tharavadu
Indian restaurant in Leeds
7- 8 Mill Hill - LS1
“You would walk past it if you didn’t know how good the food was inside” at this “buzzing” curry house (one of the city’s most commented-on destinations) not far from the railway station (a favourite, it is claimed, of former India cricket captain Virat Kohli). The “slightly chaotic vibe is part of the charm” and it delivers “authentic south Indian tastes” with “absolutely delicious Keralan flavours” (“had probably the best dosa ever and an amazing range of fish curries dominate the menu”).
3. Fleur Restaurant and bar
restaurant in Leeds city centre
Inside the lights - LS1
Award-winning Master Chef Finalist, Great British Menu-famed chef Bobby Geetha and Team provides a stunning contemporary British cuisine inspired by world flavours.Fléur Restaurant was the finalist for best Brunch in Leeds. Reviewed as Top 3 best Bottomless...
4. Tattu
Chinese restaurant in Leeds
29 East Parade, Minerva House - LS1
Rooftop blossom and dark clubby decor help create a scene-y atmosphere at this popular branch of the upmarket national Chinese chain, which expanded to include a London outlet this year. One or two reports accuse it of “style over substance” but ratings overall are decent for its dim-sum and small plates selection.
5. Aagrah
Indian restaurant in Leeds
St Peter’s Sq - LS9
2022 Review: One reporter says it all about the “very busy city-centre flagship of this excellent local chain of Indian restaurants” – “there’s a wide range of traditional and excitingly different dishes. Highly recommended!”.
7. The Lime Tree Inn
restaurant in Great Ouseburn
Branton Lane - YO26
A brand new country Inn, opened its doors for the first time in September 2020.The Lime Tree Inn is a family run country Inn made of seriously good food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.Our menu is seasonal with everything made in house from quali...
8. Sukhothai
Thai restaurant in Leeds
8 Regent St - LS7
2022 Review: Feedback remains limited but remains very positive for this Chapel Allerton Thai (part of a local group), which hits twenty years old in 2022.
9. Sukhothai
Thai restaurant in Harrogate
17-19 Cheltenham Pde - HG1
“Always a vibrant dining experience!” – Ban Kaewkraikhot’s outpost of her Yorkshire group of traditional Thai venues (which started in Chapel Allerton in 2002) continues to draw a regular fan club for its comprehensive menu of authentic-tasting dishes.
10. General Tarleton
British, Modern restaurant in Ferrensby
Boroughbridge Rd - HG5
“New management are making an impact” according to reports on this well-known coaching inn, not far from the A1, which was taken over in January 2021 by father-and-daughter owners, Jonathan & Sarah Morris. The food from 2018 MasterChef: The Professionals competitor, Chris McPhee, is consistently well-rated: “if you missed the old ‘GT’ in its heyday, make a return visit: you will not be disappointed!”
11. The Tannin Level
British, Traditional restaurant in Harrogate
5 Raglan St - HG1
Founded in 1985, this local stalwart wins praise for its “sympathetically prepared local ingredients” (realised in fairly conventional style) and “clearly competent staff”. Top Tip – “great value early-bird dinner”.
12. Sukhothai
Thai restaurant in Leeds
15 South Parade - LS1
2022 Review: Thailand-born chef turned entrepreneur Ban Kaewkraikhot launched her luxury brand in Chapel Allerton 20 years ago, before opening this “large and spacious” city-centre flagship and another branch in Harrogate. She also founded the Zaap Thai street food brand, with five branches and a ready meals offering.
13. The Ivy Harrogate
British, Modern restaurant in Harrogate
7-9 Parliament Street - HG1
2021 Review: A “bustling” ambiance that “gives a lift to the spirits” is the chief plus-point of this brasserie offshoot of the ever-expanding London luminary. Even fans concede it’s “expensive for what it is”, and “could be said to be a little formulaic”, while a couple of other reporters noted meals that were positively bad.
14. Bettys
Afternoon tea restaurant in Harrogate
1 Parliament Street - HG1
“Betty’s is a real institution in Harrogate” of over a century’s standing, and as the home of “traditional afternoon tea at its best” these “quintessential” tea rooms are peerless (they are “masters of the art of making a visit memorable”). “Amazing cakes and pastries are made on the premises and served alongside a wonderful selection of teas”, in a “stunning” setting enlivened by a pianist tinkling away on the ivories in the background. “Thoughtful, delicious and with no unnecessary frills: this is Yorkshire through and through”. “You cannot book so turn up early”.
15. Drum & Monkey
Fish & seafood restaurant in Harrogate
5 Montpellier Gdns - HG1
This “wonderful stalwart of Yorkshire dining” is, to its many fans, “a mainstay of any visit to Harrogate” for its fabulous fish and “attentive service”. Founded in 1971, it has been run for the past 10 years by the Carter family – under whose ownership it “never disappoints”.
16. Baltzersens
Scandinavian restaurant in Harrogate
This “quirky café with wonderful cinnamon buns and waffles” offers a “real taste of Scandinavia in Harrogate”. It’s “very popular with yummy-mummies in the morning so can get a little loud, but you can buy all the baked goods from their shop just by the theatre”. Owner Paul Rawlinson’s Scandi restaurant Norse is still missed, five years after its closure.
17. Graveley’s Fish & Chip Restaurant
Fish & chips restaurant in Harrogate
8-12 Cheltenham Parade - HG1
2021 Review: “A very traditional Yorkshire chippie” which doesn’t offer anything fancy but “just good fish ’n’ chips” (the former “huge and well-battered”, and “you can go for more exotic if you wish”); “a little tip – avoid early evening when the ‘pensioners’ special menu’ is served – it will be heaving!”
18. Orchid
Pan-Asian restaurant in Harrogate
28 Swan Road - HG1
The “amazing pan-Asian food” has been a crowd-pleaser at this venue under the Studley Hotel for more than twenty years. “The room itself is perhaps a little drab, but boy the food is good” – “we’ve been coming for years and it still has the best Weeping Tiger we’ve ever eaten!”. “Pity the Sunday buffet has gone”, though.
19. Sasso
Italian restaurant in Harrogate
8-10 Princes Square - HG1
Chef-owner Stefano Lancellotti and his wife Sara Ferguson celebrate the 25th anniversary of their highly rated restaurant this year. Named after his home town in Emilia Romagna, it brings an authentic taste of the region to Yorkshire – even the eggs are imported to create pasta as it should be.
20. Clocktower Restaurant, Rudding Park Hotel
British, Modern restaurant in Harrogate
Rudding Pk, Follifoot - HG3
Open from an early breakfast to dinner, the modern brasserie at this Georgian stately home near Harrogate wins solid ratings across the board. Afternoon tea can be taken in the Conservatory, while Horto restaurant next door provides the destination’s fine-dining option.
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