Leyburn, British, Traditional Restaurant Guide

King Charles, it is said, is a big fan of Paul & Helen Klein’s “old school Inn”, set in the Yorkshire Dales picturesquely overlooking the village green, which is a well-recognised gem which has reportedly attracted other celeb’ followers such as Daniel Craig. There’s nowt fancy on’t menu – it’s an appealingly retro and “high quality” selection of Anglo-French classics like chicken liver parfait, twice-baked Wensleydale soufflé, or Tournedos Rossini with a few Italian dishes and puds (like Tagliatelle Carbonara or Tiramisu) thrown in for good measure. “They run a great ship at East Witton, the FOH team are always welcoming, the Sunday lunch offering is great value and it’s a worthwhile trip into God’s Country”. “On a sunny day, lunch outside”.

Darlington-born Ruth Hansom and her team have “the air of knowing exactly what they’re doing” at her new 16-seater in a picturesque North Yorks town, greeted by some early reporters as “the best restaurant in the area by miles” thanks to her “epic” cuisine. The Times’s Gilles Coren also waxed lyrical in his February 2025 review, with his ten-hour round trip to visit fully justified by a venue he described as “full of love and truth”. Overall the food rating in our annual diners’ poll sums to “very good” rather than “exceptional” though on reports of food that’s highly capable without quite discovering the “beauty and genius” discerned by Giles.