Sowerby Bridge Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: “It exploded onto the food scene two years ago, garnering two broadsheet reviews in quick succession… serving cod collar with XO sauce, fire-roasted razor clams with wild garlic – what were they thinking? This is Calderdale for god’s sake!” And Alisdair Brooke-Taylor and Aimee Turford are still absolutely smashing it at this converted moorland pub, ably delivering “mind-blowing meals” from a “surprising menu using exciting local ingredients”. “You would expect to pay three times as much in London, and would still feel you had got a bargain!”

2021 Review: Wil Akroyd and Mark Kemp’s minimally converted pub in this Calderdale mill town opened in late 2018 and has taken the local area by storm: “a young team working hard in an open kitchen, loving what they are doing and smashing it, and the front of house are the same”. “Outstanding Spanish tapas” attract the most mention but the menu is much wider than this, with “a huge range of vegetarian and vegan options”: “fire-roasted cauliflower with pomegranate, pine nuts and sesame/coriander dressing is something of a signature dish and other influences come from all round the world but don’t jar at all – (Sobrasada/pulled pork gyoza anyone?)”.

2021 Review: “Fantastic food” (“always plenty of interesting seasonal options, including great vegetarian choices”), that’s “great value” too, ensures the continuing popularity of Janet & Simon Baker’s eclectically decorated stalwart.

2021 Review: “A favourite in an area with a dearth of good eateries”, this is “a really well-run restaurant, with superb food and a nice location”. Chef-owner Eric Paxman worked in London (under MPW) and Australia (under Bill Granger) before returning to his hometown, where he marks his 10th anniversary in business last year. (“Eric has also ventured into PAX, a local burger bar as well – let’s hope his undoubted talent is not stretched too thinly”).