British, Modern Restaurants in York
1. The Alice Hawthorn
British, Modern restaurant in Nun Monkton
The Green - YO26
“The village setting only adds to the charm”, say fans of this 18th-century pub – nowadays owned by Richard Harpin (the millionaire co-founder of HomeServe plumbing) and run by Claire Topham and chef husband John, formerly at The Angel at Hetton. In late 2021 it was crowned by The Times as one of their top 100 hotels in the country. On the food front, our reporters give it very high ratings and say it’s “good value” too.
2. The Bow Room Restaurant
British, Modern restaurant in York
Grays Court Hotel, Chapter House Street - YO1
A “beautiful setting” – York’s oldest inhabited house, host to knights and politicos in its day, and boasting a medieval walled garden – adds to the drama at this graceful 12-room hotel. In summer 2021, award-winning chef Adam Jackson (who helped Yorkshire pub The Black Swan to a star before launching his own venture) took over the head chef role, and early visitors were “blown away” by his “exquisite” and “creative” seasonal food, including six-course tasting menus. “An eating experience that creates memories.”
3. 31 Castlegate Restaurant
British, Modern restaurant in York
31 Castlegate - YO1
2021 Review: A “consistently good” indie that has been open since 2005 and occupies the former house of Georgian architect G.T. Andrews, in the shadow of the Clifford’s Tower; its continental cuisine continues to elicit solid ratings, and “their 2-for-1 special offers (once they have your email address) are superb value”.
4. Skosh
British, Modern restaurant in York
98 Micklegate - YO1
“Next level!” – Neil Bentinck’s funky, small city-centre dining room continues to be one of the highest-performing and most commented-on destinations in this very foodie town. The menu revolves around “eclectic small plates alongside a small but excellently curated wine list” and the cuisine is “brilliantly conceived and superbly executed”.
5. Mannion & Co
British, Modern restaurant in York
1 Blake St - YO1
“Exceptional breakfasts” and “wonderful coffee and cake” are the big draws at this deli/café with a restored Tudor frontage, which the Mannion family originally opened as a grocer’s more than 30 years ago. It’s also a “perfect spot for brunch, with a courtyard outside – the food is of a very high standard and the specials board changes weekly”. There’s now a spin-off in Helmsley.
6. Bettys
British, Modern restaurant in York
6-8 St Helen’s Square - Y01
“Like being on the Titanic without the iceberg!” – with its “piano music and wood panelling taking you back to a bygone age”, its “super service and such attention to detail”, (not to mention its “perfect cakes”) – this iconic tearoom sails serenely on. The same couldn’t be said, though, for its nearby Little Betty’s offshoot, whose closure was announced in Spring 2021.
7. Cafe No. 8 Bistro
Sandwiches, cakes, etc restaurant in York
8 Gillygate - YO31
2021 Review: “Never had a bad meal”, say fans of this “favourite” tiny bistro, off the Gillygate, serving “excellent ingredients prepared with some imagination”. It can feel “rather cramped inside”, though. Top Tip: “go for the garden room in summer, under the medieval city wall”.
8. The Ivy St Helen's Square
British, Modern restaurant in York
2 Saint Helen’s Square - YO1
The York branch of Richard Caring’s glossy Ivy chain generates most enthusiasm for its attractive interior, which makes it a pleasant spot to while away an hour or two – including over afternoon tea – especially if you can nab a table by the full-length windows (difficult to guarantee, since tables are allocated on arrival).
9. Star Inn the City
British, Modern restaurant in York
Lendal Engine House, Museum Street - YO1
A “lovely”, “bright and airy venue on the River Ouse” plays host to this city spin-off from Andrew Pern’s well-known Star Inn at Harome, 25 miles to the north. It would surely rate higher were it not for a feeling in some quarters that it offers “nice” or “distinctly average” bistro food “at fine-dining prices”.
10. Roots
British, Modern restaurant in York
68 Marygate - YO30
“A go-to-restaurant in York!” – Tommy Banks continues to inspire delight at this converted pub in the centre, which is one of our most commented-on destinations in this ever-more foodie city. Central to its appeal is a menu that fans “love, love, love as it’s so creative and sophisticated”, using ingredients grown on the Banks family’s 20-acre farm. There’s only one caveat, and that’s increasing concern over creeping prices: “not sure the Tommy Banks hype is improving things at his two restaurants, and value for money is certainly reducing”. The team is not standing still, though: in November 2021 Will Lockwood transferred from being head chef at The Black Swan to run the kitchen here.
11. Arras
British, Modern restaurant in York
The Old Coach House, Peasholme Green - YO1
“Really worth a visit” – Adam & Lovaine Humphrey’s intimate, contemporary outfit (fewer than 20 seats) “doesn't disappoint”, whether you opt for the two- or three-course set lunch and dinner or the more elaborate five-course ‘Kitchen Menu’ blending market-led dishes and Arras staples. “Try to fit in the wonderful cheese course and petits fours too!”
12. Pairings
British, Modern restaurant in York
28 Castlegate - YO1
2019 Review: A “great little wine bar with exceptional wines, personal service and tasty nibbles” – this three-year-old venture offers simple food (sharing platters, charcuterie, cheeses) to help soak up its vinous offerings. Top Tip: “the ‘Pairing Wine Flights’ matching food with wine are a fab concept and fun to experiment with”.
13. Le Cochon Aveugle
British, Modern restaurant in York
37 Walmgate - YO1
“Our first blind tasting menu, not completely knowing what to expect. We needn’t have worried!” – Josh & Victoria Overington’s intimate venture at the heart of the city is “a small place that packs a mighty punch”. “Courses flow effortlessly from one to another” with “excitement before each arrival”, and deliver “stunning dishes with incredible flavours beautifully presented”. “Watching the chefs beaver away and then pass the food over to you is great fun too. (Probably the finest thing I ate was a baked scallop with sea urchin butter and Amalfi lemon… makes drooling noise… utter perfection!)”
14. Melton’s
British, Modern restaurant in York
7 Scarcroft Rd - YO23
“Enthusiastic owners” Michael (Roux-trained and also behind the Walmgate Ale House) & Lucy Hjort's “venerable gem” is a “lovely bistro-style restaurant” where the modern British food may be on the “traditional” side, but is never less than “great”.
15. Middlethorpe Hall
British, Modern restaurant in York
Bishopthorpe Road - YO23
“A great place for a civilised lunch” – so long as you don’t expect culinary fireworks. This impressive William & Mary country house on the outskirts of York is owned by the National Trust (and was once the residence of traveller and writer Lady Mary Wortley Montague, who introduced the practice of smallpox inoculation to Britain after witnessing it in Turkey).
16. Cave du Cochon
Pizza restaurant in York
19 Walmgate - YO1
An “amazing little wine bar and pizza restaurant, opened by the team behind Le Cochon Aveugle”, and just down the road from that venture; on the menu, “fantastic homemade sourdough pizzas and flatbreads, as well as snacks, charcuterie and cheese”. The main event, though, is the “fantastic wine board with bottles that only appear for a short time”, aka 'Last Chance Wines'…“suggest you trust in the team by taking their recommendations!”
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