Helmsley, British, Traditional - Restaurant Guide

“The Plough has been providing weary travellers with refreshments since 1498” and “current owners Richard & Lindsey Johns are the latest publicans to proudly continue this time-honoured tradition” (having built quite a name in this area already via e.g., the Hovingham Inn, and Artisan, Hessle). “Richard lovingly transforms the best produce Yorkshire has to offer into hearty, carefully considered dishes, preparing and cooking everything from scratch”, while “Lindsey ably oversees the warmest of Yorkshire welcomes to their guests in a cosy and welcoming setting” that’s certainly worth wombling over to Wombleton to visit.

“Simply sublime” cooking wins huge support for Josh & Victoria Ovington’s converted pub in a small village half an hour from York which opened in mid 2023 and which is now one of the top-50 most commented-on destinations outside London in our annual diners’ poll; and with a very high proportion of diners reporting their best meal of the year here. It’s not a place to drop by – the main event by night is an eighteen course menu championing the Yorkshire ‘terroir’ for £165 per person; at lunch a mere fourteen courses for £115 per person. Many fans have approvingly followed the couple’s progress from their days in York: “I thought that when they were at Le Cochon Aveugle they couldn’t be surpassed but moving to Myse they’ve pulled out all the stops. Incredible”. It’s a “lovely” place too (“especially in winter next to a roaring fire”), with rooms available for dinner, bed and breakfast.