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| Restaurants and Bistros | Cafes/Cafe bars | Pubs |

Where to eat and drink in York

(Designers opinions...you may beg to differ. If you do please let me know)


Restaurants and Bistros in York

English
Indian
Italian
Chinese/Thai/Japanese
Other Nationalities

English

Cafe Concerto tel. York (01904) 610478

Ok so it's not really a restaurant more a cafe cum bistro at night. But the food is exquisite and worth mentioning in this section because the informal atmosphere makes you feel very at ease no matter what your dress code, yet the food is every bit as good as that you would find in York's best restaurants.
Their motto is 'Music for your mouth', very apt for this award winning cafe - we strongly recommend that you book a table if requiring and evening meal, it is popular and only small - don't leave it too late!

Situated just through Bootham Bar on the Right, in the shadow of York Minster. An easy 10 minute walk.


Cafe No. 8 tel. York (01904) 653074

Another cafe cum bistro but under new ownership. The food is divine and consistently good, like Cafe Concerto the informal atmosphere makes you feel very at ease no matter what your dress code.
They have the added advantage of having a small, informal garden at the rear, right under the City walls which is delightful - especially with the good weather we have had this summer. However, they are open as a restaurant Friday and Saturday nights only at the moment. So they are relying on their 9am to 5pm cafe trade during the Weekdays. Currently there is no real need to book as they are still quiet, but as their reputation grows the need to book will become necessary.

Situated on Gillygate, Bootham Bar end and is an easy 10 minute walk.


Meltons Too tel. York (01904) 634341

Again another Cafe which becomes an excellent Bistro at night. They have combined, very successfully, modern furniture/lighting with an ancient 1690's building. The food is again excellent, as you would expect being Melton's newest addition to York's food front. An informal atmosphere and is deceptively large, however it is quickly gaining a good customer base. Pre-bookings are not taken but you are able to enjoy a drink whilst waiting for a table.

Situated on Walmgate, it is a 15-20 minute walk (conveniently, in a straight line from Bootham Bar if you have not had too much to drink).


The Blue Bicycle tel. York (01904) 673990

If you are looking for a good fish restaurant we would recommend the Blue Bicycle as their reputation hangs on its fresh fish dishes, after a few ups and downs it is definitely back on an up again. It has a relaxed atmosphere but very pricey. Booking is advisable.

Situated on Fossgate (just before the road changes name to Walmgate, so it is close to Meltons Too) a straight forward walk (literally) of around 15-20 minutes.


Tricksters Lane tel. York (01904) 675576

Minimalist feel and very well done. This restaurant serves high quality food which you can see the chefs cooking as they have a 'bar like' kitchen - so you can be assured no compromising in health and safety will be going on here! A touch pricey but worth it if it is not an every day occurrence.

Situated at the top of Fossgate it is a about a 15 minute walk - if you are wondering about the name, ask a waiter, it is an interesting story.


St William's Restaurant tel. York (01904) 634830

A 15th century building, a former college of St William's. Fascinating building. Serving both coffees during the day and full restaurant on a night. The food is a little different and flavourful, worth a visit even if only for a coffee.

Situated on College Street just off Goodramgate under the great East window of the Minster. About an 10 minute walk.




Indian

Akash Tandoori Restaurant tel. York (01904) 633550

Authentic Bangladeshi cuisine, our favourite 'Indian', the food is well presented and clearly uses fresh ingredients, very tasty and a wide variety of dishes. The staff are relaxed and friendly making you at ease but they still remain attentive. The restaurant is only small but clean and a good use of mirrors makes it appear much larger. It starts to fill up from 8pm onwards so arrive early if you have not booked.

Situated on North Street (just down from Lendal Bridge, near the Viking Moat House Hotel) about a 7 to 10 minute walk.


Aagrah Restaurant tel. Tadcaster (01937) 530888

Awarded UK's Best Group of Indian Restaurants. A great experience, the waiters wear traditional dress and the food is very good. Buffet style on a Sunday and Monday.

Situated on the Tadcaster road (A64 towards Leeds), it is a 15 to 20 minute car or taxi ride - but well worth the journey.




Italian

Mama Mias tel. York (01904) 622020

It must be said, it's our favourite 'Italian', perhaps not the best but it is close, very friendly and the food is good and reasonably priced.

Situated half way down Gillygate, about a 7 minute walk (ps. they do a real Italian garlic bread - tomato and garlic on a thin pizza like base - yum!)


Pizza Express tel. York (01904) 672904

In the old 'Yorkshire Club' building, a listed building overlooking the river. All-in-all a delightful setting, often with a live pianist playing, adding to the ambience. The food is good and surprisingly, not expensive.

Situated on Museum street, opposite the main entrance to the Museum Gardens, about a 7 minute walk.




Chinese/Thai/Japanese

Siam House tel. York (01904) 624677

Authentic Thai restaurant, good value early bird menus. Excellent food. We strongly recommend booking in advance, it is only small and is very busy.

Situated down Goodramgate about a 10-12 minute walk.


Phoenix tel. York (01904) 62069

For a good Chinese try this restaurant. It is fairly expensive but the quality is high.

Situated on Gillygate about a 10 minute walk




Other Nationalities

El Piano tel. York (01904) 610676

An amazing Hispanic style restaurant, the food really is different, mostly 'sharers' and no menu! This is because the food is bought on the day and so the menu is dictated by what's fresh on the market that day. 100% vegetarian, they can also cater for all different diets eg vegans, coeliacs and low cholesterol diets. The atmosphere is jolly and easy, live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Well worth a visit for a very different experience with good food (even though its 'veggie' - speaking as a die hard carnivore). What's more, due to a lack of liquor licence, you can take your own - no corkage fee. Thus it's a relatively cheap meal.

Situated down Grape Lane it's about a 10-12 minute walk.




Cafes

Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms tel. York (01904) 659142

The place to be seen! they serve exquisite teas and a wide range of coffees from around the world. If you want to spoil yourself this is the place to do it. On an evening they often have a live pianist. They hold musical evenings on selected dates so if you want to push the boat out that bit further pop in or ring for the events program. Do visit their web site (use the link above) as it is very informative - They even have an on line shop (www.bettysbypost.com) so you can remind yourself of the great food and drink you experienced in York!!

Situated in St. Helen's Square near the Mansion House


Little Bettys Cafe Tea Room tel. York (01904) 622865

A delightful coffee and Tea room in a small grade II listed building down Stonegate. As its name suggests, it is a small version of the Bettys mentioned above. So all the food is of the highest quality, with outstanding service and smaller queues!! - No live music at this shop, but you can watch the hoards of people walking below you as this cafe is on the first floor (second floor for our friends across the pond!). The web site is the same as for Bettys above and of course the online shop is as above too.

Situated halfway down Stonegate (which runs from St Helen's Square to the Minster) - keep your eyes peeled as it has only a small frontage.


Terry's at the Dean Court tel. York (01904) 625082

To be found inside the Dean Court Hotel partly in a conservatory, lovely relaxed atmosphere but still retaining a 'touch of class'. Their cream tea's are gorgeous, they also serve a variety of hot and cold meals as well as light (and not so light) teas (the word tea is being used in the English sense and not the literal sense, ie. tea is a snack consisting of either tea or coffee and either a cream cake, pastry or light sandwich).

Situated in Duncome Place literally in full view of the Minster


Sandy's addition to this section:-

Pennys tel. 01904 613606

A very pleasant coffee and tea shop serving excellent light meals, sandwiches and cakes. Food is served outside during spring and summer months, so you may watch the world go by as you savour best quality food.

Situated down Feasegate in York City Centre.




Pubs

The Exhibition

A good stop on your way into the City, they also serve substantial pub food (Gammon and egg, Steak and Kidney Pie, Giant Yorkshire puddings etc.)


The Minster Inn

Slightly off the normal walk into the City, but well worth the detour to experience a typical English 'Local', it retains the original character and shape of an English pub and serves real ales ie, it is not tied to a particular brewery and so has a variety of interesting (and often strong) bitters and ales.

Situated on Marygate just of Bootham - follow the Abbey walls down towards the back entrance to the museum gardens.


The Hole in the Wall

Great for a quick pint or for good pub food, like most pubs they stop serving food after 9pm so be early!

Situated just through Bootham Bar, read the plaques on the wall to find out why it is called the Hole in the Wall.




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