The 30 Best Restaurants in York

“Food was amazing. Things my 10 year old Liked. Staff were fantastic. We recommend this highly. Traditional items you’d expect and some unique ones too xx”

“Really friendly service, prices are reasonable and the food is just what you want - ideal for that end of the night kebab”

“The best food we have ever had ! The restaurant was full when we entered, it had a really nice noise and vibe. Diners looked really interested in their dishes. We sat at the bar and had a Kentucky Bourbon and a cocktail whilst we waited for our table. We were seated with a view of the kitchen, which was really fun and interesting, watching all the chefs work and interact from their stations. The food was served in perfect timings, allowing us enough time in-between each dish. The mix flavours in each of the dishes was incredible. Sweet and sour. Spiced and pickled. Crunchy and soft textures. I genuinely believe this the best food I have ever eaten. Nothing was overbearing or too much. It simply worked - every dish. 2 entrees each, 5 dishes shared- was perfect. Cocktails for my wife, and a half bottle of Italian red for me. The price, was a lot better than we expected, when the bill came. We were pleasantly surprised. We will be back, happy to drive from Manchester just to come to Skosh !”

“Had lunch here with my Japanophile teenage son who rated the food "the best Japanese food he's had in the UK". It was great though, very simple, traditional, but full of flavour. The service was nice, attentive without being overbearing but with a smile and a laugh, and our plates food were demolished in no time. A good sign was the number of Japanese customers dining, which to me is a real indication of the quality and authenticity of the food. Definitely will be paying Shiitakeya another visit next time in York.”

“A friend brought us here in the pouring rain. We were originally going to the other japanese restaurant for sushi, but decided to stay for their tea. We got the Yame Gyokuro and Kuromame cha. As my wife is a tea fanatic, I believe we can say that they were certainly high quality. The waiter said that the Kuromame was roasted in-house, and you can tell a lot of care was put into these teas as their flavours were superb and not very tannic. The yame gyokuro has a lovely umami taste and leaves a wonderful aftertaste in your mouth, and the kuromame cha, for a lack of a better term, tasted like a really light coffee without the bitterness. The waiter also recommended their mochi to go with it, and we got the yuzu mochi and matcha mochi. The matcha was perfectly sweet and done well. Sometimes restaurants burn their matcha but this was not the case. The yuzu mochi really stood out to me as a citrus lover. It had the brightness of an orange, and was not too overpowering, much like a gentle lemon zest. I highly recommend trying this. as it is one of my new favourites. After the tea and snacks we decided to stay. We had okonomiyaki and gyudon, which are something me and my partner make often at home. We're very picky eaters, so we were very surprised that it was delicious and tasted similar to the way we prepare them. I wasn't expecting the sake taste in the gyudon, and it definitely elevated the flavour. The okonomiyaki was equally as delicious and well cooked, although I wish we could have ordered a protein with it! We also ordered fried oysters with their yuzu tartar, and as a first time oyster eater, I want to say that they are extremely delicious and could not recommend them more. There is a gentle crisp crunch on the outside and then a nice tanginess from the tartar, and they just melt in your mouth. For dessert we had a matcha cream roll with strawberries, and this was also very well made. The matcha cake itself was not too sweet, and was balanced out by the sweetness of the cream and strawberries. They even reserved this cake for after we finished eating as there was only two left! Our waiter Homme was very kind to us and made sure that we were served well. We learned a little bit about York today as we do not live here, and their service to us was wonderful. They also explained in detail about our dishes and the way they are made. Truly made our night! Thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule to talk to us. ☺️ We sat on the outside garden as well which has heaters to keep us warm and a lovely cozy japanese scenery of plants. The atmosphere here is lovely. I also strongly appreciate their small collection of artisan goods. I love when restaurants collaborate with independent artists! They had lots of essential japanese cooking goods as well, and I also grabbed some of their high quality tea on the way out. What was a bit of a miserable night turned into a great experience, and I couldn't have asked for a better Halloween evening. I would highly recommend this place if you are looking for authentic Japanese home-style cooking. Thank you Homme!”

“What a beautiful restaurant, amazing food and fantastic value for money. Highly recommend here. Couples sat downstairs and larger groups or those with kids upstairs. The service was impeccable and the decor was perfect. We told them they missed our wine off the bill but they said not to worry and left it off”

“Absolutely amazing, I was in food heaven. Manager was so nice and considerate. Asked my how day was, which was nice. He wad absolutely charming. Again,the food was stunning. Looked lovely and tasted better than any in Acomb. Would recommend to everybody ever. The rich juicy flavours of the chicken really brought out the exquisite spice of the sauce. The makkani was to die for”

“I went here this evening for the first time and could not fault it at all. The waitress / manager was so friendly and welcoming. The service was really efficient and the food was delicious. Really well priced and good portions. I can definitely recommend this place. Will definitely return when we are in Leeds again.”

“This Thai tapas spot was a pretty interesting experience. The flavors were definitely on point, with some really delicious dishes coming out of the kitchen. However, I have to say, it was a bit on the pricey side for what you got. The portion sizes were just okay, not exactly generous. Overall, it's worth a try if you're looking for good Thai food, but be prepared for the bill.”

“Everything about this place is perfect. The service from all the staff was excellent, the building itself is quaint and wonderful and the food! I was excepting it to be good based on the reviews but it's probably the best Thai meal I have had, full stop. The tapas style dishes were extremely generous portions, and special mention to the massaman, it was extremely tasty. All the dishes tasted fresh. Two adults, including alcohol for less than £100 is very good value. We will return.”

“Excellent Italian cuisine with fair prices in the heart of York - perfectly located close to Shambles in a beautiful medieval building. Welcoming staff and chef, well recommended! They also offer a very worthy kid's lunch menu.”

“My wife and I spent yesterday at the Barbican for the snooker. After the afternoon session, we decided to see what was available nearby. We didn't have a reservation, but we were quickly shown to a table. Food is excellent well prepared and presented beautifully. High praise to the owner and staff. Very welcoming little restaurant 2 minute walk from the Barbican. To sum up in one word, Bellissima”

“My husband and I I went for dinner and had an incredible experience. Dishes are many and varied and all seem to be mouth-watering. We ordered gorgonzola-and-nuts gnocchi and mushroom ravioli and they were both absolutely delicious! The atmosphere was great, as was the service. A little bit pricier than other places, but totally worth it!”

“Great restaurant, we’ve been a few times now. The staff are always friendly, the food is good quality and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Never had a bad meal, always had a great time! Will be back!”

“An absolutely wonderful experience with truly delicious food. The wild mushroom soup was a solid 12/10 absolutely outstanding! The rabbit liver could have been a bit crunchier, but the flavor was still excellent. My cousin had the “Gypsy-style pancake” and it was also absolutely delicious. The restaurant’s atmosphere and interior design are beautiful, and the view of the river makes it even more special. It was also great to chat with the staff in Polish - such a nice touch when you’re abroad and can still hear your native language while enjoying authentic, high-quality Polish cuisine. The service was superb: attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. Highly recommended!”

“Walked in without a reservation, seated immediately by wonderful staff. Food was incredible cooked to perfection, dessert was amazing too Next time we are back in York we would definitely return”

“This is the best Chinese food in York, incredibly affordable with the most delicious flavors. The staff are exceptionally friendly. I come here every week. It might just be the best Chinese food in the UK.”

“Ordered tonight a large order of £75 and we ordered around 6 main dishes and every single person commented how beautiful the food was!! Everything was full of flavour and tasty , we collected our order and the place was spotless clean & big open kitchen 10/10!! We are from West Yorkshire and are fussy about Chineese food but I highly recommend this place”

“I went here last week for a birthday meal and it was great! Great service, pretty environment and very friendly staff! We were welcomed and seated pretty much as soon as we walked in and the waiting time for the food was decent! Zara who was serving us was lovely, such a great service! We weren’t waiting too long and the food was also really good. The burger I had was delicious and the fries were good too! I especially loved the little pot of sauce that came with the meal! The meal was also beautifully presented! Very friendly and welcoming place that serves really nice food! Definitely recommend :)”

“Wow. What a place. Absolutely buzzing with atmosphere on a Thursday night. We didn’t order food (apart from a couple of packet of tasty Yorkshire Crisps) but the food & portions looked awesome. Great selection for all tastes (Carnie, Veggie & Vegan). We got the only two seats at the very narrow bar and had a right laugh with the no-nonsense bar crew. It was so easy to order drinks using a number on the display next to the bar. The beautiful wooden rafters and full taxidermy wall make the upstairs bar one of the maddest place to get a pint. I think there is a potato is a big cat’s mouth. Standard. Sheepskin covered church pew and candles in bottles with years of dripping wax adds to the madness. As well as the incredible selection of cask & keg, they had Whitby Rum on the shelf. No generic spirits here! Oh and the soundtrack… The bar crew were playing what they like. Not what the brewery tells them to. Refreshing! Can’t wait to return.”

“I visited Cafe No 8 before Covid and really loved the food. They shorten their operation hours after Covid and we finally made it for Sunday lunch today. We had a starter, mains and dessert. The food was just as good as I remembered. Service was good too. This place just celebrated their 20 years' anniversary in York which tells you that they got to be good to last that long given the ultra competitive food scene here. The food was of top quality, refined and cooked with care. We had beef and pork tenderloin and they were so tender. The potatoes were roasted perfectly. And we had a selection of vegetables (Broccolini, Parsnip, Carrots, Spring Onions etc) not over cooked like many places. And I was so glad to try the Dark Belgian Chocolate Truffle with Black Sesame Ice Cream. I love black sesame ice cream but is a rarity to find them in York. I wish I could buy a tub of their black sesame ice cream and bring it home. If you are looking for a place with a relaxed atmosphere, serving non-pretentious and delicious food, I recommend Cafe No 8 Bistro.”

“Visited here as part of York Restaurant Week. That chicken mandi was unbelievably tasty, can tell the right amount of seasoning was used. I could see the restaurant owner adjusting the lights to enhance the dining atmosphere, which I find very nice. I also had a soup with a spicy kick to it. Like others have commented, I never tried Yemeni food so made it even better.”

“Had a lovely tapas meal serviced by the friendly staff. Food was excellent and lots of interesting taste experiences. Lovely cosy restaurant with attentive staff. Can throughly recommend”

“As we are huge fans of Turkish food, we visited Yakamoz during our recent visit to York. The food here is some of the nicest we have eaten to be honest. We go to a Turkish restaurant in Liverpool a lot as we love the food there and we never thought that we would eat better Turkish food in the UK, but Yakamoz is just as good, it is lovely! It is a great restaurant on Goodramgate so not far from the Minster or The Shambles. It is well decorated, very clean and every member of the service team we met were lovely. The prices are more than fair as well we thought, especially as it is of a good, high quality. I had the Tavuk Sis and my partner had the mini grill. The chicken on my Tavuk Sis was still moist and well chargrilled. It was very flavourful and the accompanying salad was lovely and fresh and the rice was well cooked. The mini grill also went down a treat and everything that I sampled from it was gorgeous. You also receive a complimentary bread when you are seated which is very nice indeed, especially when it is first served and is piping hot. The sauce that comes with the bread is also very nice, not spicy at all, just a nice back end heat. If you are a fan of Turkish food and in York, you will not go wrong visiting Yakamoz, highly recommended indeed.”

“Been wanting to visit for ages but never got around to it before today. Food was beautifully cooked and presented. We have the full English and the savoury French toast. You’ll leave happy with a big smile on your face. Service really friendly too and our dog was given a free sausage! Will definitely be going back :)”

“Very pleasant first time visit to Aroma today. Enjoyed an American and a panini. Service was very friendly, lovely smiles all round, very polite. Thoroughly enjoyed the panini and the coffee was very good too. Would recommend.”

“We stayed at St. George's guesthouse for 2 nights and thoroughly enjoyed our time. The room was nicely furnished, the bed was comfortable and the bathroom was clean and modern. The host was very helpful and approachable, and there was plenty of on-site parking available. The guesthouse is a straight 30-minute walk to the city centre, so an ideal place for visitors to York who want a quiet place to stay. We will be sure to visit this guesthouse again.”

“We stayed here for out visit to york. Its an amazing location and accessible to all key places in city. There is only one parking space. If you have a second car, it has to be parked on the road. there is a parking permit provided by the owner. So, its also covered. house is good and cosy. All ameneties are available.”

“Great experience with young family. Prebooked online which I would suggest as there was a big line waiting for walk up. Nice basic little boats, easy to operate and safe enough to give your kids a turn driving. Nice views and not bad value at £40 for an hour. Good on a hot sunny day.”

“This place is brilliant. From the moment we walked in we were treated as if we were the only ones that mattered. The staff are fantastic, attentive and knowledgeable. The food was cooked to perfection and the only criticism is that a small portion of vegetables would have been nice with the lamb. Highly recommend. Cost was approximately £50 per person with wine and drinks. Will definitely return.”