The Henshelwoods Splendor
Situated in the heart of Yorkshire, Henshelwoods provides a bustling delicatessen offering every imaginable delight. From fresh Longley Farm curds to locally grown chillies, the shelves are a feast for your senses. As a visitor, you wouldn't want to miss getting a gourmet takeaway sandwich or a portion of their lip-smacking homemade quiche. Mrs Appleby's Lancashire cheese and Whitby crab offer a tantalizing experience, marked by superior ingredients and exceptional bread. If you're health-conscious, opt for their salad boxes which allow you to choose across deli counter items. And, for those who like a bit of indulgence, you get the option to add a pork pie too.
Sandwich prices start from a budget-friendly £2.35. Locate us at 10 Newgate, or give us a call at +44 (0)1904 673877; deliyork.co.uk
With Henshelwoods, you aren’t just experiencing a meal, you're immersing yourself in Yorkshire's finest produce. The local and fresh produce used ensures that you consume meals that taste like they’ve been made at home. After enjoying a meal at Henshelwoods, explore the great city of York to experience its rich history and vibrant culture, making your dining experience even more unforgettable.
Melton's Too
The remarkable 'MToo', an intriguing spin-off from the well-respected Melton's restaurant by renowned chef Michael Hjort, is a place where the season's best local produce is served to perfection in an unpretentious environment. Nestled within a tastefully restored 17th-century building, Melton's Too operates as a comfortable café-bar on the ground level, a sophisticated bistro on the first floor, and a versatile events space. This establishment provides a relaxing ambiance to enjoy an unhurried late breakfast, served until 12:30 pm. Highly recommended is the delightfully creamy, richly flavored scrambled eggs with succulent Whitby salmon that carries a bold smoky aroma. As the day continues, the menu transitions to offer tapas or the more adventurous can explore the eclectic global-inspired dishes. Regular offerings may span from a succulent Peruvian delicacy, huatia, to mouthwatering ravioli stuffed with roast squash and courgette, enhanced with pesto. An express lunch, including one course, is available at £6.90 until 5 pm.
Brunch/tapas dishes start at £3; main courses begin at £10.80. Find them at 25 Walmgate, +44 (0)1904 629222; exploring more on meltonstoo.co.uk
J Baker's Bistro Moderne
Jeff Baker is not only serious about his culinary creations, but he also believes in making gourmet food accessible and enjoyable for all. His menu allows diners to choose from a variety of plates, both big and small, providing a chance to sample high-quality food that is both ambitiously creative and budget-friendly. A standout on his menu is the distinctive Whitby crab salad for just £6.95. This signature dish pairs luscious crab meat with a zesty avocado creme fraiche "sorbet" and a hint of exotic Indian spices in the form of quavers. It is a delightful way to delight your palate without a hefty bill. In addition, the diner can look forward to complimentary miniature baked potatoes, playfully served in a paper bag with smoked salt and a lavish serving of anchovy and black olive butter. This unexpected treat is quite entertaining given the incredibly reasonable prices. The welcoming and charming service only adds to the overall experience.
Menu options for lunch starting from £3.75. Visit them at 7 Fossgate, +44 (0)1904 622688; jbakers.co.uk
The Hairy Fig
Boasting what many consider York's supreme pork pie, The Fig is not one to shy away from these accolades. The pies, delivered fresh every day from the quaint village of Bubwith, offer a mouth-watering combination of chunky mild-cured pork ensnared in extraordinarily lean, snappy pastry. But it isn't just about pork pies; The Fig also hosts a treasure trove of delicacies, including Pieminister pies, homemade cakes, a diverse selection of olives and cured meats, as well as speciality breads baked locally in York. Notably, they offer the celebrated Ampleforth cider (1 litre, £5.95), perfect for the cider enthusiast. If you are planning for a picnic, The Fig is an excellent choice to gather your supplies.
Pricing of their pork pies start from just £1.30. They can be found at 39 Fossgate, and can be reached at +44 (0)1904 677074; visit their website thehairyfig.co.uk for more details.
Il Paradiso del Cibo
With its scuffed lino, cheap, mix 'n' match furniture and Juventus memorabilia, Paolo Silesu's tiny Italian feels, quite deliberately, like some family-run back street restaurant in Turin or Rome. Silesu isn't interested in interior design, but in serving good, unfussy food at knockdown prices. Indeed, Il Paradiso has become something of a word-of-mouth sensation, not just among students enjoying £6.25 pizzas and pasta dishes, but local foodies, too. Look to the specials board for, say, a rustic plate of fat, perfectly cooked sardines, salad and red pesto (£4.50), or oven-baked sea bream with mussels and king prawns in a mixed herb, wine, garlic and lemon sauce (£11.50). Friendly, bright service, too. Dishes from £3.95. 40 Walmgate, +44 (0)1904 611444
After a satisfying meal at Il Paradiso, it's only natural to want to extend the evening and what better way than to book a stay at a nearby hotel that captures the essence of York. Consider a place such as the Copthorne Hotel, which offers comfortable accommodations that embody the charm of the city. To discover more or to make a reservation, visit http://copthorne.yorkshire-hotel.com/en/.
The Bar Convent Cafe
In the heart of Britain is the longest-established active convent of the Roman Catholic belief that graciously extends its warming embrace to all, regardless of their religious affiliations, enveloping an unexpected delight - a charming café. Though its interior design may appear simplistic and functional, the flourishing neighbouring gardens coupled with the beautifully adorned Victorian entrance hall instill a sense of allure to the setting. Their menu offers a medley of taste-temptations, ranging from mouth-watering cake selections, unique sandwich combinations such as the tantalising fusion of pastrami and sweet red pepper tapenade, delightful comfort food like the Welsh rarebit graced with caramelised onions, to delectable daily specials like the hearty beef bourguignon.
Starting prices are £4.25 for light lunches and £8.75 for specials. Locate them at 17 Blossom Street or call +44 (0)1904 464910 for reservations; visit their website here.
The Pig & Pastry
If you're looking for a local favorite to start your day with a delicious breakfast or brunch, then head just outside York's city walls to this hidden gem. This charming establishment boasts large, sturdy tables, a tempting display of cakes at the low counter, and vibrant dried pepper decorations in the windows.
Owned and run by chef Steve Holding, you can expect the menu to deliver on its mouthwatering promises. Choose a spot at the end of one of the tables and treat yourself to crowd-pleasing delights like the flavorsome pork belly cassoulet or Bleiker's kippers with hearty brown bread. Attention to detail in cooking and the use of top-notch local ingredients make even the simplest dishes shine, with The Pig's bacon butties standing as a prime example.
Don't let the budget-friendly prices fool you - the quality and taste of the food here are far from compromised. And with sandwiches starting from only £3 and meals ranging from £5 to £8, it's an affordable indulgence that won't break the bank.
So, if you're in search of a delicious and satisfying meal outside the tourist trail, make sure to swing by this charming spot at 35 Bishopthorpe Road. Dial +44 (0)1904 675115 to reserve your table and treat your taste buds to a delightful experience.
Cafe No.8 Bistro
Enter a vibrant and relaxed food spot, reminiscent of a 1930s era diner, where Ella Fitzgerald's jazz tunes fill the air. The culinary offerings, though, represent a stark contrast to the retro ambiance as they reveal a modern approach to using locally sourced ingredients from Yorkshire. The food, be it a comforting bowl of tomato and ginger soup spiced with Indian flavors or a meticulously prepared 21-day aged steak served with savory chips and Yorkshire blue sauce, radiates an unpretentious elegance in cooking. The establishment also boasts guest beers, including the award-winning Ruby mild from Rudgate's Camra, priced at an affordable £3.60.
Delight in the varied menu starting at £4.95. Located at 8 Gillygate, contact +44 (0)1904 653074 for inquiries. For more details visit cafeno8.co.uk
Not only does this casual dining spot serve delicious food, but it also takes pride in its impressive range of beers, making it a great spot not just for meals but for casual drinks as well. Another fun thing to note - the delightful blend of retro aesthetics and contemporary culinary practices make this place an interesting confluence of eras, offering a unique dining experience.
Goji
In the heart of Yorkshire, El Piano has long reigned supreme in the vegetarian world with its stunning Andalusian tiles and authentic tapas served at affordable prices (tapas dishes cost £3.95; located at 15-17 Grape Lane, you can contact them at +44 (0)1904 610676 or visit their website at el-piano.com). Recently, however, a new contender has burst onto the scene, namely the Goji delicatessen and cafe. In contrast to El Piano's more flamboyant approach, Goji leans towards a more subdued style, specialising in soups, quiches, and irresistible homemade cakes including noteworthy waffles paired with a delectable hot chocolate sauce and ice cream. However, their specialty cafetiere coffees didn't quite hit the mark.
Get snacks from £1.50 or enjoy their larger dishes starting from £7.25. Find them at 36 Goodramgate or ring them up at +44 (0)1904 622614, or visit their website at gojicafe.co.uk
Le Langhe
Located on one of York's less historic streets, just up the road from Allied Carpets, it would be easy to overlook Le Langhe. For local foodies, however, this deli-cafe is one of the city's most breathtaking sights. It is a treasure trove of artisan Italian produce - cured meats, imported cheeses, buckets of glistening olives and phalanxes of wine and olive oil cover every available surface. It can get expensive, particularly Thu-Sat evenings, when Le Langhe morphs into a restaurant proper. But, by day, you can pick up a fantastic sandwich – for instance, tart, smoky speck with rocket on a springy, chewy ciabatta from Le Langhe's bakery (£2.95) – or head into the elegant dining room for simple hot dishes, salads, and meat and cheese platters.
Starters from £3.95, pasta £8.95. The Old Coach House, Peasholme Green, +44 (0)1904 622584; lelanghe.co.uk
Tony travelled to York with Northern Rail.