York Food Heroes

York is a top UK destination for food-lovers blessed with an abundance of top-quality local produce. Yorkshire’s produce is the envy of Britain, celebrated in the city’s mouthwatering range of restaurants, cafés and in its award-winning Shambles Food Court celebrate this delicious bounty, sourcing from local suppliers.

Masterclasses

The Cookery School at The Grand, York, offers unique and fun cookery classes run by expert tutors who cater to everyone’s skills from total beginners to aspiring chefs.

Indulge at York Cocoa Works’ Chocolate Bar Making Workshop and Masterclass Series that cover a whole range of techniques for creating our favourite food.

Foodie tours

One of the best ways to explore the landmarks and historic cobbles is on foot, led by expert guides.

The York on a Fork Food Tour - Join an expert on the York hospitality scene for a guided walk across the city with plenty of food thrown in with this three-hour food indulgence.

Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours where you can wind your way through the streets to try some delicious Yorkshire fare and learn about our history and culture along the way, stopping at five places for food and/or drink tasting.

Local tipples making a difference

Don’t miss opportunities to go behind-the-scenes to explore York’s master distillers and brewers crafting York’s award-winning tipples. Many of the city’s producers are independent makers specialising in locally distilled spirits, with many consciously using sustainable and carbon neutral methods, including:

• York Gin, winner of the England Distillery of the Year at the New York International Spirits Competition 2021, they use 100% green energy, all bottles, packaging and labels are made sustainably in Yorkshire and plastic free.

• Ellers Farm Distillery, located in North Yorkshire, the water for their products is sourced directly from the 260 metre-deep borehole on the farm. With their carbon offsetting measures, their decision making is based on balancing people, planet and profit.

• Cooper King Distillery, a family-owned whisky and gin distillery in Sutton-on-the-Forest, running on 100% green energy and England’s first carbon-negative gin.

• Harrogate Tipple, who use locally produced ingredients including the botanicals which are grown in the 750-year-old gardens within the Ripley Castle Estate walls, and make their drinks with 100% Harrogate Spring Water.

• Gilli's Gin Tin, committed to sourcing local, eco-friendly products for their gins and cocktails and for all deliveries.

Delightful teas

Afternoon teas in York are a delightful blend of tradition and charm. Nestled in historic tea rooms and elegant hotels, you can enjoy an assortment of finely brewed teas, delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of exquisite pastries.

A popular traditional favourite is Bettys Café Tea Rooms, a local institution since 1919, provide an ambiance steeped in history and elegance, making afternoon tea in York a memorable indulgence amidst the city's rich cultural heritage.

Middlethorpe Hall’s dining rooms overlook the gardens and the imaginative menus and gourmet tasting menu follow the hotel’s theme of traditional excellence. The chefs work closely with local suppliers and the hotel's gardening team to ensure the menu's ingredients are fresh and seasonal.

The numerous tea rooms in York's renowned hotels are not to be missed including: The Rise at The Grand, York; The Marmalade Lounge at No.1 by GuestHouse, York; The Garden Room at The Principal York Hotel; Middletons Hotel Restaurant & Bar; and Malmaison York.

A little further out the city you can find Castle Howard where you can discover a range of cafés and restaurants serving menus inspired fresh, seasonal produce from the land to your plate.

Alfresco dining

When it comes to feeding the soul with food, Yorkshire is blessed with an abundance of top-quality local produce, and York’s many restaurants, cafes and award-winning Shambles Market celebrate this delicious bounty, sourcing from local suppliers.

Fine weather calls for alfresco dining and a top must do at one of York’s parks, along the riverside or the many unique cafes at top attractions, including:

• At Shambles Food Court, you can expect delicious street food in a setting steeped in historical charm within Shambles Market - Trip Advisor’s Traveller’ Choice 2023. Open daily, you can rest up in the picnic seating area while you indulge in a diverse choice of food from North African, Middle Eastern cuisine, Thai delights, to bagels and gourmet sandwiches.

• Many of York’s top attractions offer a perfect rest bite, including; The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, England's oldest living convent, you can pick up a bite to eat at the beautiful Victorian Atrium and enjoy the peaceful garden surroundings; Barley Hall, a medieval townhouse tucked away down one of the oldest streets in York, you can continue to discover history at the cafe; Tucked away behind bustling Goodramgate stands Bedern Hall, the 14th century dining hall of the Vicars Choral of York Minster, enjoy coffee and cake or a glass of wine and a savoury snack in the peaceful courtyard; Merchant Adventures’ Hall for delicious food and drink in the inspiring setting of the medieval guildhall, or relax outside in the beautiful walled garden.

• York Minster Refectory is a brasserie style restaurant serving up modern British dishes, the grade 2 listed former York Minster School built in the 1830’s comes with unique views of York Minster.

• For culture vultures, enjoy a snack at York Theatre Royal’s, outdoor space, a venue that’s been entertaining audiences since 1744. Top tip: their tour includes a freshly made cream tea to finish.

• York’s wide range of accommodation not only offers inviting places to rest your head after a day of exploring, but also places to eat, including; Middletons Hotel, offering all-day dining nestled in secluded courtyard gardens and within the City walls where you can enjoy a peaceful break; The Judge’s Lodging offers a spacious sun terrace to drink and chill out at with views of the Grade 1 listed Georgian Town House; The Fat Badger Restaurant have a fantastic outdoor garden adjacent to York's historic city walls and overlooking the Minster; for roof top magic moments, head to Sora Roof Bar & Terrace offering an Asian fusion restaurant and cocktail bar.

• There's plenty of outdoor spots to sit and sip with plenty of stunning bars and pubs with beer gardens and outdoor seating, including; Brew York where you enjoy a fresh pint and food in the secret riverside beer garden opposite the impressive Rowntree Wharf or the large outdoor space alongside the taproom and beer hall; Spark a creative community space bringing together the freshest selection of independent businesses with plenty of food options.

The Chocolate City

As one of Europe’s most historic cities, a 2000-year-old gem of a walled city, it’s also home to where some of the world’s top chocolate brands were born! Explore the city’s chocolate heritage at York’s Chocolate Story where you can uncover the fascinating sweet story and tantalise your tastebuds along the way in the company of our master chocolatiers!

A great way to follow your sweet tooth is to take a mouth-watering wander through the city and discover the history behind York’s chocolate foundation with the York Chocolate Trail - download the trail.

Did you know? When the wind is blowing in the right direction, you can smell the lingering aroma of chocolate being made across the city - giving it the name, The Chocolate City!

Enjoy sipping hot and iced drinks from Cocoa Joe's made with chocolates from all around the world, with an array of different flavours, spices and toppings.