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RestaurantsNorth YorkshireYorkYO1

Breaking news

The restaurant, previously based in Micklegate, York, has moved premises to the downstairs of the former 1331 Bar and Grill building, in Grape Lane. The site was previously owned by owner Stephen Andrews’s parents who ran the former business on the new site for 20 years. 

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Leaflet | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
110 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX

survey result

Summary

£70
  £££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A strong focus on fish, with venison from the ‘forest’” both wins praise for and helps explain the name of this popular bistro. We’ve maintained its rating, but change is afoot with chef-patron Stephen Andrews moving it in August 2024 to this new location – the downstairs of what was previously 1331 Bar and Grill building, in Grape Lane (previously owned by Stephen’s parents who ran the business for 20 years). No change is planned to the format, which started life as a pop-up concept in 2018 and has consciously adopted an à la carte rather than tasting approach (with a seasonal chalkboard menu now offering eight starters, four mains, plus four desserts). There’s also a bar area, a communal table and a courtyard outside offering a snacks menu which will include oysters and cured fish. Everything served is cured or butchered in-house.

Summary

£67
  £££
4
Very Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“The menu is determined daily by catch”, and the result is “a wide and varied choice” of “fresh and excellent fish” at this popular bistro, near the city walls. Game and foraged food also feature in their menu repertoire, but inspire less feedback in our annual diners’ poll.

Summary

£67
  £££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“An outstanding neighbourhood bistro that strives to produce and make sustainable food fresh from local produce, game shoots and day boats” – Stephen Andrews (supported by manager Yohan Barthelemy) delivers a “menu that’s small but perfect” in this inviting industrial-style space, complete with lots of concrete and wood. He took on these premises in April 2020, after a succession of pop-ups in other venues. Top Menu Tip – “incredibly fresh fish, well executed”.

For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Fish and Forest?

Owner's description

We began Fish&Forest to provide York with a forward-thinking sustainable fish and game restaurant, with accountability of sourcing the best ingredients at the forefront of what we do.
Situated in the heart of York, in the former 1331 Bar and Grill building on Grape Lane - which was previously owned by Chef-Owner Stephen Andrews’ parents – you’ll find an unpretentious sustainable fish and game bistro. Offering a dynamic, season driven, produce led menu, we want to bring the quality of fine dining in the techniques we use to prepare and source the ingredients but are committed to maintaining a relaxed attitude on the restaurant floor, with a vibrant atmosphere and welcoming staff. The move has allowed Stephen to expand his offering, and as well as the restaurant, there’s a new bar and courtyard, where walk-ins are encouraged, serving up snacks and carefully crafted cocktails.

What the Newspaper Critics are saying

The Times

Giles Coren was impressed by a “not especially celebrated or show-offy, but very intelligent-looking” restaurant from chef-patron Stephen Andrews, an “admirable self-taught talent, with the attendant highs and lows of a go-for-it mentality”.

Giles divided the short blackboard menu of dishes into “rugged” and “poncey”, and much preferred the former: namely, a starter of cod collar and chimichurri that was “a triumph the memory of which I shall carry with me to my dying day”, the flesh “slippery and hot, salty and full of sex, dribbling juice and fat, what a glory”.

A main course of skrei cod was “okay, but mimsy and overpresented”, but its accompaniment, a small jug of roasted fish-bone and red wine jus (“I’d say ‘gravy’)”, was “sublime, like the beefiest sauce bordelaise, and I dipped with glee every single one of the excellent potato wedges”. 

Giles Coren - 2025-04-06

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£10.80 £22.50 £4.00 £7.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £21.00
Filter Coffee £2.50
Extras  
Bread £3.00
Service 10.00%

Restaurant details

Yes
18

Fish and Forest Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Fish and Forest Restaurant in YO1, York by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Fish and Forest restaurant.
Susan P
Relocated to bigger premises in Grape Lane,...
Reviewed 7 months, 24 days ago

"Relocated to bigger premises in Grape Lane, there is room to breathe. Wall mural of a fish very striking.starters exceptional and unusual, venison tartare with elderberries superbly flavoured. "

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+−
Leaflet | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
110 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
Wednesday12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm
Friday12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm
SundayCLOSED

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