North Yorkshire Restaurant Guide

The Old Deanery is a Jacobean mansion in the shadows of Ripon Cathedral. Acclaimed chef, Adam Jackson is surrounded by a buzz of excitement, having a collection of awards and accreditations to his name, and a list of some of the top restaurants on his CV.  Ada...

2022 Review: Feedback remains limited but remains very positive for this Chapel Allerton Thai (part of a local group), which hits twenty years old in 2022.

“A lovely location for a special event” – this five-star property sits in over 365 acres on the North Yorks border, and its more formal dining option (you can also eat in the clubhouse overlooking the golf course) lives up to its name – a tall, striking pillared space with glass roof. Chef Paul Nicholson offers a four-course à la carte menu for £70 per person, or there’s a six-course tasting option for £95 per person, backed up by an impressive 400-bin wine list.

“If you happen to find yourself in Northallerton, a sure place to go!” – this two-year-old small plates venture focuses on live-fire cooking, and is a good bet in this thinly provided town.

“They always go the extra mile” according to fans of this city-centre outpost of Yorkshire’s nine-strong chain of well-regarded curry houses – a family-run business established in 1977.

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“Amazing decor, complete with cherry blossom” sets a glossy scene at this outpost of the national chain, where the pan-Asian selection adds Thai dishes and sushi to a menu backbone of Chinese dishes. Feedback was relatively limited this year, but all upbeat.

“The formal dining room at Swinton Estate” – “a country house hotel in a beautiful setting that supplies much of its food from local sources” and its own 20,000 acres of grounds. Ruth Hansom has been in charge of the kitchens during 2023 – a year that saw solid all-round ratings for its ambitious cuisine – in advance of handing over to former Roux Scholar Nicole Benham-Corlette following a £500,000 refurb to complete in early 2024: part of the property’s ‘estate-to-plate’ philosophy which aims to reduce its carbon footprint to being neutral by 2030.

“Don’t be put off by the outside!” – this “very popular” Keralan (a favourite, it is claimed, of India cricket ace Virat Kohli) wins a hymn of praise for its “authentic” cuisine and is “a must for fish and seafood fans”: “the meen koottan (fish curry) was a standout dish, bursting with flavour and expertly prepared. The mango lassi is also delicious. Highly recommended!”

In business for nearly four decades now (est. 1985), this stalwart operation occupies a cosy cellar space in the lower ground of a solid Victorian mansion in the city centre (with a small outside seating area for warmer days). The well-rated, traditional-ish cuisine has something of a meat and steak bias; despite the name, the wine list is not huge, but offers quality vintages from a range of countries up to a little over £100 per bottle.

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“Clever small plate dishes with exciting flavour combinations” have established Neil Bentinck’s city-centre destination as one of York’s most popular in recent years. “Some seats are up at a counter watching the chefs at work, whilst the remainder still have the atmosphere of being in a busy kitchen restaurant”. “Getting a table can sometimes feel like trying to get tickets for Glastonbury, but it is really worth it for amazing British-Japanese fusion food that’s so inventive but not too expensive, with new dishes being created all the time”. “Relaxing, with a buzz of warmth and efficiency”: “It leaves you with a deeper love of humanity and a sense of what a great local can give!”. “Looking forward to the knock through to next door” – planning permission was finally granted in early 2023 and work is due to be complete by the end of the year.

“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.

In summer 2023, Ian Doyle (an alum’ of the legendary Noma, who gained a star at previous haunt the Cliff House Hotel, in Waterford, Ireland) stepped in to fill the shoes of Adam Jackson, who has now moved to the Rattle Owl in Micklegate. Early reports suggest that his tasting menu is “just fabulous” (“exceeded our expectations”) and “what a wonderful setting” the restaurant has in this “amazing ancient property” – York’s oldest inhabited house – situated near York Minster. Top Tips – “make sure to have a stroll around the garden before enjoying the top-notch cuisine” and “also book a room so you don’t have to rush home”.

An “excellent gastropub-with-rooms in a delightful village” – and right on the village green, which has the rare honour of hosting the country’s tallest maypole. Yorkshire hospitality royalty John & Claire Topham, who put the General Tarleton at Ferrensby on the map, are behind its recent national hype, and added award-winning rooms to the picture in 2022. Hearty dishes make the most of local produce and “very professional” staff don’t bat an eyelid if you choose to linger a few hours. PS – they now do pizzas in the garden in summer on Fri/Sat nights.

Leeds entrepreneur, Ban Kaewkraikhot’s local outpost is a large, modern and fairly glam venue that wins praise as a “busy restaurant with very consistent cooking”. “Don’t publicise the fact that it’s your birthday!” if you don’t want a fair amount of fuss…

Leafy views over glorious Dales countryside and the river Wharfe add to the occasion at this attractive hotel, convenient for Bolton Abbey. The cooking – Hardwick lamb, market fish, steaks – is not particularly ‘gastro’ in style but contributes to a comfortable and affordable experience, and one that comes at a reasonable price.

Ban Kaewkraikhot’s small group of Thai restaurants started in Chapel Allerton and is now over 20 years old. She has invested in the lavish styling of this city-centre spin-off. A popular venue locally for celebrating an occasion, it wins upbeat (if limited) feedback for results from its very large (200+ dishes) menu.