The 21 best restaurants in York

What is it? Run by Argentinian Florencia Clifford and her husband Hugo, Partisan dishes up international brunch staples like Persian breakfast eggs, choripan, and figs and goats’ cheese on sourdough. The menu is always changing, inspired by seasonal produce and team creativity. It’s furnished by an antiques dealer and everything you see is for sale, which means the decor changes subtly each visit. If you are passing by and planning a bite on the go, it’s worth stopping for one of their mouth-watering bakes both savoury and sweet.

Why go? For a special brunch with great coffee and quirky décor.

Price: Average-pricey.

What is it? Partisan’s dinner counterpart, Brancusi is just a few doors over from the favourite brunch spot and offers more refined dining options. Born out of the ethos to embrace life’s many adventures, Brancusi’s menu is inspired by the owners’ travels around the globe. Expect bistro-level food with a genuine heart, with every menu ingredient is sourced locally from the social enterprise Food Circle York.

Why go? For a lunch or dinner treat in York’s ‘foodiest’ local street.

Price: Average-pricey.

What is it? York’s only Japanese tea house, Ippuku serves traditional Japanese tea as well as scrumptious food, such as ‘teishoku’ lunch sets and flavoursome mains featuring gyoza, teriyaki tofu, and plenty sides prepared fresh every day.

Why go? Ideal for a mid-afternoon tea stop, or for a nourishing light meal.

Price: Average.

What is it? A fine dining restaurant serving Modern British cuisine in an intimate, relaxed setting. Opened by Michael and Lucy Hjort in 1990, Melton’s is one of the oldest independent establishments in York and, coherent to its vast wine collection, the restaurant has aged like a fine wine. They offer a seven-course and a shorter three-course menu featuring seasonal, local produce, elevated by the craft of Chef Calvin Miller. Melton’s is the only fine dining in York to adapt its tasting menu to both vegetarian and vegan options.

Why go? For a special occasion, birthday, anniversary, or simply to spend a couple of hours in dining paradise.

Price: Pricey-blowout.

What is it? A proper Italian pizzeria, where every ingredient is sourced from Italy and hand-picked by the pizzaiolo in chief. From classics like margherita and quattro formaggi to seasonal specials including friarielli and coppa, Cresci is committed to bringing a sunny slice of the Salerno coast to the British shores without compromising on its traditional roots.

Why go? To savour authentic Italian pizza outside of Italy.

Price: Budget-average.

What is it? York’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, led by award-winning chef Tommy Banks. Roots embraces a true farm to fork ethos, where ingredients from Banks’ family farm in Oldstead (North Yorkshire) are the main stars of the delicious 10-courses tasting menu. When in doubt, go for the additional courses to taste the finest cheeses Roots’ dream pantry can offer.

Why go? For a super-fancy dinner, special occasion, or simply to check off the list one of Britain’s finest Michelin restaurants.

Price: Blowout.

What is it? A fine dining restaurant inside York’s one and only five-star hotel, The Grand.

Why go? Why have one tasting menu, when you can have a tasting map? Legacy’s unique take on the 10-course dinner adds a playful element to Michelin-level dining, where you can choose from three types of menus each echoing a slice of York’s history: ‘stone’ for the walls and Roman buildings, ‘water’ for the Viking explorations and the river Ouse, and ‘steel’ for the Victorian rail system and subsequent fame that granted us the National Railway Museum.

Price: Blowout.

What is it? A modern English brasserie in a historic grade 2-listed building. 

Why go? For a special dinner, or simply to enjoy drinks (and a couple of oysters) on the restaurant terrace facing York Minster. Whether outdoors on a good summer day or indoors for a cosy winter bite, guests at York Minster Refectory can dine surrounded by the charming interiors that once hosted the former York Minster School, built in 1833.

Price: Pricey.

What is it? A 100-percent-vegan Chinese restaurant with pan-Asian specials.

Why go? For the best Chinese vegan food you’ll ever have, and an indulgent meal that adapts to most dietary requirements without compromising on deliciousness. Orchid is a top beloved spot by the locals for its ample menu of pan-Asian classics – from char siu to pad thai – that is completely vegan and nut-free. Can’t decide? Try its top-selling Mongolian style vegan beef stir fry or General Tso’s tofu.

Price: Average.

What is it? Run by a legendary team of husband and wife, Shiitakeya is a cosy, home-style Japanese spot in the city centre. From classics like chicken katsu curry to their signature dishes like tobiko rib-eye fried rice, Shiitakeya dishes up comfort meals full of flavour and love. For the full experience, pick a rice set that comes with miso soup and salad alongside the main.

Why go? For a laid-back dinner in a seriously charming side of town.

Price: Budget-average.