The 22 best restaurants in York (updated 2025)

What is it? Run by Argentinian Florencia Clifford and her husband Hugo, Partisan is a charming independent café-restaurant known for its ever-changing, globally inspired brunch menu. Expect dishes like Persian breakfast eggs, choripán, and figs and goat’s cheese on sourdough. The menu evolves with the seasons and the creativity of the team, making each visit a little different.

Why go? For a special brunch experience with top-notch coffee, seasonal food, and eclectic, ever-changing interiors. The space is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach. Furnished by an antiques dealer, everything you see is for sale—meaning the décor shifts subtly over time. If you’re just passing by, it’s worth popping in for one of their freshly baked goods, both savoury and sweet.

Expect to pay: £15–20 per head without drinks.

Address: 112 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX

Opening hours: Monday- Sunday: 9am - 4pm (kitchen closes at 3pm)

Time Out tip: Get there early for a beautiful table surrounded by art and antiques.

What is it? York’s only Japanese tea house, Ippuku is a peaceful spot serving traditional Japanese teas alongside nourishing, flavour-packed food. The menu centres on ‘teishoku’ lunch sets – balanced meals typically including rice, miso soup, pickles, and a main dish. Expect comforting staples like gyoza, teriyaki tofu, and a range of fresh sides prepared daily.

Why go? Ideal for a mid-afternoon tea stop or a light, wholesome meal. Ippuku combines the calm of a traditional Japanese teahouse with a menu that’s satisfying without being heavy. Whether you’re sipping matcha solo or sharing gyoza with a friend, it’s a serene retreat from the bustle of the city centre and a delicious way to slow down your day.

Time Out tip: Looking for a light snack? Just go for tea and gyoza.

Expect to pay: £10-15 per head without drinks.

Address: 15 Blake St, York YO1 8QJ

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 11am-5pm

What is it? A fine dining restaurant serving Modern British cuisine in an intimate, relaxed setting, Melton’s has been a cornerstone of York’s food scene since it was opened by Michael and Lucy Hjort in 1990. 

Why go? For a special occasion, birthday, anniversary – or simply to spend a couple of hours in dining paradise. Melton’s strikes the perfect balance between elegance and ease, offering beautifully plated dishes in a warm, understated setting. The service is thoughtful, the wine list is superb, and the food consistently showcases the best of Yorkshire produce with a fine-dining flourish – whether you’re a meat-eater, vegetarian, or vegan.

Expect to pay: £85 per head without drinks (three courses).

Address: 7 Scarcroft Road, York YO23 1ND

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 6pm-9pm, Sunday-Monday: Closed

Time Out tip: Melton’s hosts excellent wine tasting events.

What is it? Brancusi is Partisan’s dinner counterpart, located just a few doors down from the much-loved brunch spot. Offering more refined, bistro-style dining, it serves up seasonal, locally sourced dishes with global influences, born from the owners’ extensive travels. The menu changes regularly and every ingredient is sourced from Food Circle York, a local social enterprise.

Why go? For a lunch or dinner treat in one of York’s foodiest streets. Brancusi offers thoughtful, heart-led dishes that blend international inspiration with hyper-local ingredients, all in a cosy, design-forward setting. The food is bistro-quality without the fuss—ideal for when you want something special but still warm and unpretentious. Perfect for date nights, dinner with friends, or simply spoiling yourself.

Expect to pay: £40 per head without drinks (two courses).

Address: 98 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX

Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-9:30pm, Sunday-Tuesday: Closed

Time Out tip: Treat yourself to the natural wines from France and Italy. And don't miss out on the honey cheesecake. It will send your tastebuds soaring. 

What is it? York’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Roots is helmed by award-winning chef Tommy Banks. The restaurant embraces a true farm-to-fork ethos, sourcing most ingredients from Banks’ family farm in Oldstead, North Yorkshire. The highlight is the delicious 10-course tasting menu, which showcases the freshest seasonal produce and imaginative techniques. For the full experience, add on extra courses featuring some of the finest cheeses from Roots’ carefully curated pantry.

Why go? For a super-fancy dinner or a special occasion, or simply to tick off one of Britain’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants. Roots delivers an unforgettable culinary journey steeped in locality, seasonality, and innovation.

Expect to pay: £95–165 per head without drinks, depending on the sitting.

Address: 3 Marygate, York YO30 7BH

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 6pm-9pm Sunday-Monday: Closed

Time Out tip: The restaurant has a super ‘Sunday Feast’ menu: an elevated Sunday roast (£60 per head without drinks).

What is it? A fine dining restaurant located inside York’s only five-star hotel, The Grand. Legacy offers a luxurious and innovative dining experience that blends history with modern culinary creativity.

Why go? Why settle for one tasting menu when you can choose from a tasting map? Legacy’s unique 10-course dinner lets you select from three themed menus, each reflecting a different facet of York’s rich history: ‘stone’ celebrates the city’s ancient walls and Roman heritage; ‘water’ evokes the Viking explorations and the river Ouse; and ‘steel’ honours the Victorian rail era and the legacy of the National Railway Museum. This playful, immersive approach elevates Michelin-level cuisine with storytelling and choice, making for a special occasion or memorable night out.

Expect to pay: £90–130 per head without drinks, depending on the menu.

Address: The Grand Hotel & Spa, Station Rise, York YO1 6GD

Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 6pm-9pm Sunday-Tuesday: Closed

Time Out tip: Have a wander around The Grand, which was the former headquarters of the North-Eastern Railway Company – it’s gorgeous.

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.

Expect to pay: £40 per head without drinks, for two courses.

Address: 2 Deangate, York YO1 7JA

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 12pm-10pm Sunday: 12pm-9pm

Time Out tip: Make sure to book an inside table, the building was previously York Minster School – the restaurant was a choir rehearsal room, and it’s all in the details.

What is it? Originally a fruit and veg shop, Mannion’s is now a no-reservations café and deli with queues out the door. Portions are generous so order one of their platters to share. All bread is made in house and the Yorkshire rarebit is a cheesy revelation.

Why go? To rest your feet in a rustic-chic café with French- and Italian-inspired food.

Expect to pay: £10-15 per head without drinks.

Address: 1 Blake St, York YO1 8QJ

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 9am-3pm

Time Out tip: There’s a gorgeous, hidden outdoor courtyard for summer. Try the branch in honey-hued Helmsley too.

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.

Expect to pay: £20 per head without drinks, for two courses.

Address: 16 George Hudson St, York YO1 6LP

Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm Monday: Closed

Time Out tip: Lunch is best; it can get a bit raucous in the area at night.

What is it? A proper Italian pizzeria, Cresci prides itself on using ingredients sourced directly from Italy, hand-picked by their expert pizzaiolo. The menu features classics like margherita and quattro formaggi alongside seasonal specials such as friarielli and coppa, bringing a true taste of the Salerno coast to York while staying faithful to traditional Italian roots.

Why go? To savour authentic Italian pizza outside of Italy, made with care and top-quality ingredients. Whether you’re craving a simple classic or eager to try seasonal specialties, Cresci offers that perfect balance of tradition and fresh flavour. It’s a casual, welcoming spot where pizza lovers can enjoy a sunny slice of southern Italy’s best, right in the heart of York.

Expect to pay: £15 per head without drinks.

Address: 20 Piccadilly, York YO1 9NU

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 12pm-10pm

Time Out tip: There are usually queues, so arrive early (and bring an umbrella if it is raining!)