Places for the Best Lunch in York – This is a tricky post to write as there are so many wonderful places in York to have lunch.
I have started with a few suggestions and will add to them as we try new places that we can recommend.
The Old Liquor Store
Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1FT
The Old Liquor Store is a brand new restaurant on Bishopthorpe Road in the old Terry’s building.
They serve an Italian inspired menu and are open Wednesday to Sunday serving an all day menu and small plates. They also do a Sunday Brunch and Sunday Dinner.
We enjoyed a cosy lunch here and can recommend it.
You can see our review of lunch at The Old Liquor Store here.
York Minster Refectory
2 Deangate, York YO1 7JA
York Minster Refectory is in an incredible location with fantastic views of York Minster. They serve breakfast, have an all day menu as well as light bites.
We visited for lunch and it was excellent as you would expect from a restaurant run by Andrew Pern and his team. British classics done with the best ingredients and with flare.
You can see our review of lunch at York Minster Refectory here.
Forage
2-4 Little Stonegate, York YO1 8AX
Forage serve “contemporary European cuisine cooked over fire”, using “locally sourced and foraged ingredients to add exciting, fresh, and eco-friendly flavours” to their menus.
We chose from the lunch time menu, but they have an a la carte menu, children’s menu and they serve Sunday lunch. The dishes are served as small plates, which are ideal for sharing.
You can see our review of lunch at Forage here.
Pho – Vietnamese Street Food
75 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HY
If you are looking for somewhere different for lunch in York then I can recommend Pho. They serve healthy and fresh Vietnamese Street Food with dishes such as pork and lemongrass meatballs, summer rolls and Phở, pronounced ‘fuh,’ a tasty rice noodle soup that is the national dish of Vietnam.
You can see our review of lunch at Pho here.
Rosa’s Thai
1 Coney St, York YO1 9QL
Rosa’s Thai originally started in a small café in London and has become a nationwide chain. Their founder grew up in “Khao Kho, northern Thailand, where she learned to cook with ingredients that were brought straight from field to wok.” They also have an enclosed courtyard for outside dining.
My recommendation is the Massaman curry.
Café 21 York
Fenwick Department Store. 2 St. Marys Square, Coppergate Centre Yorkshire, York YO1 9WY
Café 21 York is a stylish and contemporary place to eat within Fenwick in the Coppergate Arcade.
“Fresh, light and flavoursome, our all-day menu features a wide variety of dishes designed to fit whatever hunger gap you might have, from soups and sandwiches to 21 classics such as cheddar cheese and spinach soufflé and French café salad.
With the addition of freshly-made puddings, cakes and pastries, we reckon we have most bases covered.
A home from home where hospitality comes first. Café 21 is a sociable and effortlessly stylish space, serving crafted comforts, lunch bites and sweet treats.
This breakfast, lunch and early evening venue is the place for a mid-shopping trip lunch, business meeting, afternoon tea, or a quiet cup of the good stuff. A place where ‘me time’ matters.”
You can see our review of lunch at Café 21 York here.
Guy Fawkes Inn
25 High Petergate, York, YO1 7HP
The Guy Fawkes Inn is a “medieval inn in York that stands in the shadow of York Minster, the very birthplace of the notorious plotter, Guy Fawkes.” They offer “classic British food in our AA rosette restaurant.”
They serve fantastic quality pub food, with large portions, at a reasonable price in a comfortable environment. They also have two fantastic beer gardens.
See our full review of lunch at The Guy Fawkes Inn.
Impossible York
3 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QN
Impossible York is housed in the beautiful building that what was originally Terry’s Chocolate shop in St Helen’s Square. They serve small plates like Chive Hummus and Chicken Liver Parfait and large plates like Morrocan Chicken and Roasted Monkfish. They also serve sandwiches and burgers.
See our full review of the Sunday Lunch at Impossible York here.
The Botanist
15-19 Stonegate, York YO1 8ZW
The Botanist is a pretty spot on Stonegate and serve a lovely relaxed lunch, with tapas style hot boards, classics like Lamb and Mint pie and their ‘famous hanging kebabs’. We tried lots of their dishes on a recent trip for lunch, and have reviewed it with lots of food pictures.
We have visited for lunch if you’d like to read our The Botanist review.
The Judge’s Lodging
9 Lendal, York YO1 8AQ
The Judge’s Lodging has a great position in the centre of York, with a beautiful courtyard bar, where you can sit and watch the world go by. They have some gorgeous, relaxed dining rooms within the hotel where they serve lunch.
“Rich in detail and history, our rooms offer comfortable and stylish relaxation. Bespoke furniture and a mix of fabrics, we’ve filled our rooms with characterful details. From cosy doubles to our grand feature rooms, all have beds that have been hand-selected for quality and comfort. Whether a short or long break, rest in comfort and fall in love with your own private haven.”
See our review of lunch at The Judges Lodging here.
Tomahawk Steakhouse in York
Lendal Cellars, 26 Lendal, York YO1 8AA
Tomahawk Steakhouse is a fabulous restaurant with an extensive lunch menu. Think steaks, burgers, sandwiches and even oysters! It’s situated in the corner of St Helen’s Square, next to The Mansion House down the walkway that leads to Lendal Cellars, with a cute little courtyard space in front.
We had a lovely lunch here, and tried their Asian Dim Sum, Squid, Steaks and delicious desserts!
We have visited for lunch if you’d like to read our Tomahawk review.
Oscar’s Wine Bar and Bistro
27 Swinegate, York YO1 8AZ
We have long been fans of Oscar’s Wine Bar and Bistro and have visited on and off for many years since the days when they were situated round the corner on Stonegate. We visited recently for lunch. They have a good selection of burgers in its own ‘Speciality Burger’ section with everything from Plain Burgers to Cajun Blue and Bacon Burgers.
See our review of Oscar’s Wine Bar for Lunch here.
The Whippet Inn
15 North St, York YO1 6JD
The Whippet Inn is a steak and alehouse with a fine line in seafood too. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, tucked away as it is on North Street, but once you have been you will return. Lovely, friendly staff look after you in a comfortable and relaxed environment with a stylish and quirky decor. The food is fresh, imaginative and great quality.
The menu offers such delights as ‘Picanha- 32 Day Dry Aged, Triple Cooked Chunky Chips, Garlic & Thyme Confit Vine Tomato, Green Peppercorn & Brandy Sauce’, or ‘Poached Sea Trout Fillet with Olive Oil Potato, Puffed Fish Skin, Aromatic Herb Powder, Brown Shrimp Butter & Pea Purée’.
“The ideal spot for any occasion, The Whippet Inn serves both lunch & dinner, seven days a week, alongside our Main Menu & specials boards we also offer for our legendary(ish) Set Price lunch menu Monday to Friday, plus ‘Lets Get Roasted’ every Sunday, an institution unto itself and one of York’s best kept secrets (so sshhh)”
See what we thought when we visited The Whippet Inn.
Dyls Cafe and Bar
Dyls Café & Bar, Skeldergate Bridge, York, YO1 9WJ
Dyls is a contemporary café & bar situated in the iconic Motor House on Skeldergate Bridge, overlooking the River Ouse and Clifford’s Tower. They serve breakfast, brunch and lunch and also have a fabulous array of cakes. Quirky rooms and indoor and outdoor seating by the river. Try the three cheese and jalapeno toastie on Haxby sourdough – one you will go back for!
Fancy Hanks for Lunch York
39 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LS
Fancy Hanks is a new and welcome addition to York serving American deep South good mood food. They serve classics such as a Double Cheese Burger, Blackened Cajun Chicken as well as a Vegan Corn Burger. They also do some excellent buttermilk fried chicken, bacon and waffles!
Lucia Wine Bar and Restaurant
13 Swinegate Court East, York, YO1 8AJ
Lucia has recently undergone a £500,000 refurbishment in January 2020. It’s a large Italian restaurant and wine bar in the centre of York close to The Minster. They have lots of floor space including an outdoor heated courtyard, perfect for the warmer months. I recently visited for lunch and had this marvellous antipasti platter.
For more ideas, see our post on the best restaurants in York.
