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. 

lunch york
Honey and Soy Chicken Wings at Impossible York

Pairings

28 Castlegate, York YO1 9RP

I have been to Pairings a few times now (great for just before a show at the Grand Opera House) and have always had a lovely time. If you don’t know where it is, it’s on Castlegate next to Rustique and a stone’s throw from the Jorvik Viking Centre.  We recently visited and tried one of their Sharing Boards, where you can choose what charcuterie and cheeses to try.

You can see our review of lunch at Pairings here.

lunch in york

Bab Tooma Syrian Restaurant

63 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS

Bab Tooma started life in Bradford in 2016 and have since opened restaurants in Leeds and most recently this one in York.  As soon as you enter the restaurant it feels like you been transported to the Middle East and really sets the scene for the feast ahead.  The furniture is heavy, dark oak with a vibrant pattern in reds and cream (and was very comfy!).  The ceiling is a feature, draped in greenery and gorgeous lighting.

We visited and have reviewed Bab Tooma here.

middle eastern restaurants in york

Cosy Club

19-22 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA

Cosy Club  can be found down Fossgate in the building that was the first purpose-built cinema in York. (If you are from York, you might know it as the old Macdonald’s furniture shop!).  It’s a comfortable place to visit for brunch, lunch, dinner or just drinks.

You can see our review of lunch at Cosy Club here.

best place for lunch in york

The Middle Feast

13 Lendal, York YO1 8AQ

Middle Feast serve authentic Lebanese food in a nice atmosphere, at very reasonable prices.  The restaurant was busy throughout our visit and is clearly popular and with good reason.  The table space at the back is not large, but it’s cosy with a street-food vibe.  The portions are large and tasty and well priced.  You can also try things you may not have tried before. 

We visited and have reviewed The Middle Feast here.

Middle Eastern food York
Shish Tawook at The Middle Feast

The Hairy Fig

39 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF

The Hairy Fig is a cafe and wine bar with a deli next door.   They have outdoor pavement seating, which will be great in dry weather as Fossgate is a lovely street with very little traffic, and a perfect place to sit and watch the world go by.  We recently visited and tried out a delicious sharing platter.

You can see our review of lunch at The Hairy Fig here.

best lunch in york

The Old Liquor Store

Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1FT

The Old Liquor Store is a fairly 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.

lunch york

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.

best lunch in york

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.

lunch in york

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.

thai restaurants in york
Classic Sharing Platter at Rosa’s Thai in York

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.

lunch in york

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.

best lunch in york
Fish and Chips 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.

 lunch york
Chicken Thigh Burger at Impossible York

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.

lunch in york
The Hot Board for Lunch at The Botanist

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.

places for lunch in york
Fish and Chips with Minted Peas at The Judge’s Lodging

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.

Breakfast York
Tomahawk Steakhouse

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.

best burgers in York

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.

The Whippet Inn, York - Review
Galician Double Mature Strip, Smoked Paprika Fries, Balsamic Roast Red Onion & Mojo Rojo Sauce

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!

lunch in york

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.

Lucia Wine Bar in York
Meat Sharing Board at Lucia, York

For more ideas, see our post on the best restaurants in York.

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