Places for the Best Pub Food in York – now, the saying goes that you can visit a different pub every day for an entire year in York – so we have lots to choose from!
I have given a selection here but want to visit and review lots more as soon as possible! Who doesn’t love a a good pub lunch in front of a roaring fire in the winter or relaxing with food in a sunny beer garden?
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.
The Maltings
Tanner’s Moat, York YO1 6HU
We recently visited The Maltings for some quick comfort food and, on the recommendation of a friend tried their cheesy chips. It was a huge portion, lots of cheese and proper chips. I saw a few of these being served while we were in there, so can assume they are popular with everyone. I can’t review the rest of the menu but was impressed by these. They also serve real ales.
Food only served at lunchtimes.
See my quick review (including menus) of The Maltings here.
The Fat Badger (was previously The Lamb and Lion Inn)
2-4 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH
The Fat Badger resides within an ancient building oozing with character and charm. Their beer garden nestles next to the Bar Walls and is a great place to meet friends outdoors in the summer. In the winter they have heated igloos in their beer garden, making it a year round destination.
They serve classic pub food and the pub has a cosy and comfortable atmosphere.
See our full review of Dinner at The Fat Badger.
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 Golden Fleece
Golden Fleece, 16 Pavement, York YO1 9UP
If you are looking for a proper traditional pub that serves food, have a look at The Golden Fleece. It’s a quirky place dating back to the early 1500’s and located right at the bottom of The Shambles. They serve food all day until 8.30pm. You might also be lucky enough to bump into one of their resident ghosts!
See our full review of The Golden Fleece here.
The Old Bank
6-12 Lendal, York YO1 8AA
The Old Bank is on Lendal, opposite Judges Lodgings. Recently reopened after a big refurbishment, the décor is modern and comfortable. There are several booths with individual TV’s, plug sockets and USB chargers, making it a perfect spot for a recharge on a lunchtime and great for kids.
Great affordable option.
See our full review of The Old Bank here.
Stonegate Yard
8-10 Stonegate, York YO1 8AX
Stonegate Yard is situated in a beautiful Georgian townhouse on Little Stonegate. It’s one of our go-to spots for a cheap and cheerful lunch (I’d recommend the potato wedges – it’s a starter but will serve as a light main course). They have a pretty courtyard garden that is heated in the winter.
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 here.
The Masons Arms for Pub Food in York
6 Fishergate, York YO10 4AB
The Masons Arms is an independent and privately operated traditional British pub. The pub was built in 1935 in Tudor style as a flagship project by the local Tadcaster Tower Brewery. The interior of the Masons Arms provides a setting for some genuine Gothic features including oak panelling from York Castle and the fireplace from the Castle gatehouse.
It is the high quality of these features and the pub’s enviable reputation for its fine food and hand pulled ales that contributes most to the pub’s special character. The Masons Arms’ enviable position overlooking the City walls and Gatehouse and with a secluded beer terrace overlooking the River Foss make it a popular venue with locals and tourists alike.
The Cross Keys
34 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
Dating back to the late 1800’s, The Cross Keys is a snug and traditional Victorian pub. Located in the main central shopping street of Goodramgate, our pub is a stone’s throw of York Minster. This area was created in the Viking era and is chronicled through the history and magnificence of architecture, war, politics and social evolution, much of it documented by the epochs of the nearby Minster and Jorvik Viking Centre.
Our breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus offer everything you’d expect to find on any respectable, British pub menu, and so much more besides. Boasting an array of delicious sharers, through to classic main dishes, and succulent burgers, there’s a selection to suit every appetite.
The Royal Oak
18 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LG
“We take pride in our food here at the Royal Oak. Using quality ingredients, our chefs create wonderful dishes that range from good old comfort food to exquisite specials one might not expect to find in a typical pub. From fresh fish to oven-baked pies, we have you covered. We offer food during lunchtimes every day from 12 till 3 in the afternoon, as well as stunning dinner options from 5pm to 9pm – covering all your wants and needs.”
The Golden Slipper
20 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LG
At the dog friendly Golden Slipper, during alteration works workmen found a medieval leather slipper, one of two that was built into 14th century buildings to ward of evil spirits (now displayed in the front snug / lounge). The other shoe would have belonged to a child, but was never found. Food is traditional pub grub and includes sandwiches, jacket potatoes and chips. They also serve Sunday Lunch.
