If you’re on a day out in Yorkshire, you’re never short of choice when it comes to eating out; from incredible Italian eateries to quirky street food spots there’s something for all tastes and preferences.
God’s own Country is also home to some of the best chefs in the country, chefs who have trained all around the globe, bringing home new flavours and culinary concepts that contribute to a diverse and ever-evolving food scene.
However, for a region home to the humble Yorkshire pudding, and famed for its sprawling local countryside, it’s little surprise that people often seek out the best British eateries and classic UK grub when passing through these pastures.
Whether you’re looking for fine dining or a quick bite, tasting menu or sharing plates, these are the best British in Yorkshire. In no particular order.
The Swine That Dines
The brainchild of duo Jo & Stuart, The Swine That Dines combines a cosy and intimate dining experience with scrumptious and refined British grub.
Located in the Yorkshire capital of Leeds, the restaurant focuses on sustainable eating with the menu boasting plenty of meat small plate options that utilise every bit of the animal.
Each dish is packed full of imagination and bold flavours and although meat features prominently, once a month the eatery is proud to roll out a complete vegetarian menu called ‘roots and shoots’.
Originally the Swine That Dines was a supper club called The Greedy Pig and the restaurant still retains that intimate supper club feel. In fact, there are a limited number of tables available each night which makes diners feel part of something special, in a break from the loud and over-zealous atmosphere that pervades large chain restaurants.
The Star Inn The City
For our next entry we take a short trip from Leeds to the historic city of York, home to Michelin-starred Andrew Pern’s spectacular brasserie-style restaurant: The Star Inn The City.
Nestled on the banks of the River Ouse, this stunning eatery showcases an incredible menu bursting full of seasonal dishes that contain the very finest local ingredients. Pern’s mantra, emboldened by the success he enjoyed at The Star Inn at Harome, is to bring vibrant countryside flavours to the city and boy does the Whitby-born cook deliver.
All through the year diners are treated to mains comprising of delightful seasonal game, whilst the traditional British desserts, enlivened with a modern twist, are to die-for. On Sundays The Star Inn The City also boasts a Sunday Lunch Menu that features classic British roast and fish options.
Earning notoriety as one of the top York restaurants, The Star Inn The City even runs supper clubs at various points throughout the year, giving diners the chance to tuck into a carefully-crafted menu in the company of the Michelin-starred chef himself.
The Angel at Hetton
Located in Skipton, the one Michelin-starred Angel at Hetton regularly features in many of ‘the best’ food lists and it’s easy to see why.
Exquisite food, first-class service and stunning surroundings help make this restaurant truly unique, and it took Michael Wignall just one year to scoop the coveted Michelin Star after he took over the venue in 2019.
The spectacular restaurant menu comprises dishes including Loire valley rabbit loin and merguez, salsify, trompette and poached pear to start.
Monkfish, quail, venison and delicious vegetarian options make up the mains and if you’ve got room desserts are just as tasty (choose from a stunning Tahitian Vanilla cheesecake with salted granola as well as caramel tart with poached pear).
Owing to the beautiful surrounding landscapes, the Angel at Hetton has also grown to become a popular wedding destination (hint, hint to your better half!).
The Pipe and Glass Inn
Heading north our next stop is The Pipe and Glass Inn, a restaurant housed in a building with roots stretching back to the 15th century.
Sitting on the site of the original gatehouse to Dalton Park, in 2010 The Pipe and Glass scooped a Michelin star, becoming the first eatery in East Yorkshire to parade the accolade.
Utilising the finest and freshest local ingredients, the menu is bursting full of spectacular British dishes including the famous fillet of English beef with a salt beef and potato pasty. The Inn also serves up a plethora of fabulous drinks including local ale- the perfect accompaniment to your feast.
The Black Swan
No list of the best British restaurants in Yorkshire would be complete without a nod to The Black Swan, an eatery that in 2017 was actually voted the best restaurant in the world in the TripAdivsor Users Choice Awards.
Surrounding by tranquil National Park countryside, as you might expect from the once-crowned ‘best restaurant in the world’ the food is top notch and so too is the service.
The menu, which is packed full of seasonal ingredients, includes a succulent pork belly and fillet with boulangere potato which is delicious whilst the Goosnargh duck hot pot has earnt rave reviews from visitors.