Yorkshire folk take their food and drink seriously which is probably why Yorkshire now boasts the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants than any other county in England outside of London. So it’s no surprise that as Yorkshire’s ancient capital, York flies the flag for good food and drink in the region.
One of York’s ‘Foodie Streets’ is Fossgate – visitors will find a plethora of independent restaurants there. York is also home to one of the region’s best food festivals. York Food and Drink Festival is an annual event taking place in September and is a massive showcase for the restaurants, hotels, shops and food manufacturing companies.
One of the iconic foods – Yorkshire pudding has previously been name Yorkshire icon (above York Minster and the Yorkshire Dales: Dalesman Survey 2014). The York Roast Company in York city centre offers a special internet sensation ‘Yorkypud wrap’ that is essentially the Sunday dinner wrapped in a Yorkshire pudding! Visitors can also join of the cooking classes in York and learn to make their own Yorkshire puddings.
York’s world-renowned tea rooms Bettys Café Tea Rooms – are simply the place to sample a Yorkshire Fat Rascal and a ‘proper’ cup of tea. 2019 marks the 100 years anniversary of the Tea Rooms and there will be events throughout the year to celebrate the occasion. Another afternoon tea experience not to be missed is Countess of York - officially the UK’s best afternoon tea (Visit England, 2017) inside a beautifully restored carriage at the National Railway Museum.
York’s award-winning chefs include Roux-trained Michael Hjort at Melton’s (also the person behind the Food and Drink Festival), Andrew Pern at Star Inn The City and Tommy Banks at Roots – York’s first Michelin star chef’s restaurant opened in autumn 2018.
Anyone who fancies a true gourmet pint should visit one of the many beer houses including the House of Trembling Madness (a medieval drinking hall) and Stein Bier Keller (German beer keller). Visitors can also take a tour of the local craft breweries with Brew York. While the wine enthusiasts can join wine tasting evenings at the Pairings Wine Bar.
You can often breathe in the scent of chocolate as you walk through the street, when it comes to chocolate, there really is no place like York. York’s reputation as the city of chocolate dates back to the 20th century when two of the most famous names in chocolate set up shop: Joseph Rowntree went on to create Kit Kat, Smarties and Aero, and Joseph Terry the Chocolate Orange and All Gold collection. Today York’s love of chocolate is as strong as ever and can be experienced in numerous attractions, restaurants and shops around the city. For real chocolate enthusiasts, there is an annual spring Chocolate Festival complete with a ‘chocolate market’ showcasing local chocolate makers’ creations, and also chocolate tastings and workshops.
York’s Chocolate Story is one of York’s biggest visitor attractions celebrating the mouth-watering story of chocolate and confectionery in York. There visitors can discover chocolate's origins, how to make it and how to taste it like an expert. In 2019 new exhibition will tell the history of world’s most famous chocolate bars – Kit Kat.
While in York, visitors can also embark on a Chocolate Trail – a sweet adventure with treats at every turn from chocolate-making workshop at York Cocoa House to Goddards House and Gardens – home of Terry family. Leaflet can be picked up from the Visitor Information Centre. To complete the trail visitors can stay in York’s only chocolate-themed hotel – Hotel Indigo York.
