11 York cafés and restaurants that it might surprise you are up for sale

York gives good grub. There are countless independently-run businesses serving up fantastic food and drink all year round.

Not surprising then that there’s always interest when one of these businesses goes up for sale.

Here’s a list of some of the thriving, ongoing cafés and restaurants which are on the market right now – and might soon be under new management if they are snapped up by savvy buyers…

1. Silvano’s

The long-established restaurant used to dish up its Italian dishes next to the Grand Opera House on Cumberland Street.

More recently the Pizzeria & Ristorante has operated from the new building on Micklegate which also houses a Travelodge. It has 116 covers.

2. Go Down Restaurant

The basement restaurant, run by Penelope and Peter Taylor, has been serving up city centre cuisine for more than 20 years.

Our reviewer gave it four stars and according to agent Barry Crux, it “shows excellent, consistent levels of sales and profitability, yet still has potential to improve upon these”.

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3. Tarts & Titbits

Established nine years ago by Phil Black, Tarts & Titbits is the Gillygate delicatessen and café which serves up an array of local produce, freshly baked bread and more.

It made it into the Guardian’s list of York’s best budget eateries where it was described as “a big hit with local office workers who love its honest home cooking and keen prices”.

4. Babursie Castle

This prominent landmark on the junction of Clifton Moor Gate and Wigginton Road was for years the Bumper Castle pub.

More recently it has become the Barbusie Castle restaurant, serving Indian and Bangladeshi dishes to up to 100 diners in four separate rooms.

5. Nineteen

Chef Matt Beevers and the Nineteen team have been dishing out fine dining on Grape Lane for many years.

Nineteen made it into ‘York’s 10 best cultural restaurants’ on The Culture Trip website. It said: “Specialising in local British cuisine for reasonable prices, Nineteen offers relaxed and traditional dining in York’s old quarter.”

6. Little Shambles Tearoom

They must have served up countless cakes and cups of tea in the 12 years this small and friendly café has been running.

With three floors dedicated to food and drink it is somewhere to go when you fancy triangular sandwiches and scones served on tiered stands.

7. Bells Of York

With its prominent location on Parliament Street at the entrance to Shambles Market, Bells Of York is popular with visitors and locals alike.

It concentrates on the lunchtime trade, serving everything from sandwich platters to packed lunches.

8. Me & Mrs Fisher

More than just a café, Me & Mrs Fisher is a craft and cake shop.

You can sign up for a crafting class, wander round the haberdashery or simply take the weight off with a nice cuppa and home-made cakes. And you’d not just be buying the business – but the famous ‘Bile Beans’ advert too…

9. Fiesta Latina

The Tex-Mex restaurant is found next door to Pizza Hut on Clifford Street.

With room for about 100 diners, there’s lots of Cajun and Creole cooking, washed down by a remarkable selection of tequilas.

10. Ate O’Clock

Kenny Noble was a chef at the acclaimed Blue Bicycle before starting the wonderfully whimsical Ate O’Clock 11 years ago.

There’s 40 covers and apparently it takes £7.2K weekly so it is definitely thriving.

11. Mr Chippy

Mr Chippy is a family run takeaway and restaurant that’s been serving the finest traditional fish and chips for more than 10 years.

As the sales blurb has it: “The business is worked in very easy hours, taking £7,500 weekly. The takeaway closes at 3.30pm and the restaurant at 6.30pm, offering tremendous potential for so much more.”