News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

Restaurant of the week

Millers fish and chips

Millers Fish & Chips is a fourth generation family business with an 80+ year history in providing their community and beyond with only the finest sustainably sourced ingredients that put together the nations favourite dish.

Millers HQ is in Haxby, North Yorkshire, and is currently run by Nick Miller and his father David. The Haxby site was named the best chippy in the country at the prestigious 2018 National Fish & Chips Awards, beating 10,500 other outlets to the number one slot.

Millers have since appeared on programs such as ITV’s This Morning, BBC’s Chris Evans show and many more showcasing live cooking demonstrations and even travelling to Japan where their trip saw them cook over 10,000 portions of fish & chips in just a matter of days.

Quality and customer service is at the forefront of what Millers stands for – making sure that fish & chips stay on our menus for many more generations to come.

Victoria’s verdict:

“Nick and the team really know how to do fish and chips, the batter is so light and a delight to eat. The calamari rice paper balls are especially yummy too. Check out the Street food side of the business this summer at Thor’s, they also to very yummy milkshakes, loaded fries and more.”

  • 55 The Village, Haxby, York, YO31 2JE
  • More info

The Castle Inn Cawood

The Castle Inn, set in the large, picturesque riverside village of Cawood only eleven miles south of York, has great food, fine ales, plenty of gin, friendly atmosphere and is fast becoming one of the area’s main destination inns.

The delicious homemade food is locally sourced and reflects the changing seasons, mirroring the wonderful riverside walks to be found, right on its doorstep. The 18-pitch quaint and peaceful Caravan pitch is an ideal venue for a relaxing short break with all the amenities required for a comfortable stay.

Serving a selection of dishes from your pub favourites such as beer battered fish and chips, steak and chips, as well as a range of lunchtime sandwiches, picky bits and nibbles. There’s something for everyone at the Castle Inn Cawood.

Victoria’s verdict:

“Warm village welcome, tasty traditional food and a great place to sit out in the sun!
The burger was one of the best and the double cooked chips do not disappoint, I’m looking forward to returning for burger night soon.”

  • 7 Wistowgate, Cawood, Selby, YO8 3SH
  • More info

The Wright Place

A husband-and-wife duo offering a bakery by day with sourdough bread, pastry and coffee. Then transforming into an evening restaurant with pizza, small plates, and carefully selected wines from all over the world.
Combining Lui’s love of baking and Steph’s passion for wine to create one business where you can find both!

The restaurant on Walmgate offers something for everyone, making sure to find the ‘Wright’ choice for you.

Victoria’s verdict:

“What a Treat of a place to visit in York City centre, the freshly made pastries and a real indulgence and paired with a great coffee, the perfect take away. By night, you can dine in and enjoy fabulous fresh pizzas and the choice of wines in incredible, you can order by the glass some exclusive wines that would normally only go by the bottle”

The New Derwent Bistro

The New Derwent Bistro is brand new in Malton. Previously based in Stamford Bridge, this bistro serves up a huge selection of food and drink.  

With a lunch time menu including a variety of toasties, sandwiches and jacket potatoes and an evening menu that invites you to dine in style and relaxation while enjoying a steak, sea bass, risotto and loads more to choose from!

Not to mention their amazing vibrant cocktails, plenty of wine, spirits and beers available too.

This new addition to Malton can’t wait to invite you to try their food soon.

Victoria’s verdict:

“I love a trip to Malton, and the counter at The new bistro was very inviting with fresh cakes and scones, the scones were still warm and wonderful with cream and jam.

The toasties are tasty and filling and the steak is a proper show stopper and worth a visit for!”

  • 57 Market Place, Malton, YO17 7LX
  • More info

White Horse

A Yorkshire welcome awaits you at The White Horse, a traditional pub in the village of Upper Poppleton, minutes from the beautiful city of York and just off the A59 and A1237 ring road.

The White Horse offers both a great dining experience and a large selection of drinks in a cosy bar offering local ales and lagers, a large selection of gins and a wine list from around the world.

Offering great British pub food, the kitchen team creates delicious dishes using fresh, seasonal and local produce. From all your pub favourites such as pies and burgers to treat yourself dinners like our Pan-fried Halibut or Trio of Pork, our menu offers something for everyone. And don’t forget our Sunday Roasts that continue to receive five-star reviews!

The White Horse is open for Lunch and Dinner Tuesday to Saturday, and Sunday lunch over four sittings.

Victoria’s verdict:

“The food was wonderful, freshly cooked and presented wonderfully, The menu has something for everyone and I will definitely be taking advantage for burger night in the future as the Burger was melt in the mouth stunning, the best beef burger I have had for a very long time.”

  • The Green, Upper Poppleton, Nether Poppleton York YO26 6DF
  • More info

Bosuns

Set in the idyllic location on the River Ouse just south of York, Bosun’s invites guests to a unique dining destination.

Wrapped in a panorama of nature, Bosun’s is an iconic riverside restaurant and terrace, reinvented.

Offering a weekday and Sunday menu using innovative cooking techniques to create a contemporary yet honest menu, with quality locally-sourced seasonal ingredients being at the heart of our offering.

With a huge selection of menu choices and something for everyone, including a children’s menu too!

Victoria’s verdict:

“A botanical beauty! The décor is stunning with the food to match. Their food coming out with their signature flowers, all very insta-ready! Can’t wait to visit in the summer and sit in their outside dining area. A real treat of an experience”

  • Bosun’s, The Boatyard, Ferry Ln, Bishopthorpe York YO23 2SB
  • More info

Pizza on the Square

Pizza on the Square: Leading bar brand bring pizza perfection to Malton.
The historic North Yorkshire town of Malton brings you a brand-new bar, Pizza on the Square by SALT.

Pizza lovers are in good hands, as all pizzas are crafted with their secret signature sourdough recipe. With all dough made in-house daily resulting in the perfect crust, loaded with the finest ingredients for your eating pleasure. The menu also contains a selection of Italian-style sandwiches, sides, cakes, and brownies.

With a huge selection of SALT’s core range of drinks including Jute Session IPA and clean and crisp pale Loom. A selection of gins, spirits, and artisan wines, four cask ales and a selection of 10 different cocktails at 2 for £12, you can’t go wrong!

Make sure you don’t miss out on the weekly quiz night every Tuesday and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings from 8:30pm

Victoria’s verdict:

“What a brilliant location and a great people watching spot. Great coffee, nice sourdough pizzas and a lovely atmosphere. A fab addition to Malton, with their quiz nights and live music on weekends”

  • The Old Town Hall Market Pl Malton, Malton YO17 7LP
  • More info

Clucking Oinks

Located in spark, Clucking Oinks is the tastiest chicken in York! Trendy, Tasty, street food Clucking amazing buttermilk fried chicken. Enjoy the dining experience inside the unique venue space of Spark* or in the comfort of your home on Deliveroo. From fried chicken, chicken burgers, loaded fries and a huge variety of drinks, Clucking Oinks will not disappoint to satisfy your chicken street food needs!

Victoria’s verdict:

“5* Fried Chicken cooked to perfection… The halloumi Fries are a must! Also, a great selection of America fizzy drinks, the Peach Fanta is a favourite of mine!”

  • Spark:York, 17—21 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB
  • More info

Judges Lodging

Enjoy AA Rosette award-winning food, excellent and tasty, in the many dining locations. The listed Georgian restaurant is perfect for wining and dining. Grand and plush, with an updated classic look, it’s the place to eat in style. Settle in for a delicious meal with the family, or experience our afternoon tea and intimate tables for something a little more special. 

Victoria’s verdict:

“The cellar bar is cosy, welcoming and has some fabulous quirky York pieces of Décor to look out for!

Foodwise, there is a range of home cooked favourites also side some special occasion treats, my favourite being the Staks pie!”

Middleton’s 

Middelton’s Afternoon Tea, created by their experience pastry chef, a firm favourite for any celebration, occasion or treat. Served daily in the restaurant, it is a treasured tradition of delicious and imaginative offerings full of great quality ingredients and tempting flavours.

Beautifully presented and served on a tiered cake stand, with finely cut sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a collection of decadent dessert creations, delicate and exquisitely handcrafted for a show-stopping finish.

Victoria’s verdict:

“The afternoon tea is a delight! Along side a range of sandwiches, perfectly baked scones and tea/coffee, the range of cakes on offer are all baked fresh and change on a regular basis.  The staff are wonderful, the conservatory was peaceful setting with views of the garden.”

Henrys Bar

Henry’s, named after King Henry I himself, is the exciting new spot in Selby, the bar and restaurant bring a new stylish offering to the Market Cross and people of Selby!

You can expect to find tasty burgers, pub favourites and delicious tapas including Chicken Satay, Prawn Tempura and Fried Chorizo. With a great selection of food choices, everyone will eat happy! The bar is fully stocked with a variety of drinks including premium lagers, wines, and plenty of cocktails!

Victoria’s verdict:

“A lovely relaxed atmosphere, great people spotting venue and the food was great. The tapas included ‘the must try’ Chicken Satay, prawn Tempura and Fried Chorizo. With well cooked, generous portions and good value pricing you will leave happy and definitely not hungry.”

The Sidings

A unique dining experience, founded in 1985 by an ex-railwayman with a passion and enthusiasm for all things connected with railways, The Sidings is built around 5 Pullman style railway carriages. These have been developed to create the ultimate railway experience. Dine in a traditional railway carriage as you enjoy a selection of traditional Greek food from mixed grills, kebabs, Meze and more! As well as steak, pasta and risotto, there is something for everyone.

Victoria’s verdict:

“If you are a fan of Trains, you will love it, meters away from the tracks you can dine in traditional railway carriages or the conservatory with a great view of the passing trains.

The serve traditional Greek food alongside Steak, pasta and risotto. Highly recommend the Musaca and can’t wait to try out Greek night! (There is plate smashing too)”

Vitoria

Situated in the heart of York, your family run local restaurant where you are making memories with your loved ones while enjoying amazing food and atmosphere. 

A selection of Italian cuisine, with beautiful furnishings, a great place for lunch or an evening dinner. A variety of cocktails to suit everyone’s tastes. 

Victoria’s verdict:

“I love that you can see the pizza oven as you pass by the window and that they can tailor your dishes to suit your needs. With dining across 2 levels they can accommodate groups big and small.

I celebrated my Birthday here recently and we all enjoyed a wonderful Italian feast!”

La Vecchia Scuola

The excellent standard of service matches the exquisite standard of food. And what about the view? Well… it simply takes your breath away. So come in. Unwind. Have a coffee and a bite. Enjoy a lunch (long or light!) or visit in the evening and take time to sample our laid-back ambience, live music and diverse and distinctive menus.

With exciting, inventive and varied menus have been especially created by our experienced staff, and are La Vecchia Scuola’s distinguishing – and distinguished – culinary feature. Believing in serving only the very best in contemporary Italian cooking. Add to this a spectacular dessert menu, plus a list of fine wines from our cellar, and a selection of beers and spirits from the bar, and you have an unrivalled and relaxed italian dining experience.

Victoria’s verdict:

“If you love your Pasta you are going to love it here, with plenty of options. The pizzas were also hugely impressive both in size and taste.”

The Orchid Vegan

The Orchid Vegan blazed a new trial for veganism, opening in precarious times in August 2020.  Nevertheless, takeaway sales boomed during the lockdown and the owners were fully-prepared to welcome customers to the restaurant on George Hudson Street as soon as covid precautions would permit.  York foodies might remember the restaurant interiors inherited from Thida Thai, and indeed Thida herself is retained as an experienced front-of house manager to greet you on entry.  

The owners, Will and Jean Zhuang, wanted to introduce Chinese vegan food to the citizens of York and to our many tourist visitors to the city.  They seem to have hit the zeitgeist with vegan cuisine which is surging through mainstream cooking on TV, in the supermarkets and in restaurants generally.  Will and Jean wanted to follow two principles with The Orchid Vegan. 

Firstly, the restaurant would be wholy vegan – no animal products are utilised whatsoever. 

Secondly, they would aim at a general customer base to encourage everyone to try Chinese and other South-East Asian cooking which is totally vegan. 

Non-vegans have often been amazed at the food textures as well as the fabulous flavours of Chinese favourites like vegan ‘chicken’ in a black bean sauce, the hugely popular Mongolian-style ‘beef’, and cumin-flavoured ‘lamb’ skewers.  Their message to you really is, “come and try it for yourself!” 

Victoria’s verdict:

“Will and Jean are wonderful hosts with a great offering of Vegan food, honestly not just for vegan eaters, the resultant offers a taste sensation for all.

If you are a fan of Chinese and other south east Asian food you must give it a try.”

  • 16 George Hudson Street, York YO1 6LP
  • More info

Nice to see you Café

This independent, family run café serves a verity of delicious home-made food and cakes. Situated down Goodramgate York it’s the best place to go and grab a light bite for lunch or coffee and a cake! A great place to meet friends for a catch up, in a beautiful relaxing setting, pop into the Nice to see you Café today. 

Victoria’s verdict:

“I love it here for a coffee and cake or spot of lunch, the soup of the day is always a winner. This family run café on Goodramgate offers a very warm welcome and calm and inviting space to relax in a busy city centre.”

Ate O’Clock

Situated in the heart of York and nestled down an arched alleyway draped in fairy lights; Ate O’Clock Restaurant offers a wonderland like surprise upon entry. 

Guests can expect to choose from a wide selection of dishes featured on the A la carte, Set and Lunch menus, including steaks, burgers and traditional dishes, with all produce being of high quality, locally sourced, cooked to order and mostly homemade.

Welcoming all types of guests in the restaurant, whether it be a romantic date, a catch up with friends, a family meal or grabbing a bite whilst out seeing the sights of York.  Ate O’clock is also dog friendly, so the canine member of the family is welcome too!

Victoria’s verdict:

“The fairy lights at the front of the building really draw you down the twinkling alley to a wonderful dining venue. Emily and her team were so great at looking after us, the food was amazing, the décor is incredible and linking with social eight, there is a wonderful social experience just next door with quirky cocktails and entertainment.”

The Drovers Arms

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

The multi award winning Drovers Arms, set in the tiny, picturesque village of Skipwith only ten miles south of York, has great food, fine ales, plenty of gin, friendly atmosphere and has become one of the area’s main destination restaurant. The delicious homemade food is locally sourced and reflects the changing seasons, mirroring the wonderful walks to be found through Skipwith Common, right on its doorstep.

Victoria’s verdict:

“Wonderful food, a real treat! Certainly not afraid to experiment with the menu, the Goats cheese Lasagne was a delight. If you are looking for a pub with great home-made chips, you will certainly find them here too!

The menus change with the season and alongside your stable favourites you will never be short of new things to try while pleasing the whole family.”

  • York Road, Skipwith, North Yorkshire YO8 5SF
  • More info

Downstairs at the Rivermills Ballroom

Downstairs at the Rivermills Ballroom prides themselves on supporting local independent suppliers and when dining in the restaurant, you can enjoy locally sourced ingredients including locally reared meats, fish from Yorkshire suppliers and locally grown vegetables.

Whether you want to visit for breakfast, brunch or beyond, a warm welcome awaits you when you dine with us here at Downstairs at Rivermills Ballroom.

Enjoy delicious dishes created by our passionate and talented kitchen team, whilst taking in the atmosphere of our cosy, intimate venue.

Victoria’s verdict:

“Great for socialising in Selby, this cosy venue offers a warm welcome, homemade cakes and freshly cooked food from local suppliers.

The ladies here looked after us so well and had plenty of time for a chat, a lovely feeling of community here and I would definably recommend for a catch up with great food and friends.”

  • Unit 1, Ousegate Mills, Ousegate Selby YO8 4NJ
  • More info