10 Best Places For Lunch In York, City Centre

1. Shambles Kitchen

One of the best places to go for lunch, Shambles Kitchen boasts a traditional atmosphere and menu, its customers voting their pulled pork sandwich the best on the menu! One reviewer said that they loved their sandwiches so much that it was on par with a New York deli! Some advice from another reviewer said not to come too late, due to their popularity, their best sandwiches, such as the pulled pork and beef brisket pastrami constantly become sold out by 3pm! From its name you can guess where it is, situated on the oldest and best preserved road in York, you’ll find Shambles Kitchen at its heart, The Shambles!

Shambles Kitchen

Address: 28 Shambles, York Y01 7LX

Phone: +44 01904674684

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-3:30pm, Sat: 9am-4:30pm, Sun: 10am-4:30pm (Summer Bank Holiday hours may vary)

Website: Shambles Kitchen

2. The Sea Catcher

If you’re visiting England for the first time, you can’t miss out on trying their famous delicacy, fish and chips! Considered one of the best fish and chip shops in York, The Sea Catcher is the place to go for your first time. With the option to sit in or take out, you’ll find most of their items under 10 USD, making it a cheap, but still very tasty, lunch out! One reviewer said reverently, that you can’t get quality like this in the South of England, making the experience all the more unique!

The Sea Catcher

Address: Clarence Street York Y031 7EL

Phone: +44 01904637208

Opening Hours: Tues-Sat: 12-8pm, Sun: 12-7pm, Mon: 12-4pm

Website: The Sea Catcher

3. Drakes Fish and Chips

Said to be one of the best fish and chip restaurants in York, many commend Drakes Fisheries for their delicious battered fish and unlike most fish and chip shops, they offer gluten-free fish and chips! Situated right in the centre of York, it sits right next to York Chocolate Story, so you can go and satiate your sweet tooth after a delicious English lunch!

Drakes Fisheries

Address: 97 Low Petergate, York Y01 7HY

Phone: +44 01904624788

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11am-10:30pm

Website: Drakes Fisheries

4. The Maltings

Located at the foot of Lendal Bridge in the centre of York, this brilliant pub is only a 3 minute walk away from York Station. Voted as Best Pub of the Year in 2015, you’ll find a great selection of pale ales and traditional ciders. The Maltings, formerly known as the Railway Tavern, also offers a tasty pub menu at great value for money, though warning, the Maltings only accept cash! So be prepared if you want to taste all they have to offer!

One of the older pubs in York, it was established in 1842 and has been a hub for all the locals and visitors. If you want food you’ll have to get in quick, as they only serve food between 12-2pm Monday-Friday and 12-4pm, Saturday-Sunday! They serve only the most local and traditional cuisine such as their Boozy Beef Pie and the Giant Chip Buttie (not for the faint-hearted!).

The Maltings

Address: Tanner’s Moat, York Y01 6HU

Phone: +44 01904655387

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 12-10:30pm

Website: The Maltings

5. Ye Old Shambles Tavern

A great little cozy place right in the middle of the famous and historic shambles, the Shambles Tavern hosts a great selection of ciders and beers, you can even get a taster platter of local ales to have with your friends! This dog-friendly tavern is also small and intimate enough for couples to spend an evening together! With reasonable prices and fresh food, they serve breakfast, dinner and even afternoon tea! Their most expensive item on the menu is their delicious hand-cut rump steak at only 16.50 USD.

Shambles Tavern

Address: 44 Shambles, York Y01 7LZ

Phone: +44 01904633005

Website: Shambles Tavern

6. Cafe No.8 Bistro

You can find this little haven inside the York Art Gallery and have lunch in their beautiful walled garden, when you can look on to the ancient City Walls and the magnificent York Minster! With plenty of lite bite options, you can take part in their drawing and coloring competitions, with prizes to win! Although their food is slightly more pricey, their most expensive main is a delicious pan-roast duck breast, at 25 USD. They are a children-friendly cafe, with all kid-sized meals at half the price!

Cafe No.8 Bistro

Address: 8 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ

Phone: +44 01904653074

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 12pm-10pm, Saturday-Sunday: 9am-10pm

Website: Cafe No.8 Bistro

7. House of The Trembling Madness

One of the more unique and wackier places on this list is none other than the House of The Trembling Madness. Many of the reviews of this place say that it is a ‘MUST-visit’ and 'If you’re looking for unusual, fun, esoteric and eclectic then this is your place.’ With its unusual name, many people are drawn to this place by its pure aesthetic alone, with its famous 900 year old wall, the House of The Trembling Madness resides in the first Norman building built in York, the wall is all that remains of its original structure.

When you come here though, you won’t want to leave when you see their generous selection of world crafted beers on offer, and their big portions of hearty pub meals all at very reasonable prices, such as their large steak and stout pie with mash and peas, at only 13 USD!

House of The Trembling Madness

Address: 48 Stonegate, York Y01 8AS

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 10am-12am

Website: House of The Trembling Madness

8. Bennett's Cafe and Bistro

Sitting right on the doorstep of the magnificent York Minister, is the quaint little cafe, Bennett’s Cafe and Bistro. Serving delicious cakes and coffees during the day, along with their all-day breakfast sandwiches, Bennett’s turns into a bistro at night, serving more pricey items such as their roast chicken breast with roast onion cream and wild mushrooms at 21 USD. Though many reviews say it’s absolutely worth it, unlike the big chain coffeehouses such as Costa or Starbucks, Bennett’s is said to have ‘charm and a soul’! Be quick though, as the tables are regularly filled quickly!

Bennett's Cafe and Bistro

Address: 30-32 High Petergate, York Y01 7EH

Opening Hours: Tues-Sat: 9:30am-4:30pm, 5:30-9pm, Sun-Mon: 9:30-4pm

Website: Bennett’s Cafe and Bistro

9. Loch Fyne Restaurant

Although Loch Fyne is part of a chain, it still provides a personal experience to your dining. Starting out in the 1970s on the west coast of Scotland, Loch Fyne has spread all the way down to the south of England. Its wonderful location in York has it sitting on the gorgeous River Foss (Loch Fyne is on the right in the photo), in a beautiful old building that has retained much of its original fixtures that provide a unique experience for its costumers! Serving high quality seafood, they cater for all allergies and have plenty of items on the menu if you’re not a big fan of fish, such as their delicious Aberdeen Angus chargrilled burger!

Loch Fyne Restaurant

Address: Foss Bridge House, Walmgate, York YO1 9TJ

Phone: +44 01904650910

Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 9am-10:30pm, Friday-Saturday: 9am-11pm

Website: Loch Fyne Restaurant

10. Caesars Italian Restaurant

Nestled in the heart of York, is the very popular Italian restaurant, Caesars! If you’re just looking for some delicious cheesy pizza then Caesars is one of the best places to go, with their helpful and attentive staff, you will have the perfect dining experience with their mouth-watering selections of pizzas, calzones and pastas at very reasonable prices, with their classic margarita at only 10 USD.

Caesars Italian Restaurant

Address: Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS

Phone: +44 01904670914

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 10:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm, Saturday-Sunday: 12pm-11pm

Website: Caesars

Dine with friends!

If there is one thing that York restaurants are known for, it’s their unique and often personal experience to each and every customer that walks through their doors! Whether it’s being recommended their finest ales at the historic Maltings or given extra cakes at the beautiful Bennett’s cafe while gazing at the majestic York Minster right in front, eating out in the city centre of York is always a memorable experience!