York Restaurant Week returns in March 2026

Great news for anyone who loves good food without the hefty price tag! The much-loved York Restaurant Week is back on the menu this spring, giving everyone a fantastic reason to get out and explore the city's incredible food and drink scene. Organised by the team at the York BID, this popular event returns from the 9th to the 22nd of March 2026. And yes, you read that right – it’s running for a full two weeks. This gives diners plenty of time to try out that little Italian place they've always walked past or revisit an old favourite. It’s all about celebrating the brilliant hospitality across York, with a whole host of special offers designed to suit any budget.

So, how does it all work?

Think of it as a city-wide celebration of food. For two whole weeks in March, over 100 venues across the city take part by creating exclusive offers for diners. This isn't about tiny discounts; it's about fixed-price menus that are seriously tempting. The offers are set at different price points, starting from just £5 and going up to £30. It means whether someone is looking for quick and tasty casual lunches with a friend or a fancier evening meal for a special occasion, there’s something for everyone. This amazing event is a big part of what makes the Yorkshire food scene so vibrant.

Getting your hands on these deals is dead simple. The full list of participating venues and their unique offers will be available to browse and download from the official York Restaurant Week website starting from Monday, 23rd February. All people need to do is find an offer that makes their stomach rumble, download the voucher, and get in touch with the restaurant to book a table. It's a good idea to mention the offer when booking, just to make sure everything runs smoothly. There's no limit to how many offers one person can use, so diners can eat their way around York for the whole fortnight if they fancy it! The latest press release from the organisers, including information from Alice Bentley, was full of details about how this event is giving back to the local community.

A fortnight of feasting

One of the best things about the recent editions of York Restaurant Week is that the event now runs for a full two weeks. Originally a week-long affair, the organisers at the York Business Improvement District (York BID) took on board feedback from both restaurants and customers. It turns out everyone loved having more time to explore. A fortnight means less of a mad dash to fit everything in. It gives diners the chance to be more spontaneous and perhaps try several different venues without feeling rushed. It's also great for the businesses taking part, as it spreads the custom out over a longer period.

This extended format has been a huge hit, helping to cement the event as a proper fixture in the city’s calendar. In fact, Eleanor Richardson from the York BID said:

“York Restaurant Week has really become one of the highlights of the city’s calendar, and we’re absolutely delighted to bring it back this March. It’s one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK and a brilliant chance to celebrate York’s incredible, diverse food and drink scene while giving a real boost to our brilliant local hospitality businesses. We can’t wait to see both much-loved favourites and exciting new venues take part, giving diners even more reasons to get out, try something new and enjoy everything York has to offer.”

Who's taking part this time?

With more than 100 venues involved, the variety is huge. It’s a brilliant showcase of the city’s diverse food culture. From cosy cafes and traditional pubs to restaurants serving cuisine from all over the globe, the choice is massive. What’s really exciting is that there are always new venues to discover. For the March 2026 event, some of the newcomers include:

• Drift-In

• Howl

• Love Cheese

• 200 Degrees Coffee

These new venues will be joining a long list of established favourites that return to take part in the event year after year. This mix of old and new is what keeps the scene fresh and exciting for diners. The event truly captures the spirit of the local hospitality industry, and it's a testament to the quality of the food and drink available throughout Yorkshire. And it’s not just about restaurants; cafes and other food outlets are also getting involved, making it a proper city-wide food festival.

More than just a good meal

While grabbing a delicious, budget-friendly meal is the main draw, York Restaurant Week does a lot more for the city. It provides a massive boost to the local economy. Since it first started, the event has had an estimated economic impact of between £5 million and £6 million. That’s a huge help for the local hospitality sector, especially during what can sometimes be a quieter time of year. The event is organised by the York Business Improvement District, a body funded by local businesses to help make the city centre a better place to live, work, and visit. The company's director, Linda Scott, would surely agree that such initiatives are vital. This particular event returns twice a year, in March and October, consistently giving the local economy a lift.

What's more, this year's event is running at the same time as the Shop York initiative. This campaign, run by the York BID in partnership with Indie York, also runs until Sunday, 22nd March and is all about encouraging people to support the city's independent shops. So, people can make a real day of it: grab some bargains in the shops and then treat themselves to a fantastic meal. It’s a perfect way to support local businesses and enjoy the best of what this historic city has to offer.