It’s no secret that we think Yorkshire’s food and drink excellence puts it firmly on the map amongst the best in the world. We are spoilt for choice; incredible local produce, excellent chefs and top-class service – a recipe for success.
One way to get a taster of the offering is, of course, tasting menus. Some top restaurants provide tasting menus for those seeking a special experience full of mystery. Put your taste buds in the hands of the chefs, and enjoy the theatre of being served a thought-through series of courses, expertly crafted. Often you’ll have the option to add on drinks pairings too!
Our resident tasting menu enthusiast, Faye Oakey blogs all about her favourite finds in Yorkshire that she recommends you try out for yourself..
Table of Contents
The Black Swan at Oldstead
The sense of place at this gorgeous venue is incredibly strong; the menu, the decor and the team serving you all radiate Oldstead and its locality in the stunning North York Moors National Park. The moment you walk in you’ll spot handmade produce in the dining areas such as damson gin, dried chilli and homegrown pumpkins. Many dishes served included quality produce from their own kitchen garden or foraged locally, making the most of the family’s history of living and farming in the area for many generations. It’s this ethos that stood out the most for me, I suspect this went some way towards their green Michelin star accolade – the only one in Yorkshire.
It’s a rural retreat, making it an ideal choice for a ‘stay and dine’ booking to relax and recharge. Nearby you’ll find Byland Abbey and numerous beauty spots for walking, the most famous perhaps Sutton Bank. Market town Malton is well worth a visit too.
Accomplishments
1 Michelin star and 1 green Michelin star. 4 AA Rosette restaurant with AA 5* rooms. Featured in Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards top 100 places to eat 2022 at number 10.
Bonus
Sister restaurant Roots, York has a Michelin star of its own – it’s on my Yorkshire Menu bucket list .
Joro, Sheffield
This restaurant’s dishes were unlike anything I’ve been served before, something of a Scandi-Japanese fusion. A moreish umami taste explosion. The venue is made entirely from upcycled shipping containers – somewhat apt to call a steel building home given its location in the once fully industrial quarter of the Steel City, Kelham Island. Unusually for a restaurant of this quality, there’s no dress code here so you can relax and enjoy wearing whatever you’re comfortable in. The interiors are minimalist and moody with gorgeous repaired crockery – a lovely way to avoid waste and perhaps a nod to Japanese ‘Kintsugi’, the art of mending ceramics with a golden seam.
To make the most of a visit, there’s the option to stay in nearby House of Joro where you can also book a private dining chef’s table experience. Whilst you’re there explore the charm of Kelham Island with its microbreweries and indie shopping. Sheffield has so much to offer for a city break, not least its music scene or its outdoorsy activities – two-thirds of the landscape here being green space.
Accomplishments
3 AA rosettes, Michelin Bib Gourmand and featured in Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards top 100 places to eat 2022 at number 32.
HOME, Leeds
My personal favourite. This restaurant is really something special, from its dining room style decor to its impeccable dishes. I particularly enjoy the discussions with staff here, the sommelier presented perfect pairings with theatrical flair, each course was served with verbal description and the service had stand out touches. On my last visit, I was bringing my brother who lives abroad and noted this as a special occasion, the HOME team surprised us during the meal with an extra course which was in development. It added so much to the experience and it was wonderful to give feedback, its also nice to see such a genuine way of listening to customer feedback. Needless to say I will visit again.
Find HOME in Leeds, where you’re spoilt for choice with incredible nightlife and city life. HOME’s new venue is perched in the River Aire offering a gorgeous view.
Accomplishments
2 AA rosettes and listed in the Michelin Guide.
Bonus
Chef Elizabeth Cottam is recognisable from her TV exposure on Great British Menu, and well-deserved. Sister restaurant The Owl, Leeds also offers amazing quality gastropub food, I particularly liked the chefs table and had great discussions with the team there too. Elizabeth’s most recent venture CORA in Boston Spa offers a bakery come fine dining experience – one to try I think.
The Angel at Hetton
The Angel is possibly the UK’s first Gastropub, it’s an institution! It’s has a charming foodie pub setting, with first class service. Despite its exquisite food, it remains welcoming – it’s even dog-friendly – not so common in a restaurant of this quality. Nestled in the world-famous Yorkshire Dales National Park, the location holds much appeal for a country getaway. The Angel has options to stay in their beautiful rooms (the breakfast the next day is also amazing). If a tasting menu is too much for you, you can also select from the a la carte menu.
Accomplishments
Michelin star, 4 AA rosettes with AA 5 star rooms and featured in Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards top 100 places to eat 2022 at number 2 .
The Man Behind the Curtain, Leeds
Blurring the lines between cooking and artistry is Leeds‘ only Michelin star restaurant. Michael O’Hare’s creativity makes for an unconventional dining experience, it will be memorable. Expect drama on every plate, with contrasts of bright colour against monochrome, it’s a treat for your senses. For me this is more of a special occasion place, a more refined grandiose ambience than the relaxed vibe of others on this list. You’ll find the restaurant in the upmarket shopping and leisure quarter of Leeds between Victoria Leeds and Victoria Gate. There’s plenty of choice of cocktail bar for after.
Accomplishments
Michelin star, a AA rosettes and featured in Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards top 100 places to eat 2022 at number 19.
For more foodie inspiration see yorkshiremenu.com.
