Excellent vegetarian food and other York, United Kingdom Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: El Piano

I'm not a vegetarian, but this restaurant produces superb food which I thoroughly enjoyed. They also do vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Open Mon - Sat, 10 - midnight
Sundays 12 - 1700


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Theme: Vegan/Vegetarian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: 15/17 Grape Lane
Directions: In the 'Latin Quarter', near the Minster.

Restaurant Name: Wilde's

Wilde's wine bar/ bistro is a small, atmospheric place to eat good food. Pleasant surroundings, friendly staff, good value.

Open 11 - 11 daily.
Mon - Friday: 'Happy hour' 5.30 - 7.30


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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Grape Lane
Directions: In the 'Latin Quarter' near the Minster. Entrance in Coffee Yard, an alleyway leading from Stonegate to Grape Lane.

Restaurant Name: Cafe No 8

I've only just discovered this small cafe/ bistro. It serves an excellent range of drinks, snacks and meals, well-cooked and good value. Best of all, it has a walled garden at the back, a real sun-trap with pleasantly shaded corners. Highly recommended!


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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 01904 653074
Address: 8 Gillygate
Directions: Walk towards Bootham from the Minster...... Gillygate is on your left at the traffic lights.

Restaurant Name: ........... Little Betty's

Little Betty's is on Stonegate, a couple of minutes away from the main tearooms. It's run by the same people, has the same cakes etc but is in a much older building (which I think makes it better anyway).


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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Stonegate
Directions: Open Sun - Fri 10 - 5.30
Sat 9 - 5.30
Website: www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk

Restaurant Name: Lendal Cellars

In what used to be the Lord Mayor's wine-cellar, with tables in the brick tunnels. There's an outdoor seating area (partially roofed) with, weirdly, a pool table under one roofed bit.

The food is ok (pub-standard, not particularly cheap, and not as good as it was years ago), the beer is well-kept (there's usually a good choice of guest ales) and its well-located (just off Lendal).

Often very busy though: it's popular with students. Get a table (and table number) before ordering food from the bar.


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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 01904 623121
Address: Lendal, York
Website: http://www.pub-explorer.com/nyorks/pub/lendalcellarsyork.htm

Restaurant Name: The Old White Swan

The Old White Swan is on Goodramgate, a collection of what was originally nine buildings, some dating from the 16th century. In these buildings were once a variety of businesses: a poultry market, a barber, a pig-sty............but now it's all one pub.

There's a properly covered and well-sheltered courtyard with tables, and small, comfortable rooms inside. The beer is good (a variety of real ales and tap lagers), and the food is reasonably-priced standard pub fare: hot and cold sandwiches, jacket potatoes, lasagne etc. All perfectly acceptable fillers, though nothing stunning. Service is pleasant and (when I have visited) speedy.

The pub is, of course, supposed to be haunted.

Look out for the original brick four-stepped mounting-block in the courtyard (see photo).


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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Goodramgate
Website: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/99/9929/Old_White_Swan/York

Restaurant Name: La Place Verte

I was tipped off about this place by locals: it's a very well-kept secret!

The couple who run this tiny cafe in a wonderful building by Skeldergate Bridge met in La Place Verte in Antwerp, hence its name. Their menu includes a variety of superb Belgian-style waffles and pancakes, as well as many types of tea. These include some really unusual teabags which contain flowers which 'bloom' in your glass when hot water is added! They have a good variety of bottled beers too.

And as for the hot chocolate: you get the hot milk, and the chocolate drops or shavings, and the cream, and make up your own! Milk, plain or white: absolutely delicious! See the other photo.....

......and they sell speciality Belgian chocolates too!

Well worth seeking out, but make sure you don't tell everyone otherwise I will get into trouble!


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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 01904 677 005
Address: Tower Gardens/Skeldergate Bridge
Directions: This used to be the tollhouse for the bridge, and dates from 1881. Go into the Tower Gardens opposite Clifford Tower, and you'll see it on your left.
Website: www.laplaceverte.co.uk