Best restaurants in Yorkshire 2026: The 20 best restaurants in Yorkshire according to our food reviewers
Today sees the launch of the Yorkshire Post Restaurant of the Year award.
Throughout last year our independent restaurant critics visited establishments throughout the county and have chosen their favourites from the places they reviewed with the overall winner being Forge at Middleton Lodge estate.
Here is the top 20 restaurants in Yorkshire reviewed by our critics last year.
Forge at Middleton Lodge - Restaurant of the Year
Our reviewer says: “It was easy to see why Michelin and the many diners here on a weekday evening loved it.
“I found it rare for a restaurant of this calibre, serving a tasting menu, to have the relaxed and engaging atmosphere as here at Forge; there was no stuffiness, and the service was still impeccable, warm and friendly, and even my constant questions must have driven them crazy when they were so busy.”
The General Tarleton
Harrogate Road, Ferrensby, Knaresborough. HG5 0PZ.
Our reviewer says: “Here it’s all about paying homage to the classics by using the best of British produce. Amen to that. There are occasions when you look at a menu and it sounds interesting without making your mouth water, and others when you feel bamboozled by the sheer amount of choice.
“And there are also times – like this – when you know you’re going to eat well and a warm sense of anticipation and smugness washes over you. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have scoffed plenty of pies in my time, but I’m hard pushed to think of one better than this.
“Put simply, it was faultless.”
Jöro
22-24 Main Road, Wharncliffe Side, Sheffield S35 0LB
Our reviewer says: “You’ll just have to believe me when I say that what comes to the table is insanely good.The highlights, in no particular order: extraordinary presentation, Luke French’s precise approach to clean, intense flavours; he’s endlessly inventive.
“Actually, the best thing about Jöro is the feeling in the room: this level of cooking often demands a hushed reverence, having to sit up straight and whisper. There’s none of that malarkey here – it’s a happy, relaxed vibe which if they’ve any sense they’ll bottle.”
The Nettle
17 Market Pl, Settle BD24 9ED
Our reviewer says: “But by far the star of the show is the pasture-fed beef dish, super modern and a beautifully balanced and generous plate of food - it’s a lovely looking thing, the meat pink and with roscoff onion, a pickled walnut reduction and tarragon, it’s sensational.
“Staff are lovely, clued up and welcoming, and there are many highlights to savour, so much so that time almost stops and it’s so good you almost stop talking.”
Swine Bistro
77a Otley Road, Headingley LS6 3PS
Our reviewer says: “The Myers have come a long way since the Greedy Pig, their little caff on North Street.
“They may have upgraded significantly with space for a proper kitchen, a room (in time) for private dining and the magical number of 40 covers, but they have not abandoned their original ethos of simple, unfussy food from a menu that Stu will tweak with the seasons and change regularly.”
Pignut at the Hare
Hare Inn, Scawton, York YO7 2HG
Our reviewer says: “What intrigued me at my first visit to Pignut was the ‘wastage course’, based on the principle that, where possible, nothing is wasted in the kitchen. I've visited many other restaurants that have attempted a similar approach but haven't achieved the same success as Pignut at the Hare.
“For me, it's the combination of the pair that makes it unique — a synergy that is truly difficult to replicate. Plus, they have surrounded themselves with an astonishing array of local suppliers, and those further away, such as the wines chosen by Laurissa for their ethics and care.
The Old Deanery
Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QS
Our reviewer says: “Adam Jackson did not disappoint, far from it, he has not lost his touch, but rather it has grown, matured and is truly exceptional.
“However, as I teem praise on him, what he also does so, so well, is build a team of talent around him from Joseph the restaurant manager and Stef Devlin supervisor and sommelier both who are young and are brilliant; the chefs who delivered their food to the table already mentioned plus Joe and John and I am sure there are others.”
Zucco
603 Meanwood Road, Meanwood, Leeds. LS6 4AY
Our reviewer says: “Zucco has been going for more than a decade now and is still one of the best restaurants in Leeds, consistently producing Italian food of the highest standard.
“Sharing plates have become a bit passé but done well they can still be a delight, and here they are done extremely well. Zucco isn’t only the best kind of neighbourhood restaurant, it’s the best kind of restaurant period.”
Highland Laddie
Our reviewer says: “The menu features 20 small plates for sharing – a mix of comfort and adventure. The Laddie marooned among the high-rise flats feels a bit like that lonely farm on the M62 that’s trapped between the eastbound and westbound carriageways.
“Under the inspired direction of Sam and Nicole, the Highland Laddie looks to be in safe hands, a young couple bringing the traditional British boozer into the 21st century. George Orwell would have loved it.”
Old Lifeboat Station
South Marine Drive, Bridlington
Our reviewer says: “Rare is it that there is nothing to complain about at an eatery, but I cannot think of a single negative with the Old Lifeboat Station.
“Robert has created the best way to enjoy seafood along the Yorkshire coast and easily the best way to kill an afternoon in Brid. I left with a full belly, an undented wallet and a free tan.”
Ginkgo
22-124 King's Rd, Harrogate HG1 5HY
Our reviewer says: “It’s very easy on the eye from the get-go: blonde wood, calming, neutral colours and a long comfortable bench along the far wall, above it shelves with an impressive collection of well-thumbed cookery books and jars of preserves.
“But my eyes land immediately on the shelf groaning with home baked goods: pistachio swirl, cinnamon roll focaccia and a loaf of shokupan, a pillowy, slightly sweet Japanese milk bread. Heck it’s a good looking menu.
“The plates are generous, interesting and different, bringing a frisson of joy to this jaded old palate. There’s no wonder folk are queueing to get in.”
Waterside
Our reviewer says: “By the time we reached dessert the restaurant was rocking, with every table taken and nothing to absorb the noise bouncing off those brick walls. And if it’s generally considered unfair to review a restaurant on its opening night, I can only say the Waterside smashed it.
“Just as Pizza West brought a stylish new restaurant to Whitby, the Waterside looks like doing much the same for Ruswarp.”
Legacy
Grand Hotel, Station Rise, York YO1 6GD
Our reviewer says: “Legacy is a small but exquisitely decorated dining room with only 26 covers, and has a sustainable policy so keen that they even have their own beehives on the roof – you can't get fresher than that.
“Hand-dived Orkney Scallop with a sake sabayon, topped with fermented turnip, and served with Sturia caviar, crisp white Kombu, and Japanese seaweed, came next. This is a dish so beautifully balanced in its taste and texture, with a neat kick from the turnip, I am already thinking this might be my dish of the night.
“How wrong I was. Ahmed presents us with his dish from Great British Menu (hurrah), and now I totally get why this was praised so highly by the judges. Unbelievably fabulous piece of cooking, and I'd love to know where the dish it was served in came from.”
Pellizco
8 Dyson Pl, Sharrow, Sheffield S11 8XX
Our reviewer says: “Antojitos (‘little cravings’) turn up in no particular order; we’ve ordered a number of tacos, and a soy and sesame cauliflower is first to arrive, and if it’s any indication of what’s ahead, it’s going to be a good night.
“The tacos are clearly recently made and have quite a strong tell-tale corn taste and these are beautifully soft, and stuffed with feather-light tempura cauli, and a zingy bright green avocado salsa for dipping – so simple, and delicious.”
The Alice Hawthorn
The Green, Nun Monkton York YO26 8EW
Our reviewer says: “It doesn't take much to work out why the Alice Hawthorn is so popular, and booking ahead is a must. The staff are excellent, professional, pleasant and on the ball.
“There's superb food from highly skilled chefs; food is freshly cooked with generous Yorkshire portions without looking greedy.
“Both inside and out, the Alice is smart yet retains the quintessential country inn charm, with all its beams and flagged floors. The bar is still a bar and open to non-diners. If you get a chance, have a peek at the award-winning garden rooms.”
The Cheesy Living Co
478 Roundhay Road, Oakwood, Leeds, LS8 2HU
Our reviewer says: “Along with their focaccia sandwiches and sharing boards, the speciality here is the fondues. The fondues here, served for a minimum of two people, come with slow roasted potatoes sprinkled with rosemary and paprika, confit garlic, cornichons, balsamic pickled onions, plum and port jam, hot honey and bite sized pieces of bread perfect for dipping. All the good stuff.
“The Cheesy Living Co isn’t fancy or expensive, which just shows that good food doesn’t have to be. I’d happily come here at any time of the year, but on a glacial winter’s evening it really did warm the old cockles.”
Melton’s Restaurant
7 Scarcroft Road, York YO23 1ND
Our reviewer says: “If, like me, you’ve neglected Melton’s just because it’s been there forever, then I commend you to take another look. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a treat.
“Miller’s menu is more exciting and more refined than I remember but still with the Melton’s ethos created by Michael and Lucy Hjort, a modest couple without ego, who know how to welcome their guests, provide good food, good wine, decent portions in friendly, unfussy surroundings just as they’ve been doing for the last 35 years. Long may they continue.”
Mary's Sandwich Shop
Our reviewer says: “I have to stop myself getting lyrical about Mary’s. It is, after all just a sandwich shop that turns into a burger joint on Friday and Saturday. But … they are fabulous sarnies and brilliant burgers, and just as importantly they’ve created a place with such a sweet vibe I can’t stay away.
“Eating at place like Mary’s is fast becoming my favourite way to spend time. Of course I enjoy the theatre of fine dining now and again and a tasting menu is welcome when I can’t be bothered to choose.”
Black Wheat Club
52 Fossgate, York
Our reviewer says: “The BWC pay due respect to both vegetarians and vegans with plenty of VE and VG dishes on the menu, created by daytime chef Alex Grew and sous chef, the delightfully named Dignity Froud.
“The blending of Polish, British and European food cultures matched with the skill and creativity of this young couple, chef Louis Gilroy and their talented bakers, makes for a new and exciting bistro for York.”
Cinnamon Kitchen
The Queen’s Hotel, City Square, Leeds LS1 1PJ
Our reviewer says: “Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds is renowned chef Vivek Singh’s first restaurant in the North of England. It’s also a welcome addition to the burgeoning Indian food scene here.The star of the show was the chicken biryani with burhani raita.
“I’ve had oodles of biryanis over the years and I’m hard pushed to think of one as good as this. The spicing on the perfectly cooked chicken was once again on the money and accompanied by a crispy naan (cooked in a tandoor oven) it was the kind of elevated comfort food that makes you feel happy to be alive”