Betty's on St Helen's square is a Yorkshire institution and rightly so. Sitting in the Art Deco glazed dining room watching the world go by is a rare treat. Rare because the outdoor queues can be most off putting.
If it is windy and raining I recommend a trip round the corner to Little Betty's, located on York's prettiest medieval street - Stonegate.
The food, service and quaint ambience remain in Little Betty's but the queues are shorter and indoors. The upstairs rooms even have one extra special treat - open fires.
Sandwiches and cakes are available to takeaway from shops in both tearooms.

Betty's, St Helen's Square
Little Betty's, Stonegate

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A lovely park by the river, essentially the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum. If the sun is shining you can't beat grabbing a sandwich or salad (nearby Deli De Clare recommended) and joining the office workers, students, young families, couples and parties of (mainly French) school kids on the manicured lawns. Choose to sit in the shadows of medieval ruins, by a timbered tudor lodge or in the shadow of mature trees.
An awful lot cheaper and more enjoyable than being ripped off in a tourist trap.

Entrances on Museum St and Marygate.
Deli de Clare on Lendal by the Museum St entrance.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Tips by utterinertia all seem to recommend establishments owned by one company. By no means am I suggesting that they are poor examples of what is available in York, but I have my suspicions about how impartial the reviewer may be.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Small, intimate venue, with superb atmosphere: you could almost be on stage with the band. Close to the heart of York, but worth a visit from anywhere in the UK just to catch a special set in a unique venue.

While we're at it: catch the Tivoli in Utrecht, NL, before it disappears! (Zeche, Bochum, D, is probably Europe's finest: it's got everything.)

www.fibbers.co.uk/
Fibbers is situated in The Stonebow on the Minster side of the River Ouse

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Another place I'd recommend in York is Monty's Grill. I also mainly does steak and seafood, but it's not as up-market as Harvilles. I haven't been at the weekend, but apparently their Sunday lunch is particularly good.

St Peter's Grove, York.
www.montysgrill.co.uk

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is a tiny shop (you probably couldn't fit more than five people in there at once) in The Shambles that has an extensive menu of great sub-style sandwiches that all cost only £1. It's the perfect place to pick up lunch to eat in a park on a sunny day.

The Shambles, York

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A takeaway that always serves FANTASTIC fish and chips, big fish and lovely mushy peas. Get the fish and chips and sit opposite the Windmill and eat with the ducks near you. The place is the best in York.

Down the A19 from York, next to Dunnington, Stamford Bridge is a good day out.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is one of THE places to eat in York. Fabulous service, great food and a good atmosphere. It was originally a couple of Victorian terraces houses that they have knocked into one place. It does have a bit of a feel of someone's front room to it but if you can put up with that you will not be disappointed.

www.york-united-kingdom.co.uk/restaurants/meltons/

7 Scarcroft Road,
York,
Telephone: 01904 634341

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

It's small and quirky with a lovely atmosphere and amazing hot chocolate and bagels.

At the top of Parliament Street near Brown's department store

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends