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With its medieval walls, majestic cathedral and narrow streets overhung by half-timbered townhouses, York is an unmissable destination for history lovers.
But while the hordes of excited children wearing horned helmets for the annual Jorvik Viking Festival prove the heritage factor remains a major pull for visitors, that's not the reason I'm here.
Yorkshire is progressively establishing itself as one of Britain's premier culinary destinations, and the region The 2025 version of the AA Restaurant Guide included 73 eateries in North Yorkshire — surpassing all other counties and significantly outpacing Devon, which ranked second with 58 establishments.
Given this, my partner and I plan to explore York’s gastronomic scene to discover all it has to offer — beginning with a guided stroll led by the individual behind a food blog. York on a Fork , Ben Thorpe.
Following his departure from a 'dull' profession in financial services, Ben now organizes food tours across York, leading guests through nine of his preferred eateries—where they can enjoy a meal or a drink at each stop.
If you want to experience the heartbeat of the culinary world in Yorkshire’s revered city, this is how you should go about it!
Our initial destination is Ippuku Tea House, an idea brought to life by the collaborative efforts of Frankie and her spouse Tatsu Ozaki.
Hailing from Saltburn In North Yorkshire, Frankie is the younger sibling of two, with both marrying Japanese partners.
She's now focused on bringing the authentic taste of Japan to God's Own County, which for us comes in the form of a tofu rice set with pickles and gyoza alongside a steaming pot of fresh, grassy Sencha tea.
Next up, Ben takes us for a mini 'chippy tea' at Drakes Fisheries, with the rich yet perfectly crispy batter and moreish chips proof that frying in beef dripping is superior to the vegetable oil commonly used 'down south'.
After a short walk, we reach The Shambles, York's most famous street and the traditional hub of its meat trade - as evidenced by the butchers' hooks still hanging above the windows of some of its shops.
Given this heritage, it seems appropriate to enjoy a smoked pork taco at Shambles Kitchen, before heading to a new patisserie and cafe founded by Florian Poirot, the master pastry chef whose exquisite macarons and chocolates have made him a huge hit since he set up his first shop in nearby Malton in 2017.
Ben also gives us a taste of York's contribution to Britain's gin boom in the form of York Gin - which produces a series of award-winning gins inspired by local characters - before four further stops of which Ambiente Tapas, a Spanish-inspired restaurant and sherry bar with passionate, friendly staff, is a particular highlight.
A recurring highlight during his tours is Love Cheese, an intimate and eccentric cheese store and bar known as 'the world's first Speakcheesey'.
We'll return another time to indulge in 'Afternoon Cheese,' a playful interpretation of the classic British dish. It includes five types of cheese served on a three-level platter overflowing with cured meats, olives, cornichons, chutney, crackers, and bread sourced from the nearby town of Haxby.
Every cheese is carefully selected by the exceptionally informed shopkeeper, Jordan. We observe him engaging in friendly banter with his clientele as he offers personalized recommendations tailored to each customer’s specific cheese requirements.
As well as cheese, York is known for its chocolate, with confectionary giant Terry's founded in the city in 1767 before an overseas takeover saw production move to France in 2005.
The company's grade-II listed, former factory building, overlooking York Racecourse, was empty for some years before being redeveloped into luxury apartments.
Fortunately for food lovers, it's also now home to The Old Liquor Store , an Italian-influenced restaurant, bar and wine shop run by seasoned restaurateur Ben Williams.
Its head chef, Matt Leivers, was poached from the Michelin-starred Star Inn at Harome - making it an obvious stop on any foodie trip to York.
Popping in for dinner, we enjoy an impressive line-up of stunningly presented dishes that deliver big flavours without any hint of fussiness or mean portions.
I've chosen the pan-seared seabass fillet served with rice noodles and Asian greens as my main dish.
However, what really stands out is my dessert – a caramelized white chocolate panna cotta crowned with cookie crumbs and pieces of crunchy, zesty Granny Smith apples.
Like a testament to reinvention, The Old Liquor Store seamlessly integrates itself into a city where numerous structures bear evidence of having been adapted and reused throughout their extensive histories.
This is particularly evident in the Museum Gardens, where the remains of a Benedictine abbey and an old medieval hospital share space with a Roman tower, a parish church, and the neoclassical Yorkshire Museum.
Beneath the menacing gargoyles and lofty Gothic arches of York Minster lies the Undercroft, which unveils remnants of a Roman fortification along with an Anglo-Saxon burial ground, all nestled beside the Norman bases of the present-day cathedral.
As you explore the culinary scene in the city, remember to allocate some time for hidden treasures such as All Saints' Church on North Street. This place features a 15th-century window depicting scenes from the end times and intricately styled angels gazing down from the detailed hammer-beam ceiling.
The small-scale medieval layout of York makes the city quite easy to navigate on foot, especially when you make use of the shortcuts offered by its intricate network of concealed lanes—often referred to as Snickelways.
And should you ever feel weary from all that walking, rest assured that there’s always a place close by where you can grab something to eat!
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