Whenever I go into York’s city centre, I always pick a place to eat before I leave campus. Why? Because York is a foodie’s paradise, and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed by all the amazing options. From cheap eats to great bakeries to upscale restaurants, there’s food in York for every occasion. The good news is you’ll probably be living here for at least three years, which means you have plenty of time to try everything.
I’ve only been in York for two months, but I’ve already established several favourites so far. In this blog, I’ll take you through three locations, one for each meal of the day.
Food in York: breakfast
First up is Bailey’s, a lovely tearoom that’s great for a laid-back meal. In my experience, the staff are always super friendly, and you rarely have to wait long for your food. If you’ve never had a full English before, I highly recommend you try it here. A full English usually consists of eggs, baked beans, roast tomatoes, bacon, sausage and toast, but Bailey’s offers a great vegetarian alternative as well. That’s a lot of delicious, filling food for an excellent price. But if you don’t fancy a full English, rest assured Bailey’s extensive menu will surely have something for you. They also offer a wide variety of hot drinks, toasted sandwiches, sweet waffles, and much more.
If you’re planning on going during the weekend, Bailey’s tends to get quite busy. My advice is to show up early (especially if you’re with a big group).
Food in York: lunch
The Shambles Market is one of York’s most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike. There are countless stalls that sell everything from trendy enamel pins to decadent homemade fudge. It’s a great place to pick up gifts for people during the holiday season, or treat yourself to something like a pair of handcrafted earrings or a classy leather bag. But my favourite part of the Shambles is the food court tucked away in the very back, where you can choose from hot dogs, fancy crêpes, pizza and more. I always go for Thai Season, where you can get freshly made authentic Thai food for a great price.
Thai Season has a wide variety of spicy and mild dishes. If you’re like me and can’t handle any spice, I highly recommend the crispy chicken rice and chicken pad thai. They may be mild, but they pack flavour, and make for a lovely warm meal during a cold day of walking around the city.
Food in York: dinner
And last but not least, we have The Botanist: a beautifully decorated upscale pub that’s just a three-minute walk from the iconic York Minster. It’s the perfect place to dress up with your friends and have a nice dinner out in the city. When I went, the staff were warm and cheerful, and happy to answer any questions or recommend their favourite dishes. With a wonderful seasonal menu that caters to all kinds of dietary restrictions, there’s something for everyone. I ordered the generously portioned fish and chips and then shared a tasty vegan dessert. I don’t drink, but my friend said that their cocktails were amazing. We really enjoyed our night at the Botanist, and we all agreed that we’d definitely have to come back soon.
Bailey’s, Thai Season, and The Botanist are just a few of the countless amazing places to eat in York. If I could write about them all, I would, but then this blog would be much too long. Just remember: it never hurts to have a plan, try new things, and have fun!
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