Heading to York? I hope you’re going hungry because there are so many restaurants to choose from and each one that we tried was so good. So when you’re in York, visit any number of these great restaurants… you won’t be dissapointed! Yorkshire folk take their food and drink seriously which is probably why Yorkshire now boasts the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants than any other county in England outside of London.  It’s no surprise that as Yorkshire’s ancient capital, York flies the flag for good food and drink in the region.

Why York is one of the best foodie spots in the UK

• York’s ‘Foodie Street’ is Fossgate (voted third best foodie street in the UK in the annual ‘Google Street View Awards’).
• York was crowned the best gastro destination in the UK and fifth best in Europe by TripAdvisor (2011).
• York Food and Drink Festival, held every September is the largest event of its kind in the UK, and a massive showcase for the restaurants, hotels, shops and food manufacturing companies.
• The Yorkshire pudding has been voted the top Yorkshire icon (above the Minster and the Yorkshire Dales: Dalesman Survey 2014) – you can learn how to make one on a cookery course in York.
• York’s world-renowned tea rooms Bettys Café Tea Rooms – are simply the place to sample a Yorkshire Fat Rascal and a ‘proper’ cup of tea.

Read More: 3 Of The Best Places To Have Afternoon Tea In York, England

• York has around 40 Fair Trade cafés and restaurants.
• York’s award-winning food and drink suppliers include The Balloon Tree and Demijohn.
• York’s award-winning chefs include Roux-trained Michael Hjort at Melton’s and Andrew Pernat Star Inn The City.
• Spring Espresso on Fossgate is one of only a handful of shops to achieve a Five Cup standard from the Beverage Standards Association, as well as winning Best Latte in the UK 2012 and Best Tea 2013. Their coffee is overseen by a UK Barista Championship Semi Finalist.
• If you can’t go to Italy, Italy will come to you… at Roberto Italian Gelato café near MonkgateBar on Goodramgate.
• Anyone who fancies a true gourmet pint should visit one of the many beer houses including the House of Trembling Madness (a medieval drinking hall) and Stein Bier Keller (German beer keller).

Find the exotic looking black cheddar at the independent cheese shop on Gillygate – Love Cheese. If black cheddar is not really your thing there is a core selection of around 65 cheeses which are kept in stock all the time. This covers the classics such a Keen’s Mature Cheddar, Brie De Meaux, Cropwell Bishop Stilton and around 25 delicious Yorkshire cheeses!

For more information about food and drinks in York checkout the Visit York site.

…York for chocoholics

York, Britain’s Home of Chocolate is the perfect place for chocoholics!

When it comes to chocolate, there really is no place like York. You can literally eat, breathe and sleep it. York’s reputation as the city of chocolate dates back to the 20th century when two of the most famous names in chocolate set up shop: Joseph Rowntree went on to create Kit Kat, Smarties and Aero, and Joseph Terry the Chocolate Orange and All Gold collection.

Today York’s love of chocolate is as strong as ever and can be experienced in numerous attractions, restaurants and shops around the city. If you’re seeking extra helpings of cocoa there’s even an annual spring chocolate festival complete with a ‘chocolate market’ showcasing local chocolate makers’ creations, and also chocolate tastings and workshops.

• York’s Chocolate Story – one of York’s biggest visitor attractions celebrates the mouth- watering story of chocolate and confectionery in York. Discover chocolate’s origins, how to make it and how to taste it like an expert.
• York Chocolate Trail – a chocolate-themed walking trail with sweet treats at every turn.
• Follow the footsteps of Joseph Rowntree on the Rowntree Trail.

• Chocolate-making workshop – York offers a range of practical courses from the city’s experts including chocolatier Sophie Jewett at York Cocoa House. Learn how to make your own chocolate to show off and share.
• Goddard’s – home to the Terry family – visit this former arts and crafts-style family home built in the 1920s with a perfect view from the beautifully secluded gardens across the Knavesmire to the former iconic Terry’s chocolate factory.
• Book your hotel stay with one of the hotels offering a Chocolate Break, you can choose from Hotel Indigo or The Limes.
• You can often breathe in the scent of chocolate as you walk through the streets – York’s chocoriffic experience that has absolutely no calories! If you’d like to track the delicious chocolate smell follow @YorkChocAroma on Twitter and see maps highlighting the likely coverage based on wind speed and direction.