Pub Grub in York
Where to Eat Like a York Local
They say York has enough pubs to visit a new one every day for a year. That’s true. And if you did, you’d probably forget your own name by day 143, but you’d have eaten very well along the way.
So whether you’re in the mood for steak, pie, pizza, a Sunday roast that slaps, or just a posh pint and something off a slate plate, here’s my handpicked guide to some of York’s best food-serving boozers. No chain pubs, no microwaved nachos. Just proper meals in proper places.
The Royal Oak – 18 Goodramgate
A classic-looking pub that takes its food seriously without getting too fussy about it. Think homemade pies, fresh fish, slow-cooked meats, and the sort of daily specials where you find yourself nodding at the menu like, “Yep, I could do that.” Great for a chilled lunch or cosy dinner — and they know how to do mash properly, which is surprisingly rare these days.
Best for: Solid pub classics with a chef’s twist and a pint in hand.
Try: The fish pie or anything from the specials board that day.
The Whippet Inn – 15 North Street
Despite the name, this is not a doggy daycare but one of York’s top spots for steak — and I’m talking proper, 32-day-aged, marbled, melt-in-your-mouth cuts. Add triple-cooked chips the size of house bricks and sauces you could drink with a straw. They also do great seafood and fab Sunday roasts, so don’t skip it just because you’re not carnivorous.
Best for: Meat lovers and anyone who wants to eat in style but not feel judged for ordering two sides.
Try: The dry-aged picanha steak with blue cheese sauce or the poached sea trout for something lighter.
Guy Fawkes Inn – 25 High Petergate
You can literally dine in the birthplace of the man who tried to blow up Parliament. Thankfully, the only thing exploding here is flavour (sorry, I had to). It’s an AA-rosette kind of pub with big, bold British food. Expect dishes like lamb shank, beer-battered fish and chips, and proper puddings.
Best for: Tourists who want atmosphere and a proper plateful.
Try: The Pies or their sticky toffee pudding — both could bring a tear to a glass eye.
The Fat Badger – 2–4 High Petergate
A posh pub without the pretension. They serve Yorkshire pub favourites with flair, like duck leg confit, burgers made from happy cows, and desserts that look like they belong on Bake Off. Bonus points for views of the Minster and a menu that changes with the seasons — like your mood if you skipped lunch.
Best for: Gastropub dining without the eye-watering prices.
Try: The seasonal burger, the braised beef shin, or the black pudding scotch egg to start.
Stonegate Yard – 8–10 Stonegate
Tucked away just off the main drag, this place is charming, casual, and great if you’re looking for something hearty but not bank-breaking. Their homemade potato wedges are the stuff of local legend, and you’ll find everything from loaded sandwiches to big pub mains done well.
Best for: Lunch without fuss or a relaxed early dinner.
Try: The chicken and chorizo pasta or just pile into a massive plate of wedges with all the dips.
Hole In The Wall – High Petergate
A firm favourite on Tripadvisor and a low-key Sunday roast legend. The interior’s full of character (and actual characters) with low beams, wooden nooks, and a warm, bustling vibe. Their roast is often described as one of the best in York — and that’s not a title you hand out lightly round these parts.
Best for: Roast lovers and pub fans who like things old, warm, and full of gravy.
Try: The Sunday roast and their Pie and Mash. Bring stretchy trousers.
Eagle and Child – 9 High Petergate
This medieval-looking beauty has the best of both worlds: historic charm and a modern kitchen that actually knows how to cook. Their seasonal dishes are made with locally sourced ingredients, and the Sunday roasts come stacked and swimming in gravy. No faff, just excellent food.
Best for: Ticking the “quintessential York pub” box with excellent food to back it up.
Try: The lamb roast or their fish of the day specials — always fresh, never boring.
The Old White Swan – 80 Goodramgate
A sprawling, centuries-old pub with plenty of space and a menu of updated pub favourites. It’s ideal for groups or a casual dinner when you want classics done well — think steak & ale pies, big burgers, and sticky desserts.
Best for: Big portions, traditional pub vibes, and decent value for money.
Try: The steak & ale pie or their beer-battered fish and chips — both are bang on.
AND A FEW MORE YOU SHOULD TOTALLY CHECK OUT
The Golden Slipper (Goodramgate) – Dog-friendly, unpretentious, and does a solid Sunday lunch. Toasties and jackets if you’re just peckish.
Angel on the Green (Bishy Road) – Italian-inspired dishes, local beer, and fab people-watching. Get a pizza and pretend you’re in Naples (but with better tea).
Fossgate Social (Fossgate and Micklegate) – More a bar with food, but what they do, they do well. Think posh toasties, breakfast baps, and artisan everything.
House of Trembling Madness (Stonegate) – Brilliant name, brilliant food. Think wild boar sausages, cheese boards, and craft beer for days.
The Woodman Inn (Bishopthorpe) – A bit out of town but worth the wander. Voted a top food pub by locals and totally nails Sunday lunches and has great gluten free options.
York’s pub scene is a food-lover’s playground. Whether you’re in search of slow-roasted meats, artisan burgers, pies as big as your head, or just something that goes well with a pint of something local, you’ll find it here. Just maybe don’t try to visit them all in one weekend.
If you are coming to York to munch on some delicious pub food and need a place to stay then check out our 3 holiday homes at www.houseofyork.org
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