Where to Book for a Special Occasion across Yorkshire
Treat yourself at one of the best restaurants around this year
Jöro
294 Shalesmoor, Sheffield S3 8US
0114 299 1539
jororestaurant.co.uk
This is the perfect intimate dinner space, with only eight tables. Featured in 2024’s Michelin Guide and boasting three AA Rosettes, Jöro takes a modern and unique approach to its food and flavours and you can expect delicacies like Japanese milk bread with miso butter and roasted garlic, crudo of red mullet with rhubarb dashi and blood orange kosho, and grilled Orkney scallops with creamed corn and sea buckthorn red curry.
The Star Inn
High Street, Harome, York YO62 5JE
01439 770397
thestaratharome.co.uk
With a Michelin star and three AA Rosettes, The Star Inn has built a reputation for serving exceptional food and is far from your typical fine-dining restaurant. Set in a 14th century inn, The Star Inn has great whimsical, woodland touches including a traditional thatched roof, mossy eaves and carved wooden tables. Led by head chef Andrew Pern, the menu takes inspiration from seasonal produce and Yorkshire locality. For a more private celebration, book out Cross House Lodge, a grand space which includes a King Arthur-esque round dining table.
Zucco
Meanwood Road, Leeds LS6 4AY
0113 224 9679
zucco.co.uk
A family business based in Leeds with southern Italian roots, Zucco was opened by siblings Rosario and Michael in 2013, and the restaurant remains passionate about serving delicious Italian cuisine, earning some very loyal customers over the years. The menu here is always changing so no two visits ever have to be the same, and it’s designed for enjoying four to seven smaller dishes between two, or more for groups.
Bavette
Town Street, Horsforth,
Leeds LS18 4RJ
bavettebistro.com
This warm and lively neighbourhood bistro is a new fixture on Leeds’ food scene and within just a few months of opening has already secured a place for itself in the Michelin Guide. Taking inspiration from classic French cuisine, expect seasonally-led dishes like steak tartare with beef fat toast and matchstick chips, and crème brûlée with Yorkshire rhubarb. Keep an eye out for their own speciality wine coming to the bistro, Cuvée Bavette, the perfect accompaniment to any celebration.
Forge at Middleton Lodge
Middleton Lodge, Kenton Lane, Middleton Tyas, Richmond DL10 6NJ
01325 377977
middletonlodge.co.uk
This restaurant’s dedication to championing produce grown in its own two-acre kitchen garden (or sourced from as close by as possible) has rightfully earned it a Michelin green star for sustainability. Led by head chef Jake Jones, enjoy truly seasonal dishes here from their indulgent six- and 10-course tasting menus.
Roots
68 Marygate, York YO30 7BH
rootsyork.com
One for foodies, the city outpost from award-winning chef Tommy Banks, boasting a Michelin star, Roots has a menu that focuses on modern dishes with traditional Yorkshire roots. There are two menu options here, the Core Menu and the Signature Menu, both of which use ingredients from the farm and garden at Oldstead. In addition to lots of fresh ingredients, you’ll find many which have been fermented, candied, cured or pickled for weeks, months or even years to create truly unique flavours.
Chartwell at Aldwark Manor
Aldwark, Alne, York YO61 1UF
01347 838146
aldwarkmanorestate.co.uk
For a special celebration head to Aldwark Manor’s newest dining space, Chartwell, which opened in early May. The menu is inspired by British cuisine with a modern Savoy twist, influenced by French chef and writer Auguste Escoffier. There is an exclusive mezzanine floor here which is a great private dining space, as well as a speakeasy and wine tasting room.
The Westwood Restaurant
New Walk, Beverley HU17 7AE
01482 881999
thewestwood.co.uk
With two AA Rosettes under its belt (and a spot in the Michelin Guide for 2024) The Westwood has made a name for itself as the place for good food in Beverley since it opened in 2007. Make sure to check out the hidden W Bar above the restaurant for a celebratory tipple, or enjoy an intimate al fresco evening with friends on the covered (and heated) terrace.
Box Tree
Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DR
01943 608484
theboxtree.co.uk
This staple in Ilkley has been home to many famous chefs since it opened in 1962 and has remained an undisputed top table for many in the region. The menu here changes daily depending on seasonal availability and reimagines many British classics – think Shepherd’s Pie made with sticky lamb shoulder and trifle made using Yorkshire strawberries, cardamom and Tasmanian mountain pepper.
Heaney & Mill
Otley Road, Headingley,
Leeds LS6 2AL
0113 278 1640
heaneyandmill.com
Chic, relaxed and welcoming, Heaney & Mill offers a range of expertly-made dishes, from pork schnitzel and roasted cod to beef carpaccio and seared tuna. They have also recently renovated their upstairs space and you can now indulge in their seven-course tasting menu, available every Friday and Saturday evening – the perfect way to celebrate. Be sure to book ahead as availability is limited.
Pearly Cow
1 Clifton, York YO30 6AA
0330 055 4513
pearlycow.co.uk
A fun and sophisticated space, the Pearly Cow gives diners a true taste of the wild, sourcing only the best produce from the land and sea. The menu is split between fire (with dishes cooked over their open-flamed grill) and ice (championing the finest locally-sourced seafood and fish). There are also extravagant sharing dishes here for get-togethers with friends, including their impressive seafood platter.
Legacy at The Grand
The Grand, Station Rise, York YO1 6GD
01904 380038
thegrandyork.co.uk
Although The Grand has plenty of excellent dining options, Legacy is the place for a celebration. This three-AA Rosette restaurant offers modern Yorkshire-inspired tasting menus alongside an impressive wine list from sommelier Derek Scaife – perfect for a celebratory tipple. Their brand new menu is well worth checking out and offers a new and unique, hybrid-menu experience – a departure from typical tasting menus.
Chef’s Table at Swinton Park
Swinton Park, Ripon HG4 4JH
01765 680900
swintonestate.com
For a truly special celebration, book a spot at Chef’s Table by Josh Barnes on the Swinton Estate. With experience in some of the finest kitchens in the country, Josh has created a unique dining experience for guests at Swinton that allows you to go behind the scenes and see the magic happen, and ask Josh questions as you go on a tasting journey together. Running Wednesday to Saturday, the evening includes a drinks reception, an eight-course tasting menu and coffee and petit fours to finish.
Rafters
Oakbrook Road, Sheffield S11 7ED
0114 230 4819
raftersrestaurant.co.uk
A cosy 26-seat restaurant in a suburb of Nethergreen, the team at Rafters take their provenance seriously, sourcing ingredients from local suppliers who they know by name as much as possible. They take their drinks just as seriously, from producing their own gin and stocking Rafters lager to only stocking wines that the team have tried and fallen in love with.
Prashad
137 Whitehall Road, Drighlington BD11 1AT
0113 285 2037
prashad.co.uk
With a Michelin Bib Gourmand and two AA Rosettes, Prashad has made a name for itself as the go to spot for incredible Indian cuisine. You can expect authentic, vegetarian Indian dishes that take inspiration from North West Indian recipes and pack a real punch in flavour. There is an excellent à la carte menu here, but the seven-course tasting menu is what we’d recommend for a truly special celebration.
Tharavadu
Mill Hill Leeds LS1 5DQ
0113 244 0500
tharavadurestaurants.com
Celebrating 10 years in business, this award-winning Indian restaurant takes inspiration from Keralan (South Western Indian) cuisine and the team in the kitchen are natives of the region, so you can be sure that each dish is made with the utmost respect for authenticity. There is a diverse à la carte menu here (including a section dedicated exclusively to the coast) that is available seven days a week.
Angelica & Crafthouse
Level 5 and 6 Trinity Leeds, 70 Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 6HW
0113 897 0444
angelicacrafthouse.com
This restaurant and bar has amazing views over Leeds from its rooftop vantage point, and serves a set dinner menu from Monday to Thursday where you can tuck into two or three courses from their regularly changing menu. We would definitely recommend taking advantage of their Sunset Hour cocktail menu, served Monday to Thursday from 3pm until 8pm (the lychee martini would be our pick).
