Food and Drink in Swaledale and the Yorkshire Dales
The Burgoyne Hotel – Reeth
This comfortable country house hotel stands majestically on Reeth’s idyllic green, overlooking the moors of Swaledale and Fremington Edge – some of the most breathtaking of the Yorkshire Dales. It offers a formal dining experience with good service and a menu, which changes daily. Also open for coffee, which is served in one of 2 comfortable sitting rooms.
01748 884292
The Wensleydale Heifer- West Witton
Their philosophy is to ‘Keep it Simple’, buy the best quality ingredients, cook them well and let the natural flavours speak for themselves. There are 2 alternative dining experiences, each offering guests a different atmosphere, but both with the same great service and fantastic food, with a focus on fish and seafood, but not exclusively so.
The restaurant is furnished with contemporary decadence for a special occasion. The fish bar is a less formal area, perfect for a relaxed dining experience. When the weather is fine you can sit outside.
Serves some of the best fish in the area, worth leaving Swaledale for! Lunch and dinner.
01969 622322
Simonstone Hall – Simonstone Near Hawes
Comfortable country hotel in a wonderful setting with panoramic views across Wensleydale, a beautiful garden and a choice of brasserie or restaurant serving good quality local food. Worth the trip over the Buttertubs Pass to get to!
The Four Fells Restaurant opens in the evening, offers a fabulous dining experience in a stunning and historic interior. On offer is a mixture of traditional and contemporary cuisine.
Coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are all available in the brasserie.
01969 667255
Yorebridge House – Bainbridge
Is situated by the river on the edge of the unspoilt village of Bainbridge, Wensleydale. The Modern British Menu is created by Head Chef Aaron Craig and his team. Aaron has worked in award winning restaurants in Britain and Europe including the Fat Duck at Bray with Heston Blumenthal, and loves working with the beautiful local produce of the North Yorkshire Dales.
It holds 2 AA Rosettes and has sensational food and service- it would be ideal for a special fine dining experience, or for lunch! We think this is the best restaurant in the area and possibly the finest food in Yorkshire.
01969 652060
The Frenchgate Restaurant – Richmond
Tucked away in the heart of Richmond in the pretty cobbled street of Frenchgate, you can enjoy some of Yorkshire’s finest food, wines and refreshments. It is very homely, and the restaurant has a really intimate feel. They are open for lunch and dinner and serve local food cooked to order. Book ahead as the dining room is small and is very popular!
01748 822087
The Blue Lion – East Witton
Famous Yorkshire pub serving top end cuisine and local beer in comfortable surroundings. Frequented mainly by Londoners. We find it expensive and portions small!Lunch and dinner daily.
01969 624189
Samuel’s Restaurant. Swinton Park near Masham
If you fancy a light snack, afternoon tea or dinner in this luxury castle hotel with fine dining, cookery school, spa and extensive grounds, make sure you book in advance! Owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s, and the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton. Guests enjoy an authentic stately home experience.
Chef, Simon Crannage, enjoys an enviable reputation for the quality of the food served at the 3 AA rosette Restaurant.
01765 680900
The Yorke Arms – Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale
This restaurant with rooms has an award-winning kitchen, led by top female chef Frances Atkins. The restaurant has a firm reputation both locally and further afield for excellent food with a creative flair.
Frances Atkins is a fellow of the Masterchefs of Great Britain, and is one of only six female Michelin starred chefs in the UK. She has held one Michelin star continuously since 2003, a testament to the consistently excellent food produced in her kitchen. You can enjoy a surprise taster menu if desired.
01423 755243
The Angel Inn – Hetton, Near Skipton
This bar, brasserie and restaurant is open Monday to Saturday Dinner and Sunday Lunch. It was one of the first gastropubs and features a daily specials menu with lots of fresh fish and seafood.
01756 730263
The Devonshire Arms – Bolton Abbey, Near Skipton
The Devonshire Arms, on the banks of the river Wharfe, has one of the most highly regarded restaurants in Yorkshire. The Burlington Restaurant has a Michelin star and 4 AA rosettes. Enjoy the 7 course taster menu or choose for yourself.
The Devonshire Brasserie and Bar is lively and colourful and a delightful contrast.
There are 3 lounges serving sandwiches and afternoon tea all day. Choose from the Cocktail Lounge, Dog Lounge or Long Lounge, all of which boast squashy sofas, real log fires and traditional quality service.
www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk/index.cfm
01756 718111
Bay Horse – Hurworth, Near Darlington
Open every day for lunch and dinner (not Sunday night) with the choice of a prix-fixe lunch as well as the A la carte Menu. The Bay Horse is well loved amongst food critics and has won numerous awards, including “Top 10 Pub of the Year” and “Chef of the Year” and is listed in the Michelin Guide.
The décor is that of a traditional pub with exposed beams and tartan carpets, with good beer on offer but the food is amazing!
The Photo is of their selection of puddings!
01325 720663
The Orangery, Rockliffe Hall – Hurworth, Near Northallerton
Set in Rockcliffe Hall Hotel is Darlington and County Durham’s most critically acclaimed restaurant, featuring 3AA rosettes with award-winning Chef and Director of Food, Kenny Atkinson, at the helm.
Kenny Atkinson holds a Michelin Star and 3AA Rosettes at the Orangery which is open for lunch or dinner. There is also a cocktail bar. You will know him from the Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen.
01325 729999
The Crab and Lobster – Thirsk
Generous portions, unpretentious food prepared and cooked to perfection. If you are a serious gourmet, and adore fish and seafood, a visit to the highly acclaimed Crab & Lobster Restaurant is a must. The ‘Crab’ offers a wide variety of delicious dishes, from fresh local seafood to traditional English fare. There is also meat on the menu and a wonderful pudding platter for sharing if you can’t choose!
With a sun-trapped beer garden, bright and airy pavilion, cosy main restaurant and a friendly bar, the Crab & Lobster offers a variety of facilities and settings for all occasions – whether it be a light bite to eat during the day or a romantic candle-lit meal in the evening.
01845 577 496
Durham Ox, Crayke, near York
Three hundred years old, and family owned for the last thirteen, this pub has great traditional British food.
It is open every day for lunch and dinner.
01347 821506
Overton House – Reeth
Though just a humble tearoom, the food at Overton House deserves a special mention! It is not open every day – check opening times as they can vary with the season. We rave about the food and think it is worth a visit!
01748 884332
www.overtonhousecafe.co.uk
Fine Dining
The Punch Bowl Inn – Low Row
The Punch Bowl Inn, offers a good range of local beers and a varied and interesting menu with food sourced locally and cooked to order. Steak night is first and third Tuesday of the month, and many people go for a pint on Friday evenings to wait for the fish and chip van, which comes up the dale.
Breakfast, morning coffee, Lunch and Dinner, 7 days per week.
01748 886233
The Farmers Arms – Muker
Traditional dales pub serving well priced
good quality pub food and local ales. Muddy dogs and walkers are welcome! If you are here on the first Wednesday in September it’s the only place to end the annual Muker Show, as the local silver band plays hymns in the garden.
Morning Coffee, lunch and dinner 7 days per week.
01748 886297
The Buck Hotel – Reeth
Serves traditional pub food with the added attraction of a pizza oven and a take away service. It has a wide range of local beers and various visiting entertainers.
Coffee, Lunch and Dinner.
01748 884210
The Black Bull – Reeth
Built in 1680, the oldest pub in the area and one of Reeth’s most popular pubs, especially with the locals. Go to find out why the sign outside is upside down! Good honest fare at sensible prices. Good range of ales.
01748 884 213
The Red Lion Inn – Arkengarthdale
In the village, just over the bridgeand on the left. Only open in the evening. A wonderful old fashioned pub, full of character and when cold, a roaring fire. They sell books on the area and mining and maps and sweets.
The CB Inn – Arkengarthdale
Same ownership as the Punch Bowl, so as a
result the beer and dining experience is very similar. The last Friday of the month they do an early bird menu with special offers, and the second Tuesday of the months is a speciality menu night- for example, Italian or American food.
Coffee, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
01748 884567
The Bridge Inn– Grinton
Traditional dales pub serving real ales and a selection of hearty dishes. A former coaching inn dating back to the 15th century on the banks of the Swale. It makes regular appearances in good pub guides. It has a reputation for fine local food and well-kept beers, including guest brews. There are lovely log fires and music nights every Thursday.
Coffee, lunch and dinner.
01748 884224
Tan Hill Inn – Tan Hill (Postcode for Satnav- DL11 6ED)
You’ll be ready for a bar meal and a pint of Black Sheep beer by the time you reach England’s highest inn at 528m (1,732ft) above sea level, high on the moors above Keld. The pub can be cut off for weeks on end in winter but is a place of pilgrimage for summer visitors, bikers and also popular for weddings. Possibly England’s highest WiFi spot, you can get there from Keld or
Arkengarthdale. No need to book. Food is served all day. !
01833 628 246
The Sandpiper Inn – Leyburn
The Sandpiper Inn has achieved many accolades, including Yorkshire Life Dining Pub of the Year. The stylish 40-seated restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive. It has oak floors, stone linteled fireplace, candle lit tables and a roaring fire in winter.
01969 622206
The Forester’s Arms Community Pub – Carlton, Coverdale
The Foresters was rescued by the community in 2011 when it faced closure, and is now a thriving pub with cosy open fires, oak beams, local cask ales and a quality menu with varied choice of specials. Excellent choice of wines and quality Sunday roasts.
www.forestersarms-carlton.co.uk
01969 640272
The Blue Lion – East Witton, Wensleydale.
Famous Yorkshire pub serving top end cuisine and local beer in comfortable surroundings.
Lunch and dinner daily.
01969 624189
The Wensleydale Heifer – West Witton, Wensleydale.
Serves some of the best fish in the area, worth leaving Swaledale for!
Lunch and dinner.
01969 622322
Shoulder of Mutton- Middleton Tyas near Scotch Corner
Local head chef Simon Edwards has drawn from his background cooking at the Savoy in London and more recently at the Black Bull at Moulton to produce wonderful gastropub dishes.
The traditional inn has a warm and friendly atmosphere, wood burning fires and a bar offering cask ales and a good wine list.
www.shoulderofmuttonmiddletontyas.co.uk
01325 377 271
Bay Horse – Hurworth, Near Darlington
Open every day for lunch and dinner (not Sunday night) with the choice of a prix-fixe lunch as well as the A la carte Menu. The Bay Horse is well loved amongst food critics and has won numerous awards, including “Top 10 Pub of the Year” and “Chef of the Year” and is listed in the Michelin Guide.
The décor is that of a traditional pub with exposed beams and tartan carpets, with good beer on offer but the food is amazing
01325 720663
Penleys Bistro – Leyburn, Wensleydale.
Coffee shop and bistro serving breakfast, soup, sandwiches, steaks and pasta daily. Really nice atmosphere and food and free newspapers.
Evening meals at weekends.
No Website
01969 623909
La Piazza Italian Restaurant- Richmond
Serves traditional Italian food ranging from Pizzas and Pasta to Seafood and Grills. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Very centrally located on Frenchgate.
www.lapiazzaitalianrichmond.co.uk
01748 825008
Le Rustique French Restaurant- Richmond
Popular French Bistro in Finkle Street. It feels like you are in France as soon as you step through the door! There are several branches in Yorkshire and you can eat from the set menu or the A La Carte.
01748 821565
Seasons Restaurant- The Station – Richmond
Seasons is a bright, contemporary restaurant/ cafe bar, nestling at the heart of The Station and serving fresh, locally sourced food all day, every day. From full English breakfast, through to scrumptious cakes, light snacks, tapas and three-course dinners, there is something for every appetite and budget. There is also free Wi-Fi.
Food is served from 9am-9pm Monday to Saturday, and from 9am-7pm on Sundays.
www.richmondstation.com/restaurant.asp
01748 850123
The Black Lion Hotel- Richmond
Once a Georgian coach house, now a family run hotel, the Black Lion offers uncomplicated food at sensible prices in the heart of Richmond.
www.blacklionhotelrichmond.co.uk
01748 826217
Yorkshire has a wealth of breweries and beer to sample.
Visiting a brewery is a good rainy day activity and perfect for beer lovers! See Activities for more information.
Theakstons Brewery – Masham (25 Miles)
Their most popular beer is Best 3.8%. This is such a lovely beer- we rate it highly!
It has a creamy head and is golden in colour, it has a full flavour and a robust hop character and is described as ‘citrus and spicy’. Old Peculiar is strong and dark 5.6%, but there are so many to choose from…Royal Salute, Best Bitter, Grouse Beater, Paradise Ale, XB, Smooth Dark Extra Cool, Traditional Mild, Masham Ale, Cooper’s Butt, Lightfoot, Crime of Passion, Infallible, Hogshead bitter, Christmas Ale, Black Bull Bitter, Double Cross IPA.
Black Sheep Brewery – Masham (25 Miles)
Best Bitter is the most popular. 3.8%.
It is described as a classic well-hopped and beautifully balanced beer with a long bitter finish.
Also from this brewery: Black Sheep Ale, Golden Sheep and Riggwelter.
Timothy Tailor’s – Keighley – West Yorkshire (45 Miles)
Landlord a classic Strong Pale Ale. It is a firm favourite with us and many beer lovers!
Landlord has won more awards nationally than any other beer: This includes four times as Champion at the Brewers’ International Exhibition and four times as CAMRA’s beer of the year.
Their other beers include Boltmaker, Golden Best, Ram Tam and Dark Mild.
Wensleydale Brewery – Bellerby – Leyburn (12 miles)
You may find Gamekeeper 4.3% as a guest beer. It is a copper coloured bitter with spicy hop and juicy malt flavours, balanced to perfection and deceptively more-ish.
Other beers include Rowley Mild, Falconer, Bitter, Semerwater, Black Dub, Gold, Poacher and Porter.
Copper Dragon – Skipton (40 miles)
Some tasty beers are brewed by Copper Dragon and you can buy them bottled to take home with you!
Golden Pippin, IPA, Black Gold, Best, Scotts 1816.
Yorkshire Dales Brewing Company – Askrigg (8 miles)
A guest beer at the Farmers Arms at Muker: Muker Silver – 4.1%. A blonde Helles style refreshing ale with a sharp flavour and aroma. Very pale in colour. Other beers feature Askrigg Ale, Buckden Pike, Buttertubs, Garsdale Smokebox and Nappa Scar.
Look out for their bottled beers: Appletreewick, Castle Bolton, Sedbergh Silver, Burnsall Blonde, The Strid, Bolton Abbey, Cautley Spout, Malham Cove.
Reeth Area
The Dales Bike Centre Café – Fremington near Reeth
Definitely worth popping in- even if you aren’t cyclists! Irresistible home made cakes and nice people run it.
Tel: 01748 884908
Reeth Ice Cream Parlour – Reeth
Visit the Ice cream parlour to taste their 16 flavours of Brymor ice- cream , or have a coffee or hot chocolate in welcoming surroundings and play board games. Don’t think we have ever seen or tasted such mouth watering hot chocolate!
01748 884929
www.reethicecreamparlour.co.uk
Overton House Café – Reeth
Contemporary fresh food served in comfortable surroundings Lunch and Dinner but not open every day- check opening times as they can vary with the season. Many, including us, rave about the food- think it is worth a visit!
01748 884332
The Copper Kettle – Reeth
Lunch 12-3 or dinner 6-11.
Tel: 01748 884 748
No website
The White House – Reeth
Tel: 01748 884748
No Website
Ivy Cottage – Reeth
Bed and breakfast that also has a tea room.
Tel: 01748 884763
www.ivycottagereeth.co.uk
Travelling up Swaledale from Reeth
Gunnerside
Ghyllfoot Tea Room – Gunnerside
Morning coffee, Lunch, Afternoon teas, Sunday Lunch and takeaway curry.
We have heard great things about this tea room and the curry!
Tel: 01748 886239
Muker
Muker Village Store & Tea Room – Muker
Had a delicious ham sandwich from here recently. The ham was cut thickly and smothered with home made chutney. It was very good! Great reviews on tripadvisor too!
Tel: 01748 886409
Thwaite
Kearton Country Hotel – Thwaite
Traditional fare.
Tel: 01748 886277
Keld
Keld Lodge – Keld
Breakfast, lunch and dinner and free wifi! Have heard good things. Tel: 01729830463
Ravenseat Farm
If you watched “The Dales” on ITV recently, you will remember the wonderful family that featured on it, who live and farm in the middle of nowhere and provide freshly baked afternoon cream teas for walkers. It is at the head of the Dale past Keld, and worth a walk out to!
01748 886387
Over the moors and passing the army ranges, you will have great views on the way to:
Leyburn – Wensleydale
Penley’s – Leyburn Market Place
Coffee shop and bistro serving breakfast, soup, sandwiches, steaks and pasta daily. Really nice atmosphere and food and free newspapers. Evening meals at weekends. We love lunching here for a treat after shopping in Leyburn’s many attractive shops!
No Website Tel: 01969 623909
Berry’s Farm Shop Café – Swinithwaite, Wensleydale, near Leyburn
Brand new and fabulous farm shop with excellent café/restaurant. Amazing breakfasts, coffee and cake, lunch or afternoon tea. Fantastic deli and shop, and don’t miss meeting the kune kune pigs (irresistible). Country walks and stuff for kids.
01969 663377
Frenchgate29- Richmond
There’s been a café on this site for years in one guise or another, but we like what the current incumbents are doing in a chic, light-filled interior of chunky wooden tables on polished floors. Home- baking is their thing, from scones to biscuits by way of fairy cakes, caramel slices and a tray of croissants positively stuffed with cream and strawberries. It’s good for breakfast too – there are “dippy eggs” for kids – while the daytime menu also runs to soup, sandwiches, homemade tarts and the like. It’s just down the hill and around the corner from Market Place, in a handy but not blindingly obvious place for a sit down and a coffee.
No website
01748 826 669
Betty’s Tearoom – Northallerton
It would be foolish not to include the most famous tearoom of all in the North of England! Not only this, but Northallerton’s Betty’s is the Best of all of their branches…
Against competition from a high standard of entrants, Bettys Northallerton scooped the Tea Guild’s prestigious award for Top Tea Place 2012 – the highest accolade in the tea world. The branch was
voted into the top spot after a near perfect score from the Guild’s incognito inspectors who are all tea experts and judge each tea room against 16 categories of criteria.
Open for lunch or afternoon tea. Best to book ahead! You can also order many delicious goodies online.
01609 775154
Pauline and Richard Ramsey have delivered chips across Swaledale and Wensleydale for the past 30 years. Come rain, shine or snow, they travel the Dales providing delicious fish and chips. We generally go to the Punch Bowl Inn for a drink on a Friday to wait for the van which gets to Low Row sometime between 6.30 and 7pm.
The Van travels from Reeth up the Dale on a Friday.
Reeth 16:05-18:15
Healaugh 18:20-18:35
Low Row 18:40-18:55
Gunnerside 19:00-19:30
Muker 19:40-19:50
Thwaite 19:55-20:10
If you prefer not to cook, and would like someone else to cook for you, contact Sandie Bond who lives in Reeth. Discuss what you would like her to cook for you! There are no set menus, because she likes to cook with what is in season and enjoys seeking out local produce. Sandie has a wealth of experience and can provide anything you can think of as well as stews, roasts, curries, lasagnes, pies, and cakes- her fruitcake and cherry and almond cake are popular.
Have Sandie over to cook a special three course meal for you, including canapés for £20-£25/head or this can be dropped off for you to reheat for £19.50/head. Please give her at least a week’s notice!
Alternatively, Sandie has a choice of meals for your table or freezer which can be delivered. A sample menu can be requested. Starters £2.50/head, main courses £6.50-7.50/head and puddings £3.50- £4.00/head.
As she cooks to order, please allow 36 hours notice.
Contact Sandie Bond on 01748 884794
Caterer Sandie Bond will provide you with takeaway food- fresh or frozen. For more details click or visit the Caterer tab.
Ghyllfoot Tearoom
Ghyllfoot provides takeaway curry on the first and third Monday of the month. 6-7.30pm.
The menu is as follows but subject to change:
Chicken Curry (Medium)
Spiced Beef Meatballs (Warm)
Pork Curry (Medium and Savoury)
Vegetarian Option Guest Curry as available, please ask when ordering.
Rice Included.
Extras: Homemade Plain Naan Bread, Poppadums, Chips.
Call to check prices and to order 01748 886239
Ghyllfooot have also just started a frozen Bistro-style takeaway option.
Amontola Curry Restaurant in Richmond also do Takeaways.
Click here to see their menu. Call 01748 826070
The Buck Hotel Reeth do takeaway Pizza.
Generous portions!
www.buckhotel.co.uk/pizza.html
Call 01748 884 210
The Dragon Inn – Leyburn Market Place
This little restaurant serves Chinese food and takeaways.
01969 622018.
It gets good reviews but has no website.
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