A GUIDE TO ALL THE MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS IN YORKSHIRE 

One of the grandest counties in England, Yorkshire is one of the most exciting destinations for food. Explore the cities and you’ll be delighted with the choice of international cuisine on offer. Head out into the countryside and you’ll be able to enjoy the freshest seasonal produce, always sourced locally. Wherever you go, food choices are plentiful and serving sizes are generous. This is the land where rustic reigns over refinement, and being well-fed comes as standard.

If you’re searching for foodie heaven in the UK, plan your vacation in beautiful Yorkshire. As England’s largest county, it covers some of the most stunning areas of natural beauty, including the Dales and Nidderdale, the North York Moors, the Peak District, and parts of the Forest of Bowland. All of which are known for their own unique culinary charms.

For Michelin star dining, here are the five restaurants worth getting on the waiting list for.

(68-78 Vicar Lane Lower Ground Floor Flannels LS1 7JH)

The Man Behind the Curtain by Michael O’Hare opened in 2014 in Leeds, and is one of the most unique and daring Michelin Star establishments in the country. Known for its unusual plates of food and art gallery style setting, eating at this 1 star restaurant is more than just gastronomy – it’s a cultural experience. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with hand figurines coming out of the walls, plinths adorned with sculptures, and modern abstract paintings serving as your backdrop.

The tables are minimalist in style, and black in color to contrast with the white gallery setting. The service is refined yet relaxed. And you can even take home an artistic souvenir – such as a luxury branded candle, or a uniquely designed bottle of The Man Behind the Curtain x Slingsby Gin (made in nearby Harrogate).

About the food:

The real art in this place is of course the food, with a 6 course tasting menu for lunch or 10 course tasting menu for dinner. Each dish is served in the most spectacular, stylized and theatrical way. Within his “permanent collection”, you’ll find squab pigeon served with rhubarb hoisin, foie gras raspberry, Miyagi oyster with strawberry kimchi, wagyu beef and olive juice, hand massaged octopus, hot and sour sea urchin, ox cheek Rossini, and Iberico pork.

The sea urchin comes out in a spiky sea urchin shaped bowl, and the octopus is served in an apparatus with a handle that looks like a tentacle.

“The cuisine is my couture, bold in flavor with inspiration from around the world. Brutalist in design, yet fun.” – Michael O’Hare

Things to do nearby:

Leeds is one of the liveliest cities in the North, famous for its historic cloth hall and many textile mills. Today, it’s a great destination for shopping, nightlife, live music gigs, international cuisine, craft beer tasting, and cool independent coffee shops or roasters.

From the city, you can get to the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and the Nidderdale area in less than an hour. Some of the other surrounding towns you could explore include Harrogate, Skipton, Ilkley and Pateley Bridge. For a luxury group stay, book the Grade I listed Broughton Hall, which can sleep between 2 to 30 guests and features over 3000 acres of land.

Specialty food / drink:

Grab a locally roasted North Star coffee, or a locally brewed Northern Monk beer.

(Ramsgill-in-Nidderdale, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate HG3 5RL)

A beautiful 1 star restaurant with rooms, set amid the rolling hills of North Yorkshire. The Yorke Arms is a quaint and utterly chic destination, one that oozes traditional country charm. The 18^th Century building was a former coaching inn and shooting lodge, and it’s swathed in climbing ivy and stunning greenery, all of which turns a deep auburn in the fall.

Today it features elegant rooms with four poster beds, extravagant chandeliers and roaring fireplaces. A stopover includes a tasty full English breakfast in the morning, and the restaurant menu is updated every season.

About the food:

Chef Frances Atkins is one of only six female chefs with a Michelin star in the UK, making her a remarkable culinary icon in Yorkshire. Her dishes are inspired by the abundance of amazing local produce, something which the area is renowned for. Each plate features fresh ingredients found on her doorstep, and guests can enjoy classic recipes transformed into something wonderfully contemporary.

Some sample menu favorites include crab and langoustine with eggplant custard, halibut with sea kale and celeriac, Laudale venison, and rhubarb crumble with blood orange. Additional courses can include a cheese course or petit fours.

As well as the famous tasting menu, Yorke Arms is also known for its refined Sunday Lunch. This is the perfect place to experience a traditional British meal made with the very best produce.

Things to do nearby:

In the heart of Nidderdale’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), you’ll be surrounded by glorious countryside. There are many walks near Pateley Bridge, including the Ramsgill Walk, the Brimham Rocks Walk, the Middlesmoor Walk, and Fewston Reservoir. For a unique outdoor experience, plan a day at How Stean Gorge – or for an adventure with the kids, explore the Studfold Adventure Trail.

A nearby town worth visiting is Harrogate, where you can enjoy a day of shopping or the best tea and cake around.

Specialty food / drink:

Nidderdale’s farm landscape makes it an ideal location for delicious produce. The local grass-fed lamb is not to be missed, and neither is the locally made Brymor ice cream. Local breweries include Theakstons and Black Sheep.

(Oldstead, York YO61 4BL)

Chef Tommy Bank became the youngest Michelin starred chef in the UK when the Black Swan pub got awarded with its star in 2013. Owned and run by the Banks family (who grow much of their own produce and forage for the rest), this restaurant is a true celebration of the local area. They believe their business to be a reflection of Oldstead, with leaves and berries found in the nearby hedgerows, and meat and dairy from the farms surrounding them. They design and build most things themselves, so their personalities are intertwined with this quaint and unique setting.

Dining here is an experience of a fully managed process, from field to table in the most organic way possible. The menu is seasonal as a result, so never expect it to be the same if you’re lucky enough to dine here twice.

About the food:

There’s just one single tasting menu, carefully curated by Tommy Banks and Head Chef Will Lockwood to bring together everything that has been carefully grown, foraged or sourced from the area. The purposefully designed experience is complemented by a unique drinks list given just as much thought as the food.

The sample tasting menu includes dishes like mussel and wood sorrel, raw Oldstead deer, monkfish with fermented celeriac, crapaudine beetroot cooked in beef fat, and aged sirloin with onion and lovage. Sample drinks include playful cocktail renditions, such as Tequiling Me Softly and Goose Springsteen.

Things to do nearby:

Perfectly placed to explore the Howardian Hills and the North York Moors, Oldstead boasts a beautiful destination surrounded by greenery. Nearby, you’ll find attractions such as the Byland Abbey, White Horse of Kilburn and Sutton Bank for hiking, Rievaulx Abbey and Ampleforth Abbey, the Beacon Alpaca Farm, and the National Centre for Birds of Prey in Helmsley.

If you’re looking for some beach time, head east to the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast, where you’ll find the famous seaside town of Whitby. And close to York, Harrogate and Leeds, you’re never too far from shopping and nightlife.

Specialty food / drink:

The North York Moors is well-known for its local cheeses and artisan ice cream. With such close proximity to the ocean, the freshest fish and seafood is guaranteed with every meal. Some local brews to wash it all down with are Bad Seed, Ampleforth Abbey ciders, Tree Top Press ciders, and Baytown beer. Lickerish Tooth gins and vodkas are also worth trying if you enjoy flavored spirits.

(W End, South Dalton, Beverley HU17 7PN)

A former coaching inn set on the spectacular grounds of Dalton Estate, The Pipe and Glass is a restaurant with many awards and accolades, including its prestigious Michelin star. The star was achieved in less than 4 years after James and Kate Mackenzie took over the restaurant in 2006, and they’ve since created a warm, friendly, family-run dining spot that provides an unforgettable experience for its guests.

This cozy inn has a laid-back bar area, ideal for ramblers and visitors just looking to pop in. It’s possible to grab a beer and tasty sandwich for lunch, or a nightcap at the end of a long day. There are also five luxuriously appointed boutique suites for those looking to stay overnight.

About the food:

There’s a lunch menu, evening menu, vegetarian menu, and special Sunday lunch menu. There’s even a ‘little people’s menu’ for your family vacation with the kids. Some of their must try mains include free-range chicken and tarragon forcemeat, Yorkshire Dales lamb with beer and broad bean risotto, 30 day aged steak with hollandaise and chips, and summer vegetable and hyssop ‘hotch potch’ pastry tart.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll be interested to hear more about their baked dark chocolate ‘Millionaire’ pudding with salted burnt butter ice cream, or their sticky toffee pudding served with stout ice cream and walnut brittle.

Enjoy British classics with a twist in the most relaxed surroundings.

Things to do nearby:

The historic market town of Beverley is known for the Beverley Minster, Beverley Westwood Park & Gardens, and the Beverley Racecourse. The town is a great place to go shopping, with a number of independent shops and boutiques. The weekly market creates a lively atmosphere, and the many historic pubs are worth venturing into too if you enjoy craft and local beers.

Also close by is the city of Hull, named the ‘UK City of Culture 2017’. The main attractions there include The Deep Aquarium and Sealife Centre, Ferens Art Gallery, the Streetlife Museum, Wilberforce House, Hull Maritime Museum, Humber Bridge Country Park, and Burton Constable Hall and Grounds.

Specialty food / drink:

Home to the Hull-based firm Aunt Bessie’s, you’ll find some of the best shop-bought Yorkshire puddings around. Enjoy real ales from Atom Brewery and The Yorkshire Brewing Company.

Taste the best of modern Yorkshire cuisine in an old 14^th Century thatched cottage. Guests will feel as though they’ve traveled back in time as they enter this medieval gastropub near the village of Helmsley. The restaurant held its Michelin star from 2002 until 2011, and regained it once again in 2015. Today, Chef Andrew Pern focuses on bringing fresh, quality produce from field to table and the in-house team offer excellent wine pairings to design the perfect food and drink encounter for their diners.

About the food:

Head chef Andrew Pern grew up in the seaside town of Whitby, and so he brings his experience of the ocean and all its fine produce with him to Harome. You can also expect the highest quality meats produced by Yorkshire farmers, legendary game from local estates in the surrounding moorlands, and the finest herbs and vegetables of the Vale of York.

The sample menu features delightful ‘pub snacks’ such as satay of Hamsterley roast pig or Maldon oyster bubble ‘n’ squeak, and signature dishes such as grilled black pudding with foie gras or squab pigeon served two ways.

Things to do nearby:

Don’t miss the small village of Helmsley for shopping, tearooms and its beautiful castle. You can also access the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) easily from here. Some great hiking routes include the Castle Howard Walk, Centenary Way, Ebor Way, Foss Walk, and the Kirkham Abbey Walk.

Specialty food / drink:

The Creamery at Botton Village is home to some of the best Yorkshire cheeses, including Dale End Cheddar, Summerfield Swiss Mountain Cheese, the tangy and complex Moorland Tomme, and everyone’s favorite Yorkshire Gouda.

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