Every year, we have just one mission when compiling our annual list of best restaurants in Yorkshire, and that’s to shout about the restaurants that made our hearts truly sing. No status, no particular bells and whistles, just genuinely incredible food – be it a smash burger from a street food trader, or a 10-course tasting menu crafted to perfection. There are no bounds to our love for food.
Following a successful 2025 travelling God’s Own Country and sampling its many delights, we’ve put together our top restaurants to try in 2026 – from a converted post office sitting on the cobbles of one of Yorkshire’s quaintest villages, to hidden gem pubs serving unexpected culinary pleasures. In no particular order…
1. Haworth Old Post Office
Sitting on the cobbles of Haworth, the Old Post Office has become one of the most popular eateries in the village, and for good reason. Lovingly restored by the team from The Hawthorn, the new all-day cafe-bar is the perfect place to enjoy brunch, lunch and large plates with a seasonal twist – all within the historic setting of the post office where the Brontë sisters used to send their manuscripts to London.
Expect some of the most delicious sandwiches in the region – served open on toasted sourdough with garlic butter – with fillings including gravalax, crispy chicken and pastrami, alongside truly luxurious burgers and seasonally changing dishes such as camembert, pie and more.
It’s an accessible menu, but one crafted with so much skill, using locally sourced produce from independent farmers. Your local cafe just won’t hit the same after this. Pre-booking is highly recommended.
Haworth Old Post Office, 121 Main Street, Haworth, BD22 8DP.
2. Stuzzi, Harrogate
A tiny slice of Venice in Harrogate, Stuzzi is not your average Italian restaurant – so don’t be expecting a spag bol when you get there. Inspired by the small plates served at osterias in the floating city, guests can enjoy ever-changing dishes here, all designed for sharing and tasting a little bit of everything. Family style, just as the Italians do it.
The menu changes fairly regularly, but you can expect seasonal takes on classic Italian small plates such as arancini, burrata, pasta dishes (the ragu is always a favourite of ours, no matter what these guys do with it), and seafood.
The vibes bring a little bit of Italian charm and sunshine along with it, but honestly, these guys could serve out of a dive bar and you’d still be singing that it’s the best meal you’ve had in time. Don’t leave without a bottle of the N’duja ketchup.
Stuzzi, 46B King’s Rd, Harrogate, HG1 5JW.
3. Butcher and Catch, Sheffield
Found within one of Sheffield’s most popular food halls, Butcher and Catch isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a place like this (read: typically filled with tacos, craft beer and smash burgers). It surpasses expectations.
More than just street food, Butcher and Catch serves up some incredible seafood – from their best selling New Orleans style mussels, to soft shell crab rolls, both dishes that went viral on our Tiktok earlier this year.
The seafood here is a particular must-try, in our opinion – fresh and specially sourced – however, for the meat lovers, expect meat trays stacked with ribs, sausage, pork, steak and more. True heaven for people who genuinely love food and big flavour.
Butcher and Catch, Cutlery Works, 73 – 101 Neepsend Ln, Sheffield, S3 8AT.
4. Embers, Scarborough
This isn’t the first time Embers has graced this list. In fact, I believe it to be the third time in a row now – a testament to just how great the food is here. A hidden gem just outside of Scarborough town centre, Embers specialises in wood-fired cooking, with meat and seafood, in particular, taking centre stage.
Chef Dan Hargreaves’ smoky flavours are locally renowned – so much so, that I wish you luck trying to get a table without reserving at least a week in advance.
It’s a cosy, intimate restaurant, where you can expect fire roasted steak, chicken and locally caught seafood, with European influences shining through the flavours. The menu changes seasonally, so it’s the perfect excuse to go again, and again, and again to try Dan’s menus (we know we do!).
Embers, 138 Victoria Rd, Scarborough, YO11 1SL.
5. Potager, Bawtry
Formerly The Pantry, Potager is the highlight of Bawtry Marketplace, putting the quaint Doncaster town on the map with their French-British dishes. It’s a true brasserie, bringing effortless all-day vibes right through from breakfast and brunch over waffles, to swanky dinners over steak.
The beautiful restaurant has become a true community asset, with friends gathering to catch up over breakfast, and the gorgeous venue becoming a go-to for date nights and special occasions – but no matter what time of day you visit, you can expect exceptional food from dawn til dusk. There’s an upmarket spin on classics such as pie and burgers, but also a selection of indulgent, hearty dishes such as beef bourguignon, confit pork belly and more.
You may recognise Head Chef Callum Leslie from Great British Menu, but the chef is also known for his work at Tommy Banks’ Michelin Star venue, The Black Swan at Oldstead, and even the acclaimed Box Tree in Ilkley. Basically, you’re in great hands, and can expect culinary superstardom in the future from this bright South Yorkshire venture.
Potager, 9, 13 Market Pl, Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6JL.
6. Grazie, Sheffield
Cited as serving the best pasta in the UK by The European Pizza Show, Grazie is one of the most loved restaurants in Sheffield – offering fresh pasta dishes crafted on-site right there in the restaurant. So fresh, in fact, when arriving at the restaurant, guests are greeted with the ‘Pasta Lab’, where you can see one of the chefs hard at work producing an array of different types of pasta from scratch.
Now, as a self-professed pasta addict, I can safely say having tried it in the homeland, this really is the cream of the crop here in Yorkshire. It’s a true taste of Puglia, offering not only their hearty sugo with slow cooked beef, pork and lamb, but fresh seafood and classic Southern Italian dishes such as polpette della nonna. No Neapolitan pizza, no spaghetti bolognese – just a true reflection of the regional cuisine you’d actually find in Southern Italy. You’ll never look at a Dolmio jar the same again.
Grazie, 9 Leopold St, Sheffield, S1 2GY.
7. The Penny Bun, nr Ilkley
Opening just last year as part of Denton Reserve, The Penny Bun is completely unrecognisable when compared to its history as both The Askwith Arms and The Black Horse, today, offering some of Yorkshire’s best estate-to-plate dining.
Inside, the pub is transformed with Japandi-inspired interiors, giving an elevated, yet cosy atmosphere complete with cosy corners to retreat to with a cocktail and a stunning dining room overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Sustainability is at the heart of The Penny Bun, and not just surface deep. Everything from the furniture and decor items are handcrafted by small-scale producers, with natural fabrics and furnishings used throughout both the venue and the bedrooms upstairs. Naturally, this ethos runs through the menu, too, seasonally changing to reflect what’s currently available on the Denton Estate. We’re talking food metres, not food miles – with British dishes including steak cottage pies, deer loin and much more on offer.
The Penny Bun, West Ln, Askwith, Otley, LS21 2JQ.
8. The Hawthorn, Haworth
Ticking all of the boxes – great food, great location, and unbeatable atmosphere – The Hawthorn is the sister restaurant the Old Post Office (which you’ll find further up this list), again, sitting on the cobbles of Haworth where the Brontë sisters once walked.
While the Old Post Office captures the daytime audience, The Hawthorn is the sophisticated big sister, where guests can unwind by candlelight inside a truly beautiful Georgian building, which was once a former clockmakers. Plenty of the building’s history remains (including an incredible Grandfather clock), making it the perfect place to escape into a whole other era.
Enjoy stunning seasonal British dishes by the fire here in the tavern-like restaurant, from Swaledale lamb to Harewood venison, with seasonal cocktails to accompany reflecting the flavours of Yorkshire. They also serve the best Sunday roast in the country, so it’s well worth the trip over to Haworth.
The Hawthorn, 103-109 Main St, Haworth, Keighley, BD22 8DP.
9. The Angel at Hetton
Our fondness for The Angel at Hetton is no secret. We’ve been lucky enough to dine at chef Michael Wignall’s Michelin Star restaurant a number of times now, and I must say, the magic never wears off.
From walking through the doors of the 15th century inn, service is at the height of the experience. Leading into a stunning Nordic-meets-Yorkshire space, guests can enjoy five and ten course tasting menu’s showcasing the best of The Angel and produce from Northern England.
Each and every dish is like a mini piece of artwork – almost too good to eat – with experimental flavour combinations and innovative designs that’ll have you oohing and aahing before tucking in. It’s a dining experience unlike any other in Yorkshire, a bucket list destination, if you will.
The Angel at Hetton, Back Ln, Hetton, Skipton, BD23 6LT.
10. The Milbank Arms, Barningham
A hidden gem pub found in the village of Barningham, just outside of Richmond, The Milbank Arms is a truly stunning country pub, Grade II listed with bags of traditional charm. While shared with County Durham, this is certainly a pub worth a county fight for.
Putting a focus on high-level food and proper Yorkshire ales, The Milbank Arms is no ordinary pub lunch. Their offering surpasses your typical restaurant quality, bringing beautifully presented dishes of Yorkshire produce from wild game, to market steak. Every dish that passed our mouths envoked an audible reaction, and their Sunday lunch, in particular, is a real must-try.
For the full experience, check yourself in for the night and huddle up by the fire with a glass of red wine and a bit of dinner. Wake up the next day, and repeat the process with a Sunday dinner.
The Milbank Arms, Norbeck Bank, Barningham, Richmond, DL11 7DW.
11. Pot and Glass, Yarm
A traditional village pub with a different, Pot and Glass can be found in the fairytale village of Egglescliffe, where white picket fences, double-fronted Georgian homes and perfectly pruned front gardens are the norm for those who live there.
Just outside of Yarm and sandwiched between Yorkshire and Teesside, the 300-year-old pub is your oldy worldy pub with a difference, that difference being the presence of Thai cuisine. But trust us, it really works.
Inspired by the owners’ joint love for Thai food, today, the cosy pub serves authentic dishes, from your classic curries to Pad Thai, soups and more. The flavours were so fresh and vibrant, I very almost had to request a pot of the satay sauce just to eat on its own. A true hidden gem for Asian food lovers.
Pot and Glass, Church Road, Egglescliffe Village, Yarm, TS16 9DQ.
12. Hearth, Hull
Similarly to Embers, Hearth is one that makes it on this list annually. A truly beautiful restaurant overlooking both Hull Minster and Hull’s prettiest street (Prince Street), Hearth offers not only some of the best food in Hull, but the entirety of God’s Own Country.
Owners Ryan and Caitlin are truly a culinary force to be reckoned with – with Ryan’s love for fire-cooked food and Caitlin’s baking expertise making up the DNA of Hearth. Cooking and smoking from their own custom hearth, menu highlights include their meat and fish dishes, which are not only served succulent with their signature smokiness, but infused with innovation.
Nothing you’re served here is ordinary – be it the Sunday roast (which is full of delicious surprises), or even the steak. For us, it should be on any Yorkshire foodie’s bucket list.
Hearth, 10.5 King St, Hull, HU1 2JJ.
Read more: The Best Sunday Roasts In Yorkshire To Try In 2025
