10 Of The Best Restaurants In Skipton You Need To Try

The quaint place nestled away at the bottom of the Yorkshire Dales boundary is known for being a busy and bustling market town, but is also full of fantastic restaurants with tasty dishes to get stuck into after a busy day. We’ve put together a list of the best restaurants in Skipton.

Known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales thousands pass through and visit the humble town that sits on the Leeds Liverpool canal. And, sometimes when you visit somewhere new it can be hit and miss with the meal choices but with this list of places to eat in Skipton you’re sure to leave satisfied.

1. Alexander’s

Skipton’s award-winning Grand Café, Bar & Terrace is located at the top of the street a stone’s throw from Skipton Castle. It serves up delicious modern British taking influence from the European Grand Tour blending the spices and ingredients of the Oriental Silk Road with contemporary twists. Served up with craft cocktails and in a stylish setting. If you’re looking for a fancy dinner after taking in what the area has to offer this is a great shout in our eyes.

Some menu highlights for us include the Korean Fried chicken with a gochujang sauce, sweet pickled
vegetables & lime, also the treacle cured aged beef fillet with a caramelised onion puree, roast & crispy onion, sticky red wine jus – which is the restaurants signature dish.

2. Le Caveau

Situated in a 16th-century cellar with wood beams and a vaulted ceiling, the building, which was once a prison for Craven District’s felons and sheep rustlers is now a French restaurants serving up local produce. Le Caveau has made itself one of the best restaurants in Skipton by sourcing high quality and seasonal Yorkshire produce and adding a French twist.

The current menu highlights are a pancetta wrapped pork fillet served with beetroot, horseradish and black pudding risotto. We’d go for the Nidderdale lamb served with sweet breads, sweet potato puree and a teriyaki sauce.

3. Calico Jack Restaurant & Bar

Arrrgh me hearties. If you’re looking a family friendly place this pirate themed bar offering up hearty grub is one for the list. The fun restaurant in Skipton serves up a American & Tex Max food with colourful and exciting cocktails with a nautical backdrop. We are talking quesadillas, huge burgers, pizza, baby back ribs and more. Washed down with a few margaritas, sex on the beach, pornstar martinis – talk about a holiday.

The restaurant is located on Skipton Water Street and is one to add to this list for families to visit if you’re looking for a bit of fun.

4. Le Bistro des Amis

There must be something in the air up in Skipton as they have not one, but two French restaurants. Le Bistro Des Amis serves up a mixture of the best of France and Yorkshire, plus regular themed evenings. Using high-quality ingredients that are locally sourced where possible along with special ingredients sourced from French markets that ensure its dishes are top notch.

Expect classics such as French Onion soup, Steak and frites, and a Sea food money Bag and Fries which they’re famous for and has a crispy sea food parcel filled with salmon, haddock, smoked
haddock, scallops which is served with samphire and Lobster sauce French fries and homemade bread.

5. Oakley’s Grill & Pizzeria – Best Restaurants Skipton

Oakley’s is a fantastic family-run Italian restaurant and grill located over three floors in a converted rag mill. The decor leans into the buildings heritage and is one of Skipton’s oldest buildings meaning its full of character, which adds to the meal itself.

You can enjoy fantastic homemade pizza and pasta dishes along with fantastic meats cooked on the grill including succulent rump steak served with chunky chips. The restaurant keeps things simple allowing the high-quality ingredients and cooking do the talking.

6. The Curious Fox

Take a trip around the world at The Curious Fox, Skipton. The menu consists of everything from traditional Yorkshire dishes and a selection from around the world. Enjoy such delights as a popular Italian burrata served on sourdough with homemade pesto for starter followed by a Thai curry.

The restaurant also serves up tasty burgers and high-quality steaks sizzled on the grill for those who are looking for something classic.

7. The Tempest Arms

There is nothing better than a country pub when you’re looking for some proper food to get stuck into. So if you like something wholesome then The Tempest Arms is the one for you. The 17th-century inn is located at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and Skipton, set in rolling picturesque countryside.

Using locally sourced ingredients, you can enjoy such pub classes as beer battered fish & chips, beef & ale pie, along with some interesting options such as sticky char sui bbq ribs and meatball Penang curry.

8. Woolly Sheep Inn

Located in the centre of the popular market town in Skipton, the award-winning inn is not only home to a full range of award-winning Timothy Taylor’s cask ales. But, it also serves up some mouth-watering home cooked classics with a modern twist.

It has such a lovely beer garden outside that is perfect to sit in and soak up the sun with a few pints of Landlord, or maybe a G&T.

9. Efendy

The mediterranean restaurants is a fairly new addition to Skipton’s food scene opening during the pandemic. Serving as Skipton’s own Turkish delight the menu is full of offerings such as Tavuk Izgara, Chargrilled Chicken Skewers served with salad, rice and cacik; homemade Turkish flatbreads, pizzas, burgers and more.

10. Elsworth Kitchen – Best Restaurants Skipton

Elsworth Kitchen is a passion project between Bruce and Rebeccas Elsworth who have 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry combining their skills to create this incredible restaurant serving good, honest, Yorkshire food.

Enjoy such mains as slowly braised lamb shoulder with garlic & rosemary potatoes, cabbage, summer vegetables & basil broth; pan roasted Onglet steak with rosemary fries, rocket, parmesan salad, truffle & balsamic dressing, peppercorn sauce.