There is nothing better than a great pub meal, and even better when it comes with a nice cold beverage. Yorkshire is full of some of the best pubs that the UK has to offer, and it’s not surprising given that us Yorkshire folk spend so much time in ’em. “Estrella Damm” has announced the winners for this years Top 50 Gastropubs Awards, and Yorkshire faired pretty well with four pubs making the list.
There’s no surprise that Yorkshire knows its way around a pub – we do love a drink and a bloomin’ good meal that doesn’t leave you wanting. The award is voted on by hundreds of industry experts, which are top foodies and hospitality experts.
The Sportsman in Seasalter, Kent topped the list this year once again, having made the number one spot in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and now for 2021. Yorkshire’s own, the renowned Michelin star restaurant, The Star Inn at Harome, was handed second place this year.
The Star Inn At Harome (#2)
The Star Inn is no stranger to the Top 50 GastroPubs list coming in third in 2016 and fifth in 2015. It earned the first place spot in 2017 for the third time in its history.
Chef-patron, Andrew Pern has had his amazing pub for more than 20 years as well as other sites such as the amazing Star Inn The City in York. The Star Inn at Harome has an extensive à la carte menu or take on one of Pern’s extensive tasting menus with optional matched wines.
Some of the menu highlights are Rievaulx shot partridge with juniper-creamed Brussel sprouts, pine-smoked Alsace bacon, smoked beets and clementine with Port wine juices; and baked sherried fig frangipane with toasted marzipan, nibbled almost brittle, candied clementine and figgy toffee ice cream.
Angel at Hetton (#12)
In 12th place was the Angel at Hetton. This North Yorkshire Gastropub is said to be the UK’s very first. Although some are still debating this fact. A frequent flyer in the Michelin star guide list, this year it has climbed from 50th to 12th place, making it this year’s highest climber.
It has a dedicated restaurant area and has kept the ‘spirit and image’ of a good old traditional pub. Chef Michael Wignall serves up a delicious menu of delights that showcase his skill set. The Gastropub awards recommend the Cumbrian lion lamb, which comes with turnip, barbecued kale, chestnut, roast onion and winter truffle – yum.
Pipe And Glass, South Dalton (#21)
In 21st place is the Pipe and Glass Inn at South Dalton near our hometown in East Yorkshire. This Michelin star pub is known for not skimping on its portions with proper Yorkshire servings.
The mouth-watering highlights of this menu have to be the slow-cooked crispy shoulder of lamb with mutton and kidney faggot, lamb belly boulangere, butternut squash, redcurrants and barley; Yorkshire game and pistachio terrine with pickled pear, raisins, mulled wine jelly, pistachio crisps and game ‘tea’; and braised onion with mushroom and Cheddar ‘rarebit’ with leeks, smoked baby onions, hazelnuts and soubise cream.
If you consider yourself a bit of a wine connoisseur, Pipe & Glass has also won several awards for its mammoth wine list.
The Moorcock Inn, Sowerby Bridge (#39)
The Moorcock Inn at Sowerby Bridge made it into the top 40 at 39 in this year’s Gastropub awards. This March sees the pubs third anniversary, so it’s made a mark on the industry in the short time it has been in business. This is by no small part to their ‘ever-evolving seasonal menu’.
The pub in the Ryburn Valley champions traditional homesteading cooking techniques, cooking over fire with local, season and wild ingredients – mostly, working with Rare Breed Survival Trust for its menu.
There’s not just the food to shout about at the Moorcock. They have a huge range of craft beers and casks ales to be enjoyed as well as wines that are all hand made by small producers chosen for their “purity, freshness, balance and occasional quirkiness”.
Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax (#48)
The last of the Yorkshire Gastropubs in this year’s list is Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax which came in 48th place. This 17th-century pub. Chef Will Webster and his team have curated a huge nine menus to choose from, including breakfast, Sunday lunch, afternoon tea, à la carte and tasting – which is a huge feat!
Read More: The Michelin Star Restaurants In Yorkshire You Need To Try Before You Die
