It’s officially the season of roaring fires, red wine and cosy nights out – the perfect setting for a date night with your nearest and dearest. And where better to provide the stunning backdrop than the sublime Yorkshire Dales? A national park packed full of culinary delights (which makes it extremely difficult to choose where to eat!), here’s our guide to the most romantic restaurants in the Yorkshire Dales.
1. The Angel at Hetton, Skipton
One of Yorkshire’s few Michelin Star restaurants, The Angel at Hetton makes for the perfect date night – with not only beautiful, minimalist decor to enjoy, but sensational food, too. Set within the country landscape of Hetton, just outside of Skipton, the acclaimed restaurant serves the finest French-British cuisine that Yorkshire has to offer, with dishes made fresh daily with the freshest, seasonal ingredients on offer at that time.
Soak up the airy atmosphere while filling up on plates such as monkfish, quail, Scottish venison, and Loire valley rabbit, before tucking into one of The Angel’s mouthwatering desserts, again, made using the most delicious seasonal flavours available.
Led by chef patron Michael Wignall, The Angel Inn at Hetton takes pride in its warming atmosphere that attracts visitors from around the globe, with the stunning Yorkshire Dales landscape to boot. The Angel at Hetton, Back Ln, Hetton, Skipton, BD23 6LT.
2. The Wensleydale Heifer, Leyburn
The beloved Wensleydale Heifer is an absolute favourite among locals when it comes to incredible grub that’s perfect for special occasions, which is exactly how it landed itself a place on our list of most romantic restaurants in the Yorkshire Dales.
Ideally located in the West of the Dales near Leyburn and Aysgarth, the country-style venue is home to a cosy restaurant and whiskey lounge, where guests can dine on fine British dishes including lobster, the Heifer’s Whitby haddock, roast Nidderdale lamb, Grande Reserve steaks and so much more.
The food is highly acclaimed, made using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and an absolute treat for anyone looking to level-up date night. The Wensleydale Heifer, Main St, West Witton, Leyburn, DL8 4LS.
3. Yorebridge House, Leyburn
The five-star Yorebridge House is an absolute treat for anyone looking to visit, with a bright and airy restaurant finished off with a romantic edge.
Boasting twinkling, botanical decor, the three AA Rosette restaurant – which is frequently used for weddings – serves beautifully presented food, with a number of wonderful British dishes on the menu. Enjoy dishes such as Wood Pigeon with Yorkshire rhubarb, Whitby crab, and Nidderdale chicken, with much of the menu’s ingredients sourced from right here in God’s Own Country. Yorebridge House, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Park House, Bainbridge, Leyburn, DL8 3EE.
4. The Italian Restaurant, Settle
Matteo’s Settle Italian Restaurant is as cosy as they come, making for a great spot for a romantic date night in the Dales. Specialising in Italian grub, the cave-like restaurant – which sits under a small arch in Settle town – may be small, but don’t underestimate it due to its size.
Dishes include homemade pizzas, fresh pasta and warming dishes such as lasagne, risotto, pan-fried veal and more, with a number of authentic-style Italian desserts to share afterwards.
The setting is as unique as they come, with many locals hailing it a true hidden gem. Matteo’s Settle Italian Restaurant, 5, The Shambles, Settle, BD24 9EH.
5. 1783 Bar & Restaurant, Richmond
Located at The Burgoyne hotel in the stunning Swaledale countryside, 1783 Bar & Restaurant offers a relaxed, yet romantic atmosphere with a fine dining twist. Serving up British-inspired grub, the restaurant’s AA Rosette-awarded chef has created a divine menu that pulls in little influences from everywhere, including curried monkfish, ox cheek beef fillet, pan-fried halibut and Israeli-style tagine.
It’s most definitely an adventurous menu, but one packed with flavour and rewarded with a classic menu of desserts that are great for sharing. Think traditional favourites such as sticky toffee pudding, treacle tart, rhubarb posset, and Yorkshire Dales cheeses. 1783 Restaurant, On The Green, Reeth, Richmond, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, DL11 6SN.
6. Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale
On the edge of both Cumbria and Yorkshire, just West of the Dales, Hipping Hall offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner date, thanks to its perfectly landscaped lawns, ivy-covered exterior, and cosy restaurant complemented by a roaring fireplace.
The fine-dining restaurant has racked up four AA Rosettes in its time, thanks to head chef Oli Martin’s stunning, yet concise menu of dishes such as lobster, shorthorn beef, and smoked eel. It’s pretty fancy, sure, but it’s a dining experience like no other – with each dish presented so beautifully, they may as well be pieces of art. Hipping Hall, A65, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, LA6 2JJ.
7. Number Nine, Kirkby Lonsdale
Small and cosy but utterly perfect in every way, Number Nine is a beautiful spot for tapas – the perfect type of food for a romantic date night.
Accompanied by beautiful wines and tasty cocktails, guests can tuck into classics such as calamari, English camembert, Catalan bread, alongside wildcard dishes such as fish tacos, Korean fried chicken and sticky Asian pork.
Boasting modern interiors with a botanical twist, which is lit up by night by ambient fairy lights, the local favourite is a great pick for anyone fancying a laid-back meal with a romantic edge. Number Nine, 9 Market St, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, LA6 2AU.
8. Blossom Kitchen, Skipton
The Coniston Hotel is a romantic place on the whole, but its Blossom Kitchen, in particular, makes for a lovely night with your significant other.
Decked out with luxury, velvet finishes and cosy, modern fires pits, the restaurant serves an Asian-infused menu with a concise offering, including decadent plates such as Szechuan rib, pad Thai, Duck Leg and Thai red seabass.
If you fancy something a little more unique, enjoy their Thai-style afternoon tea, complete with Bento Boxes filled with bao buns, spring rolls, macarons and more. Blossom Kitchen, The Coniston Hotel, Coniston Cold, Skipton, BD23 4EA.
Read more: 16 Of The Most Christmassy Afternoon Teas To Try In Yorkshire
