31 Castlegate
Nestled into the shadow of Clifford’s Tower, this tiny restaurant is an established favourite with York locals. The intimacy of the venue makes you feel as though you’re dining at a friend’s house and a seasonal menu means the ingredients are fresh and sourced locally whenever possible. The food is as wonderful as you would expect from a head chef who worked at L’Escargot under Marco Pierre White. The wonderful location makes this place a perfect choice for showing off York’s finer points to visiting parents. For trickier diners, it also caters for most food intolerances.
Vision Recommends: Pan fried venison (especially if you like your meat rare)
Price Range: £££
Sanctuary
Something truly different, the incredible Sanctuary is set within its own walled kitchen garden. Worth braving the cold to admire the wild marjoram or pear trees before sampling the produce on your plate. Wherever possible ingredients are grown fresh, which pushes prices down and quality through the roof. That which can’t be grown is sourced locally, so this is an ideal restaurant for anyone who frets over air miles and imports. Sanctuary could never be accused of allowing their principles to temper their menu; try tempurad courgette flowers or red thai curry. The Gillygate location even allows night time views of the lit Minster. Perfect.
Vision Recommends: The Sanctuary burger. The best in York!
Price Range: £
Oscars Wine Bar and Bistro
If you enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of eating reliable classic dishes in a homely bar, but struggle to escape the lifeless Wetherspoons-style chains, then Oscars should be next on your ‘to try’ list. With a comfortingly familiar (but extensive and appetising) menu, the dishes are freshly prepared and so much more vibrant than most similar ventures. Oscars has managed to snare the best aspects of bar food – generous portions and chips with everything – yet avoided mass manufactured dullness. Next time you fancy soothing and scrumptious dining, find this gem on Swinegate.
Vision Recommends: The lasagne – can’t beat bar food done exceptionally well..
Price Range: ££
Karachi
Found on Hudson Street, this modern Pakistani restaurant offers delicious, authentic dishes in a sleek and stylish setting. With all the wonders of a curry house (swift, efficient service and friendly staff) but providing so much more in terms of taste and variety. For those who like their comfort zones the menu includes a sweetly entitled ‘Memory Lane’ which offers kormas, jal frezis and all the old favourites.. For the more adventurous there’s an array of vegetarian, meat and seafood specialities that the staff are only too happy to explain and recommend!
Vision Recommends: The marinated lamb chops – you’ll thank us.
Price Range: ££
Kuja Lounge
If you haven’t discovered this hidden treasure yet, dip into the side street opposite Evil Eye next time you’re strolling down Stonegate. Tucked into its own cobbled courtyard (complete with original stocks – this is York after all), this brand new restaurant serves mouth-watering food in beautiful surroundings. The elegant bar area is sandwiched between an upstairs dining room and a delightfully romantic basement. Whilst the contemporary European food is exquisite, the real jewel in the Kuja Lounge’s proverbial crown is the faultless service. The staff are wonderful; enthusiastic about the food (I ordered exactly what they recommended and was not disappointed), friendly, conversational and endlessly polite.
Vision Recommends: The fish pie – indescribably delicious
Price Range: £££