Last updated: 2 September 2023
If you’re looking for the the best places to eat in the North York Moors National Park then you’re in luck because that’s exactly what we’re going to cover in this post. You’ll discover some of the best places to have a meal, devour a dessert, or grab a pint. Or all 3. Here’s our collection of some of our favourite places to eat and drink in the North York Moors that we visited during our time exploring the North York Moors National Park (and a few places that remain on our list for our next visit) to help you make the most of your short break.
Just a word of caution, if you read this post then there’s a high chance that you’re going to get hungry…
6 Top Places to Eat in the North York Moors National Park
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The Fox and Rabbit Inn
Location: Pickering
The Fox and Rabbit Inn is known for its charming countryside setting, and warm hospitality. It’s not hard to see why visitors exploring the North York Moors National Park or those looking for a relaxing getaway come here.
This traditional English pub is located just 3 miles from Dalby Forest on the A169 road between Whitby and Pickering. Serving up an assortment of meals to accompany the ever-changing weather, from wild mushroom spinach and pea risotto to slow-cooked lamb shank, either would be perfect for those cold winter evenings.
The Menu
The Fox and Rabbit has a full comprehensive menu with dedicated menus for puddings, as well as a Sunday lunch menu showcasing roasts with all the trimmings, and of course, Yorkshire puds.
The collection of pub grub includes all the British favourites including scampi, hearty pies, fish and chips, and sausage and mash. Don’t pass the ever-changing specials board for even more options.
The Fox and Rabbit lean into the superb produce of Yorkshire by showcasing locally sourced ingredients wherever possible with suppliers in nearby towns such as Loxton, Whitby, Masham, Malton, and Pickering.
Our Experience
The ambiance at the Fox and Rabbit, is a traditional pub feel, one that’s full of character. Think materials like stone, dark timber tables and chairs, deep red brocade curtains, and low-slung chesterfields with dramatic rolled backs and scrolled wide arms giving it a homely feel that Brits love so much.
Much to our delight, we discovered that The Fox and Rabbit is dog-friendly!
What makes a pub dinner that much better? Making friends with the visiting dogs whose owners were dining nearby.
Russ opted for the wild mushroom, spinach, and pea risotto which was served with rocket and shaved parmesan, and I know he really enjoyed it because there wasn’t much conversation taking place between bites.
There were plenty of dishes which I could have been very happy to sample but I just couldn’t resist the homemade steak and Black Sheep ale pie served with chips, although the slow-cooked lamb shank with minted new potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and red wine jus was a very close second.
And for pudding, Russ went with a good selection of ice creams and I opted for the lemon tart, which I think is always a good option. And in this case, it certainly was.
Recommendation
Our decision to have dinner at The Fox and Rabbit turned out to be a great one because this was one of the best meals of our entire trip throughout the North York Moors. A must visit!
Plus it’s dog friendly. That’s the best kind of pub!
The Essentials
- Address: Whitby Rd Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 7NQ
- Opening Hours:
- Lunch: Mon-Sat 12pm to 2:30pm and Sun 12pm to 7pm
- Dinner: Mon-Sat 5pm to 8pm
- Tip: The ice cream is a fantastic choice for pudding
- Website
Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Cafe
Location: Pickering
Cedarbarn Farm and Café is a popular foodie destination located just outside Pickering, in North Yorkshire.
This family-run farm offers a range of activities and amenities for visitors of all ages. The farm is known for its friendly atmosphere, a focus on local and sustainable produce, and unparalleled customer service.
The farm has an on-site café where visitors can enjoy delicious meals, snacks, and beverages. The menu often features fresh, locally sourced ingredients, a large portion of which is grown on the farm itself.
The Menu
The menu features a selection of familiar favourites that will not only satisfy your cravings but fill you with a sense of comfort and contentment.
Best of all, all meals are bursting with farm freshness, and whilst the menu may change over the months to reflect the growing yields from the farm, Aberdeen Angus features regularly on the menu and for very good reason – it’s locally-reared and is the highlight of the Sunday menu. The availability of home and locally reared beef on its menu, is something the team at Cedarbarn prides themselves on.
Just some of the home-cooked favourites on offer from the Cedarbarn cafe include a sumptuous home-baked steak pie, lasagne, cottage pie, fish and chips, and oh so much more.
If it’s a lovely day when you visit then you might also be interested in taking a seat outside in the Pizza Paddock for some first-class pizza topping featuring the famous Angus beef, farm-grown veggies, hand-picked herbs. Just writing this is enough to whet the appetite and make us return for another visit.
The Farm Shop
If you’re keen to take some produce home with you, the farm shop is where you can purchase a variety of locally produced goods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods like pies, sausage rolls, and quiches, and so-much-more. It’s a great place to find high-quality, locally-sourced products, and the service is spectacular.
Season dependent, Cedarbarn also has a Pick-Your-Own experience, allowing visitors to gather their own fruits or vegetables directly from the farm. This can be a fun and rewarding activity for adults and kids alike.
Recommendation
Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Cafe prides itself on good ol’ fashioned customer service and they deliver on this promise and then some.
There’s always a butcher, like Martin, onsite to cut and tie your meat to order so don’t hesitate to ask Martin or a member of the team to guide you to the best cut for your meal.
The only consideration you need to be aware of is that you should be prepared to spend longer than you anticipate because not only is there more to do than you think, the service is so exceptionally wonderful that you won’t want to leave.
Please give Karl, Mandy, and the entire team a big hello from us when you visit and let them know we look forward to seeing them again soon. And next visit, Russ plans on riding on the miniature railway!
The Essentials
- Address: Thornton Rd, Pickering YO18 7JX
- Opening Hours
- Mon-Sat 9am to 4pm
- Brunch 9am to 11:30am
- Sun 9am to 3pm
- Sunday Lunch: 11:45am to close
- Tip: Parking is at the door which makes it easy to load all the produce you’ll pick up during your visit.
- Website
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La Trattoria
Location: Helmsley
Helmsley is a small market town located in North Yorkshire, situated on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park.
The town is known for its historic charm, traditional architecture, and picturesque surroundings. Helmsley has a charming and historic market square lined with shops, cafes, and La Trattoria.
This Italian bistro serves up a slice of authentic taste of modern Italian life to the hub of Helmsley, with homely Italian food blending traditional and contemporary dishes, with dedicated brunch, lunch, and dinner menus as well as cicchetti, Venetian tapas.
If you’re in the mood for cocktails then La Trattoria has you covered with a comprehensive drinks menu, including the always popular cocktails Sloe Gin Fizz and Espresso Martini.
The Menu
The menu is what you would expect from a popular modern Italian restaurant, a selection of perfect pastas featuring linguine carbonara, lobster ravioli, fennel sausage ragu with linguine, spinach and ricotta ravioli, and if you’re seeking a seafood option then you’ll be hard pressed to ignore the seafood linguine which contains king prawns, clams, squid, mussels, and scallops.
If quality Italian-style pizza is the meal you’re craving then La Trattoria is the restaurant for you with just some of the following Neapolitan pizzas on offer; from the classic Margherita and Prosciutto Cotto e Funghi to the special Napoli Salami & Roquito Pepper and seafood pizzas.
Also, operating as a pizzeria for collection and deliveries, and based on the number of customers waiting for their orders when we visited, it’s safe to say that this is THE place to order pizza from!
Our Experience
We spent a good amount of time going back and forth selecting our starters and main meals, and to be honest, we could have selected about 10 different dishes and been very happy with any of them.
Starters
One of Russ’s favourite starters is pate and as soon as I saw it on the menu I knew it was going to be a likely contender. It was a tough decision between the pate and the crispy squid, another perennial favourite. Ultimately the order was placed for the chicken liver pate on crostini.
For me it’s Arancini, not the usual mushroom and cheese, but just as tasty with a tomato & mozzarella filling accompanied by a napoli sauce.
Mains
Russ has described his decision to go with the breaded pork tenderloin with wild mushroom sauce as one of his best throughout our visit to the North York Moors National Park.
If you enjoy a good schnitzel, and you know we love a good schnitzel then this dish should be on your short list.
With fond memories of the many delicious meals we’ve experienced in Bologna, I couldn’t go past the pappardelle ragu with tender and juicy slow cooked beef shin.
Pudding/Desserts
Is there really a better way to end a really enjoyable Italian meal than with a tiramisu and some gelato or ice cream? If there is then I’m not aware of it.
Recommendation
If you’re staying in Helmsley and looking for a good brunch spot then it might be worth returning to La Trattoria because their breakfast menu looks mighty appetising and their coffee is true Italian style, robust and surely to get you started for a day of sightseeing.
The Essentials
- Address: La Trattoria, Market Place, Helmsley, YO62 5BL
- Opening Hours:
- Mon-Sun 9am to 3pm
- Mon-Sun 5pm to 11:30pm
- Tip: There is a sister La Trattoria restaurant located in Yorkshire’s foodie capital, Malton. Keep reading below for another must-visit restaurant in Malton.
- Website
Lutt & Turner
Location: Malton
Malton has spent the last decade investing in local small businesses and slowly building its far-reaching reputation as the foodie capital of Yorkshire and surprise surprise it was one of the main reasons we wanted to visit.
Keen to explore some of the restaurants, small businesses, and discover just some of the reasons why people have been raving about Malton. So I suppose it was only a matter of time before we discovered Lutt & Turner.
The origin of Lutt & Turner dates back to 1832 when Hannah Lutt and William Turner set up business making cartwheels in Cambridgeshire.
The Turner name lived on as generations of entrepreneurs went on to establish food-based businesses such as including fishmongers, grocers, and game merchants across Yorkshire.
Fast forward to 2015, Chris and David Turner founded YO Bakehouse, a cottage baking business supplying local businesses. The company has gone from strength to strength, and the name Lutt & Turner used for the cafe is a nod to the two people who got the (cart)wheels in motion all those years ago.
“We’re here for breakfast”, I say outside while wide hungry eyes drift across the cake laden front window, brought to life with cake stands loaded with traditional Victoria sponge dusted in icing sugar, pink and yellow battenberg, rich chocolate brownies, and more mouth watering homemade treats.
Inside you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into someone’s living room. Timber floors, well-loved timber tables and chairs, books about British monarchs lining the mantle pieces, and once vacant shelves occupied by vintage typewriters and lamps from a bygone era.
Laminated menus are laid on the table and a gentle query of “cake or breakfast?” Deep down inside me I whisper both.
The breakfast menu features all the right words to convince me that I should just move in.
The Menu
The breakfast menu is served until 11:30 am and serves standard options such as Full English (vegetarian option available), eggs with Hollandaise (Royale, Benedict, and Florentine), eggs as you like them, and American pancake stacks.
Suffice to say, there’s something for everyone on the breakfast menu at Lutt & Turner. It’s well considered, balanced with sweet and savoury options.
For the caffeinated cavalry such as ourselves, the coffee menu is extensive. Non-dairy milks are available as is decaf.
Suffice to say, if we lived closer Lutt & Turner would become my local in a heartbeat.
Tempting everyone, even if you’re full from breakfast or not, is Lutt & Turners comprehensive cake menu
The choice of cake alone has eleven options, including three deep filled tarts, plus various types of scones, toasted treats such as cinnamon toast, and tubby tinkers for children.
Our Experience
After spending some time exploring the North York Moors National Park and walking along the Cleveland Way the previous day, we were in need of a good hearty breakfast so we could fuel up for another day exploring the region. This is how we found our way to Lutt & Turner.
Russ’s Selection
From the moment we started perusing the menu there were oh many options jumping out at us but I had inkling of what Russ was going to choose and when he looked up with a mischievous look in his eye and a wry smile, I asked the question now knowing full well what the response was going to be;
“I’ll have the American Pancake Stack with Maple Syrup, Salted Butter, and Streaky Bacon”
The verdict? Russ describes it as heaven on a plate so that says 5 star review right there.
Roma’s Selection
I’m more of a savoury person than Russ so my decision was split between Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Eggs Royale, and Smashed Avo on Toast. Oh so many choices, do I really have to choose one?!
It was a tough choice but I ended up choosing smashed avo on sourdough toast with balsamic roasted cherry tomatoes. I added poached eggs from their add-on menu to round out a hearty breakfast.
The eggs were cooked perfectly. Delicately soft with runny yolks, accompanied by the crunch of the crisp sourdough. Balsamic glaze provided some zing to the avo, which for a pleasant change, was not riddled with overpowering chillies. Utterly delish, I ate every mouthful and could have licked my plate.
Recommendation
Based on our breakfast experience at Lutt & Turner we can happily recommend this fabulous restaurant for your Malton itinerary because not only are the dishes sublime but the customer service was outstanding and even the fellow diners we chatted to couldn’t speak highly enough about their meals and the fact that they travel out of their way to visit Lutt & Turner.
Be sure to stop by for a meal the next time you’re in Malton.
The Essentials
- Address: 12-14 Market St, Malton YO17 7LY
- Opening Hours:
- Mon-Thurs 8:30am to 3pm
- Fri-Sat 8:30am to 4pm
- Sun 9:30am to 3pm
- Tip: The cakes are all made in-house. We can strongly recommend one of the utterly sumptuous brownies to finish off your breakfast.
- Website
Talbot Yard Food Court
Location: Malton
If you’ve arrived in Malton with an appetite and a desire to experience the foodie capital of Yorkshire then we suggest heading over to the Talbot Yard Food Court, a historic former stable yard and carriage storage for the Talbot Hotel located across the road, which has now been transformed into a vibrant and bustling food and drink destination focusing on artisan producers.
Home to a variety of independent businesses, including food producers, eateries, and specialty shops. Businesses currently calling Talbot Yard home are;
- ROOST Coffee & Roastery
- Bluebird Bakery
- Rare Bird Distillery
- Florian Poirot
- The Groovy Moo
- Food 2 Remember
It’s fair to say that Malton’s reputation as a foodie destination is well-known as it was visited by the King and Queen during their visit to Malton in 2023
Recommendation
We recommend starting off with a coffee at ROOST Coffee & Roastery, a double espresso of hand-crafted small batch beans will hit the spot. If you’re like us then a couple of pastries following a coffee is a must so head over to Bluebird Bakery for some freshly baked pastries and bread.
If you have a sweet tooth, like a certain husband I know, then Florian Poirot should be visited for something deliciously moorish.
We were advised to visit the award-winning Florian by everyone we spoke to in Malton and it was just plain bad luck that he was closed when we stopped by, but I guess that just means we need to return to Malton to sample his famous macaroons.
One of our highlights from Talbot Yard Food Court was stopping by Rare Bird Distillery where we met the owner, Matt, who showed us around his on-site distillery.
Matt also showed us the gin school that operates upstairs where visitors can book in and make their own flavoured gin! If we had a longer stay in Malton then we definitely would have signed up for a class.
As you can probably tell from the other meals in this post, we find it difficult to pass up the opportunity for a scoop of ice cream so we were disappointed to find out The Groovy Moo was closed during our visit. Now, along with Florian’s, we have another reason to head back to Malton.
If you’re planning a longer stay in Malton then you might be interested in picking up some locally sourced high quality Yorkshire cuts of meat for a family breakfast or afternoon BBQ from the very popular local and traditional butchers, Food 2 Remember.
Given the quality of the producers and products available, it’s not hard to see why Talbot Yard Food Court has become a popular destination for food enthusiasts, attracting visitors from near and far. Its unique blend of food, drink, and independent businesses makes it a vibrant and thriving hub within Malton.
Whether you’re looking to indulge in yummy local flavours, or simply soak up the atmosphere, Talbot Yard Food Court should be on your list for any foodie adventure in North Yorkshire.
The Essentials
- Address: Talbot Yard Food Court, Yorkersgate, Malton YO17 7FT
- Opening Hours:
- ROOST Coffee & Roastery
- Tues-Fri 9am to 3pm
- Sat 10am to 3pm
- Bluebird Bakery
- 8am to 3pm
- Rare Bird Distillery
- Tues-Sat 10am to 4:30pm
- Florian Poirot
- Wed-Sat 10am to 4pm
- Tues 10am to 12pm (click n collect only)
- The Groovy Moo
- Wed-Sat 10am to 4:30pm
- Sun 10am to 3pm
- Food 2 Remember
- Mon-Sat 8am to 3pm
- Sun 8am to 12pm
- Tip: Definitely check the opening times for the day of your visit to avoid disappointment
- ROOST Coffee & Roastery
Magpie Cafe
Location: Whitby
Nestled on the harbour of the picturesque coastal town of Whitby, the Magpie Café is a cherished institution among locals and visitors alike. With its rich history, charming ambiance, and extensive seafood offerings, the Magpie Café has earned the reputation as one of the most popular dining establishments in the region.
Guests are greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that effortlessly blends traditional maritime elements with contemporary touches.
The interior exudes a classic seaside charm, with nautical-themed artwork adorning the walls, rustic wooden furnishings, and windows that overlook Whitby’s famous harbour.
Menus are on tables with daily specials and changes indicated on the LCD screens within the interior.
Known for its unrivalled fish and chips, the cafe offers a tantalising selection of freshly caught fish, expertly battered and fried to crispy perfection. From the flaky cod and haddock to lesser-known varieties such as plaice and hake, there is a delightful array of options to satisfy every seafood lover’s palate.
The menu offers alternatives to seafood, such as burgers and steaks, but our advice is to stick to the house speciality.
The Magpie Café has an eye on sustainability. Sourcing locally caught and responsibly harvested seafood from the coastal community which serves to help preserve the region’s marine ecosystem for the generations to come.
Our Experience
We were eager to try a selection of items from the Magpie’s menu, which is comprehensive to say the least. Russ opted for a small serving of breaded whitebait, which are tiny headless fish which have been gutted, deep-fried, and served with a garlic mayo. The whitebait was very fresh and the mayo was the perfect accompaniment.
I don’t think it’s possible for Russ to visit a seafood restaurant and not order a small serving of oysters served with red wine and shallot vinegar, he loves them! Personally I’m not a fan but judging by the look on his face, these were a highlight of the meal! They were from the Lindisfarne oysters beds located in the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, established by the famed Lindisfarne Priory Monks.
I decided to pick off the specials board, which was displayed on a nearby LCD screen, and opted for a serving of scallops. I’ve always found that when scallops are perfectly cooked, soft and delicate to the palate, that it’s an unbeatable dish.
And lastly, we couldn’t visit the famous Magpie Cafe and not order a small 6 oz serving of Fish and Chips. We opted for cod however haddock and a variety of other fish including hake and lemon sole were also on offer. The Magpie Cafe is proud that their servings of fish and chips are always fresh and never frozen, and prepared in the traditional Whitby way of beef dripping and then coated in their own crispy batter recipe.
Recommendation
Whilst it might be tempting to order the largest serving of fish and chips, and what a meal it would be, we recommend going with several smaller dishes to enjoy a variety of the dishes available at the Magpie Cafe in Whitby.
The Essentials
- Address: 14 Pier Rd, Whitby YO21 3PU
- Opening Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11:30am to 8:30pm
- Sun 11:30am to 8pm
- Tip: The Magpie Cafe is an institution in Whitby so either book ahead or be prepared to wait for a table
Final Thoughts
During our time visiting the North York Moors National Park, we discovered a whole new foodie scene populated with restaurants, local producers, and artisan businesses that create some amazing dishes and take genuine pride in showcasing the best of Yorkshire.
We thoroughly enjoyed visiting these restaurants and local producers and it’s our sincere hope that you stop by during your next visit to the North York Moors and experience them for yourselves. And if you do then leave us a comment because we can’t wait to hear about your foodie adventure.
Disclaimer: Roaming Required partnered with North York Moors for this campaign and retained editorial control over all content created and shared. All opinions have been freely expressed and remain our own.
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