Ask a Local: Where to Visit in York
When you want to know where to go… you ask a local
Food and Drink
If you like food and drink, York is the place to be! There are countless options with infinite variety, the hard part is choosing where to go. The Star Inn the City is my favourite for a special occasion – proper British food with locally-sourced ingredients and a gorgeous riverside location. What’s not to love?
For something a little more casual but just as Yorkshire, I love the York Roast Co. Their baps are hearty and delicious, but the best option is the Yorky Pud – a whole roast dinner served as a wrap in an extra large Yorkshire pudding; an absolute crowd pleaser! Wheldrakes is a lovely café on Goodramgate – great for brunch and lots of lovely puddings, and nearby Little Italy is an authentic Italian with a great deli too.
If you’re visiting with a group and you can’t agree on where to go for lunch, I’d recommend the Shambles Market. It’s always buzzing and the variety of food on offer is second to none. Crepes, burritos, hot dogs – they’re all delicious!
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Shopping
York is known for its independent shopping scene so if you’re looking for something unique, York is the perfect place. From candles to plants, from stationery to ghosts, York has it all.
The newest addition to the Shambles is Freckleface – they provide the most gorgeous candles, wax melts and gifts; a fantastic new brand to have on York’s most famous street. Head to The Ghost Merchants here too, the spookiest store in York, where you can pick up your very own handmade original York ghost.
Another stunning street not to miss is Stonegate with its own plethora of independents. Born of Botanics is a personal favourite. Anyone who’s obsessed with plants can’t leave York without a visit to Botanic; slightly further out (but still inside the walls) it’s a jungle of the most gorgeous houseplants.
The Sights
All the tourist guides will tell you to visit York Minster, but what a lot of them forget to mention is the museum underneath! The Minster is the most stunning, ornate, beautifully-built building but underneath it all lies an unmissable opportunity to learn all about the Minster’s rich history. The Minster’s hundreds of tumultuous years of history are fascinating and I’d highly recommend it for the top of your list.
York is undoubtedly one of the most historic cities in England and has the most complete city wall still intact. The two miles of walls surround the city centre and provide scenic walks – the city looks particularly stunning from the walls early in the morning. In more recent times, York has become known for its rich talent of buskers; head down to King’s Square to hear opera singers, folk bands or even a man juggling fire whilst riding a nine-foot unicycle (if you’re lucky).
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Not to be missed
Tucked away on Colliergate is Avorium, selling the most gorgeous, sustainable desk accessories. From notebooks to bookmarks, all products are available in the same eight pastel tones, allowing you to curate a coordinated desk! Most products can be personalised making any gifts even more special. It is truly a unique experience as personalisation takes just two minutes.
Beer lovers should head to Hop O’Clock just up the road, a great beer shop and York’s smallest craft beer tasting room, and on Piccadilly, don’t miss Spark York, the outdoor community space which is home to some of the most exciting start-ups in food, retail and the arts.
