Where to Dine in Ripon and Thirsk This Summer
Need some foodie Inspo?
Ripon:
The Bivouac Café at Druid’s Temple
Ripon HG4 4JZ
01765 535020
swintonestate.com
The perfect stop-off place if you’re out walking. Cakes, drinks, breakfasts, lunches and main meals – whatever time of day you’re passing through, they have something to help you on your way again. They even do takeaway picnics if you haven’t got the time to stop. Below the split-floor you’ll find their family den with a selection of toys to entertain the little ones. Family pets are welcome too.
The Bruce Arms
West Tanfield, Ripon HG4 5JJ
01677 470325
thebrucearms.com
The chefs mix classic and innovative when it comes to creating dishes to wow their diners here. They pride themselves on their flavoursome dishes – letting their food do the talking – but they’re most known for their hearty Sunday lunches. It’s the perfect place for a family meal, and the bar and lounge areas are dog friendly.
Grantley Hall
Ripon HG4 3ET
01765 620070
grantleyhall.co.uk
Located in beautiful parkland and manicured gardens, there are a myriad of restaurants to choose from here, from fine dining to pan-Asian cuisine. They’ve recruited some of the country’s top chefs – including Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin. Fresh and seasonal, Grantley Hall’s restaurants even use herbs and vegetables grown in their very own kitchen garden. If you fancy taking advantage of the weather, there’s also The Orchard – a gazebo-style restaurant and bar.
Read More: Where to Eat in Richmond: The Best Restaurants, Pubs and Bars
The Grantley Bar and Restaurant
High Grantley, near Ripon HG4 3PJ
01765 620227
grantleyarms.com
This lovely old building dates back to the 1600s and it looks like a proper inn, complete with ivy covering its facade. Inside, you’ll find a welcoming bar and restaurant; a great à la carte menu, lunchtime options and a tempting Sunday lunch, all of which combine to make this a popular place. Oh, and the sun terrace isn’t to be sniffed at either.
The Sawley Arms
Sawley, Ripon HG4 3EQ
01765 620642
sawleyarms.co.uk
Focussing on classic British and European dining, the seasonal menu at The Sawley Arms features old favourites like scampi, prime steak and ‘a proper pie’, all cooked with skill and flair. It’s also a great spot for a proper Sunday lunch, whether you have a hankering for Yorkshire-bred roast beef, pork with crackling or some homemade apple crumble for dessert.
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Thirsk:
Crab and Lobster
Dishforth Road, Thirsk YO7 3QL
01845 577286
crabandlobster.co.uk
You’ll be expecting fabulous seafood from the name, and you won’t be disappointed. Choose to dine on their sun-bathed terrace, airy pavilion, in the cosy main restaurant or friendly bar, and go all out with Lindisfarne oysters and lobster Thermidor, or keep it simple but delicious with an English classic, fish and chips.
The Carpenters Arms
Felixkirk, Thirsk YO7 2DP
01845 537369
thecarpentersarmsfelixkirk.com
The menus change seasonally at The Carpenters Arms with many of the ingredients grown in their own kitchen garden. Black Sheep beer battered haddock, sage and Harrogate blue cheese gnocchi and the Yorkshire Wagyu burger are just a few of the dishes you’ll want to try.
