Tucked in North Yorkshire, Pickering is a peaceful market town with an interesting history and plenty of amazing restaurants serving seriously delicious food.
It finds itself located on the edge of the North York Moors with an abundance of hiking trails. In town, you will find a medieval castle, Saxon church, and a number of local museums to explore. But although Pickering is a fairly small town, it sure does have a big appetite when it comes to good food. From traditional tea rooms to international restaurants, there are plenty of options to choose from. In this list, we have handpicked our favourite restaurants in Pickering to make your decision just that little bit easier.
1. The White Swan Inn
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The White Swan Inn’s restaurant has proudly held AA Rosette accreditation every year since 1997 and serves simple delicious dishes using fresh and truly local ingredients. Situated in a charming Yorkshire inn, The White Swan Restaurant is a lovely place to dine with its own charcoal oven and an elegant dining room. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu uses locally sourced ingredients to create a variety of British favourites including fish and chips of course with homemade tartare sauce.
2. Willowgate Bistro
Tuck into beautifully presented dishes at this cosy bistro. The Willowgate Bistro is a popular dining spot for those looking for good food at a great price. There are a whole host of gluten-free and vegan options to enjoy and the produce is all locally sourced. They have different events going on throughout the year that they prepare special menus for, as well as seasonal menus that change every few months, to ensure that menus are locally sourced and made with the freshest ingredients available. We loved the pigeon breast, if you get a chance to try it you have to give it a go.
3. Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Cafe
Nothing screams out Yorkshire life better than a cafe on a farm where diners can pick their own fruit. With its very own onsite butchery, visitors to the Cedar Barn Cafe can expect to find excellent produce. The sought after Sunday Lunch consists of the farm’s very own Aberdeen Angus beef complete with all the trimmings required for a traditional family roast. From June to August, raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, and gooseberries are all available to pick; making your visit into a fun day trip. And if you’re after some indulgent sweet treats, opt for the Vintage Afternoon Tea complete with cakes, scones, and sandwiches served on antique crockery.
4. Fortune Inn
Another town centre location, the Fortune Inn is a popular restaurant serving authentic Cantonese cuisine. A great place to visit with a group of friends, the Fortune Inn has a diverse menu offering value for money. Choose between dim sum, sizzling hot plates, seafood, duck, and noodle dishes, to name but a few. There are also plenty of veggie options including Sweet and Sour vegetables, and deep-fried bean curd. If you’re short on time, the menu is also available to take away.
5. Spice 4 U
Popular with the residents of Pickering, Spice 4 U is an award winning Indian restaurant full of flavoursome dishes. Offering a dine-in and takeaway menu, this restaurant is perfect for all your curry cravings. It is a family run business that has been feeding diners since 2002. It’s here that you will find Britain’s favourite Indian dishes including Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Jalfrezi, and Tandoori plates. There are also plenty of chef’s specialities from Chicken Darjeeling to Karahi Mint. Wash it all down with a refreshing drink, before tucking into an authentic Indian dessert.
6. Feast Deli and Cafe
Easily identified by its elegant navy blue exterior, Feast Deli and Cafe is a chic cafe come deli, making shopping and eating out two of the same thing. All products on the shelves are local, with the aim of reducing mileage and increasing quality. If you’re living in Pickering or find yourself on a self-catering holiday, then Feast is definitely the best place to find good tasting, sustainable produce. And it’s all at competitive prices too. Choose from popular breakfast items in the cafe with locally sourced sausages and bacon, or, opt for a freshly prepared coffee with a delicious slice of cake.
7. Potter Hill Fisheries
It would be a real shame if you visited Yorkshire and didn’t try some Fish and Chips. Holding onto the claim that it is the best chippy in North Yorkshire, the Potter Hill Fisheries is certainly the place to sample this classic dish. A real local hangout, this is a traditional chip shop serving up hand-battered cod and haddock. Along with the classics, this takeaway restaurant also has a few alternative options for those looking for something that you will only find in Britain. Choose between spam, pineapple, or Mars Bars coated in the batter for an interesting snack.
8. Bay Horse Inn
Settle down by an open fire and enjoy a pint of beer, good food, and a game of pool, at Pickering’s historic pub. Dating back to 1295, this pub has an interesting history having housed Crowellian officers and possibly even Cromwell himself during the English Civil War. Today this dog-friendly pub serves up lunch and dinner accompanied by a selection of popular international beers. Find more information here.
You appear to have missed off Figaro’s an excellent Italian restaurant. I’m just a resident and have no connection to the owners, it’s just a fantastic restaurant .