The last few months have seen the arrival of several exciting new bars and restaurants in York, along with the expansion of some old favourites. Whether you’re a fan of sushi, would like to try Korean cuisine or simply fancy a traditional afternoon tea, here are some of the best new places to drink and dine in the city this summer.
Just opened:
Omoni House, The Shambles
Omoni House recently opened its doors on York’s historic Shambles, in the building that was once Sapori. This Korean restaurant’s relaxed and homely atmosphere helps it to live up to its name, which means ‘Mum’s House’ in Hangugeo. Omoni is run by the team behind Little Asia on Walmgate and it’s just the place for lovers of spice, umami flavours and dishes that are healthy as well as delicious. The menu here features Korean favourites like bibimbap – rice topped with meat, vegetables and kimchi – or deep fried corn dogs, a popular Korean street food. Stepping off York’s busy streets and into Omoni, you might feel as if you’ve been transported far away. The restaurant is creatively decked out with leafy plants and Korean music serenades you as you dine.
The Old York Tea Room, Goodramgate
New to Goodramgate, the Old York Tea Room offers a wonderful range of sweet treats that are sure to be a hit with locals and tourists alike. This traditional tea room can be found on Our Lady’s Row, in one of the UK’s oldest surviving jettied buildings that dates back to 1316. Its front window is filled with an inviting array of cakes and pastries, and its interior is characterful and cosy, with exposed beams and paintings by local artists hung on the walls. The Old York Tea Room serves breakfasts and light lunches but it is the cakes that really steal the show. Here, you’ll find everything you’d expect from a high street bakery plus much, much more, including childhood teatime favourites like tarts filled with fresh fruit and creme patissiere. There are also brownies, blondies, rocky road, huge cinnamon swirls and doughnuts to try, or you can even enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea if you’ve booked in advance.
Sushi & Bowl, Lendal
Located on Lendal, Sushi & Bowl opened back in May, taking over the premises that once housed Wilde & Westbrooke’s clothing store. This modern Japanese fusion restaurant sells sushi and sashimi, along with other specialities that showcase the very best of the country’s cuisine. Among the starters here are options like gyoza, soft shell crab and spicy mayo prawns. You can then tuck into tasty chicken ramen, tempura donburi or a nutritious salmon poke bowl. Each dish is crafted with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and many have what the shop’s owners, Yongjie Lu and Peng Wang, describe as a ‘touch of Western influence’. The pair are also imaginative when it comes to presentation, and their food arrives garnished with some beautiful finishing touches.
Tasca Frango, Colliergate
Serving incredible piri piri chicken from their stall in SPARK, and later at Supersonic Fitness, Frango Eduardo is now due to open a new restaurant on Colliergate in the empty shop next to Barnitts department store. In Portugal, a tasca is a casual, often family-run restaurant and Tasca Frango celebrates this traditional style of eatery with a menu of comforting, hearty dishes made with simple ingredients. Its owners, Emma Hargreaves and Ted Hustler, want to earn Portuguese food a very deserving place among more commonly enjoyed cuisines such as French and Italian. At their new bar, restaurant and grill, chicken will once again be a key ingredient and you can look forward to sampling plenty of spicy and filling options.
Clucking Oinks, Castlegate
Another competitor for the title of ‘York’s best fried chicken’ is Clucking Oinks. This gourmet burger stall started its life in SPARK* back in 2018 and has recently expanded to a bricks-and-mortar store on Castlegate. The restaurant is run by Michael Brand, who works with his talented team to design an ever-changing menu of mouthwatering specials like ‘The Big Cluck’ – a seeded brioche bun stuffed with two layers of crispy fried chicken, lettuce, pickles, sauce and melted cheese. Clucking Oinks offers a buy-one-get-one-free ‘Wings Wednesday’ and also collaborates with other food businesses and local makers. They’ve previously worked with Jorvik Ferments to create ‘Life’s a Peach’, a scrumptious chicken burger featuring Jorvik Ferments Peach Hot Sauce with pickled red cabbage and confit garlic mayo.
Coming soon:
The Old Liquor Store, Bishopthorpe Road
Opening soon in part of the old Terry’s Chocolate Factory, The Old Liquor Store will be a laid back, Italian-style deli by day with stone baked pizza and a well-stocked wine bar to enjoy at night. This exciting new restaurant is owned by Ben Williams – the man behind the Rose & Crown in Sutton-on-the-Forest – and its head chef will be Matt Leivers, who has previously worked alongside Andrew Pern. The restaurant plans to eventually offer brunch, lunch and dinner in a space that’s full of history. Interior designer Banjo Beale has skilfully redesigned the former factory, making the most of some of its best surviving features, like the original wall tiles and beautiful red brick frontage. When the Old Liquor Store opens, its walls will be covered with mementos from the factory’s heyday, including photographs of some of the people who once worked here. Why not call by and celebrate this important piece of York’s past while sipping a cup of hot chocolate from York Cocoa Works or a coffee from local roasters Harmony.
Images- @theoldyorktea, @clucking.oinks, @omoni.house
