Dark Horse Espresso Bar – Iced coffee and spritz

This Australian-inspired espresso bar was born in a horse box on the Shambles Market but its owners, Laura and Sydney-born Mark Edwards, have now opened a bricks-and-mortar premises on Bishy Road. Located close to Rowntree Park, their family-friendly cafe boasts a dark and inviting interior with a sun-drenched terrace to enjoy in the summertime. On the menu here, you’ll find gourmet toasties and pastries to keep you going through the day. Dark Horse serves iced Allpress coffee in all of your favourite styles, as well as alcoholic beverages including a refreshing aperol spritz.

Plush – Smoothies and freakshakes

If the latest season of Bridgerton has left you looking for a little romance, Plush is the place to go. York’s ‘most Instagrammable cafe’ boasts three themed dining areas, including the Garden Room, where ivy and wisteria trail from the ceiling and you can sit on a rope swing while you eat. This adventurous eaterie offers bottomless brunches and all-you-can-eat waffles. Among its chilled drinks are smoothies to which you can add a naughty shot of vodka or gin. You can also sample unique soft drinks such as ‘Blood Moon Rising’ (a black glittery raspberry lemonade that you mix yourself), or freakshakes like the ‘Candy Mountain’, a white chocolate and raspberry milkshake topped with a giant rainbow lollipop, candy floss, marshmallows, lashings of whipped cream and blue bubblegum sauce.

Parlormade – Iced coffee, tea and matcha lattes

Located on the corner of the Shambles Market, in a jettied timber-framed building that dates back to the 1400s, Parlormade’s sconehouse is the place to head if you’d like to treat yourself to an afternoon tea with a difference. You’ll find scones here in all kinds of inventive flavours, from chilli and Guinness to raspberry and coconut. During the summer months, you can accompany these with iced coffee made using beans from Roost in Malton, or try a thirst-quenching iced tea or vibrant green matcha latte.

Coffee Culture – Iced coffee, smoothies and milkshakes

Describing itself as ‘your neighbourhood cafe’, Coffee Culture inhabits a unique old building on Goodramgate. This friendly and unpretentious cafe specialises in great coffee along with all day breakfasts, homemade cakes and freshly baked pastries. You can perk yourself up with an invigorating cup of Coffee Culture’s house blend – a smooth, full bodied dark roast that is produced by York Emporium. This can be served as an iced latte or americano, or in a sweet frappe with chocolate, caramel or vanilla. You’ll also find a range of tempting milkshakes on the menu here, as well as smoothies like the ‘Passion Fantastic’ (mango, passionfruit, banana and pineapple) or ‘Berrylicious’ (mixed berries, banana, yoghurt and apple juice). These can all be made vegan with plant-based milk and yoghurt at your request.

Spring Espresso – Iced coffee and smoothies

Offering artisan coffee prepared by award-winning baristas, Spring Espresso’s shops are a popular hangout for caffeine connoisseurs. Located on Fossgate and Lendal, they’re the perfect place to start your day with a hearty, nutritious breakfast such as ‘power porridge’ topped with fresh fruit, chia seeds and coconut, or indulgent french toast. You can also have lunch here in the form of hot sandwiches or Yorkshire rarebit. Spring Espresso’s coffee is made with beans from Brighton-based speciality roasters Small Batch and it can be served in all the classic styles you know and love, including creamy iced lattes and DIY cold brew.

Images- @plush_cafe, @springespresso, @parlormade