Bantam in Ryedale

On a busy Saturday night, the service was slow, we started with sourdough and labneh & dukkha, then shared their rarebit on a flatbread with a nice sauce, that was the highlight. I followed with cod and monkfish with mussels, the fish was good but the mussels with it were cold. My wife chose lamb rump which was also cold and was undercooked. We cancelled a second booking.

Went for lunch really good food and service reasonable wine list my only complaint was the dishes came out 1 at a time rather than together which I expected given the description of the small to large plates by the waiter

Excellent small plate take on tapas. Wonderful food presented in a refreshing manner. Shared choices worked brilliantly.

Friendly staff and excellent food

Incredible food and wine, and for the standard of food very good value. On the menu the dishes go from small to large. We’d two large dishes and a small and a side and it was perfect. Special shout out to the blood orange sorbet.

Everything we tried was delicious! A must if you are in Helmsley.

As a group of friends, we ordered almost all the savoury dishes to share. They were each exquisite, really delicious and interesting flavours. We sadly over-ordered as did not realise how generous the portions would be - but we will know next time. The service was very good and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere despite being a little quiet (in January!). It definitely deserves to be full. Thoroughly recommend eating here and although it would be great as a couple, going with a group gives you the chance to share the dishes which are designed for that. Roll on our next visit!

Do not miss this treat! We were lucky enough to be allocated a table for six at only a few days notice and “ lucky” is the correct word because the food is truly spectacular: literally melt in your mouth, every dish between us was consistent in its exquisite taste and this has left us pining to return- if only they were closer! Great trouble was taken by the staff to explain the vegetarian options and the service generally was impeccable. And it gets even better when you pay the bill as for once, this was a pleasant surprise. An extremely high standard of cooking that provides a sincere experience of taste and altogether a quite unique evening. Go here for a taste uplift. Brilliant Huge compliments to the chefs.

Walk in lunch for two on a Thursday. We had four dishes + dessert. Gnocchi, fried chicken, pork croquettes and crispy potatoes, with malted baked yoghurt to finish. Can’t fault any of it, the food is excellent. Menu carefully considered, each dish perfect size for sharing between two people, lots of thought given to flavour combinations. The wine list is equally attractive and will have something for everyone. A must visit spot if you find yourself in Helmsley.

We chose this restaurant because the menu looked "different". We were a little confused at first but the waitress was clear in telling us it was a tapas-type set up with sharing plates, and food would come out at different intervals. We had mussels, flatbread, a chicked dish, steak, hake, all of which were oozing with flavour, beautifully cooked and presented. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Our only negative comment is we live too far away to come here very often!!

Great. it was very enjoyable on all levels - food, wine, atmosphere and staff. Will go again and....again.

What a wonderful place this is, every dish we had was absolutely fantastic! The flavours were amazing! Would definitely recommend this restaurant. So glad we decided to eat here and will definitely return.

What a fantastic place to eat! The flavour of each dish served was absolutely amazing! Would recommend this place to everyone, very reasonable priced for top class food.

Lovely lunch. Just 2 of us so we sadly didn’t get every dish on the menu but what we did have was superb. I can highly recommend the fried chicken and the pork schnitzel. Super venue and fabulous service.

The best food ever ! Really cannot tell you how much you HAVE TO GO HERE!!! We had 5 or 6 dishes ALL were INCREDIBLE.

Great food. Worth the drive from MILES around!

Great setting, more informal and relaxed but decorated really well if you want a simple and not overly romantic spot. Excellent food and variety - we really enjoyed the flatbread and the seabass were our favourite, though it doesn't matter as I believe the menu changes often. The let down was the dessert - the rum baba was a let down, the sponge was dry to the point of brittle but the rum held it together - just. Overall, for the Michelin recognition, it was surprisingly in budget. Under £90 including three glasses of wine and 5 small plates.

We booked this after great reviews on TA. We were not disappointed. We were on a 2 night break in Helmsley and wanted something special for the Saturday evening. The service was excellent and the waitress explained how the menu worked. Every dish was of a high quality and enjoyed every dish. You will not be disappointed with this place and the overall atmosphere in the restaurant topped it off.

Booked the Bantam for a family gathering at lunchtime. The menu was clearly explained to us, and the advice on how many sharing plates to order was spot on. The range of food was varied and met everyone's preferences. None of the plates disappointed and the quality of the food was excellent. Well worth seeking out if in the area.

Quite a plain restaurant and limited menu but the food was lovely and fresh. Quite pricey for the portion sizes but as it a treat it was a nice meal

Loved our visit to Bantam. Food was delicious and portions were modest. We didn't feel we had overeaten. Definitely a place we will return to.

This restaurant is special. Any adverse comments on Tripadvisor are really from people who want the usual standard meat and veg, and didn’t recognise this is a sharing place with exceptional qualities. We found the menu excellent and the flavours outstanding throughout and the food was presented with impeccable timing. Despite the place being full service was first class; the way to order was well explained and the waitress was both f4iendly and efficient. Full marks!

Unusual taster style menu takes some getting used to, but the taste of the food is amazing. It’s definitely worth trying so don’t be put off by the menu.

We were lucky enough to come across this restaurant by chance and cannot recommend more highly. The menu was refreshingly different, food delicious and the the service excellent. Would definitely go back.

Fantastic food. A really interesting menu with a tapas and share approach to a variety of novel dishes. All cooked to perfection. A wee gem of a place.

Really enjoyed the sharing smaller plates. All packed full of flavour. Grilled chicken, crispy potatoes, Dover sole in a mellow paprika butter, ford chicken in buttermilk , beetroot salad and the ricotta gnocchi was exceptional.

First visit. Enjoyed all that I had. Will definitely return.

Booked at the last minute following recommendation from owner of holiday accommodation…menu was a delight of small sharing plates with creative use of modern ingredients and a good choice of wines. Service was friendly and helpful but not intrusive. Thoroughly recommended

The chefs here do a wonderful job. Almost worth coming back alone to savour without conversation, although the cries of " this is SO good" were nice to hear. One special was whole pot roast grouse, combining the tenderness of pot roast with tasting of...

We visited Bantam on an extremely hot evening. Although the door was open the restaurant was uncomfortably hot and we wondered if they might have used a fan. The waitress explained the sharing plates concept, but we felt that we were advised to over order....

What a fabulous experience. Slightly out of my comfort zone having read the menu and sharing idea but the evening proved amazing. Great tastes and quality, you will not be disappointed. Thoroughly recommended. Thanks for a lovely evening.

My wife and I were looking for an alternative to a pub meal which in that area seam to have got very expensive and also as we had a long drive afterwards we were not taking alchohol. This met the bill and the concept of...

Fantastic little restaurant with genuinely interested staff serving great sharing plates. Having recently moved to the area I was so pleased to discover Bantam with my two discerning sons from London who were definitely impressed. The plates of food were simply delicious and all credit...

Didn't understand the bit about sharing when we ordered, wasn't explained very well, too rushed, so had conventional 2 courses. Husband's dish was served on a flatbread, and one main ingredient was pigs cheeks - was not expecting in the form of lardons, so disappointing. If only the young staff would explain things better.

Little Gem, loved the idea of having lots of different small plate so we could try lots of dishes. Everything we tried was delicious. Service was great. Everything was fresh. I did think the menu may confuse people as all the main dishes were listed...

Perfect in every single way! The Food, Atmosphere, Wines, Service, Location etc etc. We had the Figs, Mozzarella, Rocket & Pistachio, then Dover Sole with Paprika, Fettucine with Courgettes & Lemon, Hanger Steak with Gorgonzola and finally the Chocolate Cremeux with Peanuts. The idea is...

Bantam is great - a cool spot in a quaint village, doing things in a fresh way. Nice vibe too.

Fantastic meal at the Bantam in Helmsley. The good was lovely and fresh and the sharing plates were a novel way of eating. All in all a brilliant night out for my Wife’s birthday. Highly recommend.

In total 6 of us ate at the restaurant on a Friday night, the food was so fresh and well curated, cooked to perfection, portion sizes were ideal, I could speak any highly of the restaurant, such a little gem 💎 All the staff were...

If you like delicious and inventive food this is the place for you. Everything we ate was absolutely outstanding. Service was excellent, they were more than happy to explain the dishes and answer our questions. Lovely atmosphere too. If we lived closer we would certainly...

Came for a one night stay in lovely Helmsley. Didn’t fancy the monotonous “pub grub” menus and stumbled apon this on trip advisor. A stones through from our accommodation. So glad we came here. A culinary delight! A comfortable setting with a really relaxed vibe....

Excellent meal for four (including two childre ). Best meal in Yorkshire so far. Great fresh fish! Really interesting and tasty Mediterranean food. Lovely tasting concept!

Such a brilliant discovery and the food was a real treat - full of local ingredients brilliantly cooked. Everything we ordered was stellar- we didn’t want to leave as it was all so delicious and the staff were so ace too - a perfect spot to visit!

Interesting, tasty food done well. It's doing something different and deserves to succeed. Worth a visit

A great find. A small menu, but filled with delights, slightly limited for non meat eaters. The staff were exceptionally helpful, the service was well timed and attentive.

Excellent all round. Food, service, wine selection all first class. Varied menu selection and interesting specials board. Planning another visit.

Lovely dinner here this evening. We’re staying in Helmsley for a couple of nights and thought we’d try it on a whim. Quiet, understated atmosphere, wonderful ham hock terrine and chicken schnitzel Caesar salad. Good service. Would recommend

We booked Bantam a couple of weeks before we went to Helmsley on holiday after reading previous reviews. The food and the service were excellent! Such a lovely concept - a cross between Tapas and a standard menu - you just choose whatever you want...

We visited Bantams very recently with friends. It was Wednesday night but very quiet when others nearby were more busy. This was a little concerning, but quickly dispelled. Alec was excellent in explaining the menu, making it clear we could have sharing plates or individual...

A lovely evening with good food, some very good dishes. Not mad about the small dishes/sharing idea- would prefer some normal sized mains or even a set price menu. The portions are small, but tasty and the wine is delicious, but pricey. Food good, and...

What can I say, if I could give 10* I would. Lovely unpretentious restaurant, great friendly staff that know about their food and wine. Wonderful food and a great way of eating. Prices right, and no salt pepper etc on tables, now there’s a sign of a confident chef, as well he should be. Well Done.

Excellent all round! What a superb place this is. Such a relaxed setting and with friendly service. I felt as though I’d been transported to a bistro in France. The dishes oozed with flavour and hits of herbs. A lovely appetiser arrived from the chef...

We visited Bantam Restaurant after it was recommended to us by local people when we stayed in North Yorkshire for our holiday. We had booked a table for two and upon arrival we received a warm welcome. We ordered Pigs Head Croquette, Crab Fritters, Buttermilch...

Amazing food with lots of seasonal flavours and well trained staff who understand the menu . Lovely thankyou

I booked a table at Bantam for my girlfriend’s birthday and it exceeded expectations. The staff were brilliant - so attentive and friendly. I asked for a corner table, which we were given, and once we were seated the lovely waitress delivered a complementary glass...

Definitely this would appeal to the high end gourmet diner. At £16 to £22 for a dish we were advised we'd need 4 or 5 between 2 diners. We only had one each and happened to choose the same crab rissoles which were ok but a bit lacking in taste, the dressed asparagus that came with them was the best part for me. There were many other exciting options to choose from such as devilled rabbit offal on toast. If you are happy with the prices I'm sure a slap up meal here would be a memorable experience.

A gem. After poor local pub food Bantam was such a delight that we dine consecutive evenings. Fresh sardines, gougere warm olives were just our starters. Fiat iron steak, pasta and rabbit followed, we wish we could have eaten more. Everything was innovative and delicious.Service...

Everything perfect. Service, innovative food, good wine. Price appropriate for the performance.

Really tasty and interesting food with good service! Nice relaxed atmosphere with prompt and friendly service- the menu is a little bit different from anything else is Helmsley and is great to share with friends. Could be improved with a door closer 😂 as the...

If you want to try some delicious food made by a proper Chef you must go to Bantham. The idea is that you order two or three dishes each and share, a bit like tapas, but the type of food is more like you'd get...

Took my mam for a fabulous lunch today. The food is imaginative and cooked excellently. The service was attentive, friendly and professional. It is so rare that I find a restaurant that doesn't disappoint. I hope it gets the custom it deserves.

Took my mam for a fabulous lunch today. The food is imaginative and cooked excellently. The service was attentive, friendly and professional. It is so rare that I find a restaurant that doesn't disappoint. I hope it gets the custom it deserves.

Very welcoming staff, large restaurant and with only 3 tables occupied not much atmosphere. Very interesting tapas type menu. Everything we ordered was delicious. Salsify was cooked perfectly, butter chicken amazing, marmalade treacle tart with proper custard, wow. Our evening was spoilt by one thing,...

We really enjoyed our meal here! They have creative seasonal menu, where you can have a few dishes and try different things. All the food was very good quality and we loved everything we ordered! They can cater for vegan if you give notice. Nice...

Lovely restaurant with amazing food! Creative seasonal menu, where you can have a few dishes and try different things - very good quality and we loved everything we ordered! They can cater for vegan if you give notice. Nice relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff.

Courteous, friendly and prompt table service. The ambience was welcoming and casual. Bantam sets a high standard for the quality of its food. I have visited Bantam several times now and always delightfully impressed. I enjoyed a delicious Easter lunch at affordable prices. A most...

Beautiful place! Fantastic food, the dishes where all great, tasty with good quality ingredients. Friendly staff, quick service too. Great atmosphere too. The treacle tart was amazing, perfect finish to the meal.

Amazing food, superb service and unbelievable value for money!! Couldn’t find a single fault with this place. If you are anywhere near make you eat here!!

Been here a few times - the food I really, really good. You should go!

Four of us had a very enjoyable Saturday night dinner. The menu is really varied, so we shared a couple of starters and then six of the main courses. All were extremely nice, beautifully cooked and all very different. We had a decent bottle of...

The meal here was the best we've had in years. We shared 5 plates between two and they were all top class - the sauces really made them stand out. Good service and a nice bistro style ambience. Would return in an instant.

We visited Bantam having read the reviews and we were anticipating a memorable experience It was a particularly special occasion which we had mentioned when booking and again on the day when I confirmed We arrived to a very luke warm welcome The restaurant was...

This restaurant is absolutely outstanding. We have visited several times now and the food and service are consistently superb. Reslly lovely flavours. Great vibe, excellent wines and warm welcome. Highly recommend.

Super fun meal at the Bantam. The food is imaginative and high quality. The amuse-bouche soup was particularly good. The sharing dishes were a great success. Makes for a good option to come to with friends. Given the standard of cooking, the prices are reasonable....

What a find! A really excellent meal to finish off a couple of days in North Yorkshire. Really good sourdough, cheese gougeres were to die for, then larger plates of chickpea pancake with aubergine, broccoli with anchovy and tahini, and a spiced flatbread with lamb....

First visit to this cracking spot on a quiet Thursday evening. A lofty and slightly stripped back space, but welcoming. Service exemplary, friendly but not overpowering. Highlights were specials of devilled kidneys and whole turbot, and pigs head croquettes were an unusual treat. It isn't...

outstanding. Simply outstanding

Our first visit. Totally delighted. First class service, and the food.....everything was superb. We'll be back.

This restaurant is a gem. We visited for lunch. Situated in the centre of Helmsley, it is a must experience. We both felt each dish, mostly in the form of sharing plates, was exceptional. The owner was friendly and helpful with explaining the sharing process....

The meal here was excellent. We have eaten at many good restaurants and the food here was right up there. Lovely flavours, imaginative cooking and exceptional quality. And the price was good too. Service was prompt and first rate. I would thoroughly recommend it

A sharing plate menu that was so innovative. Post festive season we went for vegetarian and fish dishes which were excellent. A risk to put this sort of restaurant in beautiful Helmsley which has a number of more traditional eating houses, but judging by the...

A great restaurant with a varied and changing menu. The anchovies, grilled cauliflower and halibut all stick in my mind as especially good, but everything was impressive. I wonder if we'll be seeing a new Michelin star in a few years for Bantam?

Visited on New Year's Eve on a horrible rainy night. Arriving rather wet was the only Downside of the evening! It's only a small place and was full to capacity with a lovely friendly atmosphere. Within a few minutes of being shown to our table...

Simply put, exceptional! We went for three of the small plates and two larger ones, and even though I’m not usually one for desserts, three desserts - everything was excellent. Menu changes regularly but based on all we had I don’t think you can go wrong.

Superb! Lovely atmosphere, great wine and awesome food. All the dishes we had were brilliant, expertly made, and wonderful flavours.

Nothing wrong with the food, just a bit confusing (ie how 3 people are meant to share 2 meatballs, for £18, or 4 pieces of raviol etc). £60 per head for few a few small taster side plates and 2 glasses of wine. Would suit...

Another visit for us and I’m sooooo happy to say it was every bit as good as the previous time. Food was superb and the service is friendly and very lovely and the wine was fantastic. If you’re in Helmsley you must go.

Absolutely excellent lunch in a very wintery Helmsley today. We enjoyed (amongst other things) wonderful gougères, pumpkin ravioli and the stand out, Hispi cabbage. The service was great and a relaxed atmosphere, a great spot to watch the world go by. We’ll be back!

The food here is simply sublime, as good as anywhere we’ve ever eaten. Beautifully cooked, beautifully balanced and beautifully flavoured. Served by wonderful staff, who were knowledgeable, informed, and jolly. Will we back, as soon as we can!

The food here is simply sublime, as good as anywhere we’ve ever eaten. Beautifully cooked, beautifully balanced and beautifully flavoured. Served by wonderful staff, who were knowledgeable, informed, and jolly. Will we back, as soon as we can!

We booked a large party of 21 for a pre Christmas family get together. Sam (chef and co-owner) was super helpful in setting a fair price for a set sharing menu. The evening did not disappoint, the food was delicious and not run of the...

The food was absolutely delish and the service was flawless.

Excellent food and service. Been a few times now and everything is always absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.

We have been here a number of times and always enjoyed our meals. We have tried every restaurant in Helmsley and this is the best one. Some items can seem a little pricey eg slices of sausage and anchovy toast as starters, but in the...

Limited menu the sharing choices we're the best thing, everything over priced, the atmosphere was the best thing.

Our first time tonight, but definitely not our last! Delicious flavours, imaginative menu, tasty wine and attentive service. What more could you ask for. We drove 40 minutes for this and will happily travel again.

Very lovely food, very warm and thoughtful service and a nice ambiance which could only have been improved by more folk in the restaurant. Thanks for a lovely evening.

Booked on a busy Saturday night. Not quite sure what the concept is here. Tapas plates as starters. Definitely not value for money. £5 for 2 pieces of anchovy on bread and £5 for an egg cups worth of olives. OUCH! The flatbreads were tasty....

A different approach with sharing plates. We had cheese gougeres and olives as nibble starters. Amazing. The perfect melting cheese was in little mouthfuls of blissful clouds that melted in our mouths. Yummy! The olives were so tasty. I had the hanger steak with chips...

We went for dinner last night and it was fabulous. The children had flat bread pizza and home made pasta with tomato sauce. Our food was exceptional and the rabbit and the honey chicken were stand out. Restaurants like this are a real find and would recommend.