But First in York

Excellent cafe, went with family, had stacked pancakes with maple syrup, blueberries, and bacon. Fantastic. Going again next week will have the same.

We have been to all the cafes in Bishopthorpe recently but not this one until today - what a great find ! Eat indoor in a beautiful cafe or outdoor in quiet courtyard setting . Lovely menu and cakes . Extensive drinks menu . Friendly staff and (very important!) it has a toilet. It is also dog friendly . Will definitely be back !

5 out of 5 doesn't do But First justice. Absolutely wonderful staff serving excellent food and drink. Seating indoors and outside when the weather's suitable. Lots of home made goodies and a varied menu for breakfast and lunch. Where would we go without But First?

After getting absolutely soaked through whilst packing up our tent in the pouring rain on a nearby campsite, we stumbled across this absolute gem of a cafe. We were met with friendly smiling faces and, being a celiac, with a genuine desire to cater for my dietary requirements. We both had the smashed avocado which was absolutely beautifully presented and tasted delicious. We may be from far away, but we will be back! Please drop by and support this wonderful business!

It’s a lovely place that offers a good variety of food and cakes. However, because of the excellent reviews I think we were a little disappointed. It was busy on the day we were there and as a result we found the lady who was seating customers to be a bit brash and irritated when we were unsure of whether to sit inside or out. The lunch was well presented but the taste of it was very average. When we decided we’d have our coffee outside we again felt like we were irritating that same person again by our move outside; it was rather unpleasant. We took away a couple of the cakes which were gorgeous. Not sure if we’ll go again, but if we do maybe it’ll be a better experience.

First visit today. Nice setting tucked away off the main street. We were a little late for breakfast but they still cooked me what I wanted from the breakfast menu - no Falling Down moments here! Anyway the service was quick and friendly, the food was fantastic, and the prices good for a small cafe. Far easier than queuing for a place in town.

What a lovely little lunch spot. Small and cozy with a good range of breakfast, brunch and lunch food. The service was very good too. The mushrooms in a creamy sauce with Stilton were very tasty. Lots of nice specials on the board as well.

The menu changes from breakfast to lunch around 11:30am so the dishes available change. This is a small local café, and there is a sign outside asking you to stay outside until they can seat you. Seems a little strange to begin with but when you go inside you appreciate why. All of the signs in the shop seem personal and address the customer in an informal friendly way. Most of the breakfast dishes come with bread in some form. The blondie/brownie was really good, a total sugar overload so only order if you're a real sugar fan. Staff are friendly and welcoming. It's a little expensive for what is it, but I suppose with the rising costs of electricity/food and general inflation it's to be expected for a small independent place to survive.

After checking your opening times, we walked from York to Bishopthorpe to check out this wee cafe that we had heard so many good things about. SO DISAPPOINTING to find it closed on Sundays. We ended up getting a coke from the Co-op! PLEASE amend your opening times on this website!!!!

Popped in yesterday for lunch abd had a bacon roll and an egg & cress sandwich, both were absolutely delicious. We took a piece of bakewell tart home which was divine. Friendly service, chilled and relaxed ambiance, can't wait to go back.

Had a meeting here with my website designer, on Friday 8th July in the morning. Coffees and service were great. Thank you. However it was so noisy from the volume of other customers' conversations, and from the coffee machine, that we relocated outside to a bench in order to hear ourselves, and to work productively. Not ideal and we will look for another venue in future. What a pity, but a manageable level of noise is really necessary to promote a conducive environment. I speak only personally of course. Dr Hilary Dyer

Visited here two days ago after cycling past on a previous occasion. We had to wait for an outside table as seating is limited. We are both vegetarian, and the choice for us, was excellent. We both had beautiful food, it tasted excellent and was very nicely presented. I could not resist the malteser brownie, so took one away with me. I ate it later that day and it was amazing, best brownie I have tasted. All the staff were lovely, very helpful and so friendly. We will be back, fantastic thankyou.

We came across this lovely cafe just by chance and we were not disappointed! The food is faultless and the people who work there are so kind and helpful! The bacon and Brie ciabatta is amazing and the Frappuccino’s are beautiful! Not to mention the little taster of cake with your coffee!

Great find on our way to York, such a lovely place we stopped again on way home. Coffee lovely, served in nice mugs with a shortbread biscuit. Food delicious and staff very friendly and attentive. Dog friendly and a lovely outside seating area. Highly recommend

Lovely atmosphere lovely staff food was gorgeous a little pricy but definitely going back as great quality 😋

Stopped for latte and Mincemeat Bakewell, beautiful pastry. Welcomed by very friendly staff who cleaned table while we waited. Facilities very clean. Big choice of specials which we didn’t have time to try. Other cakes/scones looked delicious. Busy but tables spaced out so didn’t feel...

A warm welcome for dogs and humans. Great coffee and teacake. Very good value - looking forwards to the tiffin bought for later

But First is a welcome retreat discovered during a work visit to Bishopthorpe on the coldest day of the season so far! Very warm and friendly staff, superb coffee and I chose a warming tea cake. There were oodles of lovely cakes bit too early...

Can't review the meals although they looked very good, smelled great and we're varied inc plenty of options for veggie. Only stayed for a short while for coffee and cake, which was lovely. Staff working very hard, very good customer service.

Was pleasantly forced to find somewhere else to eat after visiting the designer outlet and finding Valarie patisserie was closed. Bishopthorpe is a lovely little village and the cafe didn’t disappoint either. You can take dogs inside. The food is very nice and the cakes...

What a find! We popped in for a coffee the first day of our short break and then back for breakfast. Completely blown away with the service and delicious food. A varied breakfast menu. The mushrooms on toast were divine and the cakes were simply...

Cakes to die for and a lovely garden to eat them in. Would highly recommend for anyone passing through Bishopthorpe.

What a lovely find! We called at But First yesterday for a coffee and quick snack as we noticed the pretty outside seating area as we drove past. We received a wonderful welcome as soon as we stepped through the door, I can’t emphasise how...

We were out for a long walk in a cold day in March & called at But First for coffee. There was a queue as it was lunchtime and it was one in one out for orders. My husband & I both had a chicken...

Best coffee around, all cakes are superb! Been a regular visitor for a few years. During (both) lockdowns it was a lifesaver for takeaways but when you can eat it is a lovely place to stop for sandwiches, Paninis as well. Excellent value!

Stopped for coffee and cake after a long walk. Very welcoming. Place it lovely and clean and cakes homemade. Bishopthorpe is a lovely village and we chatted to some of the locals - it quite close to York race course which is also lovely to...

But First is well and truly back, and at the top of its game. Indoor and outdoor seating with sensible Covid precautions in place, table service and staff wearing masks. The menu has been reduced slightly so that the kitchen and waiting staff can work...

Found this Wonderful little stop off on our way to cycling into York . First and foremost the staff where so polite and helpful , add to that the wonderful coffee and great home bakes just added to a memorable visit . Highly recommend this...

Visited here today with friends I haven't seen for a while and it was lovely. The staff are polite, friendly and the service was quick. We all had something different and it was ready in no time which was perfect as we all had to...

We popped in for lunch after a walk to Acaster. In short, the atmosphere, food and service here is brilliant. We had a halloumi sandwich and plate of mushrooms on toast - both were served up looking like a piece of pure art, and tasted...

Had a walk out to this cafe. What a great place. Lovely coffee and cakes. Next time we'll go for a light lunch because they looked fabulous!

Dog friendly! This is a lovely little gem of a cafe set back off the main street next to the bike shop. They do delicious savoury food and amazing cakes. The service is really good.

I dropped in for a coffee after a visit to the dentist. Thank heavens it WAS after the dentist. I had promised myself not to indulge in the Tiffin but I succumbed yet again! Words just do not do it justice! I was really quite proud of myself for finishing the huge slice this week. They did offer to wrap it and send me in my way but indignant at the thought, I enjoyed every last crumb! Washed down with two steaming cups of very tasty decaf coffee. I love this cafe, the ambiance is great and the food is heavenly and it’s an undiscovered gem, free of York tourists!

Found this place as we were reaching the end of our walk around Bishopthorpe. The staff were very welcoming from the moment we came in to the moment we left, the food was a bit pricier than what we would usually pay but definitely worth the price with massive cakes and big mugs of coffee for us to enjoy. The cakes were more than just the usual as well (when we were there they had flapjack bakewell slices, Malteser brownies and Crunchie tiffin). There were lots of dog walkers inside but the dogs were all very well behaved so didn't really notice. An experience we will remember and would love to come back!

This a great little local cafe that really does everything you’d want. Nice welcome; friendly service; a simple but tasty menu and all reasonably priced. Been for breakfast and lunch with 3 generations from 10-85, and everyone loved it... Been back 2-3 times and remains convivial and relaxed.

We called in for coffee only - we had two flat whites and they were fine. This is A very busy and popular spot. Some tables were reserved for lunch. The lunch menu was varied, healthy and reasonably priced - we will go again and next time have lunch.

But first... cake excellent, staff lovely and welcoming, food stupendous and a lovely setting. Would recommend stopping by to taste the wonderful selection of freshly made cakes.

First class for service food and atmosphere.They were very busy but the staff are superb nothing was too much trouble. The food was top rate we both had smashed avo on toast with feta and nuts .The selection of cakes look amazing

Incredible food, service at atmosphere- could not recommend highly enough! We make a point of visiting every time we’re in York.

Creamy Stilton Mushrooms were amazing! Lovely setting and freindly staff. However, a few less covers

Lovely tea room. Warm and welcoming. Great cakes. Took my little dog along and no problem. Have been many times. Only slight down side is if big parties go and take chairs from other tables leaving tables with no seating. Will definitely revisit many times I am sure.

I visited with my 92 year old mother who is of limited mobility and little appetite. The staff could not have been more helpful. The gave us an easy access table and made a lunch for combining the ingredients from two items on the menu into one toastie that my mother would enjoy and enjoy she did. Its a long time since I have seen her eat so much. Despite the cafe being busy we were not rushed at all and neither were we ignored. There was no scrimping on the ingredients of either sandwich, mine was a chicken and bacon ciabatta, and the bacon was very tasty. We were that full that we bought cake to bring home and eat later. Will certainly be going again

Such great service and delicious food. I love the avocado with pine nuts!! Thank you for great food and friendly smiles!! 😊

Called in for brunch with my better half last Saturday. I had an egg, bacon and mushroom sandwich and a pot of tea, the wife had blue Stilton mushrooms on toast and a huge latte. Filled us both up and very reasonably priced. Lots of other gorgeous sounding dishes on the menu so will be paying more visits over the coming weeks. Staff very friendly and chatty. Well worth a visit.

A limited but varied menu-all freshly prepared to order. Cakes to die for! Excellent service-staff are so friendly and welcoming yet not intrusive. Highly recommend this experience!

Came across as we has a bit of time before going to a nearby establishment, only had cake & coffee, but looking at the rest of the food coming out wish I could have had something more substantial. Wish I lived closer

We were going to a funeral just outside Bishopthorpe and had a hour to spare. As we had been travelling for over two hours we were looking for somewhere to have a cuppa and a snack. We spotted this little gem of a cafe is down an alleyway. When we walked in it was buzzing (it was a Monday) We found a table and three of us had tea and teacakes and my husband had a coffee and a Malteser brownie, all very tasty. The ladies waiting on were nice and cheery and the place had a lovely feel about it. Looking at how many people came and went and the quality of the food i'm sure its a very popular place. One regret...Its a 2 hour drive from my house ! X

Once again a welcome coffee and food after a run. Food always lovely. Bakewell flapjack a firm fave! Keep up to good work ladies. Ps when is coronation chicken making a comeback??

Lovely little establishment serving good coffee (in a proper mug!) and tasty homemade food. Caters for gluten free.

What a fabulous place. Beautifully decorated inside, which creates a very homely feel. Friendly staff. Lovely menu. Would definitely recommend a visit.

It’s always a busy spot mid morning as the cakes are delicious and slices are generous. They do a great hot chocolate with all the trimmings, fairly priced.

First time here and not disappointed. Food was well presented, cheese and ham toastie was so nice and there is a selection of cakes to die for.

Always popping into this cafe whether it’s with the family or catch up with friends.

Lovely cosy relaxed setting with excellent customer service..the food was amazing! Really enjoyed our visit and will definitely be back😊

This small cafe is a real find! The 2 coffees and chocolate orange brownies were delicious, it’s very popular. The staff really care about it. It’s tucked away and a lovely surprise. Strongly recommend it, well be back again!!!!

A fine little cafe, in the pretty village of Bishopthorpe, just around the corner from the Bishops Palace. Serves great sandwiches, fantastic cakes, good breakfast and lovely tea and coffee; all wrapped up in a very reasonable price. Lovely courtyard for when the weather is good and right next door to a fab little cycle repair shop. Take a walk around the river from York and seek out this little gem.

We visited today before heading home from a boating holiday! Staff were so friendly. Drinks were lovely, cakes looked amazing although we managed to resist. Dog friendly and happy atmosphere. Would recommend!

Small menu but this ensures the good is excellent. Cakes are fantastic with enough in one slice to share between two. Beautiful coffee, friendly service and relaxing atmosphere.

I went today and took my 9 year old autistic daughter for the first time. Without even knowing she was autistic, they were so accommodating and helpful. They made her her own meal up from what was on the menu, did everything exactly as she’d asked for and even checked before putting butter on her muffin. It made it much less stressful and she wants to go back again. The food was great too

Stopped for coffee - and extremely delicious cakes! Visited with family and grandchildren. Service was excellent and staff so pleasant. Good selection of books available for children too. Highly recommend.

This is a lovely cafe built in, what appears to be, a former stable block with a pretty yard outside with seating so perfect for these warm summer days. The coffee is very nice and there is a tempting range of goodies plus teacakes, bacon butties and some more adventurous food items. Great place to meet up for a relaxing snack, lunch or afternoon tea. This was my 3rd or 4th visit and have always enjoyed coming here. It's a pleasant walk of about an hour along the (west bank) of the river from central York. The staff are friendly and provide good service. The prices are about average but everything about But First is a cut above average. Free WiFi. Recommended but leave room for me! I'll be back - soon.