Charles XII in York

There is a consensus with the pubs in Heslington that the Charles is the student pub and the Deramore is the staff pub. This isn't true as far as professional support staff goes. I've been here for a few leaving do's and it's been enjoyable every time! Good beers, great service and usually a seat if you arrive in good time! Food is decent too!

The food was amazing, great atmosphere. Thanks for the great service John.

Great value good with excellent service

I had 1cof the best burgers I've ever had here, pub in a college town

Great outdoor space for families and friends.

In there most days , dog friendy , good staff ! Nora !! Make 6 days a week & yes Nora is top of the charts +++.make ++++ when Nora is working & Amy is good + Brandon But no discount for requlars only students ????? Defo no disconts on premium lagers !!!!!⁸

It was such a nice experience. Alastair who was working on the floor so was lovely and polite to everyone and brought a joyful atmosphere!! Will be returning !!

Served by Alastair, warra lad. Catered to my every need.

We love it, I love some dishes but I hate other, I guess is personal taste tho. It’s busy most of the time so I recommend booking for finals etc.

Just a drink no food but nice pub.

I came here a few weeks ago with a large group of exchange students with varying levels of English speaking ability (6th Feb). The staff were very helpful and accommodating with great service.

Well run pub with large outdoor beer garden

Absolutely amazing pub with incredible servers. John made our visit incredibly enjoyable by being welcoming and just a stand up guy. We were a large group and the pub was perfectly accommodating. Definitely would go again and recommend the brownie.

Excellent service, very friendly - thanks maddy

Great place to go and unwind with friends, good food great selection of drinks, friendly team

Served by John. was an absolute ace. Signed Powell

Very nice pub between the two UoY campuses, serving great food and drinks. Will definitely be coming here more often! Update: I recently lost my wallet while I was here, only realising after I left. I called them and the person I spoke to was extremely helpful, managing to find the wallet and keeping it safe behind the bar so I could collect it the next day. Excellent service :)

Friendly and welcoming service as usual from Emma, Phil and Maddy. Food was very good value and good portion sizes, would definitely recommend if you're in the area.

Came in last week, the food was amazing and the server was really quick and welcoming, I think her name was Megan. Overall just a good experience, will definitely come back.

This was the worst lunch experience I have had for a very long time. It’s a while since I have been here, and it used to be a relaxed village pub, but now it is full of TV screens, slot machines and music that didn’t belong to either! There was a football match on, and the pub was noisy, though not especially busy.. The menu is standard pub grub, but it is relatively expensive - it was £13-14 for fish and chips and a cup of tea. My tea took 20-25 minutes to arrive, and my food took almost an hour! By that point, I was so hungry that I was dizzy, and I couldn’t enjoy it. People who had arrived a long time after us were being served, so we chased up the order two or three times… The staff were pleasant and apologetic enough, but not very effective: they said that the kitchen had “lost” my order, but that didn’t seem very convincing to be honest, because when it finally arrived, it was very overcooked and obviously reheated. One of the staff promised to come back to talk to me after I had eaten, but didn’t. By that point, we were so desperate to get out of the place that we didn’t pursue a complaint, but really, I think they should have given us our money back.

Good atmosphere, affordable prices 👌

This was the worst lunch experience I have had for a very long time. It’s a while since I have been here, and it used to be a relaxed village pub, but now it is full of TV screens, slot machines and music that didn’t belong to either! There was a football match on, and the pub was noisy, though not especially busy.. The menu is standard pub grub, but it is relatively expensive - it was £13-14 for fish and chips and a cup of tea. My tea took 20-25 minutes to arrive, and my food took almost an hour! By that point, I was so hungry that I was dizzy, and I couldn’t enjoy it. People who had arrived a long time after us were being served, so we chased up the order two or three times… The staff were pleasant and apologetic enough, but not very effective: they said that the kitchen had “lost” my order, but that didn’t seem very convincing to be honest, because when it finally arrived, it was very overcooked and obviously reheated. One of the staff promised to come back to talk to me after I had eaten, but didn’t. By that point, we were so desperate to get out of the place that we didn’t pursue a complaint, but really, I think they should have given us our money back.

Have been regulars here for years, but tonight was disappointing. No white wine only Chardonnay.Alternative a small bottle of prosseco, fine. my husband had an alcohol free tin of guiness x 2 total £16.69.Could not believe the price. My husband even went back to the bar to check the price, absolute ridiculous. Kerry what’s going on. ?

Very friendly and efficient staff, food excellent value, nice atmosphere

Can only describe as average in every way. The Real Ale was over chilled and devoid of taste, even though both were good local beers. Both of us had just one each, before going elsewhere. The Turkey pie sounded appetising but was small and uninspiring. My friend's fish and chips, ditto. I'm not a fan of having several TV screens permanently on, on sports channels. The only real plus points were friendly staff, and clean loos.

Friendly staff. Didnt eat there but saw what was deliyto the next table and wished I had.

Really great atmosphere, and a warm welcome on a cold day.

Decent food options and atmosphere

Amazing place, amazing people, Emily made us feel so welcome! Thankyou so much!

Really great service, especially by the bartenders Josh and Emily. Great atmosphere at sports matches and the chips are good also.

Emily and Josh are very helpful, it’s a great atmosphere with good drinks selection and a nice festive menu

Top quality, great service from Emily and josh

The Charles XII pub is an absolute gem! Incredible staff, fantastic food, and an amazing beer garden. It's a trifecta of awesomeness! Cheers to the Charles XII, where you'll find exceptional service, mouthwatering food, and an unforgettable atmosphere. It's pub perfection!

Great atmosphere, nice and warm on a winter evening with Christmas decs and friendly staff

Great place to visit and lovely burgers 🍔 specially the chef 👩‍🍳 she knows how to cook great staff and wonderful service very much recommended

Great pub, good service and good food. It was a bit dark further away from the windows, perhaps some cosy lighting would be a good idea though.

Lovely beer and atmosphere real authentic pub!

It’s a great pub, food is excellent and great value, loads of tv’s so perfect to come and watch sports and they’ve got a solid selection of draught beers. Last time I visited, John served me and was very friendly and welcoming, along with the rest of the staff. 10/10 would recommend.

Lovely spot for a drink and food! John provided great service and they’ve always been super accommodating

Our server, Aimee, was amazing. Very polite and always ensured that we were looked after. Top quality pub.

The staff are so friendly and helpful! Great atmosphere here as well.

The kitchen staff are the best, especially Emily. She’s a top tier chef.

Great place, greet staff behind the bar, student friendly, they have the sports on at most times!

Nice character pub with free parking on weekends, friendly knowledgeable staff and good food

Cancelled on us 4 days before we were due to arrive even though our booking was made weeks ago and we paid a deposit. Cancelling 4 days before is extremely inconvienient under the curcumstances. York will be over run with runners and spectators due to the marathon and we can not find anywhere with space for our group of 7 at such short notice. They have decided not to open until 7pm even though the website and google both state different opening hours and the booking was made weeks ago. Very disappointing. *Edit due to business reply * Stating that your booking system remains closed on this date is a lie as you took our booking and deposit weeks ago. Road closures are irrelivent as we have parking booked due to attending the maraton and can access the pub by foot. Now saying that you will be open all day means that you also lied to my husband on the Phone as you told him you were not opening until 7pm and that was why our 2:15pm booking was being cancelled. Not a great way to run a business by lying to potential customers. I see no reason if you are open all day why u cancelled a party of 7 who had paid a deposit. Will avoid like the plague!

Terrible. Had a table booked well in advance for Sunday. Called me an now not opening till 7 at night 4 days before now I'm left with no other options. Avoid at all costs. Now they are saying they are open all day so they cancelled just to exploit customers.

Very rubber egg and even more rubbery gammon, wanted to chunder. Chips cold and from a different year. Peas dried out and hollow. Ketchup was ok. Staff are superb though! For a beer and atmosphere first class.

Attentive and quick service from Maddy!! Highly reccomend

Great service by maddy! Was quick with our drinks even though it was really busy!

Amazing pub very friendly bar staff and waitress' especially Nora and Hannah F both very helpful and cheerful people. Great pub very good atmosphere especially during live sports Will definitely be returning

Servers were very helpful and friendly Ree and Hannah

Ree was amazing and provided great service to us! Always a friendly face to see.

Lovely old fashioned English Pub. Service was quick, friendly and efficient. Good selection of food on the Menu. Car park and beer garden . Sunday is busy so best to call ahead or reserve.

Great food at a great price, lovely breakfast. Bree was very helpful!

Steak was overdone but other than that, great pub and fantastic prices.

Very nice pub with friendly staff! Ree was very helpful and made sure we had everything to make the evening enjoyable! Music was a bit loud however may have been due to my friend sitting us under a speaker.

Food was lovely and hot and as described on menu. Ree looked after us. Lovely friendly atmosphere 10/10

Spent the afternoon in the beer garden, amazing food and great service from the friendly barman Brandon

Brandon behind the bar is a great worker very friendly and polite 10/10

Love the outdoor space and enjoy the food!

Had a lovely meal with family, wide range of options available. Staff were friendly, will definitely be back.

It is a lovely place. Spent a good time there. The atmosphere is good and they stream sports too (if you are interested). Good was good too. Also Risham made us feel welcome and made sure we had everything we needed. It feels good to go somewhere if you get good service. Recommended.

Visited twice while on a course at University of York and was so impressed with this pub. Food and drink were great quality and excellent value for money and only topped by the fantastic service. Bar staff Nora and Josh were so helpful, cheery and welcoming (as were the staff on Sunday but unfortunately I never took their names!)

The service by Risham is so good.

This is a sports pub - the European cup was being televised and raucously enjoyed by the regulars. The food was nice although mostly frozen and microwaved. Either the chef or the microwave was new because the garlic bread was still frozen and some of the puddings were overdone and inedible. They were replaced with ones the children did eat.

Very poor service. So much attitude in the employees. We went in as a group and they just missed taking a person's order and she had nothing to eat because apparently the kitchen was closed. The wait time was very long. And they didn't even serve properly. The staff was very rude and just mannerless.

Risham really served us well was super friendly and a good host

We had Risham who helped us with the our food and kudos to her we saved a few quids and the food was brilliant!

What a great pub, dog friendly, does food and what fantastic staff...also has a number of TV screens for sports 👍

Nice place for a drink....food has left us unimpressed...no fresh veg all frozen..quick meals for students...even Sunday Lunch roast is plastic meat..not carved from a traditional Joint

Absolutely lovely staff, always on the ball.

We like to come here for lunch when we visit our son at York university. Lovely friendly staff, especially Nathan and Emily.

Great beer garden. Good service

What happened to the menu, used to include a nice selection of vegan options, but sadly not any more. In addition it is not helpful to have the dietary key alongside each dish in such small text, the combination of this and very dim lighting made the selection hard work.

Was served by Phil for food tonight and Harry on bar, both were super friendly and kind. Me and my boyfriend love the beer garden!! great food, lots of dogs, happy days. Also the £11.99 deal for 5 small plates on weekends is so good!!!

Molly served us today and was great!

The service was very good and on time particular by Risham. Keep it up.

The food was amazing and excellent service. Risham and Brandon were very friendly, helpful and polite.

Risham, very helpful, polite, great service Brandon, excellent service and patient

i’m here studying abroad and love this place! i was served by Risham and she was so sweet and helpful!

Thank you for being open 7 days a week, especially when everything else on campus is closed. Good variety of pub food. Great atmosphere and outside dining. Excellent service provided by Rishnam.

Great place to meet, drink and eat. Ree was a great bartender, friendly and amazing.

Great atmosphere, clean and large beer garden. A wide range of really nice beers and ales to choose from. Staff are always dead friendly and polite.

We had fantastic customer service from a young bald lad. He was very welcoming and friendly. The fried breakfast was also very tasty especially the hash browns.

Risham was awesome. She delivered a 10/10 dining experience! Glad to have her as part of the pub!!!

Had a wrap and chicken wings. Amazing food and spicy. Got served by risham. Very friendly and cordial. She was very helpful in choosing the best dishes for our taste.

Food was delivered quickly and staff were friendly and talkative. Some of the best pub food I’ve had in years, would absolutely recommend to anyone in or visiting York.

The service is fast for a busy place, but the food tastes like it's microwaved. You would go for the atmosphere and service, but not the food!

Lovely local pub. Food is always spot on. Friendly staff.

I was served by Emily and she was so lovely and charismatic she made me and my friends night!

Really lovely outside seating, with great fast and friendly service x

Been going here for awhile, my favourite pub around York!

The bald white man who works the tables is really quite rude . Wouldn’t visit this bar again

Reserved table for 5pm online for 4 adults and 1 child, received confirmation via email. On arrival advised that there was no reservation. List of menu items not available was at the bar. Noted these and chose from available menu. When ordering from bar, informed that 2 of the choices weren’t available but they hadn’t updated the list. Went back to family to choose from limited menu again. Moments later 2 meals arrived as part of the initial attempt at ordering had been processed. 15 minutes later the other 3 meals arrived so we weren’t able to eat together. The waitress did not acknowledge or apologise for the long delay. Child’s meal (sausages with gravy) arrived with no gravy. Had to request it. Waitress seemed unaware that was what was written on menu but when we assured her it was did respond quickly. Overall not a great experience and I won’t hurry back. To be fair the food was ok for pub grub.

Great food and service! Variety of great beers and Ciders! York Gin cocktails as well!

Friendly service and really nice food. Will definitely go again.

service here is amazing! especially maddie who's taken the time to get to know me and the group who comes in every monday! very lovely personal pub with brilliant pub food and drinks

I recently visited the Charles and had an amazing time! The atmosphere was great, and the drinks were reasonably priced. The real highlight of my visit, however, was the fantastic service provided by Maddy. She was incredibly friendly and attentive, and went out of her way to make sure that we had everything we needed. I would highly recommend this pub to anyone looking for a great night out, and I would especially recommend that you ask for Maddy - she's the best!

Great food and great drinks- Ree was such a lovely server!!

great pub! lovely atmosphere, ree was very friendly and accommodating