Harlequin Coffee and Tea House in York

*Specialty Coffee perspective review* What an odd place to experience specialty coffee in. Very far from your typical gentrified Specialty Coffee place. From the tea service to the customers frequenting the place and general interior design - NOTHING would make you suspect to find a decent cup of single origin here. They do serve it in French Press which normally isn’t my favorite, but the cup was still a good one. The beans were from Hasbean and they had another german lesser known guestroaster available. Staff seems very stressed despite the nearly empty coffee shop. Definitely the best specialty coffee I found in York so far. Though the atmosphere was not inviting for me personally. If you love a busy british tea shop place atmosphere then this is the place for you though! Would never break out my laptop here though to get some work done. All in all a good place for good coffee in York (though its also due to the lack of other choices in the area).

Our server Lara delivered an friendly and professional experience with amazing drinks to match, would recommend

Nice cozy cafe on the first floor. Great to sit at the window and look out over the crowds. The Harlequin scone was very tasty, lovely cappuccino, too!

Lovely little tea shop, efficient service

Called in today service quick food nice will be back it’s our second time called last year about same time

Tricky to find but that meant there was a table available when everywhere else had a queue. Very good coffee. Food excellent and friendly service.

Lovely food and friendly staff 😋

We visited first thing for coffees and the staff couldn’t have been nicer, real service with a smile, so welcoming & the coffee was lovely! Definitely recommend if you need a quick stop for a caffeine boost!

This is our go-to place for coffee when I come to York with my husband. It’s a bit of a hidden gem because it’s on the first floor, but well worth the climb up the stairs. The coffee is always good as is the food, and the staff friendly and efficient. I recommend the gluten free brownie which is rich and very moreish. I also appreciate their attention to detail. Today I was asked if I wanted sugar (I didn’t) and one shot or two of coffee. This may seem trivial but I’ve been in so many cafes where the drinks come with sugar sachets which are then thrown away and the coffee is like tar. My oatmilk latte was perfect. We usually have coffee and cake when we visit mid-morning but the rest of the menu looks very tasty. Highly recommended!

I just went once but it's a lovely place, just above the Harlequin Café. It's open in the afternoon-evening for drinks.

Fantastic coffee. Lovely welcoming atmosphere. Will definitely return

Cracking little cafe, friendly, with tasty food

This is a little gem loved it lovely coffee and amazing ginger cake

Lovely salad and jacket potato. Great service too.

Lovely place for lunch and a very nice staff would recommend but there are lots of steps up to it

Fantastic little tea shop. Great service. Gorgeous cakes. The orange and lemon cake was simply divine!! The tea shop is hidden away, a lovely little surprise!

Good food and staff very pleasant 😋

Always an excellent range of coffees and cakes and gins! A fantastic place to get a late night coffee in a comfy setting in the middle of the city.

We stopped off here in their outdoor tables on a very busy Saturday afternoon. The waitresses outside are so attentive and friendly. They also had gluten free brownies!

Nice little tea room upstairs. Good to find somewhere that serves good ristretto. Also, very nice cakes.

Visited this afternoon with my wife. Lovely quiet spot which provided a nice calm and relaxing pit stop while we were in town. I did not catch the name of the two waitresses however they were very welcoming and made our visit very pleasant. Thank you!

We visit York 2-3 times a year and always stop off at Harlequins - usually for a cuppa and a cream tea! The owner knows us now, after visiting for the past 14 years and are always greeted with a warm and friendly smile. The staff are lovely too. The scones never disappoint and neither do any of the other cakes or food they serve. Hidden by being upstairs, as just a doorway opposite York Chocolate Factory but well worth a visit. We'll be back as always when next in York.

A little pit stop on our way back to the car, we found this lovely little tea room hidden away, I feel we caught them getting ready to close up but they were lovely and very welcoming all the same. Locally sourced ice creams for the boys and a couple of coffees with home made lemon and bakewells for us. Would certainly stumble across this place again.

We where looking for some lunch, Inside as the sun was hot & us Brits can take the sun! Found this coffee shop, after coming out of Boots, it is not obvious where it is, but is well worth seeking it out. It’s located up a flight of stairs and we received warm welcome and it was nice to get out of the heat! We sat by the window and ordered, two salads and two drinks and of course it’s “Eat out to Help out” so we had a bargain, £10.75 in all! The staff were very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. As locals we are always looking for a good lunch spot and tend to stay clear of the ubiquitous chain places, so please support local businesses and you will not regret giving this cafe a try.

First floor coffee shop overlooking Kings Square, up a fairly steep flight of stairs, with large tables, ideal for reading a newspaper while sipping their excellent flat white. There is another coffee shop on the second floor called The Attic which also has big tables, so spoiled for choice here.

Good homemade food, friendly staff pleasure to be there

Great coffee and small snacks, great service.

We thought we were going to the Attic coffee shop, which has rave reviews - and couldn't begin to understand why, as it is so very average. However, it turns out the Attic is another floor up!!Anyway. The Harlequin was perfectly pleasant, but that's that. I had an Americano, which was a kind of vaguely coffee-flavoured hot water. My friend had a cappuccino, which he said was not what he would call a cappuccino.Service was very slow. Our waitress was nice and friendly, but the staff member on the till was less so.We are locals and are always keen to add to our list of 'regular' coffee shops, but this won't be among them.

Upstairs cafe. Light and airy, large windows. It was clean, busy and not really crowded. Staff were welcoming and friendly. A large pot of tea for X 2 at a reasonable price. We did not eat anything. When we return we shall..

Always kind, always friendly, always welcoming. A hidden gem. Very accommodating and reliable and tasty food.

Very nice, had a cafetiere of el Salvador speciality coffee was really good

Been here pretty much every time I visit york, the food is always great and really nice layout. Always a really good atmosphere and service.

We visit this little hidden gem fairly regularly. It’s tucked away up a staircase, and is consistently good food. Freshly prepared and quality every time. I love the salads and my husband loves the chicken and bacon sandwiches. Thank goodness they have stayed so good for many years!

Coffee during the day, gin at night. What more could you want.

We had not been in Harlequin for years. Not sure if ownership has changed but seemed, from memory, is much improved.Harlequin cafetiere coffee was just the right strength and taste. As nice a coffee as I have had recently. No more sickly lattes.But the star was the fruit scone. I am a scone lover and get sick of "modern" scones which seem designed to crumble when looked at by a knife. This was firm and moist and delicious. Good quality jam (not a Bookers plastic pot) and, a nice touch, butter that could be spread - not the usual brick straight from the fridge.Now the moan - why no cheese scones?

Unfortunately service was very slow and the waitresses weren't keen to take your order. When the baguette did arrive, it was disappointing. I assumed that the warm bacon and chicken baguette would be warm but alas no, only the bacon was warm and the chicken had come straight out of the fridge. It was also massively dry without any butter or sauce. My friend's vegetarian baguette had tuna on the plate which was alarming. It's a shame as the rest of the reviews are so positive.

Our favourite pit stop when we visit York. The owner is lovely and friendly. The staff are all great too. Fabulous home cooked food and cakes. The cream tea is our usual order. We don't go anywhere else.

Lovely busy little cafe, great service, with friendly and happy staff, all with great service, and lovely freshly prepared food to order ,

I called in with a friend to re-charge our batteries and warm up during a Christmas shopping marathon on a very cold day! We had only planned on having hot drinks until I spotted the scone cream tea on the specials board and we were hooked! We had a lovely light and tasty scone each with butter jam (choice of 2 different flavours) and clotted cream. With 1 tea and 1 coffee, at £11.90 it was very good value for money. Thus refreshed we were refreshed to hit the shops again.The staff were all very friendly and helpful.The toilet needed a bit of a clean but we would definitely return.

Great coffee shop opposite York’s chocolate story. Popped in for a cream tea and wasn’t disappointed- proper Yorkshire portions at a good price :)

A lovely and cosy hideaway in York, well worth the walk up the stairs (didn't see a lift so if mobility is difficult I would check that out). The coffee is amazing and truely experienced and knowledgable baristas. A great range in coffees too. If you like a mild, or a very strong coffee ask the staff for a recommendation and im sire ypunwont be disappointed. Also a nice cocktail selection, and I enjoyed the gin special (Gunpowder). A small but tasty range of cakes looked tempting too. You could sit quietly here on your own, or visit witha few friends.

Quick pit stop for a tasty chicken coronation sandwich and a coffee. Staff were friendly and polite. We had a lovely lunch so thankyou.

Very good food. Polite curtious staff. Nice comfortable surroundings.

Stopped on a rainy Sunday with 4 friends and we were delighted. Delicious cake, nice surroundings and delightful staff. Thank you!

Good value food. The staff here were very helpful and efficient. Food was of a very high standard with some interesting combinations.

Excellent coffee shop right next door to Nero's support the independents 😀☕

A group of 6 of us enjoyed our meals and ate really well here! The jacket potato with Coronation chicken was especially delicious! Menu has a variety of items. Staff was very patient with all of our requests and questions. Reasonable prices. Would easily come here again!

Love this place, this is where I became a gin lover!

Our favourite cafe in the city!

Best coffee in York. Ran by a lovely couple who make sure you are looked after.

Beautiful location with happy staff that clearly enjoy their job. The cocktails were amazing and went down a little too quickly! Oops! Lovely vibe with some great 80s and 90s classics playing. When in York, I'll be here again.

Good coffee. Nicely out of the way. Lovely staff.

Great independent cafe. Lovely selection of coffees, large helpings of cake.

Made me feel I needed to rush and eat up. Otherwise a nice experience.

Nice but for the price you the sandwiches could be better. It was a bit like an elderly people's tea room sandwich.

Visited this by chance (Betty's was full). Such a nice little spot. Good selection of coffees ☕ relaxed atmosphere. It's on two floors (first and second), the upper floor is smaller and more cosy. The two waitresses were very nice. It's only open on Fridays and Saturdays so take the chance to visit if you are around those days.

A nice independent coffee shop with a pleasant selection of lunches.

A refreshing change from the chains. Great food, great service, great prices.

Hidden upstairs, thus not used by hoards of tourists, this is a gem, Yorkshire tea in Yorkshire quantities

These people know about coffee, will grind the beans to suit your home coffee machine.

Nice little coffee shop, serves food - didn't eat myself - good coffee shop, a view of one end of the market place.

This has a lovely view of Kings square and has a relaxing atmosphere, the staff are very nice and attentive. The menu is good and the food when it was served was very delicious.

Large group in for coffees and cakes. The staff were very helpful and attentive, the drinks were good, the cakes were excellent. Prices are average for York, and this is a more spacious place than most around the centre of the city.

Pequeña tetería en York. Ambiente relajado. Los tés y los pasteles caseros magníficos.

What an absolute gem in the centre of York. Our group had 3 milkshakes and 2 coffees which came a large cafetier. All the staff were friendly and although we didn't eat the food looked lovely and large portions. Pay it a visit and enjoy proper coffee in a proper little cafe

Great coffee. Lovely atmosphere. A hidden gem.

무난했어요 사실막입이라 얼마나 맛있어야 맛있는건지 모르겠어요 개인적으로는 만족했어요 시간이 떠서 좀 오래 죽치고 있었는데 눈치 안줘서 좋았어용~~ 친절친절

I did a search on Google for the best coffee places in York, found the Attic and I was not disappointed! Their coffee is sublime. The service was excellent and they also offer food, although I only had a scone. There is WiFi available and it would also be a good place to work, although it can often get very busy during lunch. It is well located in the centre of York and nearby to various tourist attractions, such as The Shambles and York Minster.

Found this little coffee shop tucked away on this rainy day looking for a coffee to warm us up. Very busy place but that didn't phase the lovely young ladies serving us today, very pleasant and service with a smile and also asked if all was ok with everything. They had oat milk which was great as not a lot of coffee shops are stocking that at the moment, so thumbs up for that! We had two lattes and two cinnamon and fruit bagels, The coffees were lovely and we were asked if we wanted one shot or two in them also. The bagels were huge and tasted gorgeous! Visit this place people! we will be going back when in York again to taste some of their other food and drinks.

Huge salad very fresh. Excellent baguette with lovely thick ham. Nice chicken with coronation sauce. Large Darjeeling tea with added hot water pot. Friendly attentive staff. Yum yum.

Only open 3 days a week but if you're a coffee geek this is a must-visit. Excellent rotating selection of roasts with your choice of brew method. Baristas are knowledgeable and passionate which speaks volumes. Simply excellent.

Had a morning tea and toast and tea cake. Tea was in a pot and nice and hot. Staff very friendly. Service was quick. Plenty of tables available. Would go back.

Really nice atmosphere with excellent service and food. Everytime we visit York we always frequent this establishment. Good basic food served to perfection!

Excellent food and staff, love it xxx

Always love coming here every time I'm in York, great independent coffee house, lovely food too

Really good coffee had the house blend harlequin.

Good quality food and great service.

Been a while since I went here but Google just reminded me this lovely cafe exists, brilliant coffee, hope to visit again soon

We have eaten many times at this restaurant and never been disappointed. It is soup, sandwiches, salads, cakes and baked potatoes place. The staff are very pleasant and prompt. The decor is simple, bare wooden tables and chairs. I doubt they take bookings. It is up a flight of stairs. It has an inconspicuous doorway. It is not open in an evening. It is reasonably priced.

Freshly made food, good service

Great busy independent cafe, friendly service and lovely food at reasonable prices

Best coffee in York, love the atmosphere and music too. Wish it was open all week!

If you want something different from one of the chains this is a lovely little tea and coffee house right in the centre of York. The staff are attentive and the service excellent. The cakes (which look homemade) are delicious.

Brilliant selection of Coffee/Brewing methods. Had some Geisha coffee to start followed by a delicious Ethiopian. Both were made to perfection. Friendly staff and a good atmosphere.

Wonderful coffee shop! Highly recommend

The food is a bit under cook dut the room is nice the WI-FI is 4 bars in every room.

Not impressed. An "okay" cafe, cottage cheese salad overpriced and black coffee tasteless. Nice location, but the design inside could be largely improved. Staff do what they can to give a good service , but the dull atmosphere impacts on them too.

A little secret place upstairs in kings square but a nice find. I found the staff nice but not always attentive and weren’t always available (extra water or the bill) the food itself was nice but there is so much competition it just wasn’t for me. Again, nice place and dont be put off.

Always great food and always fresh ingredients every time been I'm happy

Was looking for somewhere to have a lunch but only noticed this place because a member of staff was washing the window on the front door! I read the sign and suggested we tried it. It is upstairs so might not suit everyone but it was wonderful. It is a bright, airy room and is very clean and well laid out. They had a lovely choice of sandwiches and they were well presented. It was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and all the staff were welcoming and friendly. Lovely clean and well maintained toilets too. Good value for money food and excellent service. Would recommend.

A nice independent cafe run by friendly and helpful staff.We had sandwiches and a pot of tea and some scones. Everything was fresh and tasty and we really enjoyed it.Great to sit and look down on all the hustle in the square while we relaxed.

The food was very enjoyable and the tea refreshing. The service was prompt and friendly. We had a pleasant view from our table, overlooking the market square with one of the ubiquitous Street performers doing his thing for the tourists. It is on the first floor and the stairs up to it are a little steep.

Very stale scone, wasn’t charged for it but couldn’t eat it. We both ordered tea, got a large pot with 1 teabag, for the price I would expect loose leaf tea. There are plenty of cafes in York, try somewhere else.

Friendly staff. Beautiful cream teas.

Tiché a pokojné miesto na kávičku, po prípade koláčiky. Interier je jemne ladený, vytvára veľmi ukľudňujúcu atmosféru. Veľmi sa mi páčili kvetiny v oknách. Kávička bola super. Ďakujeme za príjemne strávený čas.

Really nice but a little boring interier, though. Staff was really nice

Nice venue and lovely cake and friendly staff too, The place itself could perhaps do with a little TLC as its looking quite dated. But if you are after a good cuppa and a cake - its a great place to head - and a nice change from the formulaic coffee brands.

Excellent little cafe which can be easily missed. Serves excellent food, especially their salads. Everytime we visit York we always visit Harlequins

Fantastic. Don't bother with cafe Nero next door.

Lovely little coffee shop with a homely feel. We just had coffee so cant comment on the food but what we did see looked good. Nice relaxing atmosphere good selection of newspapers to help pass the time.