York Minster Refectory in York

Wow, I get it's a pretty building and the menu looks all fancified, but as someone who's eaten at great restaurants all around the world, I'm sorry, it's over priced, pretentious, and none of my dishes were impressive. In fact earlier in the day I'd eaten at a cute little tapas place nearby that was 10 times as tasty, and the prices were about 1/3 what this place was charging. The dessert dish, a savory cheese and rhubarb thing was practically inedible.. in fact it sort of tasted like someone had poured cleaning fluid into it ... and the burning in my mouth from it makes me think that possibly they had. On top of that the waitstaff is badly trained. Not only did my waitress neglect to bring me the daily specials menu, but she was ignorant of any of the dishes, said she'd never tasted them. Ensuring that the wait staff at a fancy restaurant has at least tasted all of the dishes to be served (so that they can speak intelligently about them) is so fundamental that all decent restaurants make sure to always do it before opening for the day. And not only had she not tasted the specials, she said she'd never been given a chance to taste the regular menu items. So apparently they don't do that here. Since she hadn't, I tried other staff members and they were almost as clueless, one bartender said he'd eaten one of the dishes on his OWN DIME, and liked it, so I got that. This isn't how you run a fancy resturant

Did not eat this time it was a look and see. But real quality even for York

We came for a drink in this place, beautifully located, with an incredible view of the cathedral. The service was perfect; frankly, I recommend without any hesitation; to a well-deserved 5/5!

An absolutely amazing experience, wonderful food, superb service and the most stunning views in York. Highly recommended for a special treat.

Went with wife and two children and all had a great experience. Very welcoming staff, beautiful setting, smart interior and divine food. Food portions were spot on for all and prices very reasonable for such quality.

Loved the food, here, talented Chefs. Bit different to others using clever classic French and modern English. On the roast beef dish, a second ( even half ) slice ( or a club cut) would have been a kinder portion of protein. The, rabbit, the veloute, and the puddings all deserve praise. The staff were friendly yet professional. Will be eating here regularly from henceforth.

We sat outside with a tea and coffee, food looked amazing,a little expensive,

Having been to a number of Michelin star restaurants (which is what this is aiming to be I presume) I couldn’t believe the tiny portion sizes. I got a celeriac main which was tasty but the dish would have been small even for a starter, yet cost £19! This was similar with other dishes such as the pork belly and gnocchi. I don’t expect huge portions in fancy places but I had to order chips as soon as my dish arrived to feel even remotely satisfied. Celeriac is not an expensive ingredient. The service was also poor (not the waitress’ fault who tried chasing the kitchen for our desserts a few times) however we waited over an hour between main and dessert - eventually asking if the kids ice cream could at least be brought over sooner as they’d sat quietly playing for such a long time already. The heat of the restaurant was also really uncomfortable for everyone. This was an expensive meal and really disappointing when I think of similarly priced Michelin star or Michelin guide restaurants in the area.

Great to have a nicer restaurant that caters for children, vegetarians and vegans well. This is on the pricey side, but good for a treat / special occasion. The food was well cooked and delicious and the staff friendly. The setting is lovely and the view of the minster stunning (although from our seat in the restaurant we couldn’t see that).

Beautiful setting, 5 star food and warm service - a real gem right in the heart of York!

Best location and service in york 👌

Enjoyed a quiet lunch from the Light Bite menu, which was perfectly cooked & presented. Staff were terrific & we particularly liked the ‘modern sculpture’ created especially for us.

Called in for coffee and cake. Both were lovely and served by friendly staff in the historic refectory building.

What a stunning building in a most incredible setting, bang across from York Minster. Must be a delight to sit outside in summer. Being a cold February day, we sat inside. It's gorgeous.

Having visited the Minster went to the refectory for a pot of tea. There’s not a lot of ‘service’ in bringing a tray of tea to a table. Very surprised to see a 12.5% service charge added to the bill.

Service and food choices excellent. The meal was presented and ate extremely well. The venue is second to none with beautiful outlook on to York Minster. Easy to get to from railway station. I can’t recommend highly enough.

overall this is excellent, the building is amazing=, the setting inside is great, the food is cooked perfectly and presented immaculately. It is on the pricey side but this reflects the overall experience.

Met friends here for reunion lunch, tons of atmosphere and extensive menu, we took advantage of February discounts on main dishes. Service was polite friendly and prompt.

Superb! The building has a fantastic setting, being located adjacent to York Minster, and looks amazing when lit up on an evening. The staff are welcoming and extremely attentive, and can't do enough for you. I was with a large party of 12, and we were accommodated extremely well. The oysters to start with were superb - plump and juicy as they should be, and the vinaigrette complemented them very well. The pollock for main was excellent, perfectly spiced, and well cooked. I finished off with the cheese, and a dram of the 16yr old Lagavulin, which finished the night of in fine style. Overall, I can't fault the place - it was top notch from start to finish!

It’s fairly new and there are not many reviews online. However, it was perfect from every aspect! Top service, atmosphere and food!

A classy, calming setting for an annual get-together with old work colleagues. My pheasant was pretty good, served with a sausage roll and parsnips. There wasn't much of it, though (perhaps reflected by the £15 price) so I was glad to finish up my companion's copious ploughmans. My other friend had Tandoori pollack with lentils @ £25 which was more substantial than my dish and perhaps a better choice. The cost for each us with one bottle of wine was £46.

Had our post wedding meal here as a party of 9 (plus a little one). Everybody was enormously impressed by the experience. A lot of skill and effort had gone into every element of the dishes from individual components to presentation. Service was wonderful. Bill was extremely reasonable for the standard of food, service and ambience. Strong recommendation.

This restaurant got things exactly right from the moment you walk through the door. The building has been tastefully turned into a restaurant with reminders of its past (Minster School). Greeted with a warm welcome and promptly shown to table. The menu has a limited number of choices, but on the whole, the dishes are not those that you see everyday and have some interesting twists. The carrot velouté was tasty as was the accompanying brioche. The pheasant main was tasty and had an interesting "mini sausage roll" twist. The accompanying truffle potatoes were tasty. No room for a dessert, although some of group did - and they looked excellent. Good quality red wine for the meal and a great cafe latte to round off things. Tables are not too close together and the ambient noise level is low making it easy to have conversations. For the quality and service level (which was attentive but not obtrusive), the price point was good. Will definitely return

An absolutely delicious treat; flawless service, wonderful location and setting and impeccable modern British food with a focus on Yorkshire produce. We're not local but we will be back!

We stumbled upon this beautiful restaurant whilst wandering around York at lunchtime. From the moment we walked through the door the staff were amazing. Very friendly and welcoming. We had a burger and club sandwich and both were very very nice. Portion size is large. Next time we are in York we will certainly be back for an evening meal.

Very posh. Right opposite the minister in a very beautiful building. We went with my 3 and 1yr old and were still msde very welcome, while Id say its probably not a spot for little ones really

Visited the restaurant with 5 other friends on a Monday evening to celebrate a big birthday. We were given a lovely table and were treated well by our waitress from start to finish. Most of us had starters, all delicious and quite filling , with mains between us of fish, chicken and steak. All the food was cooked well and was very tasty. We loved the ambience and the restaurant was cosy and warm. We also liked the fact that we could talk easily, sometimes restaurants are far too noisy. Had been slightly apprehensive when booking, but should not have been as it was the perfect place to celebrate a big birthday, we hope to return again soon

Wonderful food and excellent service from Kris. 5 star What a treat this was. We went and had a 3 course meal. You must get the seafood cocktail for a starter it's amazing. Kris looked after us and really knows his stuff.

This was a big surprise on a short stay in York . Omens were not good as the sleet came down as we exited the Minster . We made our way to the refectory and found it to be a well restored old building with old school items on display. The surroundings were very comfortable and staff very friendly. The mains were both excellent with local produce in evidence. Desserts were a treat. We both did not realise before how good this place is .

Very good food, unusual and feel good. Unfortunately left to flounder when we arrived. not very busy. My personal concern was having to cope with 4 menus, it was too much.

A fabulous lunch on Saturday with overseas family. Everything you'd expect from Andrew Pern's stable - and lovely to see some familiar faces on the team. The food and service was outstanding from start to finish. Baked duck egg started was as delightful, the steak tartare delicious and the must have truffle tartiflette was a stunning side order. Brown butter baked cod was a highlight too. Good wine list with something for everyone. A great place to eat - looking forward to a return visit soon!

First time dining here and it was amazing! As a sister restaurant to The Star in the City, I was not disappointed!

This is our second visit to the refectory and both occasions have been excellent. The location adjacent to the Minster in the centre of York can’t be beat. The tables cater to couples, groups and large parties. The starters were all delicious (risotto, duck, seafood cocktail) the mains were all very tasty (steak tartar, Steak, fish, pheasant) the only small critique is we would like more on the plate a few vegetables or some bread to start. We didn’t have desserts this time but previously they were delicious. The staff are lovely and very attentive. Can’t wait to go again.

Food was lukewarm at best, place almost empty and the quality of food underwhelming for the price. Unfortunate for such a prime location.

My husband and I, along with our 2 young children (3 and 18 months) decided yesterday to try the refectory for a drink, having known nothing about it before hand. It all started well, we told the girl who greeted us that we only wanted a drink, no food - she was helpful, welcoming and managed to find us a table pretty quickly. We sat down and the girl told us someone would be with us shortly to take our order. At this point I realised how fancy this place was, with lots of tables occupied, and bottles of champagne at nearly every table. I tried not to feel out of place. Whilst I looked at the menu my husband went with my 3 year old to the toilet. When he came back I told him noone had been over to see us, although there were waiters walking passed us the whole time, even making eye contact with me but not one said a word. I then took my 18 month old to the toilet, changed her nappy, and when I came back to the table my husband said "shall we just go?" I knew this meant that in the time it had taken 4 people to go to the toilet, and with a nappy change thrown in for good measure, that not one of the waiters had even shown us the time of day. Not even a "i'll be with you shortly." To top it off there was a single woman shown to her table whilst we were already seated, she was given a bottle of water and her order taken almost immediately. Even when we were getting all our stuff to leave (which can take some time with 2 young children) not one person asked if we were okay. Even tho, again, there were numerous members of staff walking passed us, even moving out of our way as we left with the pushchair. All I can think is that we weren't made to feel welcome as our "face doesn't fit" - you wouldn't look at us and think we were going to spend a lot of money, but how would you know? Why is our money any less favoured than anyone else in that restaurant? If this is your policy then shame on you. I would have much preferred to have been told on the door that it wasn't a family restaurant, rather than be made to feel the way you *all* made us feel. We were very happy to take our custom elsewhere. All I can say is, I hope King Charles got a nicer reception than we did.

As a huge fan of the Star Inn the City we thought we’d give the Rectory a try, but we’re hugely disappointed and won’t be back. All 6 of our party preferred the star. Downstairs was closed off and we were seated in a small room upstairs with around 6 tables and no atmosphere despite the surroundings. The waiter was attentive and we were looked after but not outstanding. I found the food very disappointing and more expensive than the star. Between 6 of us we had various choices from the menu, but I found all of mine bland and uninteresting. I really wanted to enjoy the refectory but unfortunately it fell far short of what we expected for the money.

Style over substance, lovely building but cold

This is the first time I've been in, we called in for drinks but we will give it a go for meals soon.

Great looking restaurant but disappointed with bar area. And the welcome we received .

A beautiful venue with excellent staff, fantastic food and great atmosphere. We had a selection of starters to share between 3 people and I couldn’t fault them. It maybe a slightly higher price than some of the other local options but for me it is totally worth it.

We left after the starter. It’s a stunning building, particularly when it’s lit up. It’s less special when you’re held by security in the cold vestibule waiting for your table. We weren’t allowed to go to the bar and wait (we were on time but our table wasn’t) because it was too full. The party of around 6 people after us didn’t bother waiting and barged into the bar. The door supervisor was told by the host that it was ok because they’re regulars. After our wait, we were hurriedly shown (without our jackets being taken) to our table, passing an empty seating area upstairs where we could have waited. We hoped the food would make up for the shoddy welcome. The salmon was terribly salty. The seafood cocktail lacked the promised seafood. We gave up and asked to leave. Our waiter was very good and understanding and insisted we didn’t have to pay. We ate elsewhere and won’t return.

Absolutely superb meal in stunning surroundings, a wonderful atmosphere and a really lovely friendly team attending to our every need. A fabulous evening. This is our first visit but as we are local we are looking to returning again soon.

Delicious food, lovely surrounding. We had the pheasant which was perfectly well cooked and a good portion size. Extensive menu. Sadly, service was lacking. Took 25 mins from arriving until taking our food orders, despite being sat for 15+ mins with our menu closed. Then,...

Host was great, but service was subpar. Took quite a long time to get anyone to even acknowledge us, which was an issue throughout the night. The food was good, the dessert was the best part of the meal. It’s a great building and very pretty from the outside.

Fantastic top class food, three perfect courses, hot and tasty food very well cooked and presented. My gluten free dishes were labelled in the kitchen which is a brilliant idea to prevent any mistakes ( first time I’ve seen that, and it shows the amount...

We visited for the first time recently having wanted to try this place since it opened. We had the three course Christmas menu, and enjoyed the food very much. I had the salmon fish cake, followed by the turkey and then Christmas pudding. The fish...

Really cozy atmosphere and nice selection of wines. The place is better than the photos but we visited in Christmas period that made this place more cozy and charming. The food was really well presented and nice. The staff is really friendly and smiling all the time. Definitely it’s worthy to book with them. We were in a group of 6 people that was nicely arranged in a elevated area of the restaurant. Highly recommended and affordable prices.

Unable to checkout food or service it was closed, but the view up to it was stunning, obviously catering for tourists/students with plenty of outside space/tables. It is open winter time but in the summer will be superb......if you can get a seat!. With the Minster to one side and the superb building itself is a winner.

First and foremost we cannot comprehend the negative reviews left by some, based on our own experience, this was one of the most pleasant dining experiences we have had the pleasure of enjoying. All staff we had the pleasure of dealing with where poliite, efficient and friendly. Food was of the finest quality,. superbly prepared and cooked, Flavours amazing. Enjoyed so much that a meal here will be the centre piece of future visits to York for us. Recommended unreservedly. Thank you for a superb dining experience. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Food was excellent only flaw was no chunky chip or new potatoes but had french ⁰fries the only disappointment Services was excellent too

I have visited twice now, and both times I've thoroughly enjoyed the historic setting, the food, and the very attentive customer service. However, given the price I feel the portion sizes could be a bit more generous, e.g. it wouldn't hurt to get a few...

I’ve visited twice recently (lunch and dinner) and had very different experiences. The venue is beautiful and very nicely converted into a restaurant making the most of its history as a school. It’s beautifully decorated for Christmas. The staff were welcoming and attentive. The food...

First thing to say is that the restaurant is in a beautiful building which has been refurbished to a high standard and the approach, lit up for Christmas, is impressive. We were looking forward to an early Christmas celebration with our son and his fiancee....

Been meaning to go for a while. Lets start with the positives: The old school has been nicely and thoughtfully converted. The designers did a good job. The staff are friendly and welcoming although tbh they could save cost and reduce the number of them...

Housed in a unique building that simply wows at Christmas with the lights decorating the facade offering a lovely instagrammable moment. However if you've come for a high end meal you will be disappointed. Reminds me a bit of Star in the City or Hotel...

Was really looking forward to going to the Refectory with friends for our Christmas get together. The building was all decked out for Christmas and looked brilliant, like a fairy tale. A great job has been done to upgrade the old school to a restaurant....

Food quite enjoyable, portions for the Sunday lunch on the small side. I don’t believe you should walk away from a restaurant feeling you haven’t been sufficiently fed. The service fluctuates depending on the staff. Edit: re-visit very poor service, no front of house. Walked out!

We had the tasting menu which was brilliant value, especially given how amazing the food was. All 7 courses were delicious, beautifully presented and plentiful! The service was very attentive and professional but also warm and friendly. One of our favourite ever restaurant experiences and...

Over priced Latte with a service charge £4.50 each for to small coffees. Didn’t get told about service charge until the end. Costumer service was okay.

We dined us for a birthday celebration. We received a warm welcome on arrival. We were shown a lovely area of the restaurant with views of York Minster. It was stunning in the evening. The restaurant is beautifully decorated. Food was amazing, every dish was...

We visited today for lunch, whilst visiting the Christmas Market. We were seated straight away and asked if we wanted “water for the table” . The staff are very attentive & friendly but I was disappointed by the food, we both ordered the club sandwich...

Came for a very special meal, the staff were all excellent, and very informative when it came to wine pairings

A friendly fine dining experience with the warmth associated with Yorkshire and tasty local produce. The atmosphere is elegant yet olde worlde, with stunning views of the majestic Minster through period paned windows. Flickering candles and sympathetic mood lighting make the area very intimate for...

Three of us ate on Saturday night. Absolutely fantastic meal. Loved every mouthful. Chased down with some great wine, and desserts. Food was just brilliant, and the service was impeccable. Prices might not suit every pocket, but as with most things, you get what you...

First time we have been in here since it opened. Lovely venue, tastefully decorated for Christmas. Lucky enough to get a seat looking onto the Minster for lunch. The lunch menu is a selection of traditional dishes, but all done with a modern twist and a very classy presentation. Something a bit special. Excellent service - staff all very helpful and friendly, and don’t rush you.

Last night was our second visit having had a good experience previously. There was nobody on reception to welcome us and we noticed straight away how cold it was. Once seated we still felt cold (even the men!) and the waiter said he would try...

Excellent restaurant. Fine dining evening menu

Just had a wonderful lunch at The Refectory. The setting is beautiful, just opposite York Minster with a bar at the front and then an intimate/ quirky restaurant. The menu is full of Yorkshire food favourites. The soft poached duck egg was a wonderful start,...

Really nice place opposite the Minster. Good choice of food and not off the planet price wise for the quality. Will go again when in York

Stopped in one night for drinks, it was amazing. They made us very welcome, its beautiful and the cocktails were amazing. We went back the next night for dinner. And the food was fantastic. Service was excellent. And the building itself is beautiful.

The food was divine. I genuinely think this was one of my top meals out ever. Service was also fantastic. I would gladly visit again.

An evening of paired food and wine, with the story of the wines told by the grower. Fabulous event, five courses, and coffee, beautifully prepared and complimented by five Alsace wines, a right treat on a Tuesday evening, lovely building, efficient service and excellent value...

Amazing spot right next to the Minster, good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Decided to try as we have been to Star in the City many times. Fabulous, historic building, bit canteeny inside but pleasant. Drinks excellent. Only problem was as a picky eater with...

Lovely meal here with family. We were a large table and certainly not rushed. Food was fabulous, lots of choice, portions just the right size and lovely surroundings. Staff very helpful regarding an allergy. Look forward to visiting again.

Really great food and staff! Building is great too

Very basic meal, nothing fancy, expected a side salad for £16 steak sandwich. Chewy beef but asked how I’d like my meat and it came that way. Will not return

We would highly reccomend this resturant, yes on initial view of the menu it seems rather expensive. But the light bites are the size of a normal meal, so you are paying what you would expect in a standard resurant. If you want more upmarket go for the main menu, we stambled across the Refectory while walkong around the Minster trying to get out of the rain. I can tell you, every member of staff was pleasant and friendly no matter who walked through the door. Weather for cake and tea or the lunch menu, if you are in the area it is a beautiful building inside and out

We were a party of eight on a Saturday night that was not to busy. The staff were friendly, however they were not particularly attentive given how quiet the restaurant was we had to catch their eye a number of times. We were there for...

The food was lovely, as was the building and the decor. Unfortunately the service by one of the staff was less than pleasant. Went there on a Saturday afternoon and an older woman (eastern/southern European or South American) in her late 40’s/50’s was serving us. She seemed so disinterested and unwelcoming, which we did not expect from an establishment of this sort. Luckily the staff that attended to us after her shift ended were wonderful! Sadly we won’t be returning. Such a shame, as this restaurant has so much potential!

Wow we had one of the most delicious and amazing meals. The sourdough bread is a must and the seafood cocktail was extra special. Loved it and a must visit when in York

Beautiful dining room and attentive service. We ordered the pheasant which was delayed and then arrived so over-cooked that it was inedible. Staff were admittedly apologetic and removed from the bill. Primary issue here is that the price point does not match the quality of the food. Major insult is the wine list. The audacity of serving bottom shelf screw-top pub plonk for £36 a bottle leaves a very bad taste indeed. There are far better restaurants in York for a similar price. I really would not bother.

Good food, nice setting but rushed service. Asked several times if we wanted a dessert rather than being allowed to savour the expensive wine and chat.

We devoured an absolutely delicious Sunday lunch at the Refectory. Both the beef and the lamb were of the highest quality and were cooked to perfection, with all the accompanying vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshie pudding of an equally high standard. The surroundings are also a...

Attended a wine tasting event, great spot, looks impressive. Lunch was great! Will defo take a visit back for a normal dinner booking! Ps - loved the toilets!

We had the three course tasting menu as part of the York Restaurant week. The food was fantastic, with lots of intense flavours to enjoy. For a tasting menu I found the portion size to be generous. The staff were attentive and very friendly. I loved the ambience of the setting. We booked tickets for a special event in November, as we all wanted to return. I would definitely recommend a visit.

We visited during York Restaurant week, so had the 3 course tasting menu. All of the food was delicious, beautifully presented and such intense flavours. I found the portion size to be generous for a tasting menu. The staff were attentive and very friendly. The...

Positive: beautiful place, very friendly and helpful staff. You feel that they care of you, asking how is the food, if we are ready for next meal... Negative: nothing special in the menu, even a tasting menu does not have something to attract (includes cheap...

The food, the ambiance, the service, the setting! Just a lovely experience. The menu is fabulous, the taste and visual experience is just yummy. Warm, welcoming and beautiful food. Breakfast, lunch, cocktails, snacks to tasting menu wide range but quality all the way. Right next...

We were welcomed and greeted like old friends. We had a pick of the tables. We chose one overlooking the minister with the bells ringing. The food we ordered came promptly and we were very surprised how large the sandwiches were. The drinks did take...

Great location with view of minster from outside tables. Inside historic/gothic. Breakfast was OK if tasteless and gooey. Service very polite though hard to find a waiter to pay . Stunningly expensive given quality. I

Beautiful building, great staff and great food

Lovely! Having had something from the lite bites menu and thinking how full I am, I wonder how big the portions are from the main menu 😀

We had the taster menu was such a lovely evening the food was excellent and the staff were great would definitely recommend it!

First time and probably last. Beautiful setting but slow service, and the yard was just messy. Bird mess all over the table and chairs. We expected more.

A fantastic and delicious meal served by friendly, efficient and unobtrusive staff, in a great setting (we even had a view of the Minster from our table). The food was excellent, well presented and cooked to perfection. The menu was varied and had some lovely...

Pretty special building and lovely atmosphere. We had the tasting menu that’s on at the moment at it was great. Good vibes for a special night.

We came here after recently enjoying a brilliant meal at ‘The Star Inn’ at Harome and hearing that the owner had taken on a new restaurant, we thought we must give it a try and we are so glad we did! We were going to...

We were a party of 8 , pre booked for a family birthday. We ordered drinks which took forever to come and some oysters as an appetiser that arrived after the starter…, one of our party ordered scallops from the Specials menu and was very...

First the good bit: the views you can get from the Refectory are great, if you're visiting in part because of The Minster. But as a business, and a fairly new one at that, it seems very misjudged. When I popped in for a tea...

Overpriced. Slow service. Hard to eat food.