The best restaurants serving British food in Pickering East Ryedale Yorkshire and The Humber

Willowgate Bistro – A Five-Star Culinary Treasure If I could give Willowgate Bistro more than five stars, I would. This remarkable restaurant is, without doubt, one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve ever had—and it deserves to be recognised at the very highest level, Michelin star and beyond. The chef is an absolute genius. His ability to combine bold, imaginative flavours with flawless technique is rare. Every dish is a masterstroke, showcasing not just skill, but true passion. This is not food you simply eat—it’s food you remember. But what truly elevates Willowgate Bistro from excellent to extraordinary is the experience as a whole. The chef’s wife is the heart of the front of house—warm, attentive, and effortlessly charming. Her hospitality made the evening feel personal and special, as though we were dining with old friends. Together, they create magic. This is not just a restaurant. It’s a love story—between the food, the people, and the passion that binds it all together. An absolute gem that deserves all the recognition in the world. Book a table, go hungry, and prepare to be amazed.

We have passed the fox and rabbit inn for several years and always thought it looked appealing from the outside, with the fantastic weather at the weekend we decided to stop and enjoy a drink and some food in the pleasant outdoor seating area. We received a warm friendly welcome Along with fantastic food and service. Well priced home-cooked food would highly recommend.

We visited on Easter Sunday for roast. It was absolutely fantastic. The service the food et cetera was all really good. Would very much recommended.

Popped in for breakfast as we had done an overnight stay in Pickering for the steam railway. Friendly service an good value. Cake selection was stupendous!

First time visiting Cedarbarn farm shop and cafe. Easy to find, on the main road into Pickering from Scarborough, found on the outskirts. Plenty of parking which is free. Thoroughly enjoyed our lunch with a variety on the menu for all dietary tastes and prices reasonable. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Plenty to buy in the shop, fabulous cake which we took home. Will certainly visit again.

Un lugar encantador en Ebberston Tuvimos un gran tiempo en The Grapes en Ebberston. La comida era absolutamente deliciosa – bien abundante, bien - comidas cocinadas que realmente golpeó el lugar. Es un lugar muy acogedor, limpio y ordenado, con un ambiente cálido y agradable. Lo que lo hizo aún mejor fue lo amable que es el perro. Nuestro cachorro fue tratado como un VIP, con su propio menú de cena para perros – un toque encantador! Está claro que realmente se preocupan por hacer que todos se sientan como en casa, dos o cuatro piernas. Sin duda un lugar al que volveremos. Recomiendo encarecidamente si estás en la zona!

WOW!!! 4th visit and excellent as always. Lodge clean and fully equipped. View over the lake is fantastic. We had evening meal in Spencer’s bar and food was delicious and fairly priced. Marie and staff are so friendly and polite. It is no surprise that many guests return on a regular basis. We are already planning our next visit.

The staff are very helpful and friendly the food portions are massive and reasonably priced, the only downfall is there is no WiFi and husband was trying to watch a match on his phone, I know its not a massive issue, we ate there twice and would definitely return when we are in the area.

Stayed for two nights. Staff great gave a lovely welcome to a gorgeous Vintage room. Cosy, clean and spacious. Bath, shower and super comfy beds. Weather was beautiful, enjoyed sitting outside our room in the sunshine listening to the peace and quiet. A delicious dinner on the first night, and it was really delicious! All was fabulous, topped off with a mouthful watering Bergamot Sorbet, yum! Location perfectly central, close to the railway station and castle. Great Indian restaurant across the road, dined there on the second night. For chocolate lovers, try the Birdgate Chocolatier, a couple of doors down. Parking easy and EV charging available. Great Yorkshire hospitality!

Stayed at the Beansheaf hotel for 6 nights recently as I was working in the area. The hotel is lovely, the rooms are clean and well maintained and have lots of little touches that you don’t get in big chain hotels. The owners are friendly and can’t do enough for you, nothing is too much trouble. Really pretty views too, loved that if you stood outside on a night you could hear the farm animals!! Would definitely recommend this hotel and hopefully I will find a reason to stay there again. Thank you for a lovely stay

This gem is only about 10 mins away for us. Always lovely visit. Had breakfast there this morning, Delicious. The garden centre always has plenty of choice.

Order food got table number we had dog went to dog area but full of people with no dogs so sat as close has possible to wait then to move Rude staff told us to leave you have a dog can’t sit their I explained it was full and answered with not are fault you have to leave

Possibly the worst dining experience we have ever had in a pub. We should never have gone in after being warned there was a party of 18 booked, and had we realised how incredibly noisy they were going to be, we would have gone away. I had to take a tablet half an hour before eating, so my husband asked for us to be served in half an hour. The large party's orders were taken and the food delivered long before ours arrived, and they were ordering their desserts; a couple near us who had come in after us were served. I was getting anxious, because if more than an hour goes by without eating, my stomach tablet doesn't work. My husband had to go and ask about our order, because I was getting very anxious and also getting a migraine because of the noisy party, who were constantly yelling to each other. I went to the loo, which was up a step (so not wheelchair friendly, though the entrance is), which were less than clean, and one of the toilets didn't even have a seat. I mean, a new seat isn't exactly dear! There were a lot of signs up abut drugs, so it looks like there is a drug problem. My meal was there when I got back to the table, but it was barely edible. The chicken had been warmed up too long in the microwave and was too hard and overdone to eat, and the cheese was congealed and rubbery. They brought us a free drink to say sorry but we just wanted to get out of there as quick as we could. To add insult to injury, the large party had blocked us in with one of their many vehicles. The interior was dark and dingy and depressing. This was the first time we'd eaten anywhere in Pickering and we wish we hadn't bothered and just eaten in the hotel we were staying in, thankfully not this one.

Called here for coffee and lunch. Waited 5 minutes and were shown to a table. Waitress said she'd bring over the menus. Stood around chatting to her colleagues, Menu never arrived. After 15 minutes we walked out. I don't expect the food to come immediately but I do expect a menu to be delivered within 15 minuts. Goodness knows how long we'd have had to wait for food if we had stayed. Don't even deserve the 1* I've had to give them.

Great afternoon in the beer garden. Excellent band, great atmosphere, we were made to feel so welcome. And bonus - free cupcakes! Highly recommend calling here, we will definitely be back!!