York City centre - best bars, cafes, restaurants and shops

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Hi all, got a trip to York in a weeks time, couple of nights. Looking for any and all recommendations on any must visit bars, places to eat, shops etc.

The trip is specifically for shopping for an outfit for a friend, but as we will all be childfree for a couple of days, there will be some cocktails and foods enjoyed during the weekend.

Anywhere that's a bit quirky or unusual, any hidden gems, any "when I go back to York I'm definetly going back there" type places.

Thanks!

House of Trembling Madness.....shop, bar and cafe, some unusual alcoholic offerings ( like everything you could ever dream of!)

And obviously The Cat Gallery. ( if you like all things cat)

I was there last week.

There's the ghost shop that sells little plaster cast ghosts. They frankly look like something your school child has made with plaster of paris, a condom style rubber mould and a load of poster paint, that you are then forced to display forevermore even though it looks a bit shit.

BUT the powers of social media mean these little ghosts are insanely popular, and there is always a massive queue outside. It's worth a gander at the queue (on the shambles!) and then go and have a cocktail and try and work out what you can sell that will be as successful (this could just be me last weekend!)

There's so many bars and restaurants. I'll have a think. I try and head to the independent ones and avoid the chains though.

My main advice is to book tables especially if you'll be here on a weekend, asap. If you're on a mid range budget Rustique is quite nice - they normally do a set menu that is quite reasonable. More expensive I would say the Rattle Owl or Skosh, but you might struggle to get a table in either of those. Mannions is very nice for lunch or a coffee & cake.

Fenwicks for shopping, definitely give Browns a miss it is pretty rubbish, the Designer Outlet is also good if you have use of a car but I wouldn't bother if you need to rely on public transport

Cocktails at the rooftop bar above Malmaison (can't remember it's name sorry)

I like Ate O'clock for lunch

Partisan also lovely for brunch or lunch

Is The Imaginarium still going? That's always worth a browse around - quirky / slightly kitsch interiors and homewares

Drinks in Sky Bar (the rooftop bar at Malmaison) need to book
Meals at Rustique/Nola/The Ivy/Ate O'Clock/Star Inn The City/The Cut and Craft/Bills
Drinking: Trembling Madness, Revolution, Manahatta, Pitcher and Piano, Slug and Lettuce, Judges lodgings is nice, Harkers has just had a full refurb, The Fat Badger is quirky, Pivni if you like different beers inc fruit beer, The Old White Swan. There are so many, just wandering round you'll find somewhere you like the look of.

Rustique, during set menu time, is always our favourite. Middle Feast is good if you want a quick takeaway, or eat in.
York's not that great for shopping- everything seems to be closing!

Just the best city!

we randomly booked an adult potion making (cocktails) workshop at The potion cauldron on The Shambles and it was so much fun, it lasted approx 1.5 hours and was about £20 each and included 2/3 drinks.

Is the evil eye bar still going?

Loved that back in the 2010s!

Yes! We loved the evil eye bar!

You need to go to Betty's for a cake. Have a wander round the shambles

Loch Fyne is good for seafood, just be aware if you are there at a weekend there are usually loads of stag and hen party's