Food in Harrogate and Knaresborough

[alanabennett]

Hello -

I'm going to be spending a couple of days in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the beginning of March.

Any recommendations for places to eat? I'm traveling from overseas so desperate to get my fill of a) proper English cakes and b) proper pub grub. I've seen a few pub menus and it appears that everything has gone "gastro" 🙄 which is very disappointing. I don't want wanky, deep fried halloumi and rocket, I want steak and ale pie and chips!

please point me in the right direction!

For cakes / afternoon tea try the famous Bettys tea room .

The Blue Bell at Arkendale for the pie and chips.

Fat rascal from Bettys is a must. I also recommend getting a pack or two of Yorkshire gingerbread to take home.
I’ve not personally tried but heard good things about Mama Doreen’s in Harrogate, apparently the afternoon tea is better than Bettys.

Thank you!

William and Victoria is a great pub for a Sunday roast in Harrogate.

You're spoiled for choice! Lots of great places. The Bear at Carriages in Knaresborough is my brother in laws fave pub. Also is you have transport the General Tarleton just outside Knaresbourough is good.
In Harrogate, people regard Betty's afternoon tea as a must. Make sure you book if you want to go though as queues are long, even off peak.
You'll probably get loads more recommendations for Harrogate too so I'll leave that to others who know more about it than I.
Enjoy you're trip, it's a great part of the country

Thank you! I haven't been home in 4 years so I'm
excited. It's basically a walking and eating trip. I'm just finishing season 4 of Last Tango in Halifax and I want to do a tour 😀

The Tannin Level in Harrogate

The Malt Shovel in Brearton
The Boar’s Head in Ripley. - Both little villages just outside Harrogate

Also endorse William & Vic’s in Harrogate, the menu’s exactly the same but go downstairs as it’s more informal than upstairs and booking is definitely recommended

Oh yes definitely downstairs for William and Victoria, it's lovely and cosy.

Omg the cake shop in Knaresborough.. Will find the name. Once drove 90 mins just for a cake!

Hirsts... Worth a trip ime.

Even if you decide to have tea elsewhere, pick up fat rascals and (especially) curd tarts from Betty's.

Definitely Betty's and in my opinion best pub is the Queen's Head at Kettlesing.

The Ugly Duckling Cafe in Knaresborough is lovely.

Do you like fish and seafood? The drum and monkey is a must!!

Also had lunch in Will & vic last week - excellent. Also recommend sportsman’s arms in wath for Sunday lunch.

In addition to the pubs mentioned the Kestrel at Plompton does really nice ordinary pub food.

Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe is another proper pub grub place.

Much better value and portions of than Betty’s! Gorgeous too.
www.harrogatetearooms.co.uk

I never go to Bettys, Mama Doreen's is way better imo.

Link

I think Betty’s is overrated, and it’s expensive.

I completely agree, don't get the hype at all. I had to eat at the one at Harlow Carr recently as I was there and we were starving, the sandwiches were unpleasantly cold, not far off freezing.

Breakfast at Fodder is good (Fodder is run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society so all the food is local).

I came on here to say Fodder too.

Got to be the Boars head in Ripley, walk around the castle grounds and the artisan butcher. Most importantly the Ripley ice-cream it’s a must!

The lavender tea room does a lovely bit of cake. My mum's favourite was the curd tart.

You must visit Mother Shiptons cave and the petrifying well.