The Shambles is easily one of the most iconic visuals that York invokes: a winding, cobbled street shrouded by medieval hideaways with slanted roofs and plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in.

Some of these buildings date as far back as the fourteenth century and once held the name, “The Great Flesh Shambles” – a somewhat macabre title likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels (flesh-shelves) the word for shelves on which the butchers would display their meat.

The Shambles itself was an open-air slaughterhouse and meat market and although the butchers have now disappeared into the annals of history, several shops still have their ancient meat-hooks and shelves.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a whole lamb dangling from the windows these days, but instead you’ll come across a wealth of restaurants, artisan shops and businesses that draw thousands of visitors daily. The Shambles Market can be found on Silver Street, just west of the main street – with a host of wares, baked goods and hand-made gifts available for purchase.

As The Shambles is an unmissable part of any York experience, here’s our guide to the best independent spots in one of the most historic city hotspots.

 

Shambles Kitchen

 

Shambles Kitchen is tiny but mighty sandwich shop situated at 28 The Shambles. With an ever-changing menu prepared from scratch, they are passionate about creating delicious, freshly made food that can be shared between friends or indulged in alone.

The Kitchen offers a simple menu of sandwiches and toasted wraps with smoothies, homemade lemonade and hot drinks – all made from seasonal ingredients which means there’s something good for everyone. A testament to this is the sheer popularity of their sandwiches: due to the size of their kitchen they sell out on most days, so make sure to visit between 11:30am – 2:30pm to get your mitts on something seriously tasty.

 

Los Moros

 

Tucked away on 5 Silver Street – the food quarter of the Shambles Market – Los Moros serves-up homemade, locally sourced and freshly prepared authentic North African and Middle Eastern Street Food to oft-rainy York.

Packed with spice and flavours, firm-favourites include Persian Chicken wraps and baguettes, with Los Moros also creating a range of veggie and vegan dishes including Falafel wraps and grilled halloumi with chermoula. Make sure to look out for their daily specials and take a minute to sit down and watch the hustle and bustle of the Shambles with your complementary Moroccan mint tea.

Ye Old Pie & Sausage Shoppe

 

You know you’re in for a treat when your butcher is up at the crack of dawn (4.30am, to be exact) just to make sure there is a fresh display of pies ready for opening at their shop on 45 The Shambles.

As the name suggests, Ye Old Pie & Sausage Shop make their own pork pies (boasting fillings such as wild boar and black pudding), pasties and sausage rolls, also hand-rolling the hot water and shortcrust pastries to go with them.

If you do find yourself their way, make sure to get a pack of Olde Pie’s hand-prepared dry-cured bacon made from whole pork loins, cured in a demerara sugar and salt mix between seven and ten days before being dried, sliced by hand and packed. Perfect for a flavoursome post-York bacon butty.

 

Ye Old Shambles Tavern

 

From one butchers to another (technically – the Shambles Tavern is a former butchers that now serves as one of the best independent pubs in town) having won the Gold Good Food Award in 2018, and received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2018.

This traditional pub in the heart of The Shambles sources the majority of its menu from other independents in the Shambles: including their hand-cut Rump Steaks, Whitby Scampi, Yorkshire Pork Pies, Yorkshire Ham, Farm Sausages, Burgers, free-range eggs and salad products are sourced daily fifty yards from their front door – all from local butchers, fishmongers, shambles market traders and local retailers.

After all, there’s nothing like eating grub fresh from off the street. Sort of.

 

Harveys Of York

 

For those of us with a deep, unrelenting love for cheese (we see and respect you) – look no further than Harveys of York. 

From Shepherd’s Purse, fine clothbound traditional cheeses, aged Wensleydale’s and even Dales End, a fine Cheddar made in the North York Moors by adults with disabilities in Botton Village, there’s plenty for you to enjoy with a cracker at the end of a tough day.

Harveys also has shelves bursting with a huge range of honeys, oils, local preserves and chilli jams, perfect to accompany any cheeseboard, with an emphasis on produce sourced from Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.

Swains Butchers

 

Swains is a family-run butchers that specializes in providing meats sourced within a thirty-mile radius, which can be found on Shambles Market.

From chicken breasts rubbed with spices and herbs to home-made sausages and burgers, you’d struggle to not find something spectacular to serve to the in-laws on a Sunday. Stand-outs include their 21-day matured select cuts of beef steak which have been dried and hung on the bone, but if there’s a cut in particular you’re looking for, Swains will endeavor to do it for you.

That’s the joy of shopping local, I suppose.