The busiest time of the year is almost upon us. If you’re hoping to have some fun with your friends before the festivities begin, these York destinations are all perfect for a pre-Christmas catch up.
Lè Specialty
If you’re looking for fresh flavours that stand out from the usual seasonal fare, Lè Speciality is the place to head. This independent café on Fossgate serves an unbeatable cup of coffee along with fusion dishes shaped by the cuisine of Southeast Asia. Lè Specialty belongs to Leon Tan and his wife, Olivia, who styled its smart botanically-inspired interior. Leon is passionate about coffee and has been roasting his own beans for the past ten years. Every cup of coffee served here is specialty grade and many of the café’s other drinks, such as a sweet avocado milkshake or rose latte, can’t be found anywhere else in York. If you’d like to accompany your coffee with a bite to eat, Lè Specialty’s lunch menu features burgers, bagels and lighter options such as a prawn wonton soup or sourdough bruschetta with sun dried tomato or olives. Those with a sweet tooth can also enjoy trying a ‘croffle’ – a croissant pressed as a waffle with toppings like orange and lemon meringue or ‘pistachio madness’.
Spring Espresso
With branches on Lendal and Fossgate, this modern café is just the place to enjoy coffee, cake or a delicious brunch. Spring Espresso’s award-winning baristas really know their stuff and you’ll find coffee in all of your favourite styles here, from a comforting latte or mocha to invigorating ristretto and cold brew. The café offers an all day menu that has been given an update for the winter. You can set yourself up for a morning of Christmas shopping here with a hearty cooked breakfast or something lighter such as a ‘proper porridge’ with fresh blueberries and raspberries, pistachio crumb and honey. Alternatively, you can reward yourself with lunch in the form of a Yorkshire Rarebit with gooey melted cheese or poached eggs accompanied by beetroot houmous, roasted mushrooms, spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes on sourdough.
Thor’s Tipi
Providing the perfect backdrop for festive drinks, Thor’s Tipi is back. You’ll currently find one in the Museum Gardens and another in the grounds of the Milner Hotel. Inside the pop-up canvas venues, you’ll discover glowing log fires and comfortable sofas to chill on as you enjoy drinks such as beer, spirits and cocktails, or warming mulled wine and hot chocolate. There’ll also be live music and an exciting food offering, including loaded fries from All Gravy, Italian goodies from Ciao and sharing feasts, served on snowboards, from YUZU Street Food. Both tipis can accommodate parties of under eight at any time, with bigger groups needing to book in advance. There’s even a happy hour from 4-7 each day, excluding Saturdays.
Remedy
This vegan café serves tasty food that’s good for you and kind to the planet, too. Remedy was born out of a passion for sustainable hospitality, and the creative chefs here use seasonal, locally-sourced and organic ingredients to shape their ever changing menu. By day, the café offers plant-based breakfasts and lunches, while Friday and Saturday evenings see it transformed into a wine bar where like-minded people can meet and socialise while tucking into scrumptious small plates such as beetroot two ways with hazelnut cream, dill and pickled cucumber, or oyster mushroom ragu with pappardelle and garlic pangrattato, which can be followed by desserts like a classic plum and blackberry crumble.
Ambiente
Contemporary tapas bar Ambiente has two York restaurants that boast different but equally tempting menus. At their restaurant on Fossgate, a Josper charcoal oven is used to cook delicious dishes such as a Miso-glazed fillet of beef with harissa chickpeas and chimichurri, while on Goodramgate you can choose from options like authentic Secreto Ibérico y Salsa Verde or a traditional Murcian stew made with fresh vegetables, fruit, spices and herbs. Ambiente also serves fish and plant-based tapas, including vegan takes on seafood favourites like calamari rings and battered prawns, which can be washed down with a glass of sangria or Spanish sherry. Both restaurants have a vibrant and convivial feel that’s created through welcoming staff and rustic-industrial interiors.
The Blue Barbakan
An established York favourite, The Blue Barbakan cooks up authentic Polish cuisine with a unique, multi-European twist. Its new home on Fossgate is cosy and atmospheric with a little extra sparkle for the festive season. All of the restaurant’s food is freshly made on the premises and much of it is served on traditional indigo-patterned plates. You can start the day here with sweet or savoury buckwheat waffles, shakshuka or Polish toast. Later on, you can choose from a variety of starters before tucking into mains such as pierogi (pan fried Polish dumplings), turkey schnitzel or cider braised pork belly. These can be accompanied by a glass of wine, cider or Polish craft vodka. The Blue Barbakan also offers a Christmas set menu for groups to pre order.
The Savvy Baker
York’s trendiest bakery is celebrating Christmas with a new, themed range of sweet treats and drinks. The Savvy Baker has gone from strength to strength since it was founded by Savannah Roqaa as a lockdown hobby. Savannah built her business in Leeds and opened her first shop in York back in May this year. It can be found on Swinegate and it sells a constantly evolving selection of her signature brownies in flavours such as s’mores, Lotus Biscoff or Oreo cookies and cream. From the 22nd November, you’ll also be able to discover the shop’s new winter drinks. These include a banana bread matcha and will no doubt be served in a fun, Insta-worthy fashion.
Images-@lespecialty_york, @springespresso, @thesavvybaker_
