Jorvine

Situated in the pretty village of Fulford, this well-stocked wine bar and shop boasts its own tasting lounge with a garden room and sunlit courtyard to dine in on warmer days. You’ll find an impressive array of wines here, with over 400 bottles from all around the world. If you’d like to expand your wine knowledge, you can treat yourself to one of Jorvine’s brilliant private tastings. These last two hours and include six wonderful wines accompanied by cheese and charcuterie. One of the shop’s resident wine experts will talk you through the wines as you taste them. The staff here have visited many of the vineyards where their wines are produced and can share some of the fascinating stories behind each glass. Jorvine also sells a beautifully-presented cheese and meat board that can be enjoyed with or without alcoholic drinks. This includes Milano salami, salami with fennel, Parma ham, prosciutto, pecorino, Yorkshire blue and focaccia with cheese, served with olives, onions and tomato. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘[We] called in on spec, and were made to feel very, very welcome. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The wine was recommended and was perfect for our taste. Ordered the sharing platter, which was so good we bought some of the cheese. A wonderful place with a great atmosphere.’
Cheese and charcuterie boards from £8.95

Love Cheese

Located on Gillygate, this little shop is paradise for cheese lovers. Love Cheese has recently been taken over by a new manager, Jordan Thomson, who is passionate about cheese of all kinds. The shop is home to a deli where you can pick up cheese and other goodies to take away. It’s also known for its fun-filled virtual cheese and wine nights. In the shop’s ‘Speakcheesy’, you can listen to live music or take part in fun events like in-house tastings. Love Cheese also has a tranquil and surprisingly spacious garden to dine out in. The shop serves light snacks such as a trio of Spanish or Italian meats, as well as toasties and freshly baked pizza on Fridays and Saturdays. It also offers its own savoury take on an afternoon tea, which comes with cheeses, meats, olives, cornichons, chutney and locally-baked bread. A Google review says: ‘Words cannot describe the experience we had here! We started off with the most incredible grilled cheese we have ever had. The cheese selection was extraordinary and the perfection of the toasted bread they used is beyond anything I have ever had. I am a cheese addict and I’m raving about this place!’
Trio of meats £6.95/Afternoon Cheese £25

Pairings
Pairings can be found in the heart of York, on Castlegate near Clifford’s Tower. This welcoming and informal wine bar is run by sisters Kelly and Kate, who wanted to create a space to bring people together over great food and drinks. To experience the best of what the bar has to offer, you can indulge in one of Pairings’ flights, which include three fine wines that are expertly paired with a selection of locally-produced charcuterie, cheese, cured fish or desserts. If you’d prefer a hot or soft drink instead, there are also food-only options like the Mediterranean Board, with Mediterranean charcuterie, cheeses and antipasti, accompanied by olives, Haxby Bakehouse bread, chutney and EVO oil with balsamic. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘[Pairings] have a great selection of wines, with a good price range. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly…The cheeses were top quality, and the plate with the breads, pickles and relishes was beautifully presented.’
Pairing flights from £28/platters from £15

Howl

Also situated on Castlegate, this independent wine bar specialises in natural, low intervention wines and craft beers. Howl serves a small but perfectly curated menu of light bites and cold platters to accompany your drinks. You can order single plates of charcuterie to snack on with British cured meats like Cobble Lane salami with fennel and garlic or six spicy Islington saucisson. If you’re after something a little more substantial, you can also opt for a full sharing board, which features two meats and cheeses of your choice, served with bread, olives and chutney. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘We visit Howl regularly and always have a great time. Hannah and her team produce great food and the menu regularly changes. The wines are always interesting and varied. Such a good place to while away an hour or two midday or the evening.’
Charcuterie from £6

House of Trembling Madness

One of the city’s most iconic watering holes, the House of Trembling Madness on Stonegate resides in an ancient building with parts that date back as far as 1180 AD. This quirky pub is loved for its mediaeval dining hall adorned with animal heads, as well its excellent selection of beers from around the globe. Trembling Madness’s menu celebrates the best Yorkshire has to offer. Food is served in generous portions here and is prepared using local ingredients wherever possible. If you’ve worked up an appetite while exploring York or walking the city walls, you can sate your hunger with a Hunter’s Platter, featuring smoked venison, chicken, fennel salami, duck, Serrano ham, wild boar and cured pork tenderloin with a homemade dill mustard sauce and artisan bread. A Google review says: ‘[I] loved the mediaeval character of the restaurant upstairs [and was] amazed at the amount of food produced out of the small kitchen. There are cheese boards and Trembling Madness ones. [Mine] looked beautiful – so much food, made with different cheeses that were gorgeous. Grapes, fresh bread [and] lots of accompaniments that all paired with the cheeses.’
Platters £12

2 Many Wines

Located on Bishy Road, this popular wine bar is owned by Cyriaque Lajoinie and Beniamino Berluti, who both have many years of experience in hospitality and fine dining. Cyriaque was born in Paris and Beniamino hails from Italy, so it’s no surprise the bar has a delightful European feel. The friendly staff here offer a warm welcome and the shop never feels intimidating, even if you’re completely new to the world of wine. 2 Many Wines’ dining area carefully blends old and new, making the most of the building’s period features but adding a contemporary touch with industrial style lighting and metal seats. The shop sells bread from local bakery Pancito and you can try the soft Italian flatbreads known as Tigelle here. You can also pair your drinks with a board of charcuterie and cheeses, served with chutney, figs and bread with artisan British butter. A review on Google describes 2 Many Wines as a ‘must visit wine bar’, saying: ‘[They offer] exceptional wines at a great price, which combine with their delicious meats and cheese. The staff are very welcoming, personable and knowledgeable. In addition their coffees and fruit loaf during the day are exquisite!’
Charcuterie plates from £11.95

22 Yards Wine
Residing in a beautiful Georgian building on High Petergate, this hybrid wine bar and merchants serves a range of wines, cocktails and craft beers with wine, prosecco and Champagne sold by the glass. When it comes to food, 22 Yards offers tempting charcuterie boards that can be enjoyed with drinks in their sophisticated dining room. These include tasty cured meats from Cobble Lane and Tempus Foods, accompanied by bread and pickles. There’s also a cheeseboard featuring cheeses from the Courtyard Dairy, along with chutney, sourdough, fruit and nuts. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘[22 Yards’] menu is creative and inspiring. The wine is also fantastic – not surprising really given they also operate as a wine merchant and have 150 or so bottles to choose from. The restaurant has been nicely decked out and has a cosy, convivial feel.’
Plate of cured meats from £4.50

Valhalla

If you’re a fan of Norse mythology, or simply fancy a unique night out, this Viking-themed bar might be just the place. Valhalla was inspired by York’s Viking heritage and has an authentic feel with wooden beams and glowing candles. The bar’s decor cleverly progresses through the story of the Viking invasion, from their arrival by boat, which is depicted in the building’s entrance, to the majestic top floor feasting space which represents Valhalla – or the Viking afterlife. This bar really comes into its own in the evenings, when music can be enjoyed in the form of live rock and metal bands. On Valhalla’s drinks list you’ll find kegged beers, ciders and cask ales, along with craft beers from all over the world. Its speciality, however, is mead – the ‘drink of the gods’. You can sample traditional honey mead here, as well as some fruity options from some of the country’s best independent mead makers. Valhalla’s food menu includes hot Yorkshire tapas, with dishes like Valhalla beer chicken or spicy mushroom fried balls with a choice of sauce. You can also tuck into one of the bar’s incredible platters. These are named after the Norse gods, such as the ‘Vidar’, which features smoked venison, York ham, smoked chicken, smoked wild boar, olives, tomatoes, peppers and artisan bread with a hunter’s sauce. A Tripadvisor review says: ‘[Valhalla is] our favourite bar when visiting York. Great atmosphere with a Viking theme. Fab selection of beers/ciders and the perfect spot to meet people as very cosy!’
Hot Yorkshire tapas from £5.50/Platters from £13.50

Cat in the Wall

Sitting on the bustling Stonebow in York’s city centre, Cat in the Wall boasts a decadent interior with majestic wall art and plush velvet sofas to recline on. This cool and arty cocktail bar provides a platform for artists of all kinds and hosts gigs, book signings, poetry nights and tarot card readings, along with many other fantastic themed events. The bar is owned by couple Sam Waseem and Philip Smith, who transformed the former hairdressers shop themselves, bringing it to life with their creativity and DIY skills. Among the nibbles on Cat in the Wall’s menu, you’ll find a cheese and charcuterie board featuring fennel salami from Lishman’s of Ilkley, salami with hazelnuts and cider, chorizo and lomo, accompanied by mixed olives, salted peanuts, pickled beetroot, pickled silverskin onions and gherkins. A Google review says: ‘A group of us decided to try this stylish place on Saturday evening, the first time for most. The cocktail selection is phenomenal, with some different and flavoursome selections. The Birra Moretti was on-form too. There was a pianist/singer as entertainment, who was insanely talented, playing some relaxing/funky tunes to enhance the already ultra cool feel to the place.’
Charcuterie board £15.50