Eating out with kids can sometimes be something of a challenge (understatement of the year!) There are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants in the York area which really do welcome children and families so I’ve compiled a list of them here.
These places are not all ‘exclusively’ for families or children but they have all shown thoughtful touches or great facilities (things like pushchair access, changing facilities, highchairs and so on)
At York Mumbler we are always looking to ‘spread the word’ if we find out about any little gems, so if you know of a pub, restaurant or café that should be included in this listing then please contact us here.
Have you had wonderful food and drink or outstanding service from a pub, cafe or restaurant just outside the City Walls?
If yes, please send us your recommendation HERE
Update: Cafe remains closed until September
Chocs Away is a cafe at the Rufforth Airfield. You can go along for a very reasonably priced breakfast or lunch and your mini mumbler can watch the gliders and planes on the runway from the large, safe balcony. They also do parties.
Open 10am – 2pm
T: 07885 810189
Rufforth Airfield, East Rufforth, York, YO23 3NA
‘I recommend Black Bull Hull Road.’
KF, Sept 18
‘I recommend Black Bull.’
RS, Sept 18
Hull Road, York YO10 3LF
T: 01904 411856
Cakes d’Licious is a Vintage Tearoom and Cakery in York. We proudly serve our Vintage Afternoon Tea which includes freshly prepared sandwiches, crisps, salad, mouth watering scones, strawberry jam, fresh cream and a selection of cakes.
We also create bespoke celebration cakes and host events such as baby showers and hen parties in our tea room.
They have toys and books and are really accomodating and good with kids. My mum takes my son about every fortnight and has done for the last two years since he was born. The staff all make a fuss of him. Book ahead if going at the weekend. They are fine with prams coming in even though they are small as long as not too busy. Their food is super tasty especially the cakes but also the scrambled egg. It’s a very relaxed place and you never feel rushed through.
RM, Jan 19
Cakes D’Licious is our favourite. Best hot chocolate around, always friendly and lives up to its name. Great for lunch and a cream tea is a real treat.
EB, Jan 19
61 Clifton, York, YO30 6BD
T: 01904 541100
This is a neighbourhood cycle repair shop selling bike accessories and parts open Tuesday-Saturday. They are also in association with Angel on the Green cafe-bar. The cafe has secure bike parking and food is served 9am-late daily.
‘Highly recommend cycle heaven.’
LB, Jan 19
‘They have a lovely cafe too 😊’
VW, June 18
2 Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1JJ
T: 01904 654183
Open Wednesday-Sunday 5-9:30pm. Booking essential.
Established in 1987, Mamma Mia has a long-standing reputation for excellent and authentic Italian food, freshly prepared in our kitchens.
Mama Mia‘s on Gillygate really family friendly
VS, Jan 2018
Mamma Mia‘s on Gillygate! Beautiful food, we go here quite often!
EC, Nov 2018
20 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ
T: 01904 622020
Enjoy relaxing in our traditional bar or dine in our restaurant with open fire. We serve home-cooked food and we have a great selection of drinks including cask ales, wines, spirits and soft drinks.
‘Marcia in Bishopthorpe has just won an award for its fish and chips – so the chips must be good!’
LE, Jan 2018
‘The Marcia in bishopthorpe have s separate function room that leads onto the garden x’
SK, July 2018
29 Main Street, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2RA
T: 01904 706185
Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant. Open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday & 10am-4pm Sunday
Osborne’s @68 on Gillygate – lovely people, great coffee, and the cakes are delicious and enormous!!
SF Sept 18
Osbornes at cafe 68 down gillygate is fab!!
HM Sept 18
68 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ
T: 01904 627939
They’re really friendly, love children and my kids love the food-particularly their cakes. It’s close to rowntrees park.
EW Jan 19
The foods amazing, the atmosphere is great and they welcome you like you’re family plus their social media presence is always witty. Kid friendly tasty food on a great Street in a great city but away form the tourist traps
EM Jan 19
35 Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1NA
T: 01904 675115
Serving food such as breakfast and cakes, with child portions available, as well as lots of literature to read.
‘Rowntrees Park and you can have a lovely cake and cuppa in the reading cafe after.’
LCW, Oct 2018
‘Reading cafe in rowntree Park, lovely park area to play then can enjoy coffee and a cake there!’
HL, March 2018
Terry Ave, York, YO23 1JQ
T: 01904 551489
Rustic country pub serving seasonal pub food and a selection of cask ales and fine wines.
The dormouse is lovely x
LH, April 2018
The Dormouse on Shipton Road is dog friendly and you can walk along the river from there either towards town or towards Rawcliffe County Park.
JC, May 2018
Clifton Park Avenue, York, North Yorkshire,YO30 5PA
T: 01904 640682
Friendly staff, well priced, plenty of variety.
JC Jan 19
My grandchildren loved going to the Carvery to help themselves to all the vegetables. They also got plenty of Turkey even though it was on the kids menu.
MA Jan 19
Malton Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO32 9TE
T: 01904 424542
Family-friendly modern Sicilian cafe bar. From a leisurely lunch with a glass of wine, quickly popping in to get ice cream or a cake to take home, Trinacria adheres to high standards of quality and service.
27 Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1NA
‘A huge thumbs up for Trinacria on Bishy Road – always welcoming of us as a family with a baby; quite a tight squeeze with a pram but doable, and they’re very accommodating. Decent baby change table and lots of Ikea highchairs. Brilliant for Sunday brunch, or ice creams (whatever the weather!).’
FB, Jan 19
‘Second and third this place, absolutely gorgeous ice cream, value for money and great service!’
ELG, July 18
Independent Vegan Cafe
Also we love True Story (used to be and Mrs fisher) exclusively vegan now
AG June 2018
Second this, been in a couple of times with the buggy and always made welcome. On Lord mayors walk where the bile beans sign is.
ST June 2018
Afternoon tea pre-booking only
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday
18 Lord Mayors Walk, York,YO31 7HA
T:01904 656566
Traditional Fish and chip restaurant and takeaway, serving Yorkshire’s finest fish and chips. Freshly cooked to order and served with a smile. Situated on York’s outer ring road, family friendly with a great kids menu, gluten free menu and senior citizen menu. Open until 8pm everyday.
‘Wetherby whaler is great x’
JP, Jan 2018
‘The wetherby whaler is v good for gluten free. The staff have a good understanding and the menu is good. My sister has coeliacs and found it excellent.’
EK, Feb 2018
Ings Lane York Business Park, York Business Park, York YO26 6RA
T: 01904 784500
This youth hostel has a cafe and bar with a cosy atmosphere for you to relax in away from the bustle of the city centre (about a 15-minute riverside walk from the city). They offer a range of food and drinks and the cafe is open to both guests and passers-by. Great for the little ones with their play room.
Water End, York YO30 6LP
T: 0345 371 9051
