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.
Ampleforth Abbey is home to a community of Benedictine monks who welcome visitors into the Abbey for services, and to explore the extensive and stunning Abbey grounds. Entry is free.
History & Heritage
The Abbey Church and Visitor Centre offer a fascinating insight into a living monastic community. Founded in 1802, the Benedictine community at Ampleforth Abbey is the largest community of monks in the UK.
The Abbey Church is filled with furniture, sculpture, and glass from skilled crafts people, including local oak furniture craftsman Robert ‘Mousey’ Thompson.
Tea Room
Open daily 10.00-17.00, home-made refreshments are available including hot meals and cakes, tea, coffee and cold drinks including our Ampleforth Abbey apple juice and cider.
Outside seating offers stunning views across the Ampleforth valley, and there is baby changing, children’s menu, and plenty of space to park buggies.
💜 Baby Change
💜 Pram Space
💜 High Chairs
💜 Kids Activity
💜 Kids Menu
Explore the Grounds
The Ampleforth estate covers 1,200 acres of lakes and woodland in the Howardian Hills National Landscape, with the North York Moors National Park to the north. We welcome walkers and cyclists throughout the year.
Dogs are very welcome, but please make sure that they remain on a lead. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate dogs indoors, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Ampleforth Abbey, York, YO62 4EN
The award-winning farm shop and café specialises in locally grown produce, including fruits, vegetables, and rare breed meat. Their in-house bakery provides homemade scones, cakes & traybakes, with their chefs providing a range of delicious meals, sandwiches and seasonal specialties for the café – in late November and early December, enjoy a delicious home cooked Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. Let’s get festive!
The Balloon Tree is a great day out for all of the family – entertain the children in the play area, situated in the securely fenced café garden, so you can enjoy a cup of coffee & homemade cake, whilst they burn off some energy.
You can even come and find your perfect locally sourced Christmas Tree (available from late November 2024). Plus lots of great gifts for the whole family from sweet treats & stocking fillers to scented candles and locally produced gins & beers. Or why not ‘Pick your own’ contents for a beautiful tailored hamper.
Open seven days a week with seasonal variation on opening times. Make sure you check the website for all up-to-date information or email them with any questions.
💜 Baby Change
💜 Pram Space at tables
💜 High Chairs
💜 Kids Activity Colouring Sheet & Play Area
💜 Kids Menu
🐶 Dog Friendly (Outside Seating Only)
🕑 Open Mon-Wed 9-5pm Thurs-Sun 9-5.30pm
📍Stamford Bridge Road (A166), Gate Helmsley, YO41 1NB (One mile west of Stamford Bridge)
We’re all about people! We’re committed to building relationships with our customers everyday. Whether it’s a delicious cup of coffee, a conversation, or just giving people the opportunity to catch up with family & friends.
Our coffee shop offers a breakfast and lunch menu, speciality coffee and cakes all available to sit in or take away. Our bar is open on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights until 11pm. On these nights we serve our New York style stonebaked pizzas – available for takeaway or eat in! To book a table you can call during opening hours or book on the website.
Come and see us for:
Speciality Coffee, Craft beer, Pizzas – pizzas are served 5pm-9pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings for both take out and sit in. Saturday brunch club – bacon, sausages, eggs, pancakes…and more from 10am til 3pm.
We right next to the Poppleton children’s play park so you can come down and grab a coffee while your little ones run free in the park!
During school holidays we open from 10am everyday unless stated otherwise on our social media!
💜 Baby Changing
💜 High Chairs
💜 Kids Activities
💜 Kids Menu
💜 Pram Space
🐶 Dog Friendly
🕑 Mon 8.30am-4pm, Tues-Fri 8.30-11pm, Sat 10am-9pm
📍 Poppleton Community Centre, Main Street, Nether Poppleton, York YO26 6JT
ℹ️ Good to Know: The Poppleton Centre has a great playpark just out the front.
We are an independent coffee shop in Haxby that have something for everybody. All food is freshly made, using local independent suppliers where possible. We try to cater for most tastes and usually have gluten free bread and cake/ brownies available for people with a gluten allergy or intolerance.
Our food is freshly made and cooked to order and also, if you love the tea and coffee as much as we do, we sell them in retail bags to take home.
We have a childrens menu with colouring and mini cutlery available too as well as highchairs.
💜 Changing Facilities
💜 Pram Space
💜 Highchairs
💜 Kids Menus
💜 Kids Activity (Colouring Sheets)
🐶 Dog Friendly
🕑 Mon-Fri 7.30-4pm Sat 8.30-4pm Sun 9-3pm
📍 8 Haxby Shopping Centre, Haxby York YO32 2LU
Have you had wonderful food and drink or outstanding service from a pub, cafe or restaurant outside the ring road?
If yes, please send us your recommendation HERE
The Aldwark Arms is a beautiful village pub and restaurant set in the countryside of Aldwark in York and is owned and run by the Hardisty family.
Aldwark, Alne, York, YO61 1UB
T: 01347 838324
We are delighted to serve great coffee and teas from Fairtrade, with delicious cakes — many homemade by our volunteer bakers — as well as freshly prepared light lunches using locally sourced food. Disabled Access.
💜 Baby Change
💜 Pram Space at tables
💜 High Chairs
💜 Kids Books & Toys
💜 Kids Menu
🐶 Dog Friendly (Outside Only)
🕑 Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm
📍 30 The Village, Haxby, York, YO32
T: 01904 750444
Located just 4 miles from the historic city you can enjoy the delights of the City with the peace and quiet of the riverside village location. The pub has two enclosed beer gardens. We offer breakfast Thursday to Saturday- 9am until 12 noon.
💜Changing Facilities
❌Pram Space
💜Highchairs
💜Kids Menus
❌Kids Activity (Colouring Sheet, toy box etc)
🐶Dog Friendly
Main Street, Naburn, York
T: 01904 623464
Nestled in the village of Bishopthorpe, The Riverfront is more than just a destination; it’s a haven of riverside charm, where culinary excellence in our restaurant, Bosun’s, meets riverside serenity. With the option to dine in the Bosuns restaurant or more casual outside picnic area at The River Front Café. A children’s play area and a range of menu options for families, make it an idea spot for lunches and special occasions.
Bosun’s Restaurant, Ferry Lane, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2SB
T: 01904 439739
Chocolate & Co is a wonderful cafe on Lowther Street, in the Groves, which began for the purpose of breaking down and overcoming the barriers to employment to those marginalised and living on the fringes of our community. We have a lovely menu of freshly made light brunches and lunches, as well as a delicious range of homemade cakes, and stunning hot chocolates. Most of our dishes are available as children’s portions.
💜 Baby Change
💜 Pram Space at tables
💜 High Chairs
💜 Kids Activity (on request)
💜 Kids Menu
🐶 Dog Friendly
Open 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm Saturday
Lowther Street York YO31 7NB
Serving breakfast, hot & cold snacks and a variety of freshly cooked meals. See our menu on our website.
💜 Baby Change
💜 Pram Space
💜 High Chairs
X Kids Activities
💜Kids Menu
❌ Dog Friendly
🕑 Mon-Sat 9-4pm Sun 10-4pm
📍The Bothy, Deans Garden Centre, Stockton Lane, York, YO32 9UE
T: 01904 400141
Family-run fish and chip shop. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
Monday closed
Tuesday 4.30-7.30
Wednesday 4.30-7.30
Thursday 4.30-7.30
Friday lunch 11.30-13.30 evening 4.30-8.00
Saturday lunch 11.30-13.30 evening 4.30-7.30
A19 York/Selby Rd, On the Lay-by, Deighton near Escrick, York YO19 6HQ
T: 07762 561730
Our spacious, family-friendly cafe serves a variety of hot and cold drinks, handmade sandwiches and cakes, with vegan and vegetarian options. In summer enjoy your food and drink on our outside terrace. A warm welcoming place to meet with friends, with an array of books to keep children entertained.
Baby Change
Pram Space at tables
High Chairs
Kids Activity – Lots of Books
Kids Menu
Assistance Dogs Only
Open Hours on website HERE
Oaken Grove Community Centre, Reid Park, Haxby, York YO32 3QW
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.
💜 High Chairs
💜 Space for Prams
💜Baby Change
💜 Kids Activity – play area
💜 Kids Menu
29 Main Street, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2RA
T: 01904 706185
We are the only Cafe in Strensall serving all day breakfast and lunch with luxury award winning coffee and tea. We always have a gluten free and vegan option. We have colouring books and entertainment for children. Very known for our homemade traybakes including our Scones.
Pram Space High Chairs Kids Menu (happy to alter menu and ‘create your own’ is very popular with kids) Dog Friendly (Outside Seating Only) Open 6 days (closed Tuesdays) 8am-4pm22 Barley Rise, York YO32 5AUCottage Inn is a beautiful village pub in Haxby, we offer fresh locally produced food everyday along with local ales & wines and the best Sunday Lunches in the area. Our opening times are:
Tuesday and Wednesday: 12:00 to 22:00
Friday and Saturday: 12:00 to 23:00
Sunday: 12:00 to 19:30
115 The Village, York, England YO32 2ZB
Family run, family friendly traditional Yorkshire pub, serving homemade proper food! A great selection of real ale, spirits & wines. Well behaved dogs welcome!
Opening Times
Monday: 12:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 21:00
Tuesday: 12:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 21:00
Wednesday: 12:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 21:00
Thursday: 12:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 21:00
Friday: 12:00 – 21:00
Saturday: 12:00 – 21:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 19:00
*Bookings advised*
23 The Village, Strensall, York, YO32 5XS.
T: 01904 490302
Founded in 1985 by an ex-railwayman with a passion and enthusiasm for all things connected with railways, The Sidings is built around 5 Pullman style railway carriages. These have been developed to create the ultimate railway experience. Part of the carriages have been converted in to a dining area, allowing tables of four to overlook the track.
Station Lane, Shipton By Beningbrough, York, YO30 1BT
T: 01904 470221
The pub offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests to sit and chat over a drink and meal. Serves a modern British seasonal menu and local guest ales. Families welcome and there is a purpose built adventure area for the kids.
💜 High Chairs
💜 Space for Prams
💜Baby Change
💜 Kids Activity
💜 Kids Menu
16 Main Street, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2RB
T: 01904 706507
Distance from York: 16 miles
Our varied menus and specials boards have something for everyone. The Blue Bell also has four beautiful bedrooms, ideal if you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay.
Moor Lane, Arkendale, Harrogate, HG5 0QT
T: 01423 369242
Distance from York – Approx 11.6 miles
Come eat, drink and be merry at the centre of ” God’s own county”, The Victoria at Cattal, one of the few remaining family run freehold country inns. We are sure that our friendly service, well kept Yorkshire hand pulled ales and fresh, local produce befits our newly found responsibility.
Station Road, Cattal, York, YO26 8EB
T: 01423 330249
Japanese inspired restaurant, serving vegetarian and vegan options including Korean dishes, donburi and teppanyaki bowls. There are two restaurants you can visit in York.
77-81 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS
Now open with children’s facilities and great food options to choose from, activities such as outdoor slides/climbing frames for kids of all ages.
Baby Change
Pram Space at tables
High Chairs
Kids Activity (Colouring Sheet on Menu)
Kids Menu
Dog Friendly
Open Daily 9-4pm
Willow Farm Cafe, Wigginton Rd, York, YO32 2RH
T: 07399 959220
