Cheap and delicious: The return of York’s Restaurant Week

York’s infamous restaurant week returned this October between the 13th to the 26th. This has to be my favourite couple weeks in York. The bargains get better and better each year.

Naturally, I took it upon myself to try as many places I could without breaking the bank, and I wasn’t disappointed. With nearly 110 local restaurants, cafes and bars, with deals from as little as a fiver and as much as £20 per person, there was certainly something for everyone. Here’s everywhere I ate, how much it cost, and whether it was worth it.

Szechuan York

Szechuan York is a new Chinese restaurant in the heart of city; its menu celebrates the rich heritage of Sichuan cuisine. For restaurant week they offered two deals. You could choose between a three course set menu for £20 per person – a starter, main course, and side. Or you could enjoy a five course menu for £25 per person which included two starters, main, side, and dessert.

I enjoyed the £20 set menu, having beef dumplings, sweet and sour chicken and a side of egg fried rice. The dishes were incredibly delicious and were amazing portions, I even took some home with me! There was also a wide variety of dishes available on the regular menu itself. Overall I would recommend Szechuan York to anyone looking to explore the vibrant world of Chinese cuisine.

Days

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Days, located on Low Petergate, is a cozy, independently owned cafe with delicious dishes for everyone. The local, family friendly cafe offered an indulgent selection of meals and locally baked cakes, and an exciting brunch menu. I shared the brunch & drink for two deal with my partner for just £20.

For just £10 I enjoyed the pork belly eggs benedict and a glass of juice. The meal was incredible, personally the best brunch I’ve had in York. Service was fast and friendly, and the atmosphere and cozy lighting made me feel right at home. If you’re looking for a quiet brunch place to go with friends or family, Days, located on Low Petergate and Parliament Street, is definitely top of my recommendation list.

Pho

The Vietnamese restaurant specialises in the noodle soup dish, street food meals and starters that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Their restaurant week menu allowed you to enjoy a starter, main and dessert for just £25 per person.

The simple, modern restaurant offers a fresh and healthy menu filled with bold flavours great for students looking to explore Vietnamese cuisine. Pho offers 25% discount to all students. So even outside of restaurant week, Pho is worth visiting to indulge in the soul of Vietnam through its food.

Panda Mami

York’s favourite all-you-can-eat buffet is located on the river. With 180+ world dishes to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Panda Mami is a critically acclaimed restaurant, and after visiting, I can see why. There are definitely mixed reviews of the chain buffet, so I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. Some dishes weren’t as warm as I would’ve liked but the flavour of everything made up for it. The highlight of my night was the lemon cheesecake which was bursting with flavour.

There was a range of dishes and cuisines to choose from: Chinese, Indian, Carvery and an array of delicious desserts. It’s perfect for families or foodie date nights. I enjoyed multiple Chinese dishes, the egg fried rice and prawn crackers being my favourite items of the night. There was a stunning chocolate fountain that you could smother anything in, even ice cream!

Tomahawk Steakhouse

Located in the centre of the city, Tomahawk Steakhouse is York’s very own specialist steak restaurant & cocktail bar. I had the £30 three course set menu deal. I indulged in a succulent fillet steak (with an added side of mac and cheese of course), Parma croquettes and arguably the best vanilla cheesecake ever!

Tomahawk Steakhouse is definitely on the more expensive side of dining in York, but is worth it for those special celebrations and date nights. The intimate dining experience creates the perfect atmosphere for those romantic nights in the heart of York.

Heavenly Desserts

Tucked away just off st Helen’s Square, Heavenly Desserts offers a truly memorable dining experience, being proudly recognised as Best Dessert Restaurant in Yorkshire at the England Business Awards.

Heavenly Desserts had multiple offers during restaurant week, offering value-for-money deals like the dessert for one for five pounds that I had. I treated myself to the luxury Lotus Biscoff waffle for a fraction of the price. Finding an affordable yet delicious sweet treat just got even better. The stunning setting and artisan food makes the best time for anyone.