The Best Independents in York for a Sunday

 

Welcome back! It's been such a long time since I've posted but I thought what better than a recommendations blog about my favourite city to get back into it.

Sunday mornings are by far my favourite time of the week. A slow morning full of fresh coffee, brunch and catching up with friends on a sunny Spring day is all I need to reenergise myself and prepare for the chaos of the week to come.

I've lived in York since 2017 when I moved here for university and every time I walk into town the sheer number of incredible independent bars, cafes, restaurants and shops continues to amaze me. With the world slowly opening up again after what feels like a lifetime of being in and out of lockdowns, I thought I'd put together a post with a few of my favourite independents in this amazing city. 

Please let me know if you visit any and what you think!

Flori - Walmgate 

My number one go to on a Sunday morning is always and forever going to be Flori. A neighbourhood bakery inside the city walls ran by the loveliest group of humans who bake the pastries fresh every day. I wish I could transport the smell of this little slice of heaven through my screen to give you a taste of what you're in for. My personal favourite to satisfy my chocolate cravings is a Nutella Cruffin, the perfect cross between a croissant and a muffin filled with melted chocolate that's still warm. Not to mention the coffee, oh the coffee! I'm a decaf convert and my go to (a decaf oat milk latte) is everything I need and more for a morning stroll. 

Top Tip: Get there early for the best chance of getting the pick of the day's selection as it can get pretty busy!

Coffee Culture - Goodramgate 

If you're looking for a typical York café Coffee Culture is definitely your go-to. When we're allowed inside it's small but definitely cute, with cosy window seats upstairs. From their menu I'd recommend the veggie sausage sandwich which is cooked fresh (the best!) and obviously a decaf oat milk latte. What makes this place even better is that it's just a short walk from College Street which has a stunning view of the Minster or if you walk up towards the end of Goodramgate you can join the walls and have your takeaway coffee and snacks up there! 

The Habit - Goodramgrate

This place is possibly my favourite bar in the city. It serves everything from breakfast and lunch to fresh pizza's with drinks after 4pm. From their rooftop terrace you can see the top of the Minster and when it gets dark the whole place is lit up by fairy lights overhead. If you're looking for somewhere to catch up with friends over a drink or a snack, I'd definitely recommend here. The staff are always so lovely and it's a very chill vibe, perfect for students!

Top Tip: Book a table for their outside roof terrace as there is only space for about 7 groups!

Grindsmith - St Helen's Square

Grindsmith is a new addition to York, coming from their home in Manchester and bringing with them their delicious coffee. Situated opposite Betty's Tea Rooms it's takeaway cafe with rustic decor sells an array of drinks that you can pick up on your way to the Museum Garden's for a walk amongst the beautiful Spring flowers. Although Grindsmith isn't fully open yet due to the renovations happening in the soon-to-be hotel that it resides in (I'm excited), it is definitely worth popping in for your caffeine fix. 

Stam And Maria Greek Corner Cafe - Parliament Street

My most recent discovery is Stam and Maria Greek Corner Café, and I am so glad I tried this place for my charity-shopping coffee break! What's better on a Sunday than searching for thrifted pieces and stopping for amazing coffee to keep you going? They have an outdoor seating area on Parliament Street itself, which is definitely the place to be if you like people watching. Their coffee was delicious and they sell fresh Greek pastries too which are to die for, a definite bonus! 

Double Dutch Pancake House - Church Street

This place makes me feel like I'm back in Amsterdam sat along the canal eating pancakes for breakfast before a day of sight-seeing. With the best selection of pancake toppings I've ever seen, including lucky charm pancakes a few years ago, Double Dutch Pancake House definitely satisfies my sweet tooth cravings. It's right in the centre of town making it very easy to get to and the perfect starting place for a day in York. If you're like me and Pancake Tuesday is one of your favourite days of the year, this place is definitely for you!

Spring Espresso -  Fossgate and Lendal 

Spring Espresso was one of my first independent discoveries when I moved to York back in 2017. It has two different locations on different sides of town, so you're never really too far from one. It's my go-to place for a hot chocolate friend date, or just a date with myself! I've been here so many times and I don't think I'll ever get bored of it, it's always the first place that I recommend whenever someone asks for a café suggestion. 

Brew and Brownie and The Bakeshop - Museum Street (opposite Museum Gardens)

The two sister café's that are Brew and Brownie and The Bakeshop are an iconic duo. Just a few doors down from each other they're both filled with the most delicious cakes and snacks. If Brew and Brownie specialises in anything, it is definitely brunch. Their menu is to die for and if brunch is what you want, this is 100% the place to go. From the Bakeshop, their freshly made focaccia sandwiches are what drew me in years ago, what more could you want?! At the moment, I'm also loving grabbing a tropical smoothie on those warmer Spring days before I walk across the road to the Museum Gardens. It really is dreamy. 

The Vanilla Cafe - College Street (behind The Minster off Goodramgate)

The Vanilla Cafe resides on the road behind the York Minster, making it just tucked away enough from all the weekend chaos for it to be a little hidden gem. From the cutest cupcakes to delicious coffee's it's the perfect place for a catchup with a friend in their outdoor seating area that has the most amazing views of the Minster - it's definitely worth it. 

Shambles Kitchen - The Shambles 

If you're feeling something a little more savoury for an afternoon lunch, Shambles Kitchen is home to the best Shawarma wraps I've ever tasted. Their vegan meat is possibly the best meat alternative I've ever had, coated in vegan aoili sauce, spices and salad all in a tasty wrap. Even if you're not veggie or vegan I'd still recommend you try this, it's 100% a game changer. Not to mention their 10/10 name choices for each wrap.

Dyls - Skeldergate Bridge 

Just a short walk down the river from town is Dyls. Built into Skeldergate Bridge it is the perfect place to take full advantage of their takeaway bar that looks onto a grassy area on the river. This spot is the best location for a boozy riverside picnic, it always has a lovely atmosphere full of people with the same idea and you can take a walk afterwards down to the Millenium Bridge and Rowntree Park!

The Pig and Pastry - Bishy Road 

If you're looking for something just outside of the city centre, Bishy Road is the place to be. The road is filled with independents whether that be shops, cafés or restaurants and I guarantee you won't be able to walk past them without having a nosey at what they have to offer. The Pig and Pastry is a cute café towards the end of the street that I go to for breakfast and it's so lovely every single time. Sometimes it's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of York city streets of a weekend and this place is just far enough out for it to be the perfect setting for a slower morning. What makes this place even better is that you're only a short walk away from Rowntree Park which is a gorgeous place to be for a stroll on a Sunday. 

Top Tip: There is a car park on the road that is pay and display but I would recommend walking from town along the river as it's such a beautiful walk. 

Bison Coffee - Heslington Road 

If you're a student in York you've definitely heard of Bison Coffee, it's right in the heart of student houses. This means that it's very easily accessible for your much needed caffeine fixes in between essay and exam meltdowns. Not to mention their delicious selection of cakes, my favourite is the pistachio chocolate brownie. This place is such a lovely neighbourhood café and if you're walking past on your way into town or up towards uni, it's definitely worth popping in.