We went to this restaurant based on recommendation by our BnB host and we are fully satisfied. The food tastes so good, pretty place in York City Center. When you come to York dont forget to try this resto.
Excellent start to our York experience! I love the food I ordered: Haddock, Salmon & Prawn Gratin £12.45 it was perfect. Delicious rösti with parmesan crumbs on top of delectable creamed spinach and fish bits and the sauce is heavenly. Love it. The cake was pretty good too: Engadine Torte. And cold drinks chosen: Elderflower Bubbly was soo good that it taste good even though it’s not served cold. I forgive that for the taste. First restaurant in UK I visited that makes me want to come back. Beautiful setting in the restaurant and they’re open til 9 which is really good.
Last year I stayed in York for a few days and had to go to Betty's for afternoon tea. I've been to UK 3 times and have never experience afternoon tea there. This was my second time in York, and this time I had someone to go with. We went in the afternoon after a morning of sight-seeing and shopping. The queue was very long but we were determined.
When we were finally seated, we were famished and each ordered afternoon cream tea. Our tea was nice, and the food was very good. We got 3 different half sandwiches, raisin scone, clotted cream, strawberry jam, a macaron, fruit tart and chocolate cake. In the end, we were so full that we ended up skipping supper.
Even though it was very busy, the servers were always making sure everything was ok and if we needed anything else. If anyone is in York, go to Betty's. I highly recommend the experience.
Sense of Occasion. A trip to York or Harrogate would not be the same without calling Bettys for a pot of tea and a Fat Rascal, and if you're in either location you are assured of good food and service. Bettys is a must try, but be prepared to wait as the queues are sometimes quite long.
I arrived by a fast train early afternoon and without even looking for it, I came across the busy cafe with a line of people out the door, waiting to be seated for high tea.
Tracey @LifeFoodWine
+4.5
The dessert was everything I had hoped it would be. Fresh, sweet strawberries filled flaky soft pastry mixed with whipped cream and a side of butter cream that made you speechless. I could not have been happier.
The heart of York city centre is the location for this renowned tea room. The decor is nice and it has the feel of an established tea room. All the staff are dressed in the classic black and white uniforms. We had the
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Just based on the short service I got from ordering a take out scone and macarons. We didn't have time to sit in and dine but heard a lot about this place so we just stopped by.
The only scones left were orange fruit and chocolate. I'm picky about my scones and I really do not like them dry and crumbly.
These were great! Melt in your mouth and moist and dense. Not overly sweet, not dry and not overly doughy. I didn't even eat them with clotted cream, butter, or jam and it was still delicious! Macarons were flavourful and chewy inside, maybe could have a bit more crisp on the shell but they were good.
The prices I would have expected to be much more considering how fancy this place is and the taste but it was reasonable ! In fact probably much cheaper priced than any $2.50 macaron in Toronto Canada which usually aren't as good. Staff was friendly and patient. I wish I bought more scones but I've tried so many terrible scones and the disappointment made me cautious. This place is wonderful I wish they had this in Canada.
Betty's is a must-visit in York--especially if you're on a pastry hunt across the isle as I am! I didn't eat in, as the place was packed, but was fine with getting my Fat Rascal, custard tart, and fondant fancy to go. The service was quite helpful (I had hoped to get a pikelet but was told it should be toasted, which I couldn't do in my room, so chose something else). The Fat Rascal lived up to expectations--such a grand scone, with a soft, tender crumb! The custard tart was perfect to share. The crust was sturdy, the custard firm yet creamy and delicious on the tongue. The fondant fancy, something I have seen on Great British Bake Off, was worthy of Paul and Mary's praise. It was everything a person could want in a tiny tower of cake. Plus, they packed it to-go in a protective box, which made it feel even fancier.
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Came here for tea recently as I was told that this was THE place for tea in York. I did stop by the Stonegate location first, having heard that it was a nicer (and quieter) location, but ultimately opted for the Helens Square location. Unless you've made a reservation for the fancier Lady Betty Afternoon tea, you will have to stand in line for a table. The line when I got there was not bad, (this was a Wednesday midday) and moved along pretty quickly. I did take note to specify that I wanted to stay at the ground level dining area, which has the huge, stained glass windows and much better atmosphere. If you do not specify this, there is a chance that you will get routed to the downstairs overflow room, which definitely does not have the same atmosphere or people watching.
Our wait was fairly quick (10-15 min max), and you can take the time to peruse the menu. We ultimately decided to not do afternoon tea, and instead pick and choose as we liked from the menu, which ultimately afforded us a lot more in the way of selection rather than the tired selection you get at any high tea (it looked about the same too, and the tea selection that goes along with it is very lacking, so to me it wasn't special). We tried:
Bacon & Raclette Rösti (bacon bacon bacon)
Club sandwich (VERY tasty - and I did not expect anything from a club sandwich but damn that bacon was good. I have to call out Betty's amazing bacon. It is crazy flavorful)
Yorkshire Fat Rascal scone (dry, and overbaked imho, so not worth the extra ££)
Fruit meringue
Lemon curd tart
Pimms w/ sparkling lemonade, Hot chocolate & peppermint tea
Everything was tasty, and I'm glad we did not get the afternoon tea as we got to try much more interesting items. The service was friendly and fairly attentive, although I think a bit stretched thin, as at times (like when we wanted to pay), it got hard to track down our server and had to instead catch the attention of other servers instead. This location is very pretty and good for people watching and has a lovely atmosphere.
Tea for 3 and 3 for tea. Our daughter is an Anglophile and tea lover so Betty's was on the "must do" list for us in York. We wanted the full experience so we waited about half an hour for a table in the airy and beautiful upstairs dining room in St. Mary's square. As expected the daughter opted for the traditional tea while wife and I split the seafood gratin and a Fat Rascal scone. All the food was on pointe and service was attentive. They also have a take away shop if you just want some treats to go. Overall, a really nice experience.
I can't imagine coming to York and not coming here (and the lines out the door are proof I'm not the only one). I've actually been to three Betty's (and this one many times). I knew about Betty's from British friends before I ever came to England; it's reputation is that great even amongst my then teenage self and group of friends.
When you're here you can do a proper afternoon tea, or you can make things a bit more simple (and reasonably priced) by simply ordering tea and a dessert, which would run you less than ten pounds. They also have sandwiches and entrees.
On this visit I ordered Betty's Tea Room Blend and raclette. The tea was amazing as always, and I was really happy with the raclette (I ordered it without bacon, but I'm sure it's good unchanged.
Note: you can only tip in cash so don't rely on your card because while that's fine for paying you'll be stuck otherwise.
My husband and I took a trip up to York during a vacation in London. We had heard a lot about Betty's famous tea place and went in for lunch with some locals we were visiting. Needless to say the place is exactly as described. There is quite a line to get in so definitely do not go in expecting to sit right away because it simply is not going to happen. I had a delicious salmon, cucumber, and avocado open sandwich and a salad. Not having planned to have tea there we had to go for at least a dessert. We shared a Chocolate and passion fruit bombe that was to die for. Keep in mind that York is a chocolate capital so pretty much everything chocolate is delicious. My friend had the Fresh Fruit Heart which is puff pastry tstuffed with fresh berries. Divine. If you are in York any time of the year, Betty's is a stop you do not want to miss, and if you love tea more so.
What a wonderful experience!
We came here for a late afternoon tea and only had a short queue to get in. The wait was well worth it. The food and tea were delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect. They were very accommodating to our party (which included two young children) and we all loved the live piano music.
The tea was lovely and the scone, while a bit dry, was a perfect vehicle for the fantastic jam and clotted cream. The sandwiches were good, though a little boring, but the desserts were a highlight. My favorites were the fruit tart and lemon macaron (the lemon curd was so good). Although pricey at £20, it is such a nice experience that I do think it's worth doing at least once.
Bettys is a great place for afternoon tea if you find yourself in York! More than reasonable lunch and afternoon prices, with a very high quality. We didn't have reservations and while there was a line it moved really quickly.
My First proper English high tea, in England!
The service was wonderful, the wait was not as long as it looked, and the food was great!
We also bought some Macarons to go, and ate them on the train back to London. They were fantastic.
Betty's Tea Room gets a tasty 5 stars!
This is the quintessential place for tea, as many others have said. But also quite delightful is a seating for lunch. I had the seafood gratin, and I enjoyed a visually pleasing dish with a crispy crust of shredded potatoes, salmon and prawns, on top of a bed of hot spinach. All around was a wonderful cream sauce with more prawns. I ate the entire thing. The desserts do not disappoint. The service was impeccable. The only sad thing to witness (and nothing related to the staff or establishment) is the many younger patrons who photographed every aspect of their meal, and ate, while scrolling through their phones. It makes for poor people-watching material. That's more about me than anything!
My family and I love visiting this place. It one of the must visit places in York. A visit to York is incomplete without a visit to Betty's cafe tea rooms. The freshly baked items are super tasty . The staff are very helpful and very friendly. There are saperate queues for the tea rooms and the shop. The fat rascals are super tasty and delicious when warmed slightly and consumed with butter and tea. I will surely be coming back to Betty's cafe tea rooms whenever I visit York.
Booked here for afternoon tea for my husbands 50th.
The staff could not have been any more helpful if they tried. Friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The food was lovely and an extra little treat was a small cake brought out with a candle to wish my husband a happy birthday. The cake teamed with the lovely pianist who played “happy birthday” just made our afternoon tea that bit more special.
Would highly recommend and will hopefully get the chance to come back 🥪
I've never been to a Betty's before, but have had cakes from them online, and have always heard good things about their food. We weren't disappointed!
We hadn't booked, so did queue outside for half an hour or so (thankfully wasn't raining!) but we didn't mind this.
Once inside, we were taken to eat downstairs. We both had the English Breakfast, followed by scones and tea. It was all lovely food, and the staff were all very smiley and friendly.
Will definitely visit Betty's again!
Really great venue for a sophisticated bite to eat. I love the Fat Rascals... but this time I had a Gooey Rascal but I didn't enjoy it unfortunately. Went back the next day and really enjoyed my Fat Rascal... up to the normal high standard, great coffee too.
Such a lovely experience when visiting York! We went early (around 9.30am on a Monday) and did not have to queue. The service from all staff members was impeccable and the pancakes were absolutely divine. The price was surprisingly reasonable for such an elegant place too. Would definitely recommend and will definitely be back!
A wonderful place that captures the essence of traditional British tea culture. It offers a fantastic experience with its classy atmosphere, top-notch service, and delicious treats. As soon as you step inside, you're greeted with the inviting smell of freshly brewed tea and the sight of beautifully presented cakes and pastries, which instantly transport you to another time. The tea menu is long and features a wide selection of carefully crafted blends. Whether you prefer a classic English breakfast or a fragrant floral infusion, each sip is a moment of pure delight. The staff, dressed in traditional attire, are friendly and attentive, ensuring that every aspect of your visit is handled with care. The real highlight is the delightful assortment of scones, finger sandwiches, and delicate pastries that make up their famous afternoon tea. The flavors are absolutely heavenly, and the attention to detail is outstanding. Betty's Café tea room is a true haven for tea lovers like myself.
I understand why it’s a MUST eat place in York. It’s a very elegant cafe with lots of selection of food from breakfast to brunch and lunch. We arrived at before 10am in the morning and only have to queue for 10 mins. We ordered “ Imperial breakfast set “ and a cream tea set. It was stuffed for two girls.
Food is very delicious with no disappointment, service is lovely, the environment is cozy and enjoyable. Toilet is very clean and big too!! If you have the same food and service in London it will cost Double. One of the highlight in York is definitely Betty’s! Now I know why people queue for it, and believe it if you have ever tried the Angelina Cafe in Paris, Betty’s is 500 times way worth the wait and money.
On my first visit to York, my girlfriend told me this was one of the “Must” to visit.
It’s a tradition, everyone who visit Yorkshire must visit this restaurant.
They have big menu with traditional food and some more international.
I chose fish and vegetables, also tried the Cool Ginger Beer (without alcohol)
The restaurant also share them story in war times.
The service was great and very efficient!
Delightful! I came for an afternoon tea while visiting family and the service, food and tea were all superb. Make a reservation online for the upstairs Belmont Room experience! There is piano music and you can order from the gift shop straight from your table. I usually go for an early grey but had the rose tea instead and it was perfection. They also did a great job confirming dietary restrictions and preferences, and seemed very capable of handling anyone with a food allergy.
love this place! everyone super friendly. we waited around 20 minutes but the quemoved steadily. staff were lovely and bought items to take out to out table after lunch. there was a lovely selection of drinks and food. we had cream tea. only slight criticism I would have loved it if they'd warmed the scones. Still was lovely x
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