The best places to eat in Richmond

Best for: Breakfast 

The Station 

Start your day right with a hearty Yorkshire breakfast at The Station, a restored former Victorian railway building and community hub, home to an art gallery, independent cinemas and award-winning café. Breakfasts promise to hit the spot, using the finest produce from local butchers and greengrocers, served up in huge portions to set you up for a day full of adventures. Veggie and vegan fry-ups are some of the best in the area too. For something smaller, take your pick from the light bites, granola and berries or various styles of eggs on toast. 

Best for: Yorkshire roast dinner 

The Bay Horse, Ravensworth 

Around the corner, The Bay Horse at Ravensworth is your go-to for a traditional roast dinner, complete with fluffy Yorkshire puddings, lashings of gravy and all the trimmings. A family-owned country pub, expect a cosy atmosphere with great food and drink, and though they specialise in meat and seafood, there is a small selection of veggie options. In winter, our favourite spot is next to the fireplace, but in warmer months the beer garden is a lovely place to enjoy the greenery of the landscape. The Bay Horse also has dog-friendly tables if you book them in advance. 

Best for: Delicious pies 

Granny’s Kitchen 

Another great breakfast spot, Granny’s Kitchen is perhaps most popular for its traditional handmade pies (it’s well worth buying some from the shop to take home with you afterwards!) Top of the menu are their pork pies, lovingly made by owner Mike, who used to be a butcher, and their range of spectacular homemade cakes and pastries. You’ll also find plenty of sandwiches to choose from come lunchtime and traditional home-cooked meals in the evening. A former printing press building, the cafe itself is unpretentious and makes for a cosy, welcoming spot to grab a bite to eat. We also love the outdoor courtyard area, where dogs are welcome, and there’s overhead heating. 

Best for: Artisan goods 

Wilfred Deli & Pantry 

No trip to Yorkshire is complete without sampling the finest Wensleydale cheese, and you’ll find that and plenty more at Wilfred Deli & Pantry. Quality is at the heart of their offering, with their luxury hampers making for the ultimate pick and mix gift, while their artisan cheeses and carefully selected wines are the perfect treat for a quiet night in. Once you’re done browsing the jams, biscuits, chutneys and kitchen staples, grab lunch and a coffee or one of their takeaway meals for on the go. Prepared using fresh, seasonal ingredients, there’s a daily-changing menu along with their famous sausage rolls. 

Best for: Riverside views 

Easby-Loop Café

Perched on the banks of the River Swale on the outskirts of Richmond, Easby-Loop Café is the perfect stop-off point for those seeking a day surrounded by nature. A little street food trailer with outdoor seating, we love how unassuming the café is, but its food is exceptional, with its delicious smash burgers and chocolate-covered churros being crowd favourites. Tie your visit in with the 2.5-mile Easby Loop walk to work up an appetite, then sit back and relax next to the flowing river and glorious green countryside. 

Best for: Local fare 

Mainsgill Farm Shop 

Loved by families and foodies alike, Mainsgill Farm Shop has a foodhall to die for – brimming with the home-reared produce made in-house alongside unique foods and products made by local and regional suppliers. For foodies, it will feel like Christmas came early as you browse the immense range of homemade pies, stacks of cheese, home-roasted meats and charcuterie. The fruit and veg is top-notch and locally sourced, while the in-house bakers also create tantalising treats and cakes each day. Children will love the pigs, goats and donkeys as well as more exotic species like tortoises, long-horned cattle and even camels which roam the farm. Afterwards, head to the tea room to feast on spectacular cakes and home-cooked meals lovingly prepared with local ingredients. 

Best for: French cuisine 

Rustique Richmond 

In the heart of the town, Rustique Richmond transports visitors to the streets of Paris with its rich French cuisine and bistro setting, with mezzanine floors, stone walls and even its very own Eiffel Tower. Expect classics like French onion soup, lip-smacking moules marinières, creamy baked camembert and filet de boeuf. Plus, a tantalising range of French desserts like creme brulee, crepes and posset au citron. The wine menu is tailored to match the dishes, making for the complete indulgent meal. 

Best for: Spanish eats 

Number 29 Alehouse, Gin and Tapas Bar 

If Spanish food is more your style, then head to Number 29 Alehouse, Gin and Tapas Bar in the centre of town. Tuck in to tasty sharing plates like garlic tiger prawns, red wine chorizo and a rotating board of tapas specials. The portions are good, and the setting is simple yet intimate, making for a great evening hangout. Alongside a decent wine menu, Number 29 also specialises in real ales and a huge selection of gins, making it just as great to stop by for a drink and a snack as a full evening meal. 

Best for: Estate-to-table 

The Coach House at Middleton Lodge 

Just a ten-minute drive from Richmond town centre, The Coach House at Middleton Lodge is well worth a visit for its sustainably sourced menu, some of which is grown on the 200-acre estate. They focus on seasonal fresh produce, packing flavour into every dish, which trends towards contemporary European cuisine, served up in a light and airy restaurant with original features or in the courtyard for al fresco dining. The setting is beautiful, surrounded by open fields, wild plants and flowers which you can enjoy at any time of day, as they serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner menus.  

Best for: Michelin star 

Forge at Middleton Lodge Estate 

For the ultimate indulgence, Middleton Lodge is also home to Michelin-starred restaurant Forge, where the same estate-to-table philosophy is vamped up by Head Chef Jake Jones. Make the most of the local provenance with their six-course or eleven-course tasting menus, where innovative cooking techniques and creativity lead to a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Although the food is amongst the best, the rustic interiors and friendly service make for a relaxed setting – with stone walls, exposed wooden beams, and light pouring through glass-to-ceiling windows.  

Best for: Authentic Italian 

Ciao Bella, Italian

Based in Richmond’s Trinity Church Square, Ciao Bella offers authentic Neapolitan cuisine, including fresh pasta, family favourite recipes and of course – Naples-style pizza! Perfect for date night, the restaurant is cosy yet classy, with candles on the tables and ambient lighting. The staff are welcoming, and the portions are big, though save room to share one of their beautiful puddings afterwards. Don’t forget to check the weekly specials board for fresh seafood, or perhaps treat yourself to their mixed fish platter, where you’ll be spoiled with lobster, calamari, scallops and plenty more. 

Best for: Afternoon tea 

Drummer Boy Tea Room 

For the quintessential British holiday, an afternoon tea is a must, and Drummer Boy Tea Room takes the top spot in Richmond. With a ritual-like approach to their afternoon tea, everything in the award-winning café is baked fresh on site each day, served alongside dollops of clotted cream, quality preserves and various selections of loose-leaf teas. Plus, dainty finger sandwiches, caramelised sausage rolls, cakes and biscuits. For those with a more savoury taste, their extensive menu also includes homemade pies, quiches and jacket potatoes with all the fillings. Whatever you order, you’ll love the attentive staff and friendly Yorkshire welcome. 

Best for: Gastro pub with views 

The Punch Bowl Inn 

For more casual dining, The Punch Bowl Inn is the perfect place to combine excellent pub grub with gorgeous views over the Swaledale landscape. Expect uninterrupted scenery across undulating green hills dotted with trees and through the valleys. A cosy 17th-century country inn with roaring fires and traditional decor, the setting makes it a feast for the eyes as much as the taste buds. Their food is excellent, with produce sourced from nearby and cooked up with a modern twist, making for delectable hearty meals. For fans of walking or cycling, The Punch Bowl Inn is also a great stop-off point for those exploring Wainwright’s ‘Coast to Coast’ walk or the Pennine Way. 

Staying in Richmond

If you’re seeking somewhere special to stay to complete your foodie retreat to Richmond, our upcycled railway carriages, Sammi’s Freight Train and Albie’s Freight Train, both offer the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. Each hideaway has its own heavenly hot tub and is dog-friendly, so everyone can join in on your Yorkshire adventure.